One Stick to Rule Them All??

The day has come when hunters no longer are relegated to stump sitting or leaning up against some gnarly oak waiting out the next big buck to take a shot.

Now, more than ever, it's death from above by arrow, bolt or bullet. 

When I started over a decade ago in my 30s, I had a Walmart-special hang-on stand and dozen screw-in steps to make a nest somewhere high enough to see over thickets and scrub to get a chance at something four-legged and brown. 

Since then, I've tried it all - almost. Ladder stand - check. Climber (two kinds) - check. Ground blind - check. And lately, saddle setup (with sticks, ladder and single-stick) - check.

Several hundred dollars can outfit you with a competitively high-end gear kit for saddle hunting. Even a good, lightweight climber will run about the same. But what's the deal? Is there really a "best method" for hunting from a tree? 

Certainly there are dozens advocating for any number of methods and gear and styles from traditional haul-hang-sit setups to "mobile" options that promise quiet maneuverability with a little practice and determination.

I've spent the last three to four years investigating these options.  Each have their merits and drawbacks. I've seen a lot of YouTube content and blogs and forum discussions focused on this vs that methods and gear. I haven't found much running the gamut. So here's my take and honest opinion on each.

To start, let's cover the basics...

Hang-Ons

The overall design is virtually the same regardless of the manufacturer. The idea is simple, easy and economical, relatively speaking. A basic, entry level hanger can be purchased for well under a hundred dollars and can range into the several hundreds depending on style, options and accessories. 

Hang-ons have a place in the market as the tried and true "minimalist" setup for bow hunters and rifle hunters alike. They can be placed nearly anywhere you can climb into depending on how you get there. 

To that end, there's the old screw-in steps (cheap but damaging to the tree) to strap-on ladders or steps. This is an additional cost that also runs the range from a few dollars to several hundred, again style and design depending. 

Pros - Works just about anywhere. Gives a good perch and small footprint; makes it easy to blend in. 

Cons - Cumbersome to pack in and requires some climbing method to get into position. This can be difficult with some limbs on trees and the type of steps used. 

Ladder Stands/Tri-pods

Lumping together ladder stands and platforms ("tri-pods") should go with out saying. Both use a rigid, modular design to get you up in the air. The difference being platforms are stand-alone setups where as ladder stands require a tree or pole as another leg to keep the stand up and secure. 

Platforms aren't the focus here, but they do have merit, especially in flat, open areas where trees are small, spindly or even non-existent. They can open up visibility and provide an elevated view and can be permanent or semi-permanent depending on the design. Great for those private property locations with a prime spot that can be visited year after year. 

But the focus here is more on ladders. These stands, also known as "leaners" are some of the most popular types since they are an "all-in-one" type of system. They can be secure, sit multiple people and require only a little assembly compared to a platform. Again, cost is relative. The more options, the more money you will spend, but they can be tricked out in dozens of ways for just about any hunter's preference or need.

As of this writing, a single person basic stand can be bought for just under a hundred with the larger, more tricked-out versions for nearly $800 (not including platforms).

Pros - Stable, secure and customizable. These can have anything from an umbrella, a wrap around blind, gun rests, drink holders, you name it. They can sit two or three depending on the model and can easily be locked to a tree with a cable or chain if you're on public land. 

Cons - What you pack in, you pack out. Forget strapping to a backpack and hiking these in. Carts or even ATVs are a necessity to get these into where you want to set up. And you may need a buddy to get them up into place. Compared to hang-ons or climbers, these require the most assembly and are the hardest to put into place. And some of the most expensive options on the market. 

Climbers

Until a few years back, mobile hunting meant using a climber stand. The idea is simple enough, but climbing isn't as easy as it may seem. Using two parts, the upper and lower, a hunter can leverage himself foot by foot using the stand to climb the tree. Unlike hang-ons or ladders, these are typically lightweight enough to backpack into hard to reach places that might prohibit other options. 

There's a few variations in the design, but generally, the upper and lower portions are secured using cable or chain (coated to prevent damage and help quiet the climb) that wraps around the tree. Each piece is "cammed" against the trunk of the tree to provide purchase to "inch" up the tree.

These can be some of the least safe methods of get into tree (more about this below) and they can be bulky. A trade-off for mobility. 

Pros - A good method for getting to those hard to reach places but at a bit of a cost. While not as expensive as a ladder stand can be, they provide a portable "all-in-one" solution which can be useful in public land settings or more inaccessible areas for regular stands. 

Cons - Unfortunately, there's quite a few. Don't misunderstand - I've used climbers on many hunts and gotten several deer with this system/method. But the draw backs are something to ponder. First, trees. There is a size and "type" of restriction to these. While somewhat adjustable, there's only so many size trees that may work. And smaller, spindly "post" like trees aren't a good option. Mature growth is better. Also limbs. Forget anything that has limbs between you and you're desired height. Climbers need a straight, telephone pole like trunk to work their magic. Which leads to the second point - weather. Climbers are great in dry environments. But with rain or snow/ice, they can be hazardous. There's only so much security they can offer when climbing and slipping in inclement weather is not just possible, but likely. Designs have gotten better, but not much. Next is bulk. Some only weigh a few pounds but it's not always the weight you have to consider. One of the most popular is by Summit. Total weight is 18#, as opposed to a hang-on that weighs over 20#. But the dimensions here are about 22" x 33". Packing in may not be easy if you're looking to get through scrub or thick undergrowth to find that honey hole you scouted pre-season. 

Lastly, and for me this is the biggest - safety. While every manufacturer selling climbers will include a lineman belt and harness, I've seen very few hunters properly use the safety equipment. Sure, this is the hunter's responsibility but also the reason why it's more difficult. Climbing with the stand is difficult in its own right. Using the lineman belt while climbing with the stand is a multistep process that is cumbersome and complicated. In my experience, it can take three to four times longer climbing with the belt than without. But, having it is for good reason. If there is a slick spot or bark breaks off in chunks or the tree tapers rapidly, the stand may slip and fall - taking you with it! While the two-piece system is tethered to each other, having the bottom drop out is a good way to reconsider your life choices. 

Saddles (Mobile Hunting)

Saddle hunting has taken the sport by storm, much like crossbows to archery. There are numerous mobile methods and by this I mean saddle-hunting. While climbers can be considered "mobile", saddle-hunting is focused on a true minimalist method for hunting from a tree. 

There are several methods of saddle-hunting from DIY to specially designed and commercially available kits. It is also the most customizable of all the above methods with options to change nearly every part of the gear from the saddle/harness to the rope to other accessories. Kitting out can be relatively cheap compared to other stand/climbing alternatives or can be just as expensive as you want to make it.

The setup is more about gear than a stand comprising of a saddle/harness, rope with varying methods of ascending and/or descending and an optional platform. Most premade kits include a saddle with lineman belt/rope, climbing rope and step or platform.

Before I get into the pros & cons for mobile hunting, here's a breakdown of the main types or categories and their specific concerns. This will be in two parts - Saddle/harness and climbing method.

• Saddle/Harness: There's two primary ways of going about this. Either purchase a kit that includes an integrated harness and saddle purposely designed for this hunting style, or build your own (DIY).
• Branded - These are designed and sold specifically for saddle hunting. At a minimum they include a saddle with a bridge for comfort, safety and maneuverability. At most, these kits may include steps, rope, ascenders and more. Prices range from about a hundred to several hundred depending on options and style
• DIY: Do It Yourself setups can be just as costly as a branded kit, but highly customizable. At a minimum this is just a climbing harness with basic lineman rope and/or bridge and most times coupled with a "sit-drag" for a seat. They can also be a frugal option for hunters who aren't willing to dish out so much for a system that's still fairly new and in vogue.  Building your own can be inexpensive but may take time to vet out all the options before finding what works. That said - do your homework!

• Climbing Method: This is where it gets interesting. I've compiled it to four primary types but there is cross-over and variability with all of these. And all require a climbing rope

• Stick - Yep, climbing sticks. A set of three or more strap/tie-on sticks. Most common are Hawk and Tethrd brands. But there are many more from the old school ladder sticks to the newer compact, stackable types. 
• One-Stick - Like above, this method uses a stick but only one. Usually in conjunction with an aider, a set of additional steps made of rope or webbing to provide more height per movement. One-sticking uses a leap-frogging technique that gets you up free and clear with minimal gear. In my opinion, this is the minimalist method for any hunter looking to climb anywhere, anytime and do so quickly, quietly, and without added bulk or gear.
• Rope Only- There are two common rope methods - DRT and SRT. The difference is the number of ropes used to ascend a tree. Both typically utilize trees with large crook or "Y" to throw a rope ball over to set an anchor for climbing. This is method commonly used by arborists and requires quite a bit of kit and energy! Typical setups use at least two ascenders (hand and foot), a climbing harness (typically heavier than saddles) and rope. Lots of rope! SRT/DRT hunters usually pack in quite a bit of gear which can cost a lot for each individual component. And the method itself requires pulling yourself up by rope, like you may have done in high-school PE only with safety equipment. Note: of all the videos I have seen of people roping up a tree, I have yet to see one who isn't winded by the time they are at hunting height. No hunter wants to sprint into their spot because of odor control - you'll sweat buckets. Roping is not much different - very physical and that builds body heat which leads to sweat and so forth.
• Spikes - Linemen and arborists often use climbing spikes (or gaffers) that strap to the legs to climb poles or trees for working at height. Spikes are expensive, well over a hundred for a basic pair, and require maintenance. You shouldn't walk in wearing them as they'll dull from digging into the ground which means loss of grip with climbing. I'm not confident they should be used with branded saddle kit and you still need to secure your rope like with the rope method. There's more gear needed to use the safely and it's questionable if DNR would allow for their use on public land given the spikes dig past the bark and into the tree. So there's several reasons here alone I would recommend passing on this method.

Pros - Lightweight, very lightweight. The average branded kit without sticks is well under 5 pounds. Some are even less than 2! Sticks now are mostly CNC'd aluminum and are featherlight themselves. Some of the climbing equipment (ascenders & descenders) can be a bit heavy depending on the type but there are plenty of options that are ultralight if weight is the concern. So packing into some hideaway is quite easy and saddlehunting can be done in almost any weather with nearly any type of tree regardless of trunk size or the presence of lower limbs. 

Cons - There is a learning curve and paying attention to order of operation is important to ensure safety. DIY kits may require more attention than branded, but in any case making sure you are properly secured at any given point is paramount. Unlike ladders, falling in a rope situation can turn nasty in a flash. 
Depending on the climbing method, more attention and/or skill may be needed, not just to climb but also to shoot your weapon of choice. It takes some practice to learn to shoot hanging from a tree by a rope! But it's more than doable. 

To summarize, how you hunt is up to you. Any time climbing a tree is involved, it's potentially dangerous and should be done with caution and attention to safety.  But there are plenty of options regardless of age or size to get up above the deer. And don't become starry eyed when the newest thing comes out. Saddle hunting has been around for decades but until recently has sat quietly in the shadows with only a cult following. As technology and the ability to share knowledge and ideas had become widespread, it's only reasonable to see a surge into the lime light with something like saddle hunting. 

Regardless of the route you want to take, do your homework. Not all shirts fit when you put them on, just like not all these methods work the way you think they will for you! 

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned at the beginning, I've used a variety of methods and set ups. I've borrowed, bought, and scraped together gear to make my own from building my own saddle-hunting platform to modifying inexpensive sticks to buying ladders to climbers. 

My current setup is a DIY saddle with a single-stick. I've included links to most everything but here's a run-down of the essentials:

- Rock Harness (NewDoar Climbing Harness)

- Sit-Drag (Sit-Drag)

- Climbing Rope (Werewolves Rope)

- Figure 8 (AOKWIT Figure 8 OR Black Diamond Figure 8)

- Hawk Helium Stick with Plaform option (Hawk Stick; Platform)

- Aider (Hang N' Bang Aider)

- Bridge (30" Prusik as Bridge)

- Lineman Rope (Muddy Quick-Clip Lineman)

- Carabiners  (up to you. Pros recommend Petzl, Black Diamond, etc. Check out HowNot2 on Amazon Knockoffs)

- Paracord (as a pull rope)

- Pouches (optional; for storing essentials and backups while climbing)

There are a few "off-brands" that are good for some things. But quality = safety. So using good, quality gear will reduce the risk of injury or even death. Don't Take Chances! That said, I look for highly rated items with plenty of qualified reviews. The AOKWIT figure 8 is just that and meets rated standards so I'm not worried about using that over a Petzl or Black Diamond. Some use Grigris or MadRocks or similar. I've tried a few but they tend to clank, have to be loaded mechanically onto the rope and are quite expensive. Especially since saddlehunters are buying up stock like crazy. 

My setup is like this - Harness with sit-drag 'bined to the harness at the loops with the bridge between. I can walk in this way with the drag connected and the bridge ready to go. I carry the Figure 8 and extra 'biners in one pouch with my pull rope. In the other, I load up by lineman with prusik and 'biner for tethering to the tree once I'm in position. 

The stick is slightly modified with the addition of the platform in place of top steps and swapping out the bursa button for a cam-cleat sized for the rope I'm using. 

From here it's stick, climb, hang, move stick, repeat until I'm at the height I want. I believe in redundancy so my climbing rope always stays hooked to the tree and me to it along with the lineman rope. 

My pack carries any other essentials including the climbing rope but for the most part stays on the ground. Don't leave anything on the ground you need to get up OR down!

Once up, I clip my pull rope to the climbing rope at the carabiner and hoist up my weapon. I've used gear hooks, straps, etc. Find what works for you. Here's an important tip - leave your pull rope clipped to your climbing rope! Once you rapel down, you need a way to retrieve the rope. Unlike SRT/DRT where the rope itself can usually be pulled back over the crotch, one-sticking requires the climbing rope for rapeling back down and you don't want your rope stuck all the way up where you just come from!

One of the best "show-n-tells" I've found is Staggs in the Wild on YouTube. While they do promote particular brands and setups, they have some great tips and information that makes it easy to understand.

Their video "One-Sticking is So Easy..." is a great introduction to how-to without it being overly complicated or pushy. 

I can go further into the nitty-gritty but there is volumes of information on saddle-hunting available with the click of button. YouTube had been flooded with content for saddle-hunting from new products to DIY to how-tos and more. Major channels like The Hunting Public and Deer & Deer Hunting have done numerous videos on it while forums such as ArcheryTalk have dozens of threads discussing ins and outs, tips, tricks, and more. 

There's no excuse not to be educated when it comes to saddle-hunting. The only caveat to that may be too much information can be bad thing. And remember, just because something is polished, doesn't make it valuable. 

Arrow Paradox

 

When an arrow leaves the string in a forward direction, it flexes side to side. In slow motion, it almost appears as if the arrow is snaking its way towards the target. This is called the "archer's paradox."

As stated by Wikipedia: it is the "phenomenon of an arrow traveling in the direction it is pointed at full draw, when it seems that the arrow would have to pass through the starting position it was in before being drawn, where it was pointed to the side of the target."

Some bow makers have even gone to the extent to modify the riser of the bow to have a window directly in line with the arrow so as to limit, if not eliminate this paradox. 

Keep in mind, one aspect of this paradox is the flexing of the arrow's shaft. This, no matter the style of bow (excluding air bows) will still result in some flexing. The softer the shaft (the spine) and the greater the poundage of the bow, the greater that flexing will be. 

Yet for millennia, archer's have compensated. Regardless of the existence of the paradox, archer's have perfected their skills to compensate for this mysterious factor. 

Recently, as I prepare for opening day of archery season, I was studying arrow building and a YouTuber coined a phrase that intrigued me - impact paradox. 

To paraphrase, his theory is that an arrow traveling at speed will, upon impact with a target medium, flex much in the same way as when it released from the string due to the force exerted upon impact and the energy dissipated through the remainder of the arrow, reducing the effective penetration of said arrow.

My whole life I have been raised with the belief that we are born with purpose. Like an arrow fired from a bow we are on a journey to a target, a target we may not know or see, but are propelled toward nonetheless. The force of our sending may seem great or insignificant, but much of that may be effected by our character, our "spine" as it were.

Some of us are made of firmer stuff. Some have been honed and sharpened to be the best we can, much like Olympic athletes. The challenge is that unlike those who aspire to win precious metals, many of us are just trying to get there - wherever there is.

The idea of impact paradox is fascinating because unlike the archer's paradox, it has less to do with flight and more to due with the results of being sent. In life, we can practice to be precise, for our aim to be as true as we can make it. But ultimately is it not about how we are propelled so much as how, and where, we hit the target. 

In hunting, vitals are the only suitable target to aim for. Ethical hunting requires hunters to be precise and effective, hitting those points that result in the quickest and pain-less expiration as possible. If the arrow flies true, irrespective of the paradox, and hits its mark but suffers energy dissipation, the result may be a wounded and suffering animal. One never able to be harvested. 

So the build of the arrow then becomes crucial. And this is where understanding both paradoxes are important. There are several sections in arrow building that become essential: points, nocks, inserts, shaft, and fletching. And of those sections weight, length, quantity, form, installation all can impact the performance. No longer should it be acceptable to simply buy a set of pre-made arrows and points and shoot until you are "tuned" to the bow and able to hit your mark. Now it is about tuning the arrow, then skill. 

We can't always decide our destination. But we can hone our effectiveness to do what we need to do when we get there. In another post I talked about the Secret of Three. Where these cross is the build of the arrow. The point, the shaft, and the fletchings. Consider a moment the point is hope, the faith is faith and the fletchings are love. When our hope is strong, weighty and to the point, faith becomes integral, riding that sharpened tip towards its objective. With love, love of life, family, friends, God, the arrow stays on course, propelled to hit the mark. Hope is that thing that makes all the difference. Our faith may flex as we chase our mark. And love helps keep us on track. But without that sharp point, heavy with hope, we may just bounce right off the target.

You can have the strongest, stiffest faith and perfectly aligned and shaped love, but without the point, there's not much to be had. Hope isn't the thing that should drive us, it's the thing that should enable us to land our target. 

This is no different in hunting. My hope isn't that the bullet or arrow makes its way to the deer's vitals, it's that once it's there, it is severe and complete in its delivery. The impact paradox suggests that the target can affect the effectiveness of the arrow (or even bullet). A shoulder blade, a rib, or just heavy muscle can alter the impact. But weight your hope. Faith is good. Love necessary. But hope, that's the thing that drives everything home. With a proper build, there's no chasing the trophy - it's assured. 

Now I could get philosophical about all of this. But the importance should be evident. Life messes with our aim. That's where skill comes in. Our environment and circumstances (think rain and branches) can seem like hard obstacles to overcome. But it's been said - run the race to win, doing everything you can to ensure you finish the race. This is arrow building. Shooting for hours and hours to develop reflexes keeps you ready for the hunt. But having done everything, including the right arrow, will determine if you take the deer or wander through the thick looking for blood trails.  

The Secret of Three

 The holidays are upon us and for many that means time in the woods searching for a proper harvest of venison. I am no exception to this. For the past several years I have had the opportunity to participate in state park reduction hunts either at the early end or late end of our rifle season. I've done it all from ground sitting, stalking, and using a climber to get a better view and hopefully opportunities. 

Every year has been a bust. Not to be dissuaded, I took to the wonder of another state park again this year. And this time around it was a day of firsts: first harvest on a reduction hunt, first deer taken with a new rifle (350 Legend Savage Axis), and first deer taken using a tree saddle. Three firsts!

As this is the time of Thanksgiving, I am exceptionally grateful for these. Yet on the heels of this incredible hunt my family was assailed by difficult news. My wife, who has had several mysterious health issues over the last few years received an unwelcome and potentially devastating diagnosis. By all rights this should give us reason to fret, to fear, and to be consumed by the "what ifs" that often plague these  determinations. 

Hope can be a fragile thing. But there's an interesting thing about hope. There is a proverb that says "a strand of three cords is not easily broken." Years ago I set out to investigate the relationship between hope, faith, and love. Let me be clear - I'm not talking romantic love, nor am I talking wispy faith in the form of wishful thinking. I speak of concrete, though intangible, terms. 

These three are tied together, inextricably so. Like an archer with a bow and arrow. The arrow cannot fly without the bow and the bow cannot shoot without the archer. Hope is the arrow, faith is the bow, and love is the archer. No, forget that silly cartoon image of cupid with puffy little cheeks floating on a cloud. Think instead the warrior whose aim determines the prize, the reward, the trophy, the harvest. Hope is propelled by faith. Faith gets its focus from the archer and the archer determines the target. 

This is the secret of three. 

No bow and an arrow is nothing more than a spindly stick. No arrow and the bow is just a stick taught with string. No archer and the two others, filled with potential, will sit idly for all time.

I could take this further - the arrow is point, shaft and fletchings. The bow is limbs, riser and string. The archer is mind, body and spirit. Each need the three components to do what they do best. A bow is useless with out string or limbs or riser. An arrow cannot be aimed or hit effectively without fletchings or point. Never mind the foolishness of shooting an arrow without a shaft.

This is true for the archer. You. Me. Anyone. If we have no body, how could we hold the bow, the arrow? If no mind, how could we draw or aim or shoot? But what of spirit? This is like the force of Love. The spirit of the hunt is like this force. It's the motivation, the drive, the energy that sends us scampering through the trees in search of that harvest of plenty. 

In the wake of dire news, that energy can either dissipate like air from a leaky ballon or ignite a passion to seek answers. 

The park hunt was weeks ago, and while I hit the woods several times since, I saw nor heard any deer. Rarely have I had such a long spell without at least seeing or hearing something of a deer. But this last time, as I sat for hours shivering in the wind as a cold front moved in, I felt my hope begin to wane. It was in this moment that I pondered the Three. To saddle hunt you need a rope, a harness and a good tree. Even a leaning stand needs the stand, the tree and a good tether to hold it in place. To shoot a deer with a rifle you need the gun, the ammo and hunter - just like the archer. And the ammo is itself three - bullet, powder, casing. 

By now you might be weary of this analogy. I'll stay the course. 

A few years ago, I went through a season of what I call "smooth seas." Everything was routine, typical, uneventful. Even as I became complacent there was this idea that something was on the horizon. Little did I know a storm was brewing. As a manager of a small central department to the company I worked for, I was prone to posting words of encouragement, inspiration and motivation to keep morale moving on an upward trend. One such quote struck me:

"Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor." 

I'm not sure exactly who coined that phrase, but I do wonder if they truly understood what they were saying. I grew up on the water. Sailing was familiar to me and I have memories of good and bad trips in all manner of boats. But this, this was different. A good sailor learns almost exclusively by experience. They can have all the knowledge in the world about sails, sheets, masts, rudders, and so forth and be just as likely to capsize as a youth inadvertently rocking over a canoe. 

 Life gets like this. Storms of unforeseen circumstances can blow in and shake our confidence, even try our mettle as when they company I worked nearly a decade for shuttered its doors. These are the seas we need to learn to sail, trim the sails, drive into the waves and fight the rudder. This is where we learn the skills needed to make it to a safe harbor, though battered and beaten we may be. In this the secret of the Three make all the difference. 

Love is the foundation. Most of us have a basic understanding of love. Loving our family, our friends, even our pets. But what does that look like in hard times? Love is pushing through the flotsam and jetsam of tragedy and hardship. It's the giving up of yourself to help or even rescue others. But without faith, without hope, love becomes empty motions. Its bailing water on a sinking ship. 

Faith is the thing that gets us moving. It's the belief that we'll make it through, one way or the other and maybe by a thread but make it nonetheless. It's the trust that something's gotta give, even if that something is ourselves. But that giving is what's tied to hope. 

One of my favorite songs has the line "We're all cast-aways in need of rope Hangin' on by the last threads of our hope"

Here is where empty hours in a treestand yield fruit. Here is where time in the crashing waves finds its anchor. Hope isn't the capstone on a pyramid of faith and love. Nor is it the strands that tie them together. Without faith, without love, hope is dreaming of better times. Instead, hope is the arrow. It's the thing that once focused and let loose flies to its mark. Certainly winds of change conflict its flight, but it will hit regardless. It's our hope that it hits where we aim, the bullseye at the other end of the field, the heart of the matter we're pursuing. 

Just as I'll continue to take to the woods in search of another bountiful harvest, I'll take to the circumstances and fight for answers, search for meaning, and push for more. This is how three cords are stronger than one. Like the rope I use to keep me safe and to climb for higher perspective, so do these aid me in give me the courage to work throw these hard times.