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Need some advice

IkemanTX

IkemanTX

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2015
Messages
3,501
So, I have a decision to make and kind of want to talk the options through before I drop what little cash I have.

I have $90 of funds that is earmarked for hunting by the time season starts...

I find myself with a lot more prep work done this year on properties where I can’t use my beloved bolts and EZ-Kut drill. That means I need to obtain, and refine the use of, a legal climbing method.

I have a set of sudo-hawk heliums. They are from before Hawk bought the design and don’t have the weight reduction millwork done. I did a bit of a botched job shortening them from 3 steps to 2. I didn’t have a drill press and the holes aren’t quite centered/plumb. They should function, just not perfectly level top steps.

That said... I am torn between using these sticks and spending the full $90 on a set of 5 Wild Edge Stepps and using the Knaider/Swaider systems to get to the heights needed.

I already own 3 of the old stepps that Jim Stepp sold that I could use for a platform. I had issues with these steps last year when I was trying to get used to them I had major problems getting them to cam over and stay tight. If they cammed, they became very loose when I stepped on them... if I tightened them just a smidge, they wouldn’t ever cam over. I think the issue may be the old ropes either not being stretched out, or just from their age. I’m just concerned that it is actually me not being good at using them, and that not changing in time for season.

My biggest problem is, if I drop the coin on the new steps I have no more money for replacing the ropes on my current 3 stepps. Or any money left for any of the small stuff I need to get put together by season. (i.e. new nocks and fletchings to replace the damaged ones on my arrows, amsteel to replace heavy/frayed/aging ropes, a couple replacement pieces of clothing etc...)

So, the way I look at it I I can either get the stepps and be done, or I can try to use my botched sticks for the season and get all the other small stuff. I would still plan to use the Knaider/Swaider system with the sticks utilizing the amsteel loops like @g2outdoors showed in his video.


What do you guys think? Better to
 
d_rek said:
$90? It’s cool. I have a $300-400 budget too.


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Hahaha, yep just $90.

I borrowed from my hunting budget way back in early spring for Saddlepalooza and a DanI Infalt scouting session.

September is when I finally get some back.

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Sounds like You answered your own ? Use the helium’s. Self tie an aider. Buy the new ropes unless you have amsteel at home. That way you still have $$ for the small stuff.
 
IkemanTX said:
Hahaha, yep just $90.

I borrowed from my hunting budget way back in early spring for Saddlepalooza and a DanI Infalt scouting session.

September is when I finally get some back.

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I think you misunderstood lol.

$90? I don’t see $90 anywhere in your post. It’s like walking into a car dealership and telling the salesman you only have $15k to spend. All he’s hearing is, “I have $20k to spend.” Lol


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Not gonna lie... The wild edge stepps with KN/SW are pretty freaking tough to beat. But I'm not sold on them as a platform. I don't like climbing with sticks, but the top of the Heliums with a step on either side is a pretty solid platform.

Tough call.

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I would not spend my only hunting related $90 on wild edge steps when I have multiple climbing methods to use already. I tried some and they weren't for me. I would only pick some up if I had extra money and wanted to mess around with them.

Sounds like your hawks are funtional, maybe not fancy and pretty like others, but still very funtional. You also said you would only be using them on a few properties.
 
d_rek said:
I think you misunderstood lol.

$90? I don’t see $90 anywhere in your post. It’s like walking into a car dealership and telling the salesman you only have $15k to spend. All he’s hearing is, “I have $20k to spend.” Lol


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Technically I have $93, and the stepps with free shipping come out to 90 even.
The rest of the stuff would cut it just as close on the budget as the stepps do.


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JakeB said:
I would not spend my only hunting related $90 on wild edge steps when I have multiple climbing methods to use already. I tried some and they weren't for me. I would only pick some up if I had extra money and wanted to mess around with them.

Sounds like your hawks are funtional, maybe not fancy and pretty like others, but still very funtional. You also said you would only be using them on a few properties.
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The bolts aren’t legal on 75% on the Texas public land. The last couple of years, I hunted the 25% where it is legal almost exclusively for my Texas hunting. I didn’t do really any scouting on those properties this year, so AT LEAST half of my season will be spent on properties where I can’t use my bolts.... maybe more than half.


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If it was me, with $90 in my pocket and I already had a way to get up a tree, I would run to the nearest casino and try to triple my budget. Poker anyone?

Ok I’m kidding. Seriously, my vote goes for using what you have, replacing the ropes you need to, fixing up your arrows and getting the camo you need.

You could always try to lighten up the sticks you have. Or depending on the cost, buy some aluminum tube, use the stand offs from the sticks you have and get some steps from DanO.





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ImThere said:
use the Heliums something better might come along by next year :astonished:
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Those beast sticks sure are tempting for next year....
I kind of think I need to get a season of using the knaider/swaider setup and figure out if the 24” steps are the direction I want to go, or if I grab the stepps at that point.

I can play with the 3 stepps I have now for my low height sits (we have a lot of short scrubby trees, so 3 may work for a lot of situations.

The thing I like about the stepps is how dang packable they are. They are like the ultimate in ergonomics. I’d rather have packable than save a pound or two.


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Last edited:
I’d use what u got & save the $ for any equipment emergency that pops up before the season.

If U don’t use it, put that $90 towards some sweet hovercraft levitation ultra platinum Kiwis in the group buy eventually


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I’m glad I posted this up. I had originally been leaning toward keeping what I had, but had dang near convinced myself to pull the trigger on the stepps.

I think with dang near everyone agreeing keeping what I had being the best way to go, that’s what I’m going to do.
I wouldn’t make enough selling myself on a street corner to pay for the other little stuff that needed to be finished before season.

Thanks guys!

So, I’m thinking
Amsteel: 7’ per stick/Stepp I own (3 of each) plus enough for 6 continuous loops for use with the Knaider/swaider system.

Heat sharing fletchings

And...

Nocks (lighted if funds allow)


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IkemanTX said:
I’m glad I posted this up. I had originally been leaning toward keeping what I had, but had dang near convinced myself to pull the trigger on the stepps.

I think with dang near everyone agreeing keeping what I had being the best way to go, that’s what I’m going to do.
I wouldn’t make enough selling myself on a street corner to pay for the other little stuff that needed to be finished before season.

Thanks guys!

So, I’m thinking
Amsteel: 7’ per stick/Stepp I own (3 of each) plus enough for 6 continuous loops for use with the Knaider/swaider system.

Heat sharing fletchings

And...

Nocks (lighted if funds allow)


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Click to expand...

Do u need to buy any amsteel?



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I have some new extra lengths of gray/silver 1/4” amsteel that I can sell. I have to check but should have 2 lengths. A 62ft & a 66ft if I remember correctly.

Probably could get tyd for $1 per ft or maybe a little cheaper. Not sure what exactly I have into them but not looking profit.


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Tapeworm said:
I have some new extra lengths of gray/silver 1/4” amsteel that I can sell. I have to check but should have 2 lengths. A 62ft & a 66ft if I remember correctly.

Probably could get tyd for $1 per ft or maybe a little cheaper. Not sure what exactly I have into them but not looking profit.


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Once I get the funds, I’ll hit you up.


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