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Looking To Move Away from Silent Approach System

ThumbsMcGee

ThumbsMcGee

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
223
Let's be honest, I'm lazy. I've only saddle hunted three times and all three using the Bullman Outdoors steps. They work as intended, and 8-9 steps each time got me to 15ft which was the highest I could hunt out of with all the foilage in these areas. But man are they tedious. I've become more proficient with using them, but they take so long to set up, and even longer to take down. It shouldn't take me 20-30 minutes to get set up.

For just 5 more pounds and some added bulk, I could be running the lone wolf sticks found on Amazon. Anything I should be aware of before I make that jump? I know finding ways to carry them in will be a small challenge, but other than an added 5lbs and size, is there anything else? Like I said before, I'm lazy and don't want to mess around with mods for the sticks.
 
Yep that’s why I got sticks. I’d rather carry 10 pounds instead of 5 just for the ease of it
 
I’ve been using a superday pack and it’s great and comfortable plenty of pockets and not to big. Fits my ridge runner perfectly inside also
 
I’ve got lone wolf sticks and really like them. But at full length they can be a pain in thick brush. I’ve been practicing with the one stick method with a muddy pro and think that will be my go-to this year. Light, no mods besides an aider, and easier than it looks.
 
I have both. Full length Lone Wolfs get used on anything under a half mile hike especially when I know I won’t be going through a lot of brush. Anything over half mile or if I am just hiking to a general area but don’t know what kind of brush etc I may be in for I go with the Bullmans. Their packability is awesome! Also I gave up on the original bullman straps and got DanO OCBs for them. Rock solid and now after setting up and breaking down 15 + times I can do it in like 15 minutes vs 6-7 minutes to set up lone wolfs.
 
I use 4 LW because that’s what I had anyway, and they’re great. They’re a bit heavy and bulky but I carry them with a sling and it’s really not terrible. I like the alternating steps more than doublesteps because I don’t get hung up on them as easily. Once I have my bow tied off and my platform clipped, I can be up to 18-22’ and in 5-8 minutes. I can be completely hooked up and ready to hunt in 10-12 minutes. I may try versa-straps or rope mods soon, and need a better way to latch them to my pack instead of sling, but overall I love the sticks. I’m still coming in 12+ pounds lighter than my “ultralight” stand, so that’s dope.
 
All depends on your priorities. Make sure to factor in unpacking/preparing/etc time at the base of the tree and what's easiestvto manage quietly for you.

But overall you choose based on your priorities in packing/walking/climbing speed, ease, convenience.
 
I started with the Bullman steps and determined real fast they weren't for me. I switched to hawk heliums and haven't looked back. I run mine unmoded aside from an aider and I get to 20 feet no problem. I like having the three steps on mine, gives me more flexibility. It takes me 20 minutes from deployment to sitting on platform but that's cuz I take my time to manage noise and sweat. They are kinda long so beware of that. You'll have to figure out a way to carry them. I got rid of the stock straps and run double steps daisy chain on mine.
 
A combo isn't bad either. Maybe 3 or 4 sticks and a few steps. That way, if the sticks get you to where you want to be, you're fine. But, you can break out the steps if you need to get higher.
 
There is no free lunch. Everything is a trade off and it’s up to you to determine which system works better for you. I have sticks, strap on steps, rope steps, wild edge steps, bolts, screw ins, spurs, srt gear, and a hand climber. There’s nothing so great about any of them that it makes the others obsolete.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
I use 4 LW because that’s what I had anyway, and they’re great. They’re a bit heavy and bulky but I carry them with a sling and it’s really not terrible. I like the alternating steps more than doublesteps because I don’t get hung up on them as easily. Once I have my bow tied off and my platform clipped, I can be up to 18-22’ and in 5-8 minutes. I can be completely hooked up and ready to hunt in 10-12 minutes. I may try versa-straps or rope mods soon, and need a better way to latch them to my pack instead of sling, but overall I love the sticks. I’m still coming in 12+ pounds lighter than my “ultralight” stand, so that’s dope.
Click to expand...
Take a look Voile straps they are great! Get a 15" strap for 2 sticks. Strap 2 to each side of your pack and your set.
 
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