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Newb from South Alabama

F

face

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
7
Greetings! I've been climbing with my Treewalker XL for about 8 years. However, I'm a saddle greenhorn that's still wet behind the ears. I'm in my mid-30s, and shake the earth at about 6'4" 255# +/-5. Nothing is physically limiting my mobility, other than stamina which is meh. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. I hunt in Pine plantations with some hardwood bottoms and gaslines. I don't need to walk more than 2 miles to get anywhere in our club. The deer are skittish and small :(
My stand interfered with my only shot at a racked buck last year, so it's time to change things up. Missing at 15 yards will make you sick, missing because your equipment is in the way will make you furious.

Bows:
70# Hoyt Carbon Defiance (Compound)
55# Bear Grizzly 48" (Recurve)

I have nothing in my kit at the moment, but here is my shopping list.

Saddle:
JX3 Hybrid - Ordered, arrives end of August.

Stick Climbing:
Hawk 20" Helium Sticks x3 pack - Unless you talk me out of it.

Backwoods Two Step Adder

Ring-o-Steps

Rope Ascender

Some type of gear hook to hang in tree.

Secondary 6' lineman's rope with prussik - In kit already

Repelling (Optional)
30' lineman's rope for repelling

Pull-up (and down) line

What am I missing?

I plan to start with the multi-stick climbing method with 2 step adder. I would like to transition to one-step climbing plus repelling once I get used to things.
Does this make sense, or should skip straight to one-set climbing? I figure the 20" helium step suits both methods.
 
face said:
It's in Baldwin County, but it's north of I65 near Lotty.
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I’m not a fan of hawk sticks. They are bulky and ugly, and made poorly. Did I talk you out of them?

Welcome from N. Alabama! Born and raised in the 251.

If you’re from @Nutterbuster s neck of the woods does that mean you kill spotted fawns too?

do you have a mud motor or an outboard on your job boat?
 
If you’re going to be Rappelling I would suggest doing it on a dedicated rappel line for ease of use. Even if you don’t get a separate tether and rappel line I would recommend that your rappel line be a minimum of 35’. I wouldn’t go any short than that unless you think you’ll never climb past 20’. Just remember for a 2’ diameter tree it’s going to take 6’ of rope to go around, then 2’ to tie your delta link or figure 8. On top of that if you’re standing at 20 and your tether is at eye level you just lost another 6’. 30-20+6+6+2(34)=4G’ and you’ll be having to jump down. That won’t be fun in the dark.
 
Welcome from north lower Alabama. I sold my hawk sticks if that helps any. I have a JX3 and to me there isn't a more comfortable saddle out there.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Uh oh. I'm in Stockton. Hunt the bog all the time. May have to set up a play date.
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Ok you are in my neck of the woods. I'm from Atmore, hunt at South Side Hunting Club just north of you. I'll take any help figuring out these deer.

gcr003 said:
If you’re from @Nutterbuster s neck of the woods does that mean you kill spotted fawns too?

do you have a mud motor or an outboard on your job boat?
Click to expand...
Can't see the spots if it hasn't dropped yet :( and I don't have an Xray scope.

My mud motor (truck) excels at getting stuck in the wet late season.

Noted on the rappelling (can't spell so you know where I'm from) and hawk sticks. What is a good stick that doesn't cost a leg?
 
face said:
you are in my neck of the woods. I'm from Atmore, hunt at South Side Hunting Club just north of you. I'll take any help figuring out these deer.
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Small world. I also used to be in Little River hunting club. Clubhouse was by the old restaurant on the Alabama where William Weatherford is buried. Hunted both sides of the river.

As far as figuring deer out, I've hunted here my whole life and finally figured I'd quit or start shooting every doe and spike i saw. Blood pressure dropped back to normal after that.;)
 
Welcome from northern Michigan!

Don't let these naysayers talk you out of Hawk sticks. They're a good starter set and the price is right. Are they the best stick out there, no. But they're functional and a 1/3 of the cost of the improved versions.

IMO you're doing the right thing starting with a set of multiple sticks. Get used to (i.e. comfortable) hanging in and using the saddle before you move to the more advanced and potentially riskier climbing methods.
 
Welcome also from Baldwin County. I’m south east of The Bay Min and am cutting my teeth at Perdido River (or tryin to anyway) I’ve got Hawk sticks and haven’t seen an economical reason to upgrade. (Now a 20% off sale might get my attention at a few places). If there’s a play date lemme know, I got some toys...
 
Welcome from Southern Michigan. IMO nothing wrong with helium's. They get the job done. I read a few reports on here of guys having a step break pretty quick. I haven't had any issues with mine putting 260+ on them. Check them at ground level real good first. I would also suggest a strap up grade for them as there stock straps are pretty crappy.
Watch the classifieds on here for a deal on some better ones if you want. Give your self some time to really pick what you want out of a stick before you order new.
I hear that JX3 you can sit from morning till dawn with no issues.
 
face said:
Ok you are in my neck of the woods. I'm from Atmore, hunt at South Side Hunting Club just north of you. I'll take any help figuring out these deer.


Can't see the spots if it hasn't dropped yet :( and I don't have an Xray scope.

My mud motor (truck) excels at getting stuck in the wet late season.

Noted on the rappelling (can't spell so you know where I'm from) and hawk sticks. What is a good stick that doesn't cost a leg?
Click to expand...
Oh well if you want a good price tag and a decent stick the hawks fit that bill perfectly. I just assumed you had money to spend what with your first saddle being a JX3 and all. All joking aside, the hawks will get you up the tree no problem.
 
Nutterbuster said:
start shooting every doe and spike i saw
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The only "solution" I've found involves poor finical choices.

@Nutterbuster, @Tr33_n1nj@, etc: I'd be happy to meet up and learn a few things.

gcr0003 said:
I just assumed you had money to spend what with your first saddle being a JX3 and all.
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I went buy once cry once with the JX3 and I don't think that was a mistake. But, I have trouble rationalizing +$100 per stick. A 4 pack would cost as much as the saddle. For one stick climbing, sure I could do that. Helium's sounded like the right value, but I don't want to hate what I start with either. I'll continue looking for now.
 
If you hunt mostly pine trees, the Lone Wolf Hand Climber might be an option. I have one since we have mostly pine trees here in the Sandhills and use it as the primary climbing method. Nice positive side effect, one does not need an extra platform after climbing.

welcome from NC btw…
 
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