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Is one sticking really worth

Apex7

Apex7

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
3,744
Location
Pittsburgh Pa
Is one sticking worth it ? How many are doing it ? Are guys using one sticks like the Big B.O.B or a stick like a Muddy Pro with an aiders and a platform ? Just curious .
 
I ditched the stick and started climbing with just my platform, saved even more weight. It’s all situational, there are few times that having multiple sticks would probably be easier on me but I don’t feel like I’ve been hindered at all. It’s not perfect but it works for me.
 
The only thing I prefer over one sticking is bolts and that is only if I plan on hunting that tree multiple times. Running and gunning, public land, and hunting new land is one sticking hands down. I am running a beast stick, EWO stand offs, and a mission platform.
 
Apex7 said:
Is one sticking worth it ? How many are doing it ? Are guys using one sticks like the Big B.O.B or a stick like a Muddy Pro with an aiders and a platform ? Just curious .
Click to expand...
Wait. You thinking of giving up the LWHC?
 
I started hunting from a saddle last year and used 3 shikar sticks and a predator platform and loved it, but became more curious about 1-sticking after the season. Decided to give it a try this year and bought a BOB w/ 3-step aider and have been practicing for a couple months. Still tinkering around with my gear, but it took me 17 minutes from tree to hunting height with an arrow nocked and ready to hunt (including hanging a platform), and 13 minutes from beginning my pack-up to walking out when practicing just a couple days ago. It felt slow and I intentionally took my time, so was surprised when I saw the sub 20 minute time. I also like that I have more variability in my hunting height by simply making more or fewer moves. I still plan to use my platform because I like the additional foot support and mobility on the platform. I definitely feel more comfortable 1-sticking now than when I first started due to practice and playing around with my technique, but could see how some may not like the initial effort and learning required to become comfortable. I definitely suffered a few scrapes getting used to hanging from my tether while moving my stick, kicking out on the aider, etc. I also use a lineman's belt because I like the added safety when moving my tether. So, is it worth it? I guess it depends on your motivation for one-sticking. I expect I'll know for sure after this season, but right now it definitely feels like it. Good luck!
 
I really liked the idea of one stick plus a platform when I started out for this reason:

I had planned on presetting trees by hanging four cheap sticks, then taking the bottom one off when I leave. This would keep most folks from messing with your setup since the "first stick" would be like 7-8' off of the ground.

You could show up, hang your single stick to bridge the gap, climb up quickly, set your platform up near the 4th stick, and hunt. Minimal effort, sweat, and noise. If you showed up to find someone had messed with your setup or stole your sticks, you could still One-Stick climb to your desired height, set your platform, and hunt.

However, once I got good at One-Sticking, and learned how to rappel, presets pretty much became obsolete for me. If I scout ahead of time and find a tree I would have normally preset, I'll just mark it on my GPS and come back at a later date to climb and hunt it.

The single stick method is unmatched and most appealing to me for these 3 reasons:

1. It's so unbelievably compact and lightweight. Easy to carry, easy to squeeze through tight spaces, and almost nothing to pack up when I leave.

2. It doesn't leave anything at ground level for the deer to see or smell.

3. It doesn't tip off other hunters about where I hunt and I don't have to worry about whether or not those pesky squirrels chewed my straps.
 
It has its place. I bought a full set up last winter and have been practicing. It is clearly a light weight, packable solution that is relatively easy to do

I still think I will use 4 Beast Stick most of the time. The 1-stick is great when you have a long trek through difficult terrain, but the weight and size advantages are not enough for me to ditch my sticks. Sticks are simply easier.

I learned that although you have the advantage to get to any height with 1-sticking, there are some disadvantages. There are trees I can climb with my sticks that I cannot with my 1-stick. Trees with rough bark, multiple limbs or multiple trees close together make retrieving the tether after the climb a difficult task. I also do not like that there is several times during the climb where there is unavoidable slack in the tether.
 
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THE HUNTERS PUSH STIX GUY said:
There's a way to one stick with no slack

There's a way to climb one stick with no slack
Click to expand...

No offense, but all you guys pushing tether climbing, one sticking, ladder climbing make these videos of how easy and straight forward your system is on a tree that doesn't have a branch on it for 30 ft. Show us a real tree that has branches all over it. How many times you gotta go around branches and use a secondary tether. For a couple extra pounds I will take the versatility of sticks any day of the week. I can't remember the last time I have been in a tree that was straight and had no branches till the canopy.
I use my tether as my secondary linesman till I get to where I am gonna hunt then set up. Just quick easy don't have to think about it.

Like I said not trying to bash you but the woods I hunt that system would be a nightmare.
 
Mopar1169 said:
No offense, but all you guys pushing tether climbing, one sticking, ladder climbing make these videos of how easy and straight forward your system is on a tree that doesn't have a branch on it for 30 ft. Show us a real tree that has branches all over it. How many times you gotta go around branches and use a secondary tether. For a couple extra pounds I will take the versatility of sticks any day of the week. I can't remember the last time I have been in a tree that was straight and had no branches till the canopy.
I use my tether as my secondary linesman till I get to where I am gonna hunt then set up. Just quick easy don't have to think about it.

Like I said not trying to bash you but the woods I hunt that system would be a nightmare.
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Thanks. Exactly what I was thinking.
The only thing you left out is its 16 degrees and snowing.
 
Mopar1169 said:
No offense, but all you guys pushing tether climbing, one sticking, ladder climbing make these videos of how easy and straight forward your system is on a tree that doesn't have a branch on it for 30 ft. Show us a real tree that has branches all over it. How many times you gotta go around branches and use a secondary tether. For a couple extra pounds I will take the versatility of sticks any day of the week. I can't remember the last time I have been in a tree that was straight and had no branches till the canopy.
I use my tether as my secondary linesman till I get to where I am gonna hunt then set up. Just quick easy don't have to think about it.

Like I said not trying to bash you but the woods I hunt that system would be a nightmare.
Click to expand...
I agree, it would not be ideal for trees loaded with branches. Thats why I hunt with Wei Stepps. They will go were most sticks cant. Don't, think a climbing tree stand would be ideal either. This site is to support saddle hunting, right? (Real tree) demo coming just for you. Thank you.
 
Mopar1169 said:
No offense, but all you guys pushing tether climbing, one sticking, ladder climbing make these videos of how easy and straight forward your system is on a tree that doesn't have a branch on it for 30 ft. Show us a real tree that has branches all over it. How many times you gotta go around branches and use a secondary tether. For a couple extra pounds I will take the versatility of sticks any day of the week. I can't remember the last time I have been in a tree that was straight and had no branches till the canopy.
I use my tether as my secondary linesman till I get to where I am gonna hunt then set up. Just quick easy don't have to think about it.

Like I said not trying to bash you but the woods I hunt that system would be a nightmare.
Click to expand...

This is why I have multiple systems.

I do hunt/have hunted spots where sticks can't get me where I want to be without a lot of fuss too. With a very large tree and desire to set up very very high. Rope climbing is one option, and although I haven't tried it, it's possible a 2 pole advancing tether method could work.

But in the brush, or the swamp, sticks get it done for me. Though, one stickers/2TC have come up with some clever ways to pass limbs without much trouble.
 
GeoFish said:
Thanks. Exactly what I was thinking.
The only thing you left out is its 16 degrees and snowing.
Click to expand...
Plebe said:
This is why I have multiple systems.

I do hunt/have hunted spots where sticks can't get me where I want to be without a lot of fuss too. With a very large tree and desire to set up very very high. Rope climbing is one option, and although I haven't tried it, it's possible a 2 pole advancing tether method could work.

But in the brush, or the swamp, sticks get it done for me. Though, one stickers/2TC have come up with some clever ways to pass limbs without much trouble.
Click to expand...
Yes, it's about being versatile. Sometimes it's a natural ground blind. Unless you want to sit wait and for a tree to grow.
 
THE HUNTERS PUSH STIX GUY said:
I think the biggest point I can make is being on a tight line.
Click to expand...

I was referencing one sticking. I've never seen a way to do it that doesn't result in lots of tree contact.

If I was a dedicated one sticker and knew I'd be facing wet trees, probably I'm going to climb, set up my .5, and fully change my sacrificial base layers so I'm dry and warm starting my hunt.

I'm sure goretex can keep the wet from soaking through, but I'd rather just start dry. If you wear your outer layers in, maybe you're wet from brush by the time you get to your spot anyway. I about always pack my outer layers.
 
Plebe said:
This is why I have multiple systems.

I do hunt/have hunted spots where sticks can't get me where I want to be without a lot of fuss too. With a very large tree and desire to set up very very high. Rope climbing is one option, and although I haven't tried it, it's possible a 2 pole advancing tether method could work.

But in the brush, or the swamp, sticks get it done for me. Though, one stickers/2TC have come up with some clever ways to pass limbs without much trouble.
Click to expand...
I think this is spot on. The question you really have to answer for yourself before you get too far off into any system is to first determine what the trees in your hunting area are like. If you are new to hunting, go out and scout and really look at the trees. Get a good idea what they are like. I am blessed with a preponderance of tall, straight, limbless trees. That is why I have moved to 2TC from sticks. I plan to keep my sticks because there may be some situations where they will work better. I love Ddrt rope climbing but there just are not enough trees that area suitable for it where I hunt. I do have about a dozen presets in huge red oaks and if that tree gets hot, I am set. I also like to hunt off the ground. It pays to have multiple options aside from your go to method, whatever form that takes.
 
THE HUNTERS PUSH STIX GUY said:
I agree, it would not be ideal for trees loaded with branches. Thats why I hunt with Wei Stepps. They will go were most sticks cant. Don't, think a climbing tree stand would be ideal either. This site is to support saddle hunting, right? (Real tree) demo coming just for you. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Yeah climbers suck for the stuff I hunt also. I got one, sits on the shelf never gets used. Don't get me wrong won't find a more comfortable sit. Hunt alot of river bottoms and swamps. The river bottoms I hunt flood alot so the trees are big at the base then tapper fast not a good combo. I just got sick of I need to be here can't climb this tree then I end up 50 yards in the wrong direction and get winded.

I just choose to use a good set of sticks, will get me anywhere I want to go. I would rather run one climbing method and be done with it. For you guys that like to play with all the other stuff more power to you. Have fun with it. Just not for me. I think alot of newer guys get sucked into something that may not work for them by all the labels of easiest climb, best ever you get the idea. God knows I have bought enough crap that costs way too much, because it was supposed be the greatest. Good luck hope it works out for you.
 
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