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LW stick mod and overview

HappyChappy

HappyChappy

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
May 19, 2019
Messages
343
So, like many of you, I have been frustrated with full length sticks ever since I went to a saddle. My lone wolf sticks were great when used with my hang on, but I never was happy with how I packed them in with a saddle and small platform. I’ve tried backpack, shoulder sling, carrying by hand—always was bulky and awkward.
I decided to research as much as I could about all the sticks on the market and the mods everyone has done, and piece together all the features I wanted in a set of sticks.
Just FYI, I have tried one stick methods, aiders, and double sided sticks (heliums) and I really just favor carrying multiple single step sticks with no aiders. So for me, these are pretty close to perfect.

Here are the mods:
Cut down to 24”
Eliminated the middle step
Did the Gary Blevins threaded insert mod
Wrapped in stealth strips

I’m using the buckleless method with the lone wolf straps for now and I really like them. Less sag than with “static” accessory cord that always seemed to stretch a little. Limiting factor is tree diameter since the straps aren’t long. So, I plan to get versa straps when they are in stock again. If you guys have other preferences, I’d love to hear them! (Ive read through several threads already). What I like about the webbing is it’s flat, so I have no problems stacking the sticks side by side when I wrap the webbing around them. Don’t know if amsteel dc will allow me to do that.
I punched a whole through the end of the straps I’m using now and put a shock cord loop through it to secure to versa button in transport like many of you have done. Pretty slick deal...nice and tight.

Still experimenting with how I’m gonna pack them. If I carry six sticks (which will get me to 26’ w/o aiders), I will either stack them all together and secure with rubber “Voile” strap or 3 on each side of the pack secured with bungee balls. Let me know what you guys think is best! I appreciate any input.

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I believe you have a great setup going for 6 sticks not really anyway to compact anything more.
A few questions - how often do you use all 6 sticks, how are you getting them up the tree, & what negatives have you experience with an aider?
 
Cbigbear said:
I believe you have a great setup going for 6 sticks not really anyway to compact anything more.
A few questions - how often do you use all 6 sticks, how are you getting them up the tree, & what negatives have you experience with an aider?
Click to expand...

Hi Cbigbear. First off, thanks for sharing all of your insight with the hunting community. For years, I have tried adapting my setup to go lighter and more compact, and I attribute a lot of that to guys like you and garret prahl.

As for my setup, this will be the first year running six sticks. I will hang a stick on each side of my pack using bungee balls that double as a way to pack them tight. I will hang a stick on each side of my saddle from paracord loops. Hang the first one from the ground and climb onto it with the second stick in my hand.

I will probably only use all 6 during the late season after the foliage drops or on steep hillsides. Early season I will probably start with 4, which will put the top step on my top stick at 18ft. I always hang my first stick high (6ft) and pull myself up onto it to gain some additional height.
I really love hunting high, but it’s not always the right move. When it is, I like having the options of extra sticks.

I’ve not really had any close calls with aiders, but I just never liked coming down the tree with them. I don’t like fishing my foot into aiders in the dark. Aiders that cinch on your boot are a little better, but I still prefer just not using any kind. I tried liking them, but they’re just not for me.
 
HappyChappy said:
Hi Cbigbear. First off, thanks for sharing all of your insight with the hunting community. For years, I have tried adapting my setup to go lighter and more compact, and I attribute a lot of that to guys like you and garret prahl.

As for my setup, this will be the first year running six sticks. I will hang a stick on each side of my pack using bungee balls that double as a way to pack them tight. I will hang a stick on each side of my saddle from paracord loops. Hang the first one from the ground and climb onto it with the second stick in my hand.

I will probably only use all 6 during the late season after the foliage drops or on steep hillsides. Early season I will probably start with 4, which will put the top step on my top stick at 18ft. I always hang my first stick high (6ft) and pull myself up onto it to gain some additional height.
I really love hunting high, but it’s not always the right move. When it is, I like having the options of extra sticks.

I’ve not really had any close calls with aiders, but I just never liked coming down the tree with them. I don’t like fishing my foot into aiders in the dark. Aiders that cinch on your boot are a little better, but I still prefer just not using any kind. I tried liking them, but they’re just not for me.
Click to expand...

Solid plan for getting the sticks up the tree.

Suggestion that may limit your need for 6 sticks - add rappeling gear to your setup. Not sure weight wise what the difference would be but rope packs down smaller than sticks. Rappeling gear would help you on max height as you could always one stick with the 3rd or 4th stick vs carrying additional sticks. Most people are hesitant to one stick because of coming down so rappeling solves that issue. It’s also likely you won’t have to use the one stick but it’s there if necessary. If it becomes more common add another stick for future trips that season. Rappeling also makes aiders more viable for you due to the fishing problem coming down. I find my movable aider is equivalent to 2 sticks.
 
Cbigbear said:
Solid plan for getting the sticks up the tree.

Suggestion that may limit your need for 6 sticks - add rappeling gear to your setup. Not sure weight wise what the difference would be but rope packs down smaller than sticks. Rappeling gear would help you on max height as you could always one stick with the 3rd or 4th stick vs carrying additional sticks. Most people are hesitant to one stick because of coming down so rappeling solves that issue. It’s also likely you won’t have to use the one stick but it’s there if necessary. If it becomes more common add another stick for future trips that season. Rappeling also makes aiders more viable for you due to the fishing problem coming down. I find my movable aider is equivalent to 2 sticks.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I’ll definitely consider this.
 
Cbigbear said:
Solid plan for getting the sticks up the tree.

Suggestion that may limit your need for 6 sticks - add rappeling gear to your setup. Not sure weight wise what the difference would be but rope packs down smaller than sticks. Rappeling gear would help you on max height as you could always one stick with the 3rd or 4th stick vs carrying additional sticks. Most people are hesitant to one stick because of coming down so rappeling solves that issue. It’s also likely you won’t have to use the one stick but it’s there if necessary. If it becomes more common add another stick for future trips that season. Rappeling also makes aiders more viable for you due to the fishing problem coming down. I find my movable aider is equivalent to 2 sticks.
Click to expand...
And here I was thinking to myself..."how can I get a little higher with less sticks?" Solid advice!
 
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