Older guys

[DelaWhere_Arrow]

Holy seniority, Batmen! This is legitimately the most inspiring thread I’ve seen on here. I stumbled in because I have arthritis in my feet and hands, and a bad back from years of getting tossed around the mats, which I still do if I want to support my family. I’m about half the age of most of you, but I was curious to look ahead at what hunting might be like for me in the next 10-20 years and beyond, and though I was feeling a bit pessimistic about it, I am absolutely floored and flummoxed and flabbergasted and all other F-words at how awesome y’all are. Seriously, Sean Connery Bond types, the lot of you! Stallone in the latest Rambo! Samuel L. as Nick Fury! You’re all who I want to be when I grow up as a hunter.
okay, I’m done hijacking’s this thread I didn’t earn a post in for another 15 years. Have at it, I’m here for the education…

 

[Blacksmith]

At 68, I'm still using the WE package of (10). My steps aren't very far apart either. I still really like the Summit except being exposed on a limbless pole. I feel really safe going up and down w/my two panel in a climber. It's sooo comfortable. Guys who say they can sit in a saddle dark to dark must be like 13 yoa. I can't do it.

 

[GeoFish]

What’s the problem? Maybe we can help. Nothing wrong with 15”, It’s perfect! My three step aider and stick are 15”.

I have a bad left knee that limits my step distance. No big deal been that way for a few years. It does limit my choice of climbing sticks.
Having a loss of strength/balance so I need a easy climb. Doc can't find anything wrong. All blood test are perfect. Maybe issues from the death shot, IMO.
Been having foot pain. I thought it was my new Meindl boots. Turns out I have gout. Also a little gout in my hands. Doc is working on it and it seems to be getting better.

 

[2Sloe]

What state you going to?

Well, I know there’s no deer left there, but I’ve always wanted to give Ohio a go. Then maybe Indiana or Kentucky. Have friend that likes Oklahoma for some reason, so I may end up there at the end.

 

[2Sloe]

I have a bad left knee that limits my step distance. No big deal been that way for a few years. It does limit my choice of climbing sticks.
Having a loss of strength/balance so I need a easy climb. Doc can't find anything wrong. All blood test are perfect. Maybe issues from the death shot, IMO.
Been having foot pain. I thought it was my new Meindl boots. Turns out I have gout. Also a little gout in my hands. Doc is working on it and it seems to be getting better.

I get it man. We all have some age related cross to drag around, but you learn to adapt and overcome. 15” step is about all you want anyway when you start putting on the clothes so no biggie there. On the other hand, I have a friend that has gout and I know that’s a show stopper when that flares. Nothing you can do about it but take the opportunity to recharge the battery and build a thirst to go when it subsides. Good Luck my friend!

 

[GeoFish]

I get it man. We all have some age related cross to drag around, but you learn to adapt and overcome. 15” step is about all you want anyway when you start putting on the clothes so no biggie there. On the other hand, I have a friend that has gout and I know that’s a show stopper when that flares. Nothing you can do about it but take the opportunity to recharge the battery and build a thirst to go when it subsides. Good Luck my friend!

What sticks and aider are you using?
I would like to get 4 steps per stick.

 

[cedar paul]

65 and as been stated before I use a Roperunner, foot ascender, push stick,platform and rope. Set platform, push rope up tree ,ascend, rest on platform and push rope up tree and continue. Rappell and remove platform on the way down. I add a knee ascender when using presets and rope walk up the line .

 

[2Sloe]

What sticks and aider are you using?
I would like to get 4 steps per stick.

I’m one sticking with the 15” EWO UOS with UP. Three step EWO sewn aider 15” spacing. Although, I’m about to put a 4 step Ultimater w 15” spacing on it to give that a whirl, because with the three step I’m giving up height on the ground set and have to raise my leg quite a bit to get into that third step on successive moves. In theory a 4 step should work out better. Have to wait and see.

 

[DB4x4]

You guys are making me feel better . . . I'm 58. I'm one-sticking and rappelling. I actually find it less strenuous than I did climbing the tree with my old summit climber. It's like you get to take a little break each time you're just sitting there in the saddle while you advance the stick. Using the climber I was almost always sweating from the exertion by the time I reached hunting height. I almost never overheat one-sticking up the tree to the same height. And rappelling it of the tree is just plain fun, I've been rappelling since I started saddle hunting 5 years ago and still enjoy the ride down.

The climber was a constant ab workout... One sticking is all in the legs with a fun ride at the end.

 

[Shapeshifter]

I'll be 55 in 10 days and this year I have been using three modded out Hawk mini's with a knaider and swaider. I also started rappelling down this season. It's impressive to hear from the 60' and 70' s crowd. I hope I'm still able to do this when I get to that age. Hats off to you all.

 

[Vahunter23322]

I'm 58 with numerous spine issues. This season was my first in the saddle and love it. I had assumed for a long time that a saddle would never work for me with my back issues. Boy was I wrong. I am using 4 hawk heliums with amsteel single step aiders on each. they work well but I plan to transition to a one stick/rappel for 2023. I see many advantages and feel its worth the cost investment and practice time to at least evaluate it. Carrying the multiple sticks is the only disadvantage that I attribute to saddle hunting as the sticks and other items weight can quickly diminish the advantage over my summit climber.

 

[Fgirtyman]

What method of climbing do you use?? I’m 64 my plan is on my private property is for pre sets . I will use spikes and screw ins. On non pre set stands I am thinking either one stick or three sticks. Thanks

71..mainly 1 stick Rappel. I also love my lone wolf assault climber. Basically any method that makes sense for whatever species I’m hunting. Still having more dang fun!

 

[DB4x4]

The climber was a constant ab workout... One sticking is all in the legs with a fun ride at the end.

Although looking at my waist line... Maybe I should've stuck with the climber.

 

[Loucamp]

63, One Stick using a custom (aka: home made) 15" stick w/2 step aider, rappel down. 15" spacing is about all I can do at my height and hip health. I take my time climbing. No hurry, no strain, no sweat. All of my hunts are on land where I cannot leave stands set. The light carry weight is also a benefit.

 

[USSHornet]

Just turned 66 I bought a DRT Kit from NY Saddle Hunter guys I am going to try it as soon as it comes in while the vegetation is down. I don’t think it will always work depending on the hunting circumstance so I have the 17” LWCG double sticks too. I usually know in advance the tree so…I just want to feel safer…another method for me too are my wild edge steps and the fat guy cain method. I started with Wild Edge and I am really a WE guy at heart.


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[drpike22]

Almost 67 with sciatica (i can do almost anything except walk long distance, use a mountain bike when possible) . I really like SRT to get up and down the tree. At the end of the season I would get presets up for the next year and clear shooting lanes on public land. I quess I made the area look to appealing since permanent stands always seem to pop up at these locations. I have switched to one stick and 4- mini sticks so that I can hunt less used areas. I will be trying out Wild Edge steps with a Knaider & Swaider to see if It works for me. As I get older equipment weight is less important to me. I try to maximize simplicity and safety.

 

[drpike22]

I'm 58 with numerous spine issues. This season was my first in the saddle and love it. I had assumed for a long time that a saddle would never work for me with my back issues. Boy was I wrong. I am using 4 hawk heliums with amsteel single step aiders on each. they work well but I plan to transition to a one stick/rappel for 2023. I see many advantages and feel its worth the cost investment and practice time to at least evaluate it. Carrying the multiple sticks is the only disadvantage that I attribute to saddle hunting as the sticks and other items weight can quickly diminish the advantage over my summit climber.

I have a bad back also and agree with everything you posted. I like the weight savings when using one stick but I find I can get up a tree faster, quieter, and with less motion when I use 3-20" Hawk Helium sticks and aiders. I also find I feel more secure standing on the sticks with my linemans belt when attaching another stick or platform. If I am not feeling comfortable on a given day I will use both the linemans belt and tether as I go up. It takes a little more time but increases safety. I still use my tether rope to rappel down . It makes getting the sticks off the tree and getting back to the ground easier and I feel safer. Everyone has to do what works for them.

 

[BowhunterXC]

Just stumbled across this thread.
I turned 65 last year and retired. So, I had plenty of time to try various climbing methods...all summer.
I have the Muddy Pro (original 32" long with 3 fixed steps) climbing sticks and I modified one of them to attempt "one stick" climbing. I liked it, but the time I spent on the ground after rappelling, wrapping up rope, string and packing it all away, made it less enjoyable. When I was using 3 climbing sticks, I could be on the ground, have my sticks packed up and be on my way in less time.
I tried the 2TC method and found some interesting aspects about climbing with that system, but it felt like more physical work and/or effort than other methods. During all this, I learned a lot about tying different knots, rappel gear and how to cut carry weight with my gear.

In the end, I added a single loop rope aider to the bottom of each of my Muddy Pro sticks and went back to packing 3 sticks. I made weight cuts in other ways with my gear and continued to use this system thru this past hunting season. If I know where I'm hunting and the trees allow the use my Summit climber, that's typically what I use. If I'm hunting a new area, I always take my Cruzr XC tree saddle that way I don't get caught in a tree situation that doesn't allow for a climber. I changed from using a backpack to a gear bag for my hunting/climbing accessories and that made a huge difference in carry weight and comfort. I strap my climbing sticks directly to my Mission platform and added rifle slings to the platform for packing and it works great.

As for age being or becoming an issue, it pays to stay in shape throughout the year, so that I can enjoy the hunting seasons in the fall. 100%

 

[Pic1]

Impressive you 60's and 70's one sticking, DRT,SRT. Don't see myself doing it when I crest that hill.

 

[drpike22]

Just turned 66 I bought a DRT Kit from NY Saddle Hunter guys I am going to try it as soon as it comes in while the vegetation is down. I don’t think it will always work depending on the hunting circumstance so I have the 17” LWCG double sticks too. I usually know in advance the tree so…I just want to feel safer…another method for me too are my wild edge steps and the fat guy cain method. I started with Wild Edge and I am really a WE guy at heart.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If the DRT does not work out for you, you might want to try SRT. I think it is a little more user friendly.