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New to saddle...couple questions...

F

Flash

New Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2020
Messages
12
I need info on sticks...I don't have any yet but I know I want sticks that have double steps on each side of the stick and not just one...what should I buy that will be decent and not break the bank??

Also need a day pack...needs to carry everything...how does the Kuiu 1850 pack sound? My buddy recommends that one...will just the Pro 1850 bag for $139 work for me??

Thanks in advance
 
I started with the API climbing sticks from Cabellas. They are generally around the $100 mark and have double steps. The Hawk sticks have double folding steps and can be found regularly for under $100. The API are heavier than the Hawk. I believe Midway had a four pack of Hawks on sale recently. Good luck and be safe.
 
For a bag I’d look at the predator pack if you are using the platform. The molle allows you to build it out for exactly what you do and don’t need. There’s no shortage of options that are in the $10-25 range on Amazon or elsewhere. It keeps the initial costs down. There’s some good ideas on the forum to get you started.


Predator Pack Overhaul

No sew overhaul of the predator pack. Holds the predator, hydration pack, has 1 large pocket and 1 small pocket. With a Tethrd patch to make it LEGIT. I'm digging this pack. Hydration Pack https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073CPYNLX Shoulder Straps...
saddlehunter.com



Also makes it adaptable as you change your hunting style or if you go out of state for a different type of hunt.


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Moved to correct forum.

Regarding your question @Flash, I'm personally a fan of the Hawk Helium's. They may require a little work filing, or reaming out the suction cups but, you can buy a four pack for less than the cost of some single sticks. I've been climbing with them for years with no issues.
 
I use a cutdown hawk helium as a one stick. Packs are personal preference, I have 3 packs I alternate through. Using an X2 right now just because I am packing the meat out?
 
arkfan said:
Alot of guys hate on the Hawks but I use a set and they work fine for me or they have so far.
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I always thought their stuff was good, so I bought a pair of the 20” helium sticks in August. I used them once at my house to play for a while, then used them twice on two Monday’s ago, went back out with them Tuesday climbed up fine. Around 10:30 am while climbing down one cut out on me. Luckily I had my linesman rope on and tight. Slipped about two feet into the tree my feet landed on the bottom step of the next stick under me while my rope had me tight to the tree. Inspected at the ground level and found that the stand off had bent upward and the step bent inward (the screw hole that attaches the stick has a weird bow that none of the other sticks has. I won’t bash them but let’s just say my old steel 30” steps never did that so next pair of light sticks I buy will either be from Ooal or EWO possibly Novix. I have lost faith in the helium’s after that event.
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I really like the muddy pro sticks. They are a little heavier than other options, but I love how they are are short and compact and the rope cleat attachment system is so easy to use in the tree that’s it’s worth the weight to me. With any stick I would highly recommend looking into adding aiders. Diy sportsman has a dope video on YouTube about tying your own aiders from 1 inch tubular webbing that you can get cheap. I’ve added two step aiders to each of my sticks and can get right around 20 feet with three sticks.
 
I carry 3 Novix Minis (with aiders) with a Tropheyline Wingman platform on a KUIU 1800..... Hope this helps.
 
Hard to be OG lone wolf sticks. I am about to switch to Wild Edge , but i have used LW for years and years. Changed the straps a couple times to be safe.
 
GCTerpfan said:
Moved to correct forum.

Regarding your question @Flash, I'm personally a fan of the Hawk Helium's. They may require a little work filing, or reaming out the suction cups but, you can buy a four pack for less than the cost of some single sticks. I've been climbing with them for years with no issues.
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@GCTerpfan Do you do that to the suction cups so they stay together better??? What's your method to do this?
 
khnc said:
Really? WE steps look super quick from the videos. Hoping i can get them figured out.
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With WE steps you are setting one at a time. They are also very finnicky about how tight the rope needs to be (you can get it to tight). They often want to cam back up. With a stick, I am setting three to four steps at a time and just get it as tight as you can and add weight....
 
jphillips97 said:
With WE steps you are setting one at a time. They are also very finnicky about how tight the rope needs to be (you can get it to tight). They often want to cam back up. With a stick, I am setting three to four steps at a time and just get it as tight as you can and add weight....
Click to expand...
gotcha. I was planning to do the Chris Cain climbing method. Looks like i only need about 6 to get 20' or so. Thats my normal hunting height. I can fly up a tree with LW sticks, but if im flying from NC to Nebraska to bowhunt, I really want to be able to easily transport a saddle and a climbing method that doesnt weigh more than 10-12lbs. Throw it all in my pack as a carry on. Here at home, i will keep using a hang on stand or a web saddle.
 
Flash said:
@GCTerpfan Do you do that to the suction cups so they stay together better??? What's your method to do this?
Click to expand...

The suction cups are usually too tight from the factory. Just take some sand paper or a file to the post and shave the inside of the cup a little with a knife until they just barely hold together. If not, they can be a bear to get apart in the woods. I also switched the cups to the belly of my sticks like I show in this post. https://saddlehunter.com/community/...dle-hunting-backpack-thread.22868/post-553839
 
I’m running full length novix sticks with the single steps. I won a novix echo and the sticks in a raffle last year. @Fl Canopy Stalker im a big boy, 5’11” 250, those things have been up and down many trees with no signs of slowing down, I can’t recommend them enough. I think those will be one of the last pieces of gear I customize.
 
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