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.

Thank you for doing this video. Everyone has their own unique way of doing things, good comparison. I might give the one stick a try this year.

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 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.

Great demonstration. Some people are so bored they just like to find something to nit pick. Thinking of going to a one stick method

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'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!

This was great... AND you inadvertently taught me how to better control my lineman's descent hands-free

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.

I choose 1 stick the winner!!! Thanks to you I'm going to invest in the 1 stick!!keep up the good work!!

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

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.

Excellent work my man. I have been using the Hawk Helium skicks and the Predator platform for several years, I may have to switch to the one stick 😉

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..

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.

Thanks for showing it in real time.

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.

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

Liked the one step I believe this is what I’m going to purchase

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

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 !

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.

Good content, keep it up.

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.

Good info

Whatever works best depends on who and what someone is capable of doing.

Where can I buy the clip to attach the hoist rope to the rappel rope to retrieve it? I can't find it anywhere.

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

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!

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.

Good stuff all round

Can you demonstrate at ground level technique used to get safety line out of tree once you repell??

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.

What saddle and rappel gear are you using?

As someone that’s watched every video on one sticking on KZfaq, 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!!!

Nevermind you did good 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

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

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 tried both. Not a fan of the one stick. Speed isn't an issue. Safety is. Extra 4lbs is worth it.. Way more dangerous one sticking it.

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

i've tried both ways, but still can't understand how either one is better than a climber stnd on a straight tree.

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.

You think you will need a ring of steps with your platform ?

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……

Nicely done! Subbed! As as a side note could you post a link to that dump pouch? Thanks

Did you forget to wrap your retrieval rope in in the “coming down” part of the one stick?

I would like a close up: how are those sticks “hooked”

Jump on the scale and then get on the scale holding your stuff.

Sound like from the air traffic you're near an airbase. Maybe Seymour Johnson?

If you used an aider on the first stick thatd get you about 3 extra feet before you have to setup the second stick

The Helium straps are too slick and the buckle is so stiff that it needs to be pushed down to catch at times...bad news! I got LW straps for mine.

Since the saddle is required for both, you could have left it out of the weight comparison.

link for that dump pouch?

how did you silence your cam cleat?

It’ll be 95 and humid but I’m testing mine out tomorrow

👍👍👍 ну, ниЧё, так,,, нормально закарабкался 🙂🙂🙂!

You should add the hawk platform to one of your sticks so you don't have to use another platform

Every video I see these on is with trees that don’t lean and have no limbs. I might as well use my climber

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

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

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.

It's so difficult to find de-limbed trees in the public areas I hunt.

stinging bees in an emergency, then I go for this one stick method! much faster and safer, can you forward the brand of this set!

Next time, stand on the scale, then grab what you were trying to weigh and subtract the difference

with the one stick it would seem heard to hunt trees with good cover

I hate climbing with more than 2 sticks. Going up, coming down and packing sucks with 3 or 4 sticks.

you should of probably added hanging your tether on the 4 sticks

☝ STICK ALL DAY!!! OH & TWICE ON SUNDAY!!!

Didn’t really seem like a stealth exercise 🤔

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

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.

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,

Yeah…I think I’ll stick w my pop up blind…

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!

I don't care for A1 steak that much it's just a lot of work myself I had rather just climb up of climbing stick and get into stand and sit down

It great until you drop it 30 feet up in the dark lol

Seemed like you were being intentionally noisy during the 4 stick method, just my opinion

One stick is best.

Hahaha 😂😀😀😂😀😂 the only problem is the deer can see you a mile away 😅🙂😅🙂

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.

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!!!

You should time coming down

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.

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

I think this is silly.... just get a lineman belt and some tree climbing spikes. Carry your seat up the tree. Done.

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.

Newb