Hawk Helium Mod

[Tat2dpumpguy]

Completed my (2) Hawk Helium mods. 1st set is the old style and are cut to 20”and the 2nd set is new style and cut to 24”.
Feel free to drop me a line to make suggestions or ask any questions.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Pics

 

[Tat2dpumpguy]

Pics

Let’s try this again...pics are uploaded

 

[stevethebreeze]

Nice paint job!

 

[Skyjacker03]

Do you like the 20” length or 24” length better? I bought a set of the new style last year. I didn’t end up modifying them yet. I plan to before season.


Thanks,
Joe

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Do u use aiders? I don't see the point on cutting them down unless u use 2 step aiders on 3 sticks or in u use a 1 step aider to 1 stick.

 

[stevethebreeze]

I know this was a question for @Tat2dpumpguy but I plan on using 4 20" Heliums with a CAYG AIder (carry as you go) which I am in the process of making. I have never made one before so I am trying to figure out how I want it. There are so many ways to climb. If I wanted to spend the money i would get the wire aiders from DanO for each stick. One less thing to leave scent around.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Yeah.. I actually just order the amsteel aider from dano's site... I'm just getting into one sticking with an unmodified helium stick... I hike around a mile in so I'm loving the weight reduction... and really one sticking isn't any harder than fiddling with 2 sticks hanging off your saddle... going to stick with the buckles this year... will go to the cam cleat next year.... or who knows... maybe I'll decide I need another project before season starts

 

[Tat2dpumpguy]

Do you like the 20” length or 24” length better? I bought a set of the new style last year. I didn’t end up modifying them yet. I plan to before season.


Thanks,
Joe

The 20” are lighter but you only have about a 16” finished step on the stick which I find a little short. Personally, I like the 24” better because of the longer stride which to me is worth the little bit of extra weight
I’d def recommend an aider on the bottom stick so you can start higher on the tree and if you want to maximize your reach throw one on the other 2.

 

[stevethebreeze]

I have never One sticked but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last week....all kidding aside I think if I was one sticking I would get the longest 3 step stick out there. Just seems like it would give you one extra step plus aider too. I hope to start trying when I get some more saddle experience. Maybe after this coming season.

 

[MoBowGuy]

Personally, i cannot see the need for cutting down sticks. Maybe im just hunting wrong, i dont know lol

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

Personally, i cannot see the need for cutting down sticks. Maybe im just hunting wrong, i dont know lol

When you are crawling on your hands and knees through honey suckle, privet, and multi flora rose, there may be a lightbulb moment.

 

[MoBowGuy]

When you are crawling on your hands and knees through honey suckle, privet, and multi flora rose, there may be a lightbulb moment.

I doubt it. Ive crawled through it with a treestand and muddy pro sticks. Get there earlier and go slower

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

I doubt it. Ive crawled through it with a treestand and muddy pro sticks. Get there earlier and go slower

You carrying muddy pros right? Why not a 20 ft ladder stick? That’s why people cut down sticks.

 

[MoBowGuy]

You carrying muddy pros right? Why not a 20 ft ladder stick? That’s why people cut down sticks.

I have muddy pro but prefer my heliums. And carrying 25 pounds vs 10 pounds is a huge difference. Cutting a small section and saving one or two pounds isnt a huge difference.

 

[Tr33_n1nj@]

I have muddy pro but prefer my heliums. And carrying 25 pounds vs 10 pounds is a huge difference. Cutting a small section and saving one or two pounds isnt a huge difference.

I guess that’s your opinion. Seems like a lot of people buying Hawk 20s instead of 30s. Maybe it’s a good time to sell these superior 30 inch Hawks I got taking up space. And for me it’s not the weight it’s the length. When they stick out past my body they get hung up on everything and make metal noise in the woods. Don’t know about MO deer, but AL deer won’t stand for that.

 

[vtbowhunt]

So, I'm by no means a true veteran in this however, I ended up cutting down my heliums because the step distance just didn't make sense to me. I cut them to 22.5" which opened the steps to roughly 19" each. This is a much more comfortable step distance for me and when paired with an aider, I can get to a proper hunting height. I have four cut down heliums now so in theory I'm carrying more weight that the three full length sticks.

 

[drew13]

When you are crawling on your hands and knees through honey suckle, privet, and multi flora rose, there may be a lightbulb moment.

Agree with this 100%.

I value packability over weight, personally. Cutting 8-10” off my heliums 3 years ago made a big difference in being able to maneuver through thick woods quietly.

This year I’ll be one-sticking with a 10” helium and 3 step aider. Really looking forward to the portability of that system.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Agree with this 100%.

I value packability over weight, personally. Cutting 8-10” off my heliums 3 years ago made a big difference in being able to maneuver through thick woods quietly.

This year I’ll be one-sticking with a 10” helium and 3 step aider. Really looking forward to the portability of that system.

That's a pretty sweet mod.. for this season, I'm going with either a 30" helium with a 1 step aider for 1 sticking... or 3 30" sticks, one with the aider... depends on how far in I'm going... I just started practicing one sticking so I'm not fully committed yet... there are a number or pros and cons for each approach... I think if I decide to fully switch to one sticking, then I'll cut my helium down.....