Why do we buy 3 sticks?

[bfriendly]

So getting started in a saddle we have lots of questions. As I'm going in to my second season in a saddle I have new questions. But I remember one of my first and maybe biggest question was “how to get up the tree?”. The seemingly easiest and safest way was to just get three sticks. With 3 helium sticks to my door for $99 it seemed like a no brainer. They were absolutely awesome and got me up the tree! Rappelling down was something I knew I’d do to get down, so I’ve done that since the first climb.
After several climbs, I found three sticks to be very cumbersome……going in and going out. I’m not a minimalist by any means, but 3 sticks was so much stuff to deal with. I did put aiders on all three of them and they get me nice and high! But I had everything I needed to one stick, so I started trying that. One sticking has its own challenges with the biggest (for me) being the attachment methods. After replacing the button with a cam cleat, and an amsteel cord, I was one sticking! I ordered the hawk short stick with smaller platform for one sticking. Put a cam cleat and a 3 step aider on it. It’s a sweet set up, but I like my full length stick w/single aider better…..it’s just rock solid!
My second season in a saddle I’ll be learning other methods of climbing…..SRT and 2TC, basically. I haven’t done anything saddle related lately as I’ve been so busy. But as I walk by a few sticks I own I am always asking myself, why did I buy 3 sticks? I may never put 2 of them on another tree…..need to put them in the classifieds. I know a bunch of folks like and use 3 sticks, but for a person looking to get started, I’d just like to say check out other methods of climbing and see what it takes to get started with those……..have FUN and be SAFE!

 

[Noonespecial]

Not arguing just giving my experiences. I HATE 1 sticking and can’t figure out how anyone can do it quietly near a bedding area. Example…set the stick…CRUNCH goes the stick on the tree. Climb up…CRUNCH goes the stick on the tree again pulling it up. SNAP goes the cam cleat releasing the Amsteel. Then repeat however many times it takes to get up to your desired height. I have yet to see a video of someone one sticking quietly. I feel new saddle hunters should use whatever climbing method they used with treestands before for a few seasons then maybe transfer into something else. Make it an easier transition so your not overwhelming yourself which happens a lot with new saddle hunters. Also I mostly use presets but for my mobile set I use four Skeletors and a two step Amsteel aider for the bottom stick. Those things are awesome and pack super compact on the back of my pack. To each their own but like I said these are just my experiences and opinions.

 

[kidneystones_3000]

I started saddle hunting first year with 3 sticks with lone wolf sticks they were with cheap ones really long. They were ok. I tried the the wilde edge steps it works but the fiddle factor is huge not and really marks up the tree your hunting on. The SRT Seems ridiculous to me because you have throw the of rope up the tree to climb. Is that a really option if want setup on the fly probably not. I watched alot SRT videos from New York saddle hunters so I am very familiar with techniques they use. But whatever works for you is the right answer.

From my experience and research the one stick climbing method is still the best. It is very important picking the right aider to have a good experience. I have the ultimaider it's very adjustable. It's very crucial you put in time practicing the one stick climbing method at least 8 hours practicing with hunting gear on different tree diameters . I am go try rappelling down this year. If are older hunter like myself I especially recommend it. The one stick climbing method is not for everyone but I personally love it. There is no one climbing method that ever saddle hunter is go like but that is what makes saddle hunting great because there so many options.

 

[bfriendly]

Don’t get me wrong, I love one sticking…….but like others, I started with 3 sticks. Main reason I brought this up, was seeing others posting about getting 3 sticks to start climbing. I’d bet many of us that bought three sticks to start, aren’t using all three anymore. I also see a lot of posts and videos where folks are cutting down helium sticks in order to make that awesome 1 stick……so much for the 3 stick method!

 

[Muskyhunter]

Don’t get me wrong, I love one sticking…….but like others, I started with 3 sticks. Main reason I brought this up, was seeing others posting about getting 3 sticks to start climbing. I’d bet many of us that bought three sticks to start, aren’t using all three anymore. I also see a lot of posts and videos where folks are cutting down helium sticks in order to make that awesome 1 stick……so much for the 3 stick method!

Check this poll out. Seems like alot are still using multiple sticks.

2021 Primary Climbing Method Poll

I am making this 2021 Primary Climbing Method Poll to gauge how many people have transitioned to one-sticking compared to last years poll. Below are last years numbers and poll. If you think you will be one-sticking the most this season please mark one-sticking as your primary since it will help...

saddlehunter.com

 

[kidneystones_3000]

I use a mini beast stick that weighs 1.5lbs I like it because it grabs the really good. When first start practicing hanging from one stick with a rope is a little scary. So can see why some people don't like it . This is just my opinion but carrying 3 sticks is more noisy. I don't personally miss carrying 3 sticks at all. Again hanging from one mini stick is going feel feel a little scary at first for alot people but if you can get past that feeling it's a better option. And let's be honest alot people aren't going to put the time into practicing one sticking. I consider it average at one sticking because I hurt my ankle the last 2 years unrelated to Saddle hunting.

 

[bfriendly]

Check this poll out. Seems like alot are still using multiple sticks.

2021 Primary Climbing Method Poll

I am making this 2021 Primary Climbing Method Poll to gauge how many people have transitioned to one-sticking compared to last years poll. Below are last years numbers and poll. If you think you will be one-sticking the most this season please mark one-sticking as your primary since it will help...

saddlehunter.com

I checked this out again…I voted long time ago. I’m surprised more didn’t vote. Maybe sitting on a bucket?

 

[Spartan]

I started with 4 sticks

Then went to three.

And now in the process of shifting to a modified one stick setup before the season starts.

It definitely is less cumbersome than carrying in and climbing with three (or four) sticks AND a platform.

 

[John 35]

I have to hunt leaning trees pretty often. I tried one sticking in a couple leaning trees and decided it wasn’t for me. Also try straddling a tree that has rough bark. Takes some of the fun out of it.

 

[Schemeecho]

Not arguing just giving my experiences. I HATE 1 sticking and can’t figure out how anyone can do it quietly near a bedding area. Example…set the stick…CRUNCH goes the stick on the tree. Climb up…CRUNCH goes the stick on the tree again pulling it up. SNAP goes the cam cleat releasing the Amsteel. Then repeat however many times it takes to get up to your desired height. I have yet to see a video of someone one sticking quietly. I feel new saddle hunters should use whatever climbing method they used with treestands before for a few seasons then maybe transfer into something else. Make it an easier transition so your not overwhelming yourself which happens a lot with new saddle hunters. Also I mostly use presets but for my mobile set I use four Skeletors and a two step Amsteel aider for the bottom stick. Those things are awesome and pack super compact on the back of my pack. To each their own but like I said these are just my experiences and opinions.

you should watch some of my videos of me one sticking. I make no more noise then you would make setting a stick. mainly when your weight settles on the stick. actually I made more noise setting up my 3 sticks then I do one sticking. I do agree with you on new saddle hunters using whatever climbing method they are use to and doing research on other climbing methods. Its taken me lots of climbs to be quite while one stick climbing. I think im quite because I go slow. I dont worry about how high i can get in the fastest time possible. I also dont use a cam cleat. I use a regular strap that came with my climbing sticks that has a cam buckle. one stick climbing does take a few climbs to get you mechanics down. it does become like muscle memory once youre use to it. in my opinion.

 

[Muskyhunter]

you should watch some of my videos of me one sticking. I make no more noise then you would make setting a stick. mainly when your weight settles on the stick. actually I made more noise setting up my 3 sticks then I do one sticking. I do agree with you on new saddle hunters using whatever climbing method they are use to and doing research on other climbing methods. Its taken me lots of climbs to be quite while one stick climbing. I think im quite because I go slow. I dont worry about how high i can get in the fastest time possible. I also dont use a cam cleat. I use a regular strap that came with my climbing sticks that has a cam buckle. one stick climbing does take a few climbs to get you mechanics down. it does become like muscle memory once youre use to it. in my opinion.

Can you link a video when you have time?