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1st time single sticking

Kevin2

Kevin2

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2019
Messages
280
Well I finally practiced and tried single sticking for the first few times. At 57 it’s likely beyond me to be honest, but I wanted to give it a try anyways. I almost gave up early on while practicing, but I kept at it and figured out a way how to do it.

I think having a bigger single stick would help me, I ended up going with the SHIKAR Mini Stick, which is super small light and gets the job done. But a bigger stick has to be easier!

Oddly, I thought that repelling was going to be the easy part, and that was the hardest part to learn. I think that it will be easier in a short time though. I actually did it the last couple of times, but it was awkward.

I look forward to seeing if I can get a system really down pat so I can get up and down the trees reasonably quickly & quietly!
 
Hello Kevin, I have been one sticking since January and I can say it does get easier. I wouldn't put much into being quick up the tree, Quite is where I'd try to maintain. Remember Slow is smooth and quite and smooth is fast. If I push myself I can climb 20 to 25 feet and be set up ready to hunt in ten minutes. Honestly I have tried larger sticks and small sticks and I didn't see a difference in the climb. What did however, make a difference was where I positioning myself when making moves. I set the loop of my tether off of the right side of the tree that way when I swing off my stick I'm beside my stick rather then in front of it. It can also make a difference on how high you are above your stick. What I did was lower my position a little at a time until I found a good height to where I could reach the stick better. The only drawback to that was I had to make a few more moves to reach my desired height. But , that was my issues. What seems to be causing you the most problems?
 
This is my first year single sticking. I love it so far. I'll get better and faster the more I do it. I should be an pro by the end of the year! Good luck to you and maybe a longer stick would work better for you, won't know till you try it.
 
I started one sticking a few months ago. I have a ewo 12” one stick with the up platform and 2 step aider. Tonight a built another stick using parts from ewo. I ended up with a 15” stick with up platform and a straight scout for the bottom step. I also added a 2 step ultimaider to the scout. It’s heavier but I think I like a longer stick better. But the jury is still out


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I only did one climb before season...I was going back and fourth if I liked it. Season comes 4 climbs while hunting. Come to this forum to get answers about the problems Im having and Its all coming around...loved my last climb and descend. Stick with it its the best way!!
 
Thanks

I will try some of that.
Schemeecho said:
Hello Kevin, I have been one sticking since January and I can say it does get easier. I wouldn't put much into being quick up the tree, Quite is where I'd try to maintain. Remember Slow is smooth and quite and smooth is fast. If I push myself I can climb 20 to 25 feet and be set up ready to hunt in ten minutes. Honestly I have tried larger sticks and small sticks and I didn't see a difference in the climb. What did however, make a difference was where I positioning myself when making moves. I set the loop of my tether off of the right side of the tree that way when I swing off my stick I'm beside my stick rather then in front of it. It can also make a difference on how high you are above your stick. What I did was lower my position a little at a time until I found a good height to where I could reach the stick better. The only drawback to that was I had to make a few more moves to reach my desired height. But , that was my issues. What seems to be causing you the most problems?
Click to expand...
 
Once you get your system dialed in you’ll find that it’s really no more strenuous than climbing with regular sticks. I’m 50 and love it.

For me getting dialed in the heights that my aiders were set at and how high to try to set the stick with each move really made a difference with ease of climbing. I went with 15” aider step height because in late season with bulky bibs on that was about all I cared to try to monkey up. I also don’t try to get as high as I can with each move but keep it comfortable. That cuts down on the sweating which is a huge factor for me.
 
I'm near to 59 yrs. old.
I one stik and rarely go more than 3 or 4 moves after I place the stick on the tree with My method. My feet around 17' ish.
I have not timed myself as I don't try to work up a sweat but from off my back to hoisting my bow up can't be much over 7 minutes. I hang a stand.
 
Kevin, I am 56. One sticking is a learning process. At first, I thought this was a young mans method, and better for those under 175 Lbs. I think sometimes I forget my age. I’m 6’2”, ~245lbs. You will get better and smoother. As mentioned above, I too move off to the side to grab my stick below. Having the correct aider length is important too. You want to be able to step into the aider without having to reach your leg up above you. I like my bottom step at about knee height or lower. Make sure step spacing is comfortable for you in heavy clothes. Little details reduce the amount of effort required. I am currently using a full size 24” beast stick with the UP platform on top. I do think the longer stick helps, but I keep experimenting with going smaller. Maybe it is my height, but the longer stick seems easier to grab to step onto the bottom step of the stick. I agree with slow and deliberate. You unconsciously become faster and quieter.

As for rappelling, I find this to be the easiest part. Some people get nervous and are jerky or have trouble getting rope to feed through a safeguard. Another detail is that I feel a smaller diameter rope (9mm to stay in spec) works much smoother in a safeguard. 10 and 11mm work, and you can get them to work pretty smooth, but the 9mm is the sweet spot for me. I like Canyon CI-V. If you are using a figure 8 or other device to rappel, I cannot comment.

Lots of good advice on this forum and there are some good videos. Give it a little time before you give up. But with that said, I don’t think this method is for everyone. There are plenty who still like using three or four sticks. Find what works best for you and hone your methods.
 
Does get easier. Also equipment plays a part. Certain ropes repel easier than others. Using different mechanical vs non methods to repel will change the difficulty level as well. I would play with a few different items and see what overall works for you. If you stay with your current system then it does get better with time. The first time I repelled, (with a madrock) was a bit tedious but still miles better than setting up 4 sticks and taking them down on the way down.

Good luck!
 
Hey Kevin,

We're almost neighbors. :tearsofjoy: I'm 59 and have been one sticking almost exclusively now for three years. For me its one of the least strenuous methods up the tree. It does take a little practice/technique though. I'm in Boyne City and would be happy to give a demo/tips but unfortunately I'm hunting out of town on weekends now. I am typically back home by Sunday afternoons though and will be around weeknights until Nov. if that works for you. If you're interested PM me and I'd be happy meet up with you somewhere.

Joe W.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
Hey Kevin,

We're almost neighbors. :tearsofjoy: I'm 59 and have been one sticking almost exclusively now for three years. For me its one of the least strenuous methods up the tree. It does take a little practice/technique though. I'm in Boyne City and would be happy to give a demo/tips but unfortunately I'm hunting out of town on weekends now. I am typically back home by Sunday afternoons though and will be around weeknights until Nov. if that works for you. If you're interested PM me and I'd be happy meet up with you somewhere.

Joe W.
Click to expand...
Joe, show him your video. It’s a great video for simplifying one sticking. Especially for us old-ish guys!
 
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Islandshooter said:
64 and this is my second season one-sticking. Linesman rope tight while tether is slack, tether tight when linesman rope slack. Best thing I could add. Just my opinion tho.
Click to expand...
This is a good way of saying what is good safety advice… on youtube you see a lot of loose ropes while one sticking, good to keep as little slack as possible. Also two zipties or something similar allow you to advance your tether without putting your fingers inside the danger girth.
 
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