Aider problems

[Jonathan Simmons]

New to using sticks, saddles, and all the gear. I tried two different aiders and have problems with my foot not going in them, but pushing them forward against the trees. I wear snake boots so my boot is a bit large going into the hole, but after a few attempts while hunting, I have gave up on the aiders as too dangerous for me. Anyone else have that problem or is it just me? BTW, the foot openings were plenty large enough to put my boot in easy while just holding the aider. Once on the stick, it just presses against the tree when I try to use it.

 

[Pooh]

I'm too uncoordinated to be efficient with an aider. I'd rather carry an extra stick.

 

[131north]

There's a bit of an art to it. First, your stick needs to be at least perpendicular to the ground, even better if it's got a slight lean towards you. If it's leaning away from you it makes it more difficult to get your foot in there. As best I can describe it, the move is to first flick at the aider with your toe to swing it away from the tree. Then stomp down and try and get the aider to settle right against the heel pad of your boot, right in your arch. Then press your toe into the tree for a stabilizing point of contact. If you're trying to step into an aider with your toes like a regular stepladder it will feel very uncomfortable. If you can get that flick and stomp motion down at ground level, I bet you'll feel a lot more comfortable and coordinated.

 

[Jonathan Simmons]

There's a bit of an art to it. First, your stick needs to be at least perpendicular to the ground, even better if it's got a slight lean towards you. If it's leaning away from you it makes it more difficult to get your foot in there. As best I can describe it, the move is to first flick at the aider with your toe to swing it away from the tree. Then stomp down and try and get the aider to settle right against the heel pad of your boot, right in your arch. Then press your toe into the tree for a stabilizing point of contact. If you're trying to step into an aider with your toes like a regular stepladder it will feel very uncomfortable. If you can get that flick and stomp motion down at ground level, I bet you'll feel a lot more comfortable and coordinated.

last time I tried it, I was hanging off my bottom stick by my bridge after my foot slipped on the aider. fun times

 

[drew13]

It’s perfectly ok to not use aiders, especially if you don’t feel safe. If you really want to like them then, as is said here a lot, practice a lot on different trees until you’re confident.

I think a single step wire aider might be your best bet to help with the problems you mentioned. But it’s totally ok to not use aiders this season and come back to it in the off-season. Safety is highest priority.

 

[Aeds151]

One of the urban hunts in my area just made the use of aiders illegal so dont feel bad.


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[drew13]

One of the urban hunts in my area just made the use of aiders illegal so dont feel bad.


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Really??? Why? Safety reasons?

 

[HuumanCreed]

Have you consider strap on steps? They take a little more time but in regards to weight to height ratio it would probably be the same.

 

[Bama_Xander]

I was not an aider fan until I found the Versa Aider. It's easy to use and you don't have to worry about getting your foot in it or dropping it like a CAYG aider. It's super light so it goes in a pouch every hunt. Carrying it allows me to go with just 3 sticks. Sometimes I'll use it on every stick sometimes just the first stick or just two sticks depending on how high I want to get.

Versa Aider — BackWoods Mobile Gear

Designed with the user in mind our 1.2 oz… let me say that again 1.2oz!!!! Versa aider offers what traditional aiders do not. An easy to use loop that securely attaches to the stick when bearing weight while also being easy to move when weight is removed. Long gone are the days of toe fishing for yo

www.backwoodsmobilegear.com

 

[tmhaz1]

The metal cable aiders that DanO from Eastern Woods outdoors seem to work pretty well. I wear nothing but rubber boots and can always feel the cable so I know my foot is in it

 

[Jonathan Simmons]

I was not an aider fan until I found the Versa Aider. It's easy to use and you don't have to worry about getting your foot in it or dropping it like a CAYG aider. It's super light so it goes in a pouch every hunt. Carrying it allows me to go with just 3 sticks. Sometimes I'll use it on every stick sometimes just the first stick or just two sticks depending on how high I want to get.

Versa Aider — BackWoods Mobile Gear

Designed with the user in mind our 1.2 oz… let me say that again 1.2oz!!!! Versa aider offers what traditional aiders do not. An easy to use loop that securely attaches to the stick when bearing weight while also being easy to move when weight is removed. Long gone are the days of toe fishing for yo

www.backwoodsmobilegear.com

It looks like that one stays attached to your foot. Interesting.

 

[bfriendly]

I’ve got one of Dano’s 3 step aiders on my stick and it is impossible to put your foot through a loop(on any aider) that is up against the tree. I’ve gotten pretty good at using my toes per say to kick out the aider to the side and then put my foot through it and on the rung, then back to the “toe to tree” position. This is actually pretty simple to do if I can do it. Maybe one of the most important things to remember is try to RELAX! Don’t expend energy as you’re hanging and trying to get your foot on the rung and also while moving your stick……relax

 

[CharlieTN]

A little trick I’ve learned is to put my foot in the opening for the aider then sweep it out to my side a bit. This pulls the aider away from the tree and pulls the step up to my foot, usually in that sweet spot of my arch. I can then step down and allow my foot, tight in the aider, to go back to the position I need it in.

A couple of things I’ve learned using aiders:
1. The toe to the tree part is absolutely necessary for me. This can be tricky on certain leaning trees or if the tree has wet/mossy bark. But it’s still necessary since your bottom foot holds the aider out away from the tree for your next foot to step in.
2. I’m not a fan of just using the gas line hose for the step. I’ve had a boot slip off of it one time because my boot was wet. I use the gas line but tie a Paracord cobra braid over it.
3. Webbing aiders with a stiffener inside the webbing and then cobra braid over is my favorite for the steps. Seems to stay open and my boot stays put.
4. Stepping down into aiders in the dark is an exercise in faith and patience. I much prefer to rappel down.
5. I prefer shorter step distances for aiders. I would rather have 3 - 15” steps than 2 - 20” steps. For me, my age, and with heavier winter clothes on, the longer step can really be too much of a struggle.
6. And last but not least, I use my lineman’s rope in addition to my tether to climb with aiders. I do one-stick so the tether is necessary. For me the tether is my safety and the lineman’s rope is my stability.

 

[Mr. Vince]

It’s perfectly ok to not use aiders, especially if you don’t feel safe. If you really want to like them then, as is said here a lot, practice a lot on different trees until you’re confident.

I think a single step wire aider might be your best bet to help with the problems you mentioned. But it’s totally ok to not use aiders this season and come back to it in the off-season. Safety is highest priority.

#1 on the cable aiders. I started out with a 4 step black diamond ladder and did not feel comfortable at all. I switched to a single 16inch cable aider and love it. Size 12’a fit just fine and I can easily plant my toes against the tree to climb


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