I am 6'4" and use a 3 full length lone wolf sticks. I can get to 18 feet with no aider and with a movable aider I get to 22+ without an issue. For me, that is plenty high. Running three cuts down considerably on the amount of fumbling around I do and I personally don't feel the need to get nosebleed high.
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How many sticks do you use?
- Thread starter Jmilchuck3
- Start date
I am new to saddle hunting and I'm still trying to find out what works best for me. I really have no desire to try the WE steps. Just my opinion. I cut down my helium sticks and I'm playing around with a three step moveable aider I bought here. Not confident with it yet, but what I've realized with saddle hunting and climbing is that what works for one person may not work for everyone.
So my advice is to play around with as many methods as you can try and and go with it whatever gives you the most confidence. Good luck.
So my advice is to play around with as many methods as you can try and and go with it whatever gives you the most confidence. Good luck.
I'm going to try Slo Mo's aider on the bottom of heliums soon as my leg wound heals. Check out his video for a simple to make aider.
I'm new to saddles and sticks also and think one aider on the bottom stick will add some height with little to no safety risk.
I'm new to saddles and sticks also and think one aider on the bottom stick will add some height with little to no safety risk.
Right now I use 1 stick with my JX3 Hybrid and it is easy as pie to climb since you can rest all of your weight on the fork.
last year i used 3 API huntin sticks with a 5 step aider attached to the bottom stick. I was getting about 15-17' up. Which was fine for my scenario. hunting pine thickets most of my shots are under 20 yards. If i get up much higher I get funky shot angles. Im currently cutting the sticks down to 22" step spacing to help with packability. I will also be adding amsteel loops to the bottom to play around with moving the 5 step aider. I may be able to get up to the same height with only 2 shorter sticks but moving the 5 step aider as i climb. I saw previously you had stated you were uncomfortable with aiders. Which is fine. Do whatever feels safe for you. But most people get comfortable with them with practice and it may be an option for you in the future. The key to using aiders is to step completely intothe aider where the middle arch area of your foot is. then dig your toes into the tree. this keeps the aider loops away from the tree so that your next step is easier to get your foot in. I struggled at first because i would only put the ball of my foot into the step. so the step loops stayed flat against the tree and made getting my next foot in very hard. hope this helps.
All the good videos on one sticking and a bit of practice. I can’t see any reason to carry more sticks. It is getting easier and easier. Rappelling down is fun too Faster than removing multiple sticks
Thanks @Cain and Joe Walling for the videos
It is easier than carrying multiple sticks managing them on the way up packing them up in the cold dark woods and trying to be quiet
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Here are some links I found helpful. I am new to this as well. I am planning on using 4 sticks and just using a DIY one step aider like these attached in videos on my first stick. I may eventually put a permanent aider on my second stick as well. I just want a few extra feet off the ground to start with my first stick. I believe most guys will use the one step aider and take it with them, 2:15 mark of the Bowhunter TV video attached, to use on each stick but I am not comfortable doing that just yet.
You're my hero @DaveT1963 for perfecting the Zero Stick method.
Glad to impress. It's called ground hunting. And I often climb limbs.
I would really like to see a video how you do it. I can do it as well with the jx3 but would like to see your method. I still got some playing to do with my method
I'm new to saddle hunting but I'm hoping I can use 2 and a movable 5 step aider from black diamond...
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WJ7VCE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
we'll see.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WJ7VCE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
we'll see.
With 3 LW sticks and a single aider on the bottom one I can get 16 feet to the top of the top stick and another foot or two to my platform for a total of 17 or 18 feet. That should be high enough for early season for most situations but I'm thinking of carrying 2 strap on steps to use at the bottom of the tree to get an additional 4 feet or so when needed.
Carrying 3 sticks instead of 4 just seems a lot easier to me for some reason....Less bulk I guess....
I'm right at 6 foot tall....
Carrying 3 sticks instead of 4 just seems a lot easier to me for some reason....Less bulk I guess....
I'm right at 6 foot tall....
Don`t be afraid of using aiders. I use Muddy pro`s with aiders . I started with 3 sticks and now use four or five depending on my setup. I end up between twenty five and thirty feet or roughly 5 feet of height with each stick and aider. Thats without stretching out. I`m happy with this setup and I feel comfortable in the dark which is my biggest fear . Being an older guy I try to pick the safe way all the time instead of most of the time. I have tried climbing using a single stick and that didn`t go well so ............................... Good Luck
Currently I have eight Beast sticks but have them split up between multiple set ups.
I use three sticks with a moveable aider for most set ups. I never found the need to get higher except maybe in hill country to get above the thermals. Sometimes hunting marshes and swamps I only use one stick. All depends on the available cover.
I use three sticks with a moveable aider for most set ups. I never found the need to get higher except maybe in hill country to get above the thermals. Sometimes hunting marshes and swamps I only use one stick. All depends on the available cover.