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First saddle hunt

Boudreaux said:
I do measure to my saddle, because that is where I am at.
I have long legs and stretch things,
Bottom of first stick goes mid thigh to point of hip (30-37"), ~30"
First stick, step to step 18"
Space between stick 1 and 2 ~27"
Stick two 18"
Spacing between stick 2 and 3 ~27"
Stick three 18"
Spacing between stick 3 and 4 ~27"
Stick four 18"
Spacing between stick 4 and platform ~27"
Ground to platform ~210" / 12" = 17.5 feet to platform + 2.5 ft to my saddle =20ft

I use a very precise system to climb. When I am standing on the bottom step of one stick, I place the top of the second stick between chin height(64") and about forehead height (69"). If you subtract the length of both sticks(18x2=36") you get a 28-32" step spacing(This depends on amount of clothes). I also gain a lot on that first step, I feel I can stretch that step a lot, by taking a step back to help get my leg that high. So I take advantage of that first step. For my long legs 27" is a comfortable stretch, this is why I am looking at a DIY stick. To have a stick that matches my stride length, I am loosing 3' by using the short muddy sticks. IF I went to a 25" stick with a 25" stride and the same 30" first stick I could get to 19' with 4 sticks.

Thanks,
Boswell
Click to expand...
Lol at my staggering 5'6", that's not happening for me.... but with a five step aider, I set the sticks as high as I can reach and still set the rope. Then the bottom step of the aider is just above the top step of the previous stick.

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swampsnyper said:
And yoga pants. A snug pair of yoga pants will help you get another inch between steps!
Click to expand...

We have to get Boswell camo yoga pants and camo crocks.
Maybe I could stretch like that when I was 40 years old but not at 60

I have used muddy pros with multi step aiders all fall.


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Boudreaux said:
I do measure to my saddle, because that is where I am at.
I have long legs and stretch things,
Bottom of first stick goes mid thigh to point of hip (30-37"), ~30"
First stick, step to step 18"
Space between stick 1 and 2 ~27"
Stick two 18"
Spacing between stick 2 and 3 ~27"
Stick three 18"
Spacing between stick 3 and 4 ~27"
Stick four 18"
Spacing between stick 4 and platform ~27"
Ground to platform ~210" / 12" = 17.5 feet to platform + 2.5 ft to my saddle =20ft

I use a very precise system to climb. When I am standing on the bottom step of one stick, I place the top of the second stick between chin height(64") and about forehead height (69"). If you subtract the length of both sticks(18x2=36") you get a 28-32" step spacing(This depends on amount of clothes). I also gain a lot on that first step, I feel I can stretch that step a lot, by taking a step back to help get my leg that high. So I take advantage of that first step. For my long legs 27" is a comfortable stretch, this is why I am looking at a DIY stick. To have a stick that matches my stride length, I am loosing 3' by using the short muddy sticks. IF I went to a 25" stick with a 25" stride and the same 30" first stick I could get to 19' with 4 sticks.

Thanks,
Boswell
Click to expand...
Thanks for your explanation...
 
I'm going to measure how high I can get with 3 Muddy sticks and 4 step aiders.

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g2outdoors said:
I'm going to measure how high I can get with 3 Muddy sticks and 4 step aiders.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
Click to expand...
I have measured using one stick to put up the first stick.

I get 110 inches with a six step aider... yes they exist
I get 84 inches with the next two sticks and aiders

so 294 inches... 24.5 feet to my feet or 29.5 feet to my neck... If I go to four sticks and aiders I get 36.5 feet. I guess I added wrong the first time....
If I add a platform or ameristeps you could add another 2 feet.
I usually carry two sticks and ameristeps so that my head height is over 20 feet.

I pull each stick and aider up with a gear grappler and doyles hoist. It is probably faster and quieter than trying to carry them.
 
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I have had problems with aiders kicking out until I started using my lineman's belt tight so I am close to the tree . I go slow and make sure my boots are all the way into the aider. I have not had one kick out since staying tight to the tree. It is unnerving when you are 20 feet up and it kicks out. Go slow, and keep up right. Then all the pressure is down on the aider and not out.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5009-296/6-Step-Aider
 
Rod Johnson said:
I took my time to make sure I was being safe, I was really anticipating a longer set-up time, I tied on 12 stepps and a platform and had an arrow knocked in 46 min, this was a hang and hunt, never hunted here before, im sure I will be able to shave some time off after I get more familiar with everything, how long does it take some of you guys that's been at this a while??
5934dcc5547ffe83d1950d0d03ea8b72.jpg


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Click to expand...

This is my first year in the saddle. I would say my first hunt this year had a 30 minute plus setup time. I have been shaving time off of that every time I am out. I think part of that is simply tweeking your system and figuring out what works best/fastest. Also getting more proficient with the stepps. Last time I was in the woods, I was set in about 15 minutes. It was 17 degrees and my heavy clothes slowed the accent a little (I didn't do a good job of adjusting my step height for the decreased mobility). I'm using 8 stepps with a modification of the redsquirrel aider (tether with webbing foot loop).

I practiced climbing before season...I did not practice a FULL setup in the tree (bag/gear hook/bow). My setup changes slightly every single time I am out. I keep figuring out way to make my system better fit me. I'm confident in warmer weather and with a little more practice I will be in the 10 minute neighborhood.
 
With 3 muddy stick and 3 step aider on each I can reach 23’ to my platform. The aiders are homemade and with only 17” spacing. I can usually get the first step 18” off the ground so...
18+17+17+17+18=87”
87”x3=261+18(platform)=279”or
23.25’
I am 5’7 and this is the max spacing I can comfortably climb with layered clothing. I have never felt unsafe using the aiders as long as I have a good grip on the stick’s steps. Having the aider hang over the center of the step away from the tree helps but also practicing getting your toe onto the aider and “flipping” it back away from the tree and stepping down for a good foothold is my key. I have yet to try the one-stick method but will do so for those mile + hikes.


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