Any run API Outdoors sticks?

[Layercakesss29]

Hey guys,

This is my first year hunting exclusively out of a saddle. I bought myself a Trophyline Covert Lite after some demos and I ordered an XOP Edge platform. I had some cashback points on my Cabelas card and after some research, I ordered a set of API Outdoors Hunt’n sticks.

They were priced at $110 and I already had $73 off, so it was hard to pass with the savings. I plan to add an Amsteel 20” aider since it’s only 3 sticks; but, all in all for my first season I think they should work great for me. I like that they are double steps, I’ll probably get 14’-16’ up, and I can always upgrade or add next year if need be.

Does anybody else run the API sticks? How do you like them? How is the quality?

 

[will4554]

They’re a great value. I have a set that I cut down a few years ago and I still use them.

 

[baz77]

My brother has a set he cut down..I've hunted with them a few times I don't for the money they are a great value.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I had a pair I cut down. Not the lightest but they were stout and functional. I liked them well enough

 

[Arrow Smith]

That sounds very similar to my first setup; I ran the API sticks with an attached single piece of 1” webbing on the bottom step of each that acted as an aider. They worked great for me the season or two I used them and helped me get comfortable with both sticks and aiders.

Depending on where and how you hunt you will probably want to go lighter/shorter at some point, but they’re not a bad place to start. My only advice would be to ditch the straps for some daisy chain style straps or Amsteel (soooo much noise savings without the buckle).

 

[BRAY2KAY]

Bought a few years back. Made them into beast sticks….almost. 2 lbs 3 oz with rope mods.

 

[CZMark]

Bought a few years back. Made them into beast sticks….almost. 2 lbs 3 oz with rope mods.

I think @Nutterbuster posted a thread about this several years ago. I was surprised he posted on this thread without linking to that one.

 

[KYHunter]

Great sticks. Cut them down

 

[Nutterbuster]

I think @Nutterbuster posted a thread about this several years ago. I was surprised he posted on this thread without linking to that one.

I never drilled mine. Just whacked em short and used them a bit with a CAYG aider. Mainly with a windwalker. But it wasn't something I kept for long. I've never been a big fan of double step sticks.

 

[jonkytron]

I never drilled mine. Just whacked em short and used them a bit with a CAYG aider. Mainly with a windwalker. But it wasn't something I kept for long. I've never been a big fan of double step sticks.

curious, why dont you like double step sticks?

 

[Nutterbuster]

curious, why dont you like double step sticks?

I don't like how they pack or how much extra they weigh. Not a good tradeoff for me just to be able to put my feet side-by-side.

I'm aware I'm the odd-man-out in this regard. But Andre nailed it way back in the Dark Ages when he made the single step lone wolf steps.

 

[DB4x4]

Like other have said, solid parts but a little on the heavy side. I used them as the base hardware for a couple of single stick climbing/platform setups. When you only have to carry one, the weight becomes less of an issue:


If you're going to carry more than one, I suggest cutting them down and adding aiders. You will get the same height with much less bulk and weight. A mini stick with a single aider will be equivalent to a stock stick. A mini stick with a double aider will be equivalent to a stock stick with a single aider.