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Wild Edge, Lone Wolf, and Satchel Full of Weight

ingramjri

ingramjri

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2016
Messages
60
Greetings gang:

I searched the forums to try to find some help on these questions but couldn't quite find what I was looking for. That said, if I missed it, please direct me to that thread. Hate to waste folk's time with a duplicate question. But here goes...

I hunt with an aerohunter and use four lone wolf climbing sticks. But I have a problem or two. First, carrying sticks into the woods basically eliminates the advantage of a saddle. They are heavy, clumsy and noisy and I have not quite figured out a useful way to attach them to a pack that effectively minimizes the profile. Plus, the weight is always with me...like the outcome of an accidental pregnancy.

As an alternative, I am considering the Wild Edge step ladder system since it's lighter and can be packed in much more quietly.

However, from the looks of them, I can imagine it being a pain to set up in a tree, with ropes tangling and metal clanging Those of you who use the step ladder system, what's your method for efficiently and quietly installing each step as you climb? Feel free to direct me to youtube if I have missed anything.

Thanks all.
 
I like WE Stepps. It is not hard to use them quietly, but getting them solid on the tree takes practice. I use the faster knot method, versus the original one in the WE instructions. Not only is it faster, but I can get the step at the right tension easier.

Stretching the ropes on new steps is a must. Life with Stepps will be much less frustrating after that.

I have never used sticks, but I feel that in order to have a clear advantage over sticks, some form of aider must be used. This lets you cut the number of Stepps needed in half or more. The weight savings of this is nice, but the reduction in steps you have to tie is even nicer.

When I get to the tree I lay the bag on the ground. Unzip the bag and pull out the ropes so that they hang off the side. I'll hang the bag over my shoulder. A fully loaded stock WE bag can spill the steps, so I've modified the bag so that the zipper cannot unzip all the way down.

I find that tying a step close to head level is easier, and thus your more likely to get them on with less hassle. I pull each step out of the bag slowly, so that it is quiet.

Before my feet leave the ground I hook my linesman's. Not only is the linesman's important for safety, but it makes climbing with an aider easier and allows both hands free for tying the next step.

I do add camoform to the Stepps to quiet them, but I wouldn't say that is a necesary mod. You can be quiet without it.
 
X2 on everything @pesqimon said. They take practice, but the end result is worth it IMO.
 
fully loaded stock WE bag can spill the steps, so I've modified the bag so that the zipper cannot unzip all the way down.
Click to expand...
Would you mind sharing how you modify the bag? My steps should be in by March. I am trying to get any tips since I am switching from sticks. Thanks
 
I switched from full size XOP Sticks to modded short (22") hawk helium's. It made a world of difference in packability. I can fit it on my pack and have no issues with it sticking out. I'm a smaller guy too. I can fit everything in my pack including my saddle. 11CA639B-F7C4-4FAB-8AFF-43C881518FB1.png
 
Wild edge steps take practice. I just vet wrapped my stepps and they are nearly silent. You make noise attaching them but not unlike a squirrel would make. Nothing is totally silent. I did attach my last four one time with a young six point within fifteen yards of my stand feeding on acorns. I was a little late getting to the tree and he came in while I was setting up. He would look around as I climbed up to the next step and go back to feeding. It was a young buck and an older buck probably would have been out of there but anytime you can setup with a deer that close without spooking it is a good day. The rope doesn’t really tangle at all. If I’m within a quarter mile or so I don’t even put them in my pack. I prefer to have nothing touch the ground around the tree but my feet when I can prevent it.
 
heartdart said:
Would you mind sharing how you modify the bag? My steps should be in by March. I am trying to get any tips since I am switching from sticks. Thanks
Click to expand...

b2d7737988891f6e2b61406b132ae46f.jpg


Added a paracord pull tab to the zipper.

Sewed the zipper at about the level of the bottommost step. Thanks to Peter for the idea. (Need to figure out how to tag people via Tapatalk)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
WE did a live Instagram q&a last night. Andrew shared a tip that makes a ton of sense and will make them even easier going forward. Unless you're planning to leave the steps on a tree all season, there is no need to lock them down 10a0% rock solid. As he said, for an in and out hunt, get them as tight as you can, but a little play is fine and they are not going anywhere on you. That frees up time installing as you climb without having to get each one perfect.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
pesqimon said:
I like WE Stepps. It is not hard to use them quietly, but getting them solid on the tree takes practice. I use the faster knot method, versus the original one in the WE instructions. Not only is it faster, but I can get the step at the right tension easier.

Stretching the ropes on new steps is a must. Life with Stepps will be much less frustrating after that.

I have never used sticks, but I feel that in order to have a clear advantage over sticks, some form of aider must be used. This lets you cut the number of Stepps needed in half or more. The weight savings of this is nice, but the reduction in steps you have to tie is even nicer.

When I get to the tree I lay the bag on the ground. Unzip the bag and pull out the ropes so that they hang off the side. I'll hang the bag over my shoulder. A fully loaded stock WE bag can spill the steps, so I've modified the bag so that the zipper cannot unzip all the way down.

I find that tying a step close to head level is easier, and thus your more likely to get them on with less hassle. I pull each step out of the bag slowly, so that it is quiet.

Before my feet leave the ground I hook my linesman's. Not only is the linesman's important for safety, but it makes climbing with an aider easier and allows both hands free for tying the next step.

I do add camoform to the Stepps to quiet them, but I wouldn't say that is a necesary mod. You can be quiet without it.
Click to expand...
Very useful. Thanks!
 
pesqimon said:
b2d7737988891f6e2b61406b132ae46f.jpg


Added a paracord pull tab to the zipper.

Sewed the zipper at about the level of the bottommost step. Thanks to Peter for the idea. (Need to figure out how to tag people via Tapatalk)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
@pesqimon ... to tag people use at "@" symbol then their username. I like your bag mod. Especially, if there's a chance you're going to sell the lot.
 
The Wild edge steps are quality but I sold mine after I bought a set of Bullman Outdoors steps. They take about the same amount of time to use but much lighter and easier to pack. You cannot use an aider to get more out of less like the Wild Edge steps but it’s a solid system that works.
 
ingramjri said:
Greetings gang:

I searched the forums to try to find some help on these questions but couldn't quite find what I was looking for. That said, if I missed it, please direct me to that thread. Hate to waste folk's time with a duplicate question. But here goes...

I hunt with an aerohunter and use four lone wolf climbing sticks. But I have a problem or two. First, carrying sticks into the woods basically eliminates the advantage of a saddle. They are heavy, clumsy and noisy and I have not quite figured out a useful way to attach them to a pack that effectively minimizes the profile. Plus, the weight is always with me...like the outcome of an accidental pregnancy.

As an alternative, I am considering the Wild Edge step ladder system since it's lighter and can be packed in much more quietly.

However, from the looks of them, I can imagine it being a pain to set up in a tree, with ropes tangling and metal clanging Those of you who use the step ladder system, what's your method for efficiently and quietly installing each step as you climb? Feel free to direct me to youtube if I have missed anything.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...
This is exactly why I personally don't use multiple sticks. Its not about weight for me as much as it is about reducing the bulk and potential noise makers. Last season I used a single cut down Hawk Helium (fits in my pack) or Wild Edge Stepps (again, fits in my pack) for every one of my hunts. I can carry either system without worrying about metal to branch or twig contact and clanking as I pass through the thick areas I hunt.

The WE Stepps are held tightly by the bag and, as @pesqimon pointed out, can be pulled out individually as you climb and if you're careful they come out quietly. Since you're only tying one on at a time they don't bang together during climb or install. I use a slightly modified version of the "Cain Method"( https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/how-i-use-the-wild-edge-stepps.5111/) and I feel really secure while climbing.
 
Last edited:
So folks are using s
pesqimon said:
I like WE Stepps. It is not hard to use them quietly, but getting them solid on the tree takes practice. I use the faster knot method, versus the original one in the WE instructions. Not only is it faster, but I can get the step at the right tension easier.

Stretching the ropes on new steps is a must. Life with Stepps will be much less frustrating after that.

I have never used sticks, but I feel that in order to have a clear advantage over sticks, some form of aider must be used. This lets you cut the number of Stepps needed in half or more. The weight savings of this is nice, but the reduction in steps you have to tie is even nicer.

When I get to the tree I lay the bag on the ground. Unzip the bag and pull out the ropes so that they hang off the side. I'll hang the bag over my shoulder. A fully loaded stock WE bag can spill the steps, so I've modified the bag so that the zipper cannot unzip all the way down.

I find that tying a step close to head level is easier, and thus your more likely to get them on with less hassle. I pull each step out of the bag slowly, so that it is quiet.

Before my feet leave the ground I hook my linesman's. Not only is the linesman's important for safety, but it makes climbing with an aider easier and allows both hands free for tying the next step.

I do add camoform to the Stepps to quiet them, but I wouldn't say that is a necesary mod. You can be quiet without it.
Click to expand...
So you are adding aiders to every step or just the first?
 
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