[Post 1 of 4] I decided to make an impulse purchase of the API Hunt’n Sticks and see what I could do with them. I’ve seen several posts mention these sticks, but none that give a ton of details about them. Plan is 24” sticks, drill holes to reduce weight, and potentially use ropes instead of straps. Cabela’s and Bass Pro had these on sale for $79.00 and free shipping.
Details:
Cut stick down to 24” (463.4g) and drilled 1/2” holes every inch starting at 3” from the top on the front and back and 2.5” from the top on the sides. All measurements were made from the top of the original stick. I skipped a few holes along the stick based on existing holes and trying to stay away from the versa button. Weight after drilling the sticks out was 387.59g (75.8g reduction in weight; 16.4% reduction in weight). I used the existing hole for the versa button. It is only about 1/2” lower than @bowhunter15 used for his sticks.
Testing the stick out, there is a bit more flex in the stick than I would like. Most of the deflection is focused around the versa button. I don’t think there is any risk of failure but it is noticeable compared to an undrilled stick. For reference, I weight 255lbs so I don’t fall on the lightweight end of the spectrum. I’m going to drill out the next stick just on the front and back, leaving a bit more room around the versa button and if that doesn’t reduce the strength much (I don’t think it should), I’m going to drill the sides out with 5/16” holes instead of 1/2”.
Using a single movealbe aider cinched to my foot, I was able to place the top of the stick at 5’ without any issues. I’m amazed at how well the moveable aider works and, more specifically, how easy it is to climb down with it cinched to your foot.
Details:
- 32” 1x1 square tubing: 1.131” thick, 617.7grams
- End caps: 4.88g
- Steps: 0.500-0.513” thick, 148.7g
- Tree bracket: 106.5g
- Hardware: all 5/16” bolts, 140.8g per stick
- Straps: 217.8g each
Cut stick down to 24” (463.4g) and drilled 1/2” holes every inch starting at 3” from the top on the front and back and 2.5” from the top on the sides. All measurements were made from the top of the original stick. I skipped a few holes along the stick based on existing holes and trying to stay away from the versa button. Weight after drilling the sticks out was 387.59g (75.8g reduction in weight; 16.4% reduction in weight). I used the existing hole for the versa button. It is only about 1/2” lower than @bowhunter15 used for his sticks.
Testing the stick out, there is a bit more flex in the stick than I would like. Most of the deflection is focused around the versa button. I don’t think there is any risk of failure but it is noticeable compared to an undrilled stick. For reference, I weight 255lbs so I don’t fall on the lightweight end of the spectrum. I’m going to drill out the next stick just on the front and back, leaving a bit more room around the versa button and if that doesn’t reduce the strength much (I don’t think it should), I’m going to drill the sides out with 5/16” holes instead of 1/2”.
Using a single movealbe aider cinched to my foot, I was able to place the top of the stick at 5’ without any issues. I’m amazed at how well the moveable aider works and, more specifically, how easy it is to climb down with it cinched to your foot.
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