Got sticks

[CrackbottomLouis]

Well, got tired of whining about how much I disliked my steps and broke down and got a set of 3 hawks and 1 5 step aider (between ground and first step). Also got a bullman ROS platform kit en route. Got a mantis on the xmas list for long hike hunts and warm weather as an option when I dont want to use the bulkier leather greens saddle.

Still working on an ultralight climbing method but I love sitting in the saddle so much I had to bite the bullet and get gear that works for me until I work it out.

Put the sticks in a tree today and I can already tell I like them a whole lot better than the steps. Just good stuff. I don't like the idea of packing them in but those steps weren't my cup of tea at all so ready to tackle the late season hunts now.

Can't wait!!!

 

[Semper_Fi13]

Sweet love my stick set up but thinking of getting a different platform for longer hauls. Use the LW Assassin now. Love the big platform but at 6 lbs little heavy

Sent from my LG-LS998 using Tapatalk

 

[Jimmyfunk60]

Sweet love my stick set up but thinking of getting a different platform for longer hauls. Use the LW Assassin now. Love the big platform but at 6 lbs little heavy

Sent from my LG-LS998 using Tapatalk

U decide to sell your assassin let me know I’ll buy it.


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[OFFSHORE]

OP,
I'm in the same boat as you with sticks. For the cost of just the components to DIY and build a single stick is close to $80.00 and that doesn't include paint/finish, hardware, S&H or labor. Then to get a Beast Stick, you have to get on a waiting list, which I understand due to being a small business and a awesome product, supply and demand has been kick'n his ass. . .my hat is off to him. How he is able to supply a totally finished stick for $80.00 is pretty good in it's self to me. So, for me, two sets of 3 Hawk Heliums and a little modifing and $280.00 later, I'm at my desired hunting height, a light weight stable packable set of sticks and no waiting period . . .WIN WIN! Now, if I could ever get my hands the tree saddle I want I would be a very happy hunter!!!

 

[solo_archer]

I was in a position where I didn't know if to get steps or sticks and glad i got sticks.

Once you feel comfortable you can look into one sticking to really lighten things up

 

[TNbowhunter]

I was in a position where I didn't know if to get steps or sticks and glad i got sticks.

Once you feel comfortable you can look into one sticking to really lighten things up

How much additional effort is it to climb by one-sticking vs. three sticks and an aider? I get that you save weight on the walk in, but it seems to me like it would be a ton of additional effort to me on the climb...

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I've been one sticking for two years now on a shortened Hawk Helium with a short aider. I'll admit I don't climb often on multiple sticks but don't know how it could be anymore strenuous than climbing on multiple sticks with aiders. To me, when I'm climbing up the stick it's just like climbing any stick with an aider attached. Advancing the tether doesn't take any effort, at that point I'm standing both feet on the stick's step. Then to advance the stick I'm just hanging in the saddle and that doesn't take any effort. Initially, taking your feet off of support and hanging just in the saddle takes a little getting used to. Its just not a natural feeling to not have anything under your feet but once you get to trust the saddle that insecure feeling goes away.

 

[Squirrels]

How much additional effort is it to climb by one-sticking vs. three sticks and an aider? I get that you save weight on the walk in, but it seems to me like it would be a ton of additional effort to me on the climb...

I find it to be less effort than using multiple sticks. It wins FOR ME in ever category.

 

[solo_archer]

Agree with boyne bowhunter and Squirrels. In terms of effort, I'm considering more than just taking the trip up the tree.

It takes additional time and effort to get multiple sticks situated from being tied together to then hooking them onto your harness. With one stick I take it off my backpack and I'm ready to go.

It does take getting used to which is why I started with multiple sticks so I could get comfortable with my gear and setting things up. But once I felt comfortable I immediately started practicing one-sticking.

Oh also, for me personally, a cam cleat on the stick was a godsend and made one-sticking very easy to do. I added a Harken 150 cam cleat to a DIY stick I bought here and it's been golden. Not sure if it could be added to your hawks but if it can, I'd say consider doing the mod

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Agree with boyne bowhunter and Squirrels. In terms of effort, I'm considering more than just taking the trip up the tree.

It takes additional time and effort to get multiple sticks situated from being tied together to then hooking them onto your harness. With one stick I take it off my backpack and I'm ready to go.

It does take getting used to which is why I started with multiple sticks so I could get comfortable with my gear and setting things up. But once I felt comfortable I immediately started practicing one-sticking.

Oh also, for me personally, a cam cleat on the stick was a godsend and made one-sticking very easy to do. I added a Harken 150 cam cleat to a DIY stick I bought here and it's been golden. Not sure if it could be added to your hawks but if it can, I'd say consider doing the mod

I agree with the cam cleat statement. I have the same cleat installed on my shortened Hawk Helium. The cam cleat just makes it much easier to unattach the stick at knee level.

 

[rakbowhunter]

I added a harken 150 to my helium. Seems to work great for me.

 

[solo_archer]

Niiice, that's really good to know that the cam cleat can be added to hawks

 

[gcr0003]

Now, if I could ever get my hands the tree saddle I want I would be a very happy hunter!!!

What saddle is that?

 

[Squirrels]

I will also echo the cam cleat, made all the difference in the world for me. The other is rappeling down. I would not be one sticking if I didn't rappel. Not saying it can't be done it's just easier and more fun.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I was joking with a friend the other day and said I can't wait until someone who doesn't know how this works walks up under me. I anticipate the conversation will go something like this.

Guy: " What's that thing you're sitting in?"
Me: " A hunting saddle."
Guy: "Hmmm, How'd you get up there?"
Me: "I climbed that stick" pointing at the short Helium tied 20 ft up on the tree.
Guy: "How'd you reach it?"
Me: " I used this rope." showing him my 7 ft tether.
Guy: "How are you going to get down?"
Me: " you know, I hadn't thought about that . . ."

Should be good for a little entertainment since talking with random guys walking under you while hunting isn't really conducive to seeing deer anyways.

 

[DaveT1963]

Well, got tired of whining about how much I disliked my steps and broke down and got a set of 3 hawks and 1 5 step aider (between ground and first step). Also got a bullman ROS platform kit en route. Got a mantis on the xmas list for long hike hunts and warm weather as an option when I dont want to use the bulkier leather greens saddle.

Still working on an ultralight climbing method but I love sitting in the saddle so much I had to bite the bullet and get gear that works for me until I work it out.

Put the sticks in a tree today and I can already tell I like them a whole lot better than the steps. Just good stuff. I don't like the idea of packing them in but those steps weren't my cup of tea at all so ready to tackle the late season hunts now.

Can't wait!!!

welcome to the dark side - once you start DIYing you are basically screwed from that point on - oh yea and broke

 

[Squirrels]

I was joking with a friend the other day and said I can't wait until someone who doesn't know how this works walks up under me. I anticipate the conversation will go something like this.

Guy: " What's that thing you're sitting in?"
Me: " A hunting saddle."
Guy: "Hmmm, How'd you get up there?"
Me: "I climbed that stick" pointing at the short Helium tied 20 ft up on the tree.
Guy: "How'd you reach it?"
Me: " I used this rope." showing him my 7 ft tether.
Guy: "How are you going to get down?"
Me: " you know, I hadn't thought about that . . ."

Should be good for a little entertainment since talking with random guys walking under you while hunting isn't really conducive to seeing deer anyways.

When I try to explain it to friends I can tell by the look on their face they have no clue how it actually works.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

One sticking seems like a pain in the butt to me. I'll try it in the off season but I'll have to do to believe. I like the sticks because it's a much quieter, quicker, easier method for me than messing with tying on a step every few feet. Its not the weight of the sticks that's annoying to pack in. It's the bulkiness and length. I could shorten but 3 sticks and 1 5 step aider gets me to perfect height. Maybe I'm wrong and one sticking is great. I'll have to try it out.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

What is this "cam cleat" you folks are mentioning? How is it better than what the sticks come with?

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

welcome to the dark side - once you start DIYing you are basically screwed from that point on - oh yea and broke

Yeah. Its proving a tougher nut to crack than I thought it would be. If it ends up working itll be cool though. Having to enlist help from smart people.