Advice for someone new to sticks

[Procat]

New to saddle hunting this year, I’ve used a climber the last 10 years and never used sticks. I have (4) 20” heliums and (4) 30” heliums. When practicing the only issue I have problems with hanging sticks. I find myself fumbling with the straps and I’m not looking forward to doing it in the dark. Since I’m not planning on using any aider until I get more comfortable climbing I’m leaning towards using the 30” sticks. Thought is I could probably just use 3 to get above the ground cover and in my early season spots you generally get into foliage around 15’ so height isn’t the biggest concern. Input, thoughts, advice is appreciated.

 

[huntin_addict]

Practice with them now.

 

[Westdesign03]

I find that when I’m using the buckle straps, I find it easier to hang the non-buckle side on the stick first, then gently/carefully swing the buckle side around the tree and catch it on the other side and then hook it in. Emphasis on be careful and go slow if you can so you don’t risk clanking it on the stick metal or anything else. If the tree isn’t super big around, you can just hand it to yourself around the tree and don’t have to swing it.

There are rubber tube things you can get to go over the buckles also to help prevent noise if you do accidentally knock it on something. Someone on here probably knows what it’s called and will chime in. I can’t remember what they’re called.

Finally, you can try using daisy chain ropes or straps instead of the buckle straps. That’s what I’m doing this year. They seem to be pretty easy to use so far. Doesn’t have as much adjustability as the buckle straps but hasn’t been a big deal so far really.

 

[Droptine85.mt]

Probably the #1 tip I can give you.....TAKE YOUR TIME when setting up. Do not rush yourself.


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[Hunter260]

If you’re using those stock straps, the best way by far is to run the buckle all the way down to about 6” from the tied end. Then, reach around the tree and grab the buckle. Slowly pull the buckle around the tree and push the button just enough to get around to your stick. This ensures the strap is straight level and nearly tight when you hook up.

Personally I find daisy chains to be far easier to use

 

[Bowhunter33]

This is my first year using climbing sticks. I as well have a 4 pack of hawk helium 20" and I bought some 88" 7/64 amsteel daisy chains for them for the noise issue. Didn't get my whole mobile hunting setup together until August and I practiced twice with the setup before I went out September 1st. Absolutely love the use of daisy chains for my sticks, and they were very user friendly in the dark getting out of the tree. I use a red head lamp to see what im doing, and it all seemed almost second nature after that climb. I think I made just shy of 20 foot to the platform with 4 sticks.

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[Hunter260]

Probably the #1 tip I can give you.....TAKE YOUR TIME when setting up. Do not rush yourself.


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This is probably the most important tip in saddle hunting. When I first started I would time my climbs going as fast as possible and be dog tired, sweaty and noisy while still taking about 20 minutes. After I tried going as slow and quiet as possible I can get up easily in about.... 20 minutes.....

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast

 

[Apex7]

Practice, practice, practice until you can attach the strap with your eyes closed.

 

[Procat]

Thanks for the input. I feel like the issues I have hanging the sticks are two fold. On the one hand sticks being new to me there’s always a learning curve. On the other hand it’s getting comfortable relying on my lineman’s belt. Not 100% sure why, I think it’s the sensation of putting my weight into and out of it. From my time using a climber I only fell into my lineman’s strap once and it scared me pretty bad.

 

[Westdesign03]

Thanks for the input. I feel like the issues I have hanging the sticks are two fold. On the one hand sticks being new to me there’s always a learning curve. On the other hand it’s getting comfortable relying on my lineman’s belt. Not 100% sure why, I think it’s the sensation of putting my weight into and out of it. From my time using a climber I only fell into my lineman’s strap once and it scared me pretty bad.

Not sure if you’re hunting saddle or tree stand (maybe you said and I forgot), but you could use a tether rope around the tree instead of a lineman’s belt, or better yet in addition to a linesman and you’ll be strapped in twice. More to deal with but might help. I can tell you I’m not comfortable at height either to be honest but I find ways to do it that make me more comfortable overall. Always seems like if my ropes are always tensioned in some way then I feel better. If they’re not, then if I have a steady foot on something like the stick or whatever then that makes up for it for the time being.


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[Weldabeast]

I try to set up in waist to shoulder width trees....I have mini sticks with rope attachment and I usually past the whole stick around the tree......hold top step and pass it around to my open hand waiting on the other side of the tree

 

[Procat]

Not sure if you’re hunting saddle or tree stand (maybe you said and I forgot), but you could use a tether rope around the tree instead of a lineman’s belt, or better yet in addition to a linesman and you’ll be strapped in twice. More to deal with but might help. I can tell you I’m not comfortable at height either to be honest but I find ways to do it that make me more comfortable overall. Always seems like if my ropes are always tensioned in some way then I feel better. If they’re not, then if I have a steady foot on something like the stick or whatever then that makes up for it for the time being.


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I’m fine once I’m up the tree and hanging from my tether.

 

[RJK314]

This is probably the most important tip in saddle hunting. When I first started I would time my climbs going as fast as possible and be dog tired, sweaty and noisy while still taking about 20 minutes. After I tried going as slow and quiet as possible I can get up easily in about.... 20 minutes.....

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast

Isn't this the FACT!

 

[RJK314]

New to saddle hunting this year, I’ve used a climber the last 10 years and never used sticks. I have (4) 20” heliums and (4) 30” heliums. When practicing the only issue I have problems with hanging sticks. I find myself fumbling with the straps and I’m not looking forward to doing it in the dark. Since I’m not planning on using any aider until I get more comfortable climbing I’m leaning towards using the 30” sticks. Thought is I could probably just use 3 to get above the ground cover and in my early season spots you generally get into foliage around 15’ so height isn’t the biggest concern. Input, thoughts, advice is appreciated.

Are you struggling with balance or specifically fiddling with and cranking down on the strap buckles? I made the rope mod change and found I'm far more relaxed and quieter... did i mention quieter?

 

[tim_dawg22]

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast[/QUOTE]

This


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[Tr33_n1nj@]

I try to set up in waist to shoulder width trees....I have mini sticks with rope attachment and I usually past the whole stick around the tree......hold top step and pass it around to my open hand waiting on the other side of the tree

I read somewhere on here to put the other loop of the buckle strap or the other end of the daisy on the top step and use the stick to pass the strap/daisy to yourself around the tree. Been working pretty well for me on larger trees.