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@Ontariofarmer Are you building the short sticks? How long and what do they weigh? What parts are you using?
I used wild edge Stepps exclusively last year. I love how they pack and what they weigh. The problem I was having with them is that a lot of the trees here have thick soft bark like walnuts or locust. The Stepps dig in the bark when weighted then are loose and either wobble some or need retied. That wasn’t terrible but it didn’t like untying and retrying them. Slow.
I’m doing short sticks (muddy pros unless I make something) and long aider this year. I try about everything and see what works for me. This is a great forum.
I am trying different lengths of sticks... 12 to 24 inches.... modified or home made. And different variations of aiders.
Last year I used a 6 step black diamond aider with modified helium sticks.
The year before I used 2 step aiders with muddy sticks.
This year... I still have not decided .
I have tried an amsteel aider... I may use it, I have tried an easy aider.
I find the Amsteel aider is harder to put my foot into compared to the black diamond. But you can customize the distance between steps with the Amsteel.
I will likely go with a 12 to 16 inch stick and a long aider.
I am not sure if I will use the Amsteel aider or the black diamond
With a multi step aider I definitely do not need a long stick.
To get a stick high on a tree cam cleats are a plus.
I consistently got 25 feet to my platform with 3 sticks and a movable 6 step aider last year