Some places I ground hunt, some places I hunt in a climbing stand, some places I hunt in a saddle with 1 stick and some places with 4 sticks. I’m 56 and I can tell you it just depends on the spot you’re hunting. There’s no perfect stand for all hunting situations. In a tree, I like to be at 25 feet, I’ve hunted lower and higher depending on the tree and cover. I’ve killed more deer within 10 yards on the ground than I care to admit. It’s a rush though. In 2014 I had a platform slip down the tree and I fell about 25 feet and landed on the side of my head and shoulder, didn’t break anything. Felt like Mike Tyson beat me up though. I got lucky and now I wear a harness, so 30 plus years I never thought about a harness. Funny how things can change you. Be safe guys and enjoy the great outdoors. There’s nothing like sitting in a tree and watching the world wake up.
Just got my one stick after 6 weeks wait. Hunted this week for first time using saddle and one stick. Lightness and mobility is incomparable. Why would I want to pack 4 climbing sticks in with a platform when all I need is the one stick. Now my camera and muddy tree arm weighs more on my pack in than my climbing set-up does. Beats carrying sticks for sure. At 56 years old, even us old guys can do it. Very simple and very mobile. Thanks for sharing.
I would say quieter than 4 clanging sticks. There are ways to silence a one stick like with any climbing stick. I've climbed often in the morning dark and if I need light, I have a low red lamp setting I use on my headlamp. It's never a good idea to climb a tree with any method using a headlamp blasting light everywhere into the forest. I have walked by deer in dark mornings with them watching me using a soft green light or red light on headlamps. That doesn't seem to bother the deer in my experience.
Your video is very useful. Your two setups are very similar to mine except that my 4 sticks are Muddy Pros (which are probably a little heavier than your sticks). With that rain coming, you had extra motivation for the one-stick climbing. On both you are a lot faster than I am. Keep up the good work.
I just started saddle hunting last year. I used the 4 stick method. It is much heavier and more cumbersome packing it all in. I use a small tactical pac. Kind of a minimalist. This summer I’m going to convert to one sticking. Practice practice. Multiple sticks does have its place, just like climbers, and hang on platforms. There is a new pouch available repel rope that goes with phantom saddles. Great video. Thanks.
I'm an older feller and found the ewo one stick method WAY more quite and less physically exerting. Love the fact that when I'm ready to get out of tree, it's simple and controlled vs trying to find them steps in dark! Good video I'm a new subscriber!
Excellent Video! I am still going back and forth. Ultimately, I think it just comes down to comfort and familiarity and choosing the one that works for you! I definitely considering more practice with one stick.
@@theunsuccessfulhunters4198 Glad to hear its working for you so far. This video has me thinking of one sticking again. Brainstorming ways to handle and organize that rope quicker. Getting close to that time of year!
I have both and use both. If I want minimal weight, I use the 1 stick method. If going in blind I use the one stick method. If I want the most quiet set up I pick the 4 sticks every time.
I’ve been curious about one sticking so thanks for the video I’m a four stick guy just because I’m older and have had some injuries in my life it looks like one sticking is more of a young man’s game and I think if I was 20 years younger I would probably go that route. Again thanks for the video
Well done, I appreciate the demonstration of both side by side. I have those Hawk Helium steps and you stride between steps is incredible. I could not make that stretch. So without an aider I am about 3 feet lower than you.
I'm curious about the one stick method and this video helped explain a lot, would be nice to have a video showing exactly how to set your delta link up when you are in the tree..
Shave weight and time using one stick. I'm sold. good vid for showing the differences.. Also I would consider myself a honorary member of the unsuccessful Hunters guild since it encapsulates my luck..lol
You should compare both on wonky trees with big branches scattered about. I mean, a straight smooth branchless tree isn't exactly a realistic optimum set up in the deer woods. I just started saddle hunting and have found that climbing sticks with an aider allow me a lot more access to trees I wouldn't have been able to access with a climber
Hey man sweet video, I’m just getting into saddle Huntjng and was wondering if you could do a thorough process on repelling gear and how you set it up. Seem to understand all the process of one sticking but the repel, thanks !
Great video. I am ordering my first saddle hunting set up here shortly. However, I have worked rope access for more than a year climbing and building out cell towers. I do not mean to be "that guy" but when you are climbing up and your tether is slack and by your shins/feet you are asking to get hurt or killed. An 8' fall for a 180# person on a 6' static rope produces 15.3kN of force and 7.6kN on a Dynamic rope. Amsteel is static but your tether is most likely or at least should be Dynamic so you are somewhere in the middle. There is also the risk of getting cut up on the stick on the way down. This is a ton of force for even a proper full-body harness let alone a Tree saddle that was never designed for any form of shock loading. I would consider not using your bridge and tether to climb and taking more time to move whatever safety you use up the tree as you climb. Just my .02 though.
I would love to hear/see how you think the EWO Ultimate One-Stick compares with the OOAL Big BOB One-stick. I am about to purchase a second one stick so that I can let family members (that don't have their own gear yet) hunt at the same time as I do and I am wondering which one-stick is the best of the alternatives currently available.
I have seen guys use the four stick method with a more smooth and fluid climb. I think you are a lot more familiar with the one stick method. Enjoyed watching the difference between the two methods but I believe you could cut some of the time off the four stick method if you practiced more with it. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with this. I have the same sticks with rope mods, continuous aiders, and molle loops on my saddle to hold sticks and I get much higher, much faster. Not saying one stick is bad. Just that 4 sticks can be better than this particular demo.
Sure seems like I would be a whole lot more sweaty which would lead to more stinky and I would do a whole lot more grunting with the one stick but you do a great job!
Good video. Nice job. I just wish there was a better climbing system, the saddle is safe but a linesman's belt and rope on such a small stick perch is not happening with me. Lol
From the outside looking in, trying to research the best method. It's very obvious you're biased towards the one stick and significantly more experienced with it. You were smooth and practiced with the one stick while not properly prepared for using the 4 sticks, especially in pre staging them on your saddle
I think I’ve decided to try the one stick method for next season. In the videos I’ve been watching it just seems like a lot less to deal with. Plus it’s lighter and faster. Great video and new subscriber.
As someone that’s watched every video on one sticking on RU-vid, and is on the fence about getting a saddle for the first time. Is it comfy with thin or thick cloths on? I could see it for bow hunting but would it be more trouble than a stand for a gun hunt or no? And if I fell of the fence towards a saddle it’d be the same stick and saddle as you’ve got, but is the saddle overall comfy? Just see what people think of it, I’m very interested in it. But thanks for any help! And what a great video y’all both done will!!!
For me the saddle is comfortable with lots of layers or 1 layer for bow hunting. The cruizer xc is a great saddle for hunting all throughout the season bc it has a expandable pleat which makes the saddle bigger for more comfort. Almost turns it into a hammock which helps when you have a lot of layers on! I also prefer hunting from a saddle during gun season also bc with a saddle you face the tree which means you have a rock solid rest to prop a rifle on. For me a saddle is more comfortable than any tree stand I’ve tried. It is all personal preference though. If you don’t like it you can always sale it on the saddle hunter Facebook page. Saddles actually have pretty good resale value.
All right buddy that’s what I needed to know I sure do appreciate your time and all the help I do so believe I’m gonna bite the bullet and try it out for myself. Happy hunting!!
One sticking is definitely lighter and faster. Being quite is all how you do it. One sticking is about like saddle hunting it’s not for everyone. Im liking it myself. P.S take that girl out for braving the weather lol
hey, huge fan of this set up you have, but is your total investment on the ultimate one stick with all your gear, it seems to be more pricey than i initially thought.
I would definitely second the comment for using a linemen’s belt in conjunction with your tether. That’s a good bit of slack you got going esp when your standing at the top of the platform making a tether advancement. Good video stay safe……
I would recommend using your linesman's belt when climbing one stick because of the slack in the tether rope could cause severe injury if something would happen to allow you to fall.
Here is the Amazon link www.amazon.com/CONDOR-Roll-Pouch-Black-5-Inch/dp/B004E2C20Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=condor+dump+pouches&qid=1627476650&sprefix=condor+du&sr=8-3
Figure eight your repel rope instead of stuffing in bag an the same with your retrieval rope saves lots of time on the one stick method. Try an wrap climbing stick ropes an aider length wise uses it up faster. Keep climbing an be safe.
Wrap up end to end of stick not around the base it may be splitting hairs as far as time but it goes seem quicker personal preference really. Keep climbing an be safe.
Im one sticking this year. Im pretty sure Im going to like it but its funny how hard you work to sell it. All your movements are faster with it. You can even hear it in your breath. And who takes off there pack to get a platform or stick? Put those on your saddle before you even go up
Yeah I probably could have, but I needed a way to weigh the rappel rope, quick link, and safeguard that is required for my 1 sticking setup, and since it was already in my dump pouch I went ahead and weighed the saddle with both setups.
If you figure 8 wrap the rope and loop around the entire stick it would save time you got down in seconds just took some time packing up but overall nice video
I ordered mine off of Amazon when they sold the camo at the time. It’s the “Condor Dump Pouch” www.amazon.com/CONDOR-Roll-Pouch-Olive-5-Inch/dp/B007IWKH8S/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=condor+mag+dump+pouch&qid=1629112204&sprefix=condor+mag+dump+&sr=8-3
You also have to remember, you have to be as quiet as you possibly can. This will add significant time ( probably at least 50% more). You did a good job on this. Also, in most cases, you will need to be 18’ minimum to the platform. Depending how tall ( and young 😅) you are you may have to add a stick.
Does it a matter how much time it takes to get down? Your hunt is over. Plus look how fast you was moving for the one stick. Taking your time for the four stick. I agree one stick is better but be fair
Try weighing yourself first then with the equipment and subtract your weight. Some parts of your ropes were off of the scale. Just trying to get your measurements as accurate as possible with the scale you used.
You seemed to be biased towards the one stick because you moved with more of a purpose when using it. You were somewhat lackadaisical when doing the 4 stick. To each their own just be safe
Dude!!! You need to stop side loading that caribeaner on your “tether” like that on the tree. You reduce its holding strength like crazy! Super dangerous!!!
I’m not saying this to be a prick… just that I know it’s super in safe. Especially when you’re completely hanging on it and the force is pulling it against the tree similar to how the video I linked shows the cam action on the edge of the table with weight. If you’re hanging and bouncing and doing all of that it could easily put the force needed to break that. Just an fyi. And something you should share to your followers.
How about my climber is way faster and lighter. And comfier. I see guys climbing straight trees with the portables and I just don’t get it. I have a lone wolf alpha and lone wolf sticks about a 500 dollar set up and I will only use that in spots were There is no straight trees,
@@theunsuccessfulhunters4198 this is true & it’s why I rarely carry my climber anymore unless I know for certain what tree I’m going in and it’ll work, but honestly nothing beats them as far as comfort.
That one stick method might be "cool" for younger hunters..but I'm good. I'll stay with climbing sticks and a lifeline I can set and count on. There's no substitute for safety.
I'd be up that tree in 30 seconds with my Lone Wolf Hand climber. If you're gonna hunt a straight tree with no limbs for christ sake use the LW climber and be done with it. And if your point is that your saddle climbing system can work in a gnarly tree, make the video on a gnarly tree so we can see that.
Sorry but the method you used for the 4 sticks was terrible. First ya never leave the sticks attached to the pack, you hang them from the saddle. The platform also get hunt from saddle or from pack where you can reach it. You removed the pack to take the sticks and saddle off costing lots of time. You also went a lot faster when doing the one stick which was real obvious by your movements and how out of breath you were. The one stick method was way louder ecsp your breathing. Way more movement involved as well and ya could here the scraping and rubbing on the tree when swinging around. Overall I would say one sticking is a tad faster for you(maybe?) but it is no doubt louder and the energy exerted and the extra sweat and stress it creates I have no idea why someone would one stick. If just setingup on a feed source or a run maybe but ting to set up 60 yards or closer to a bedded buck I would choose 4 sticks every time. Actually after seeing the effort involved in one sticking to me there wouldd be no choice. To each there own!! Good video by the way just it leans towards the guys who want to one stick! Thanks!
No doubt but again this is supposed to give a subjective view to newer saddle guys. It's pretty much leans guys towards one sticking. It's fine but like I always tell guts wanting to try one sticking try that when ya have a good buck bedded 50 to 60 yds away. Way more movement and noise!! Quicker or not it's not condusive to setting up close to already bedded deer
Either method is as loud or as quiet as you want it to be. Hanging a one stick can be just as quiet as hanging a normal stick. Either one will have slip until it fully bites into the bark. The cam cleat on a one stick can be loud when pulling the rope out but there are ways to quiet that as well. I would doubt that you have ever tried one sticking seeing as you thing more energy is exerted. When you are hanging there moving the stick it takes absolutely zero effort. He hung his single stick twice to get higher than he did when hanging four normal sticks so if care is taken to hang the stick quietly your actually making less noise with a one stick. The only thing you are right about is it is more movement, however, if you are trying to set up within 60 yards of a bedded buck and you dont have cover no matter what method you choose you are likely going to spook that deer.
Wasted lo much time and noise on your rope packing technique with the one stick system. There are better techniques that will be faster and less noise jamming your hand into bag 20 times. good vid
First of all, if you climb like this when your deer hunting then I can see why you call your channel The Unsuccessful Hunters. You made enough noise to scare every deer within half a mile. Ha Ha! Also, next time just figure 8 that rappel rope and you will knock another 30 seconds or so off your 1 stick time. Good concept though.
