I know that this video is over a year old, but I’m glad I stumbled upon it. You bring up a lot of points about these different climbing sticks that many of us are not familiar with. I’m new to using climbing sticks, I literally just bought my very first set and I haven’t even touched a tree with them yet. I opted for the 30 inch steel version with double steps, because I’m 250 pounds and I love the security of knowing that I’m standing on steel. For the areas that I hunt, I travel through a lot of swamps and planted pines…so there’s really not much that can catch on to the steps while transporting. I’m alright with the extra weight, four of the 30 inch steps are 20 pounds total… which is roughly 6-1/2 pounds heavier than the aluminum. I don’t like the idea of the folding steps because of the excessive wear on the step stop pins that comes from us heavier people using them……I’m constantly thinking about what’s going to happen if that stop pin snaps off??? It’s aluminum too, so it’s already going to be wearing down with each step you take on it. Anyhow, I just wanted to share my thoughts and also thank you for posting this informative video for us who hunt from lock on stands. Have a wonderful weekend my brother, God bless you and your every endeavor! Sincerely, Donnie
Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree weight is irrelevant for hunting gear. It's not like we are carrying it all day. Glad you found sticks you like and are comfortable with. Your points are very valid too. My wife and daughter do not like my sticks and prefer the big double rung steel sticks I have for them. Good luck this season!
For those that never used a lone wolf stand invest in one. After watching this mans great videos last season I bought one and I’ll never switch to another stand great for public land as well!
I like the weight and design of the lone wolf sticks. And they have always treated me well. Been using them for over 15 years. Have not found a better stick for my needs yet.
Great video. Enjoy hearing your point of view. Also, thank you for the idea of hanging sticks off of each other. Very simple technique but I never thought of it.
Are the sticks aluminum? I bought an Alpha 2 last season. The stand itself I absolutely love, but the seat IMO is absolutely terrible. I think that I will be making the upgrade to the mesh seat.
I think for me it's not about weight, speed, or anything but confidence. I'm not confident of my technical rope skills. I'm comfortable using sticks and a hang on stand. If I'm cold, I've worked hard to get where I'm going, or it's late in the day, I need simple. Nothing against other methods - it's confidence. Everybody stay safe and have a great day in Mother Nature.
Im a summit viper climber guy but I just bought a saddle for a few spots and I just ordered the hawk Sticks for 109 a 4 pack.. What a steal.. subbed great channel
You are gonna love those hawk sticks. I have 2 close buddies that swear by those sticks. Make sure you have a line man's belt as well to keep you safe as you hang those sticks and let's you jave both hands free.
9/28/2022: These sticks have been discontinued. Lone Wolf sticks are not available on Amazon anymore. The link is bunk. You should be aware of this if you're makin money posting RU-vid videos. The new "D'Aquisto" sticks on the Lone Wolf website cost $130 EACH plus tax and shipping. For 3 32" sticks, it was $411 with tax and I didn't even bother to calculate shipping. Absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable price. I can't believe a single person on this planet would pay upwards of 500 bucks for 3 lousy sticks. Come on Maaaaan.
I just bought a Lone Wolf alpha hunt ready system. I got it set up with the straps on it. I like the stick design and versatility. I'll be doing some set up on trees along the way to get it setup in a fast and efficient way for me. Thanks for sharing and great info
You are gonna love that set up. Make sure and watch my video I did last year on how to lock a tree stand to the tree. It will give you some great tips that make set up fast and efficient and safe.
Hi there Jason , I know this is an older video but I just bought a new Helo moblie tree stand set up and I love the way you position your other two tree sticks on the first stick it's a great idea , and appears to be quite a bit easier than having the sticks hanging off of your side as you climb. Thanks for that tip as I'm new to this mobile hunting system .👍
Most the time I take my climber. But it’s not the best for all trees. So I picked up a novix helo. I still need sticks. I see everyone going after the new latest and greatest sticks but man them OG lone wolf sticks look great. I’m gonna look for a pair my self and I gonna copy your pool noodle idea. Thanks for a great video
@@SamkoTradBow just a update. I tried beast sticks, X2s from XOP. And the lonewolf full length sticks and needles to say I sold the beast sticks and still have X2s for sale. The og lonewolf sticks pack the best. And the most convenient. And I hate using aiders so I love the full length stick
@@deerslayertv1139 Feel the same way. Many great sticks on the market. But hard to beat the simple original lone wolf (or now novix ) sticks. Thanks for the update.
While I do disagree, it's clear you strongly believe in what you're saying and have full confidence in your system. Great video as usual. I started with LWs, moved to beast sticks, now I'm on the Shikars. Only moved from the LWs because I hate single steps. Even if I'm climbing for the short period you described, it always felt extremely awkward to hang the stand with my one foot on the middle step, and other on the bottom. This puts your full weight on the bottom step, and depending on the boot it can be very uncomfortable. But totally understand why you like it. Double steps both feet are on the same level and weight is distributed equally. Couple things with the other sticks. The beasts made in the last 6 months are junk IMO. If you have time, check out this thread regarding bent brackets. It is essential to either have your brackets rotate, or have them really beefed up, or you'll bend them. All 5 of my beasts are bent, and I always set my stick before I step on it. Also with my Shikars, as you alluded to, I have serious concerns about the long term durability. After the step is locked into the stick, there is some play in the step. And I definitely feel this may get worse over time. Finally, check out the backwoods mobile gear versaaider. I don't like aiders, but it's the first one I really love using and think you may too. www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5820157&p=1111784361#post1111784361
@@davelower141 as Jason says in the video, double sticks snag on everything, and beasts are no exception. And 2, I hope the Shikars will actually last. Beasts do not last! Alotta of people drink the Infalt kool-aid. I did at one point. Don't. As I said, all my brackets are bent.
Nailed it! It seems the biggest reason for most mods are weight savings. To me that’s crazy. These guys act like they’re hiking 10 miles one way. If they can’t handle 5# extra, how the hell they going to get a deer out? Just because you can do something, doesn’t make it better or even safe. Some of the mods I’ve seen make me cringe.
I always feel like your defending your setup. You have a sweet little setup to each their own! I like my setup it's a little different but I saddle hunt. I also have that same stand you have and another lone wolf climber. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. I look at them as tools. Some are better than others for different circumstances. Why does it seem like people are knocking your setup? If you dont wanna use mini sticks great dont use em.... idk, that's just my thought. It's like debating over what pair of boots are the best... each have their pros and cons like everything else.
not defending anything. When you have a youtube channel and a podcast you get hundreds of emails a week. this video and the saddle one and the srt one were because i was tired of repeatedly answering the same questions about why i dont use them. about to do another one on why i dont use camo because I have received about 600 (literally) emails on that subject since my walmart video went live. so i use these videos to direct those questions to.
Yep. But when you have a podcast and a yourube channel you get hundreds of questions. So a video like this means I no longer have to answer hundreds of questions about what mini sticks I like, recommend, how many I carry, etc.
Great video. I agree with your assessment. I do think some people like a mini stick with a longer aider. For them, they will save weight. Personally, at age 55, I do not feel comfortable using an aider except for the very bottom. Keep putting out your excellent vids!
As I look at options to replace my old climber I’m glad I found this. The multiple short sticks and all the ropes, carabiners and tie offs just doesn’t appeal to me. Something to consider for sure, thanks for this video.
I always preferred the longer stick too, and currently use the LW Custom sticks. I would prefer to have a double step at the top, because sometime my foot position doesn't work out right to get on my stand, but oh well. My sticks have a pivoting bracket as well, but honestly I never really understood it. Wouldn't you want the bracket to always be perpendicular to the trunk of the tree? Why pivot then? If the trunk in on a slant, do you position the bracket perpendicular to gravity or to the trunk? Thanks
The pivoting brack let's the follow the natural flow of the bark when you add weight and lock the stick. This allows it to stay seated flat with both sides of the v against the tree. Next time you hang a stick on an oak with deep bark watch what the v bracket does when you step on the stick. It will make sense then for ya. Any other questions on any of it just ask!
Jason you have caused me to spend money lol Got my Novix 32” sticks today and put an aider on bottom stick and climbed up about 16.5 ft with a Mellinium MU60 that weighs 13 pound on my back and hung it, I do have a beast stand ordered now and I’m sure it will be even easier with a 7 pound stand Thanks buddy
I WAS THINKING OF GETTING THE NEW 1.0 KIT FOR SOUTHERN IOWA. I'M GLAD I WATCHED THIS VIDEO BECAUSE IT MADE ME THINK, IT WILL NOT WORK FOR ME EITHER. ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!
This is a great video! I'm going to Kentucky in 3 weeks and need to be mobile. I just bought the 4 pack XOP 3 steps. May not even need the 4th one now!!! For a guy like me who's new to the stick world this is such great info!
Good video. I run 3 LWCG 20 inch double sticks with a double aider on the bottom stick and a cable aider on the other two (18 feet). I run the buckles too and just keep them in a little side pouch. I'm 6'2 and the long sticks are just a waste for my stride. Your right, running 4 sticks is not needed. 6.5 lbs for the sticks and aiders.
I predict within 10 years or less tree saddles Well have at least 40% of market the only reason that can't buy them at the store and don't advertise on tv hunting shows. I new about tree saddles from the 90s but for first time thier making really quality tree saddle for past 3 years .
That is not the benefit of a short stick. Im running full lengths btw. The benefit of the short stick is that its easier to deal with crazy trees. In trees like you have there it makes no sense and in that situation a lone wolf hand climber doesnt get any lighter. Youve still got 20lbs. A hand climber is 14. All about options, Ive killed stuff out of saddles but I dont prefer them and the same with ground blinds. I hate ground blinds but Ill use it if I need too.
Jason, looking at the nice trees around you why not simplify more by just using LW climber stand? I seem to default to to the climber every outing and I have not tried my XOP Air RAID with 4 full size sticks available... what’s the advantage?
I dont hunt in my yard where these nice trees are. I hunt 6 different states and many of them have crazy osage trees, pine trees, huge oaks, crazy branched maples, poplars with branches every 6 inches, etc. and in the swamp im in some nasty bush trees that are often just a bunch of tangles and vines as well as tons of branchy cedars. very rare i fond a suitable tree for a climber in most of the places I hunt. I love the lone wolf hand climber and there are many other great climbers on the market. But i just never have the right tree in the right spot to use one.
I'm with you I use 3 lone wolfs with aiders I don't walk that far because I hunt private land so what would be the point of having to hang a couple more sticks I have a saddle with a platform on top of my last stick .tree to hunting in about 15 minutes it's worth the extra foot of stick to carry
Thanks Jason. I am upgrading my steel stand and screw in steps and had been debating on the standard vs mini stick setup. This video cleared a lot of questions up for me.
Glad I could help. But remember this is just my thoughts and opinion. If you get a chance to test out some minis, give them a whirl and see what you think.
If you hunt janky trees, full size sticks don't navigate the turns like short sticks. But if I was hunting telephone poles like that I'd use full size sticks too.
Glad you have a system that works for you. All I hunt are screwy trees and I love the way the LW sticks work on them, especially with the rotating v bracket.
Climbers are great stands! But they dont work for me for a couple reasons. 1. In the places I hunt there are very few trees they would work on (the video was in my yard). Way to many branches and leaners, and twisted multi trunk trees. 2. As a traditional bowhunter I have to be in the tree that is in the exact spot. if i have to move 10 yards to a climber capable tree I just cut my shooting distance in half. 3. I can not figure out how to use one without making a ton of noise scraping up and down the tree.
I had tree climbing tree stands from beginning. I don't miss it at all so many advantages tree saddles. There was tree saddle from 80s believe it or not . I New about tree saddles in the 90s from watching john Eberhart DVDS the problem was know one was making a good quality comfortable tree saddle. But the 3 years they making alot better tree saddles CRUZUR XC Areo hunter kestrel flex. Tethered marketing has been fantastic.
Jason I like how you think common sense as well as your videos just made 4 climbing aiders with measured 76" olive green one inch tubular webbing and was able to use cut 18in cut linesman rope that was recalled by Dicks sporting made by Field and steam that worked perfectly with the stiffness of the rope setup on my Lonewolf sticks can't wait to try it out to see how much higher I can get with 5 sticks setting up my Alpha and made one for my son for is Assault.
The way I see it, with the seat flat, and the sticks overhanging like that, it's snag city in high stem count woods. That would never work for me. If you're in open timber, then less of an issue I suppose. But I have to scale dead falls, walk though high stem count timber tangled with green briar... I could never run that setup in the woods I roam. The seat and sticks are too low to the ground.
All I hunt are place like you are talking about plus swamps landed with dogwood, cattails, tamarack with red brush, alder, etc. It works best this way.
But but all the cool kids kids are running the shorties. Lol. I’m using the full length lone wolfs as well. I do plan on replacing those buckle straps with daisy chains though.
I tried to make mini sticks work. Not for me. Added aiders which made things messy and still didn't like it and takes to much time. Light weight? Yes but not if you have to carry more to get as high in a tree. The only benefit was I could use a mini to put in a tight spot, but can find my way past easily without it anyway. I agree with everything you said about it too. It just makes sense.
I used Lone Wolf sticks for many years,until I climbed up after an ice storm,and found those steps very dangerous,and slippery,in or after foul weather.I do like all their tree stands though,and have 4 currently..ty for the info..
I’m hoping you respond to my question....I’m new to the whole lock on tree stand and I keep having it in planted in my head that the 2 step is so much easier for when you start to hang your stand instead of just standing on one foot trying to hang it. Your opinion is much appreciated.....
I dont think it matters much as the safest way to be on a stick hanging another stick or stand is with one fot on middle step and other foot on the top step. Having both feet on the top step is less stable in my opinion. But many will disagree with me. But it boils down to method you plan to use. If you are going to stand with both feet at the same level on a stick then yes doubles are better. Also doubles are good if you have to change the stand to the other side and need to step in and out of the stand on the other side of the stick. This happens occasionally. Where in that instance I have to swap all my single steps to the other side and hop around trying to do that. Bit doubles can only stand one on top of the other on your stand or pack. Single folding sticks can be stacked side by side on my stand for transport. There is no perfect answer. It's whatever you find works best. I bet if you asked anyone on social media that lives near you they would let you do some testing with singles or doubles if they have either. I would surely let you borrow mine if you were ever thru my area.
Thanks for the video. I’m debating on what to do. I’m going back to a stand from a saddle for 2021. Spent part of 2019 and all of 2020 in a saddle (actually a few different saddles)and to be honest didn’t like it all that much. I found that it was actually pretty hard to get consistently comfortable and I moved to much. Anyway I have a LWCG 1.0 and currently have Beast Sticks. I’m debating on getting two full size LWCG sticks and a 20” cable aider on each. Two sticks would get me to about to 12 to 13 feet
Yep 2 sticks with aiders would get you 13 feet easy. You could also go up higher by inch worming that 2nd stick up the tree with the one stick climbing method.
I agree. With a tree stand, mini sticks, for me and my preference, are useless. Too many times I have to attach another stick. The hardest part of hunting from a lock-on stand is attaching sticks. Plus more chance of a stick/strap failure.
Forgot to mention: I have a new technique. I am never comfortable with an aider, especially coming down and worrying about getting my boot in just right. Therefore, I bought 4 cranston steps. I first put a stick on the tree as high up as i can get it while standing on the ground. Then I put 2 cranston steps on the tree, also from ground level such that 2 Cranstons will get me to my stick. With 1 stick i am getting to over 7 feet. True it is a little bit of weight, but the Cranston steps are not that much and they pack easily. This technique also takes a little longer. But the way I see it, another 2 minutes max is a small price to pay for me to not worry about an aider mishap. I don't have the agility of a 25 year old, so I want the stability. I have not tried the other cranston steps yet but plan on trying one each right above the next stick. Perhaps some of you older guys will benefit.
Excellent idea and suggestion. Not everyone is comfortable with an aider even on the bottom stick. A strap on step instead of aider is a fantastic option. Thanks for sharing!
you know i like how you're an against the grain kinda guy, in my opinion. i think thats the way i am. i just hear how other people hunt and i'm just like, kool. but ima do this. being that im fresh at this hunting stuff i know people are like well u should try what i do, but im still like naw im just figuring out my way
I have XOP sticks with rope mod and i feel like they are just as secure as the buckles. I'm also thinking about going back to buckle straps and use an aider for a 3 stick setup like you.
I use mini sticks last year and wasn’t a fan but everything you say is true. I carry seven mini sticks to get the height that I want. Now use four and it’s going to save me time. Plus I had a mini stick kick out from underneath me and was kinda scary. Thanks for the awesome video!
Hey jason, once again great video. I am just recently intrested in saddle hunting, not too sure if it is for me yet but willing to give it a go. I prefer 3 stick system as well and add an aider on first step. Do you think this with a saddle and platform would work? Possibly making it a little easier to set up than with a hang on.
Full length sticks always for packing and hunting out of a treestand. I can see saddle hunters wanting short sticks to pack horizontally on their platform but they need a extra stick to get the same height. For hang and hunts I use four XOP sticks with Amsteel rope mods and a two step Amsteel aider on the bottom stick. I just finished making six rope on steps from some old Cranford screw in EZY steps, they turned out awesome and should work really good this fall.
Totally agree and I use a saddle. I use three sticks with a one step aider. The Amsteel daisy chain is amazing mod. Also use a lone wolf hand climber seat as my plateform.
Love your setup. I really liked your video on how you can use your rock climbing harness as a “saddle”. The only mini sticks I think that would be worth it are the new Tethrd one sticks. One pound for each stick? That’s nuts. Might look into it being a saddle guy, but man that price is steep. Can’t be any worse than buying Sitka gear lol.
Hahaha. Yep I dont think there is any advantage to mini sticks for the way I hunt. More buckles to do, more sticks to carry, more trips up and down the tree, etc.
After 3 years of dabbling w saddle hunting I'm going back to lone wolf assault w sticks. Nothing more efficient or fast. A couple full length sticks w aiders in can hunt almost anywhere. Setup and breakdown time is fast. I'll never go back. 👍
running the same setup as you with aider and im up the tree in minutes. plus if i have to make a in hunt adjustment, move to another tree, the less the gear the better. i did however buy johns saddle and he made some great mods for me looking forward to trying that this season.
Glad you have a great, fast system that works for ya. That is the most important part! You are gonna love the tactisaddle! Everyone I know that has one loves it and says its the best saddle they have ever used.
1 sticking is the major reason saddle hunters cut their stick, when you only need 1 stick, you don't need a larger stick. I have a 20" EWO stick with a platform on top of it. The smaller stick is easier to lug around through brush when you're not strapping it directly to a stand or using a backpack.
Most definitely mini sticks are great for saddle hunters. I even said in the video if I was a saddle hunter I'd use mini sticks. And if you are using a one stick method also no reason not to use a mini!
@@SamkoTradBow I agree with you that if I were using a regular stand and they strapped onto it nicely like yours do, I'd probably be using full length ones, to each style there is a method
No. I actually like the single folding steps better as the dont snag on anything packong in and go up easier in branchy trees like pines etc. Ran double step sticks for many years. As soon as o switches to single i loved it. I know many people say the double is more comfort to climb. But I spend less that 4 minutes on the sticks when I hang a stand. So never been an issue for me.
Hi,Jason after trying saddle hunting I just went back to my LW stand and 3 sticks! Your right!! You can't beat the speed and ease of it just wish didn't spend all that money to find out if it ant broke don't fix it!!! Thanks
I carry it up and down on my back. I pull my bow and my pack up on the same line . I put an extra loop in my haul line about a foot up and hook my pack to that loop and my bow at the end of the rope.
You should use whatever climbing method works best for you. But to say your climbing system the lightest and fastest is not true. I use the one (1) stick climbing method with beast mini stick that weighs less than a 1.5 lbs with a 3 step climbing aider (with my aider I am climbing close to 8ft off the ground 3 times will get at between 21 to 24ft)The only disadvantage to this method you have practice it but it's not brain surgery. Thier way more advantages in tree saddles over tree stands the major one is safety. The disadvantages is do have practice and thier are tree saddle companies that don't make comfortable tree saddle but you could that about tree stands too. watch the video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3x_U2JoSHUM.html
Your beast sticks are 1.5 and a foot shorter than my lone wolf stick at 2.5 pounds. So 3 of mine is 7.5 pounds and 4 of you beast sticks (2 pounds each) to get same stick height is 8 pounds and one more stick to hang. Beast sticks are great but 3 lone wolfs win for me everytime. Again for me atleast.
@@SamkoTradBow That's not correct I am using only 1 climbing stick. I weighed it less than 1.5 lbs versa strap. That why they call it the stick climbing method watch video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3x_U2JoSHUM.html
The beast one best stick on market if not the best. The beast sticks are so popular that they are always back ordered. I had lone wolf climbing sticks they are good. The beast sticks in my opinion grabs onto the best and really light weight for the money you can't beat it
Never mind I just found them at Cabelas’s so there obviously still available, although I would rather use your link for Amazon to help you out. Thanks for the recommendation
@@gdj8013 they are now sold thru novix. Lonewolf had to make a name change do to legal issues with Andre deaquisto taking back the lone wolf name for his lonewolf custom gear brand. So novix is the new lone wolf. I highly highly recommend novix. Same as lone wolf has been for last 25 years, same people, etc. Just a name change for very stupid reasons.
Once you put them on they seem really tight. let them sit and stretch for a couple days and they get alot easier. then after you just them and lengthen and shorten the straps thru the buckles a few times they are almost like they weren't on there.
@@kevinrummel4676 think just type yak grips in Amazon I have been using mine for a while now and they wear in good and rlly protect that buckle don’t even cross my mind anymore actually.
I did. 2 weeks ago. Should check out my channel and you will see it. Its like 3 or 4 videos ago. Did it in 3 and a half minutes on camera with a time and all safety done correctly
Yep if you figure from the time to set the loop on a versa button and pull the strap tight.. yep about 3 seconds or so. You should watch my video called how fast and how high with my set up.
All the same reasons I stay with a full length stick and a stand, I can't get the cutting down of sticks either. Why cut perfectly good sticks just to add another one to the bunch to make up what you cut off. I will say one thing though ,I really like my lone wolfs but I got some hawk sticks and the double step really helps me when hanging the next sticks or stand. May go with some aftermarket steps and make the lone wolfs double steps.
Compare 3 sticks that are each 30" compared to 4 sticks that are each 20". Take your step gap between sticks as 24". With the 3 sticks, you can get 3 X (30" + 24") which is 162", and with 4 you can get 4 X (20" + 24") which is 176". You only have 80" total of inches of stick with the 4 versus 90" with the 3 sticks, but you can get higher with the 4 sticks and also have them pack more compactly into the woods. If I use a carry as you go aider, I can get higher with three 20" sticks than you can with 3 full size.
I really enjoy your videos!!! Super solid strategies and you definitely help to keep it simple. Futzing with stuff especially aiders on sticks in the dark up high can be tricky. Having said that I have recently switched to saddle hunting and just got the shikar sticks. They are truly amazing for their ability to pack down. I do agree with you the original lone wolf sticks are battle tested and problem free.
Glad you are liking the shikar sticks. Have been hearing great things about them! Yep with the aiders I don't mind on the bottom stick but not gonna on the other ones.
LWCG with mini sticks, cable aiders and daisy chains is the best system period! much lighter and just as fast. Cable aiders make a mini stick into a full length with a pound less each stick. This makes mini sticks way more efficent. You can carry the same amount of sticks as full length ones and get just as high with significant weight difference. 3 pounds is a lot of weight. I have both set ups and the Lonewolf custom gear is by far superior it does every single thing that your system does and it’s lighter and more packable
Glad you found a system that works for ya. I have no interest in aiders past the first stick. So that defeats the weight savings. So for me your system offers no benefit so I will stick with mine. But there are a lot of people that will read this and be very interested in the lwcg set up. Thanks for the detailed comment!
you dont have to believe me. Hunt how you want with what you want. I will do the same. all i can do is tell you what works for me and why. then you can deduct your own opinion from that.