Saddle Hunting 101 - One Sticking (One Stick Climbing)

In this video we break down One Sticking or the One Stick Climbing Method in an effort to take some of the confusion and intimidation out of the process.
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[@waydwnbama-way3089]

I appreciate this video for us in the 60+ crowd.

[@harveyrousejr.2069]

Stagg's in the Wild is awesome. Everytime I watch one of his videos I seem to spend more money. I'm about to pull the plug and purchase one of his packs. I've been saddle hunting now for 4 seasons and it only gets better. 61 years young and going strong.

[@keithhane973]

appreciate all the info, I recently started hearing about this saddle thing, I do a lot of work overseas for the US military. I am very excited to try saddle hunting next year. Enjoyed the video, extremely informative and I like that you are not bias toward any one company. Stay safe!

[@AbBowhunter]

This video was awesome. I am a lifelong bow hunter who hunts mainly public and some private - but the whole treestand thing is just so arduous and cumbersome. It really limits me not only due to weight, but also staying mobile is a lot tougher. I honestly wish I had known more about saddles years ago. I will be picking up a saddle with all the fixings this year and this was a super helpful video. You explained everything really well, and you were right - it is so much simpler than I had envisioned! This was really informative and will helpful to understand what I need to get going. Definitely looking forward to trying this method for this season!

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Glad I could help!

[@johnnyvermin6305]

I’m an old 50 yr old that hasn’t made myself try the whole saddle/ sticks / one stick deal yet. However I can definitely see the advantage of not having to carry a climber / sticks and loc on.. when walking ,5 - 1.5 miles in on public land. Cool video, the main thing I see here is don’t let anything get tangled and pull the orange line when repelling 😂

[@OverlandAddiction-qj1cn]

i bought a cammo military magazine dump pouch off amazon that works great for a dump pouch to hold your roap in😎

[@seabeebillm]

I’m 57, hunted last year with 4 Skeletor sticks with cable aiders, dropped down to 3 which got me plenty high…might sound weird, but never really liked them, was just never that comfortable with them…absolutely HATED climbing down. Decided to go with a climber this year to climb and for my platform and to rappel down…hunted a couple of early hunts with it, liked it better than multiple sticks but it still wasn’t great…saw this video and decided to go for it…I absolutely love it man, will be one sticking with a ring of steps from here on…easier and faster and with 2 moves I can get to 15-16 feet. Thanks so much for this video!!

[@NewDayOutdoors]

That is awesome!!!! Be safe and good luck this year!

[@harveyrousejr.2069]

Till date I have tried the Lone Wolf sticks. Modified them with cleat's and 1/4" am steel rope. Placed an Eastern Woods aider on the bottom stick and modified the top stick with a solid step. They work ok, however, once stealth strips are placed on them they don't stack very good so they are noisy. I then gravitated towards the step ladder steps. They work good, however, they have the tendency to slip if the tree surface is not prefect. Now I'm getting ready to go to one sticking. This is an addictive sport but I love it. One positive is I got my saddles right the first time around. Aero Hunter Merlin and Kestral. Just recently ordered the TX 5 custom gear Lone Star 2.0.

[@charlierayt]

I’m 62 and still climbing. Running the Mobile Snyper system this year.

[@darrellmayo9066]

Thank you for your time and demonstration, but I am sticking to my summit. All I have to do is stand up, and sit down. It's easy and fast

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The beauty is there are options for everyone. That is really a good thing and people should use the methods that are best for them personally. But as someone who spent years climbing trees in a Summit climber, I am way faster, quieter, and more efficient one sticking, especially after doing it for so many months now. It is faster, more efficient, and safer. AND ... I can climb trees with limbs ... cannot do that in a Summit climber.

[@jjs283]

I would say there’s more to climbing in a Summit than standing up and sitting down. There’s a reason my stomach muscles hurt the next day. After you sit with the top portion, you have to use your feel to pull up the lower section and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to wiggle and finangle the bottom portion around knots, bark sticking out, etc. perfectly straight smooth bark tree? Much easier than a black cherry or hickory.

[@codybabb147]

A climber is so limited to straight trees with no limbs. By the time you locate a good tree to climb with good positioning good cover proper diameter and no limbs you could be 25 foot up already

[@tractorboys716]

Noisy and limits where you can go. Good luck

[@charlesmeaux3954]

I agee. All of this saddle nonsense looks cool but who can really sit in that thing for hours? And how do you stabilize a rife for a shot at 100 yards? I have NEVER seen a video where anyone takes a long precision shot nor can be comfortable in that thing for hours.

[@ryanguffy4739]

Great video! Thanks for the explanation on retreiving the line as well after.

[@sp3_outdoors]

Best tutorial for 1 sticking, been practicing a bit here are there all summer. Opening day cant get here quick enough

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Thank you. Good luck this year and stay safe.

[@gfrerking]

Great video... one of the better "one stick for older beginner" videos I've seen. Only thing I would like to see added is a list of the key items you use by at least name, but links would be awesome too. I'm pretty sure you were good about verbally noting the name and describing them, so I'll go back through the video and see what I can pick up. Some of the things I've heard before and some not... and I totally get (and appreciate) your point about there being more than one way to do just about anything... but for a beginner looking to accumulate the gear, it's always nice to see a written list (like you did with your hunting and camera gear). Good job though, thanks!

[@NewDayOutdoors]

I have a couple of other videos where I break down my gear.

[@kevinnielsen4321]

Great one stick video, definitely like the way you show using your linesmen line, tree climbing is from arborist and my buddy has about 25 years in the business and he preaches two points of contact for safety and you definitely displayed that in your video. I'm 67 have all the equipment for various forms of climbing but unfortunately I've had knee replacement this year and shoulder surgery last year . Hopefully I can rehab enough to get back to saddle hunting and get back in the tree 🙏🙏👍👍🦵🦵🦌🦌

[@n2trkys18]

Would have liked to see a second point of attachment once in the hunting position. Unfortunately, very few saddle hunters do this. I wish more folks would promote that second point of attachment in the hunting position on their videos.

[@shannonschattilly7774]

Thank you!!! This is the exact setup I want

[@chadreid1068]

Great detailed video man well done

[@glenncharles6622]

Great video,, thanks. As a fellow ‘older’ hunter who is just looking to get into saddle hunting this was really helpful.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Glad I could help. I have a bunch of saddle hunting related videos if you scroll through my channel. Check them out. Thanks for the views and feedback!

[@glenncharles6622]

@@NewDayOutdoors definitely going to look through them. Getting ready to buy next month after a bit more research.

[@theMobileHuntersEXPO]

Great video brother!

[@quaileggsvermont]

Well with my 17 lb climber I would already be up 20 feet! Think I will stay with my climbers! Good video all the same!

[@NewDayOutdoors]

That is why there are options. I hunted out of Summit climbers for years. They are fine. They work great on straight trees with no limbs, like the one that I climbed in this video. But they are heavier, bulkier, noisier, and cannot climb trees with limbs. I recall the days of trying to slip through the woods with the climber on my back and it hitting twigs and brush making noise. I remember looking at the trees trying to find one without limbs. When it comes to one sticking or even multi sticking, everything is light weight, compact, and quiet. And limbs are no issue. Lots of videos out there on how to go over limbs, I even did one on my channel. I chose this straight tree with no limbs simply as a baseline for simplicity in a video. I used the same tree for a side by side full speed video on multi stick vs one stick. As I recall both were about 7 to 8 minutes to get up the tree and ready to hunt. I can tell you that after 9 months of only one stick climbing, I can go faster, not that it is a race. At the end of the day, we as hunters have many choices, and that is a great thing. There is no one "right" method to get to an elevated position to hunt. Be safe, have a great season, and thank you for the views!

[@charlesmeaux3954]

@@NewDayOutdoors If you can not move through the woods quietly with a climber on your back your doing it wrong and do not have it secured. You find a tree without big limbs and straight. And Sitting on a little seat on the side of a tree is not practicable for hours and then being able to shoot.

[@michaellaura1231]

I am leaning towards a CGM Cobra for my first saddle purchase this year. I am torn on the waist belt though. Rope belt with sliding knot. Webbing belt with D ring buckle. Upgrade to a Raptor buckle. Upgrade to a Cobra buckle with D ring like a riggers belt for a secondary safety option… Any guidance or suggestion is appreciated. Thanks

[@trxe420]

Nice video, very thorough as always! I really like that canyon elite from EWO, it has that loop so you don't have to worry about a scaffold knot for your quick link. Personally, I use a single stick and a platform, mostly because I already had sticks from my multi-stick saddle days and I like having that extra step in addition to the platform so I can get around the tree. I just added an ultimaider and put some buckle straps on the bottom of the step instead of buying the pack-n-play lol (I am cheap). One thing I want to throw out there, since you referenced it, is I have been experimenting with using a separate tether rope to climb . Yes, it is another rope and it does add time when you are ready to rappel, but it is slightly faster to get up the tree because you don't have to mess with a locker or quick link. I probably won't use it, I just wanted to expriment, but it was definitely less work if you have to go around branches. Also, question, the instructions for the mad rock say not to use a backup for it (autoblock, prussic), have you seen that? I have speculated it is because a shock load might cause it fail? I really can't think of another reason why you wouldn't tie an autoblock for safety.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

I cannot see how a prusik or autoblock would hurt the performance. But the Mad Rock engineers should know what they are talking about. My "offical" opinion would be to do all of your research, use products as the manufacture intends, and take your safety into your own hands.

[@KiYoOutdoors]

As a lineman, your “lineman belt” it’s commonly referred to as a skid, or more so today as a secondary. It’s more of a transferring/ positioning lanyard. Different method’s in moons past but anymore osha has pushed for 100% fall restraint, which is relied upon by your primary.. now that that’s out of the way, why not just use your primary, in this case, your ascender and choker? Why run your secondary? It’s not going to catch you any quicker than your primary, more so, it will do so later than, rendering it completely useless in said application. Now, you may not climb this way day to day, and I’m not here to judge, simply to understand, and before anyone goes for my head, yes, secondary’s are useful in many situations. I’ve been climbing for nearly 16 years. Thank you for your time sir, and keep up the great content.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The reason that I run a secondary ... lineman's belt ... skid ... whatever I really don't care what it is called (LOL) ... is that it allows me to lean back a bit when moving up my rappel line (my primary). My primary is never disconnected. I have tried to move the primary without using a secondary, and it is doable, but it is just more comfortable to me to do it this way. Everyone can climb how they want to. Also, you will have to use a secondary when you get to a limb. When you reach a limb, you have to disconnect the primary to go over the limb. So that secondary is needed to be with you anyway.

[@paulcrave3112]

Good video.

[@wadesoutdoors1914]

In your opinion do you think you should add the ring of steps with the single stick so it would be more comfortable to shoot 360 degrees around tree ?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

I use them sometimes and I did a video last fall on the subject. They are a nice addition, especially on larger diameter trees.

[@LynnJynh9315]

I know a 98-year-old who saddle-hunts the field behind her nursing home. Ask the blind man. He saw it too.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

LOL

[@dylanavant3026]

Great video. I think you broke the record on how many times you can say okay in a video

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The joys of a non-scripted video.

[@lovetogun3611]

Ive recently become interested in a saddle but after watching you guys climb with this setup my climber seems like a lot less work. I can see the benefit as far as tree selection but Im deterred.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The beauty is there are options for everyone. That is really a good thing and people should use the methods that are best for them personally. But as someone who spent years climbing trees in a Summit climber, I am way faster, quieter, and more efficient one sticking, especially after doing it for so many months now. It is faster, more efficient, and safer. AND ... I can climb trees with limbs ... cannot do that in a climber.

[@scottvonasek3706]

@lovetogun3611 - a number of climbing platforms to pair with saddles have hit the market in the last year. You should check to see if they would have advantages for you.

[@tamphan6828]

LoveIt

[@randycarlson4968]

What is the rope locker that you talk about? Make and model?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Google "Innovating The Outdoors". The product is called the Flexi Ohm Tether Locker.

[@michaelberry1938]

I never see anyone climb down by simply reversing the climb-up steps. Is there any reason that won't work? Seems like I could use less gear if I didn't rappel from the top. (I'm new to this obviously). Thanks for the informative video.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

I have heard of people trying it and reports that I have read are that it is way more difficult to climb down in a controlled manner rather than rappelling. Not the way that I would want to do it.

[@bertnichols6335]

Would you recommend someone new to saddle hunting try this method or stick to the traditional multiple stick method?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

That is hard to say. I can tell you that when you get one sticking down, it is faster and you can go higher in the same moves relative to the number of sticks ... generally. It is less to carry also. It does not work well on crooked trees also. I did a video a couple of weeks ago discussing both methods as well as a hybrid method. Later this week, I will have a side by side video of multi stick vs one stick ... unpack, climb, descend, and repack ... that will tell a lot. But both methods are great and I will continue to do both ways.

[@MrSb220]

use a set of sticks first. Even when you are good at 1-stick there are situations when multiple sticks are worth their weight....screwed up trees and late season clothing bulk. You can also mod pretty much any stick on the market that youd buy in a set to be a one-stick

[@frankwiseman5517]

Good video. But how easy is 1 sticking when your hunting in Northern Michigan in 40 degree weather and all bundled up.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Cold weather and thicker clothing definitely make it more challenging. I am in northern Indiana and started one sticking in December and it was doable.

[@mharris741]

I really want to get into one sticking, but I’m not sure about a few things. Maybe you can help. I’m 50 yrs old 5’10 260 lbs, so I have a little bit of a belly do you know or have any experience with bigger guys having any real issues with one sticking?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

There are quite a few bigger guys who one-stick. Obviously if you can shrink your belly it will help. But I know many guys who are larger who do just fine.

[@thatbeardguyoutdoors651]

I may have missed a comment on how to get your climbing rope down when you have a tree with a whole bunch of limbs that it wouldnt just fall to the ground? Do you uave a video on how that looks and works?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Since you are pulling on the quick link, the rope pulls through the qyocl link. So the tag end of the rope just goes up and over the limbs and then falls to the ground.

[@jasonmillwood2893]

Seems a climber stand is so much easier :)

[@NewDayOutdoors]

LOL ... no. I ran a climber for many years. Climbers are loud, heavy, and bulky. They cannot go over limbs either. One sticking is quiet, light and minimalist. And I can climb most any tree with limbs.

[@dustinhamilton7886]

Get rid of quick link and use running bowline

[@grant877]

What is the aider pouch? Thanks

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Made by UltimAider.

[@kennethrogers1129]

Could use any platform, but I like rope,

[@pehenryjr]

Excellent video but you didn't list your gear in the description

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The concept and process is more important that Brand X or Brand Y. I did talk in the video about that products that I used in that video. The one stick market is actually kind of limited. Eastern Woods Outdoors kind of dominates it and is a great one stop shop. Out On A Limb and Trophy Line make great one sticks as well. My setup has been kind of dynamic and ever changing. But right now one sticking is the only way that I have hunted this year. I have become very efficient at climbing, setting up, and tearing down.

[@Howardhandupme]

That works with a sitting saddle. Tethrd its not made that way and it sucks to try this. Im not old or fat but im old and fat. Plus my stick i use whoopie slings, another minus. Just ordered a jx3 hybrid and thier sticks. Going to try single stick again.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

There are a lot of guys who use Tethrd saddles, or any single panel saddle for that matter, and climb using a one stick. But to your point, a two panel or pleated expandable saddle will generally make it a touch easier or more comfortable. I recently picked up an Arsenal Cloud saddle, which is a single panel that can be pulled up your back a bit and it works well in a one sticking situation. But at the end of the day, everyone has to climb in a way that they are comfortable with. There is nothing wrong with multi-sticking. I still do it on occasion and in fact the other day I killed a real nice buck while using multi-sticks and a platform rather than one sticking. It is all situational.

[@jpzografos331]

What platform is that?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Eastern Woods Outdoors UP Platform

[@ToddCBrown]

As always, great work. Why 40' of rope? (Asks the guy who just bought 30' 😂)

[@NewDayOutdoors]

40 is just what they sell in their kit. Honestly, 30 feet or so is plenty for hunting at 20 feet. You should use 8 to 10 feet longer than the highest that you will hunt to account for the perimeter distance of wrapping the rope around the tree.

[@novatsi979]

What if there are branches?

[@NewDayOutdoors]

You simply attach your linesman rope below the branch, open the quick link on the main line, re-position the main line above the branch, close the quick link, unclip your linesman rope, and keep climbing. No different than when multi-stick hunting with a tether and linesman. I did a video on this, if you go through some of my saddle hunting 101/102 videos.

[@dweb2275]

It would be crazy if someone invented a tree climber on day that allowed you to simply climb up a tree and sit down.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The beauty is there are options for everyone. That is really a good thing and people should use the methods that are best for them personally. But as someone who spent years climbing trees in a Summit climber, I am way faster, quieter, and more efficient one sticking, especially after doing it for so many months now. It is faster, more efficient, and safer. AND ... I can climb trees with limbs ... cannot do that in a climber.

[@usmcscout0311]

I just don't see an advantage over using a climbing stand.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

That is why there are options. I hunted out of climbers for years. They are fine. They work great on straight trees with no limbs, like the one that I climbed in this video. But they are heavier, bulkier, noisier, and cannot climb trees with limbs. I recall the days of trying to slip through the woods with the climber on my back and it hitting twigs and brush making noise. I remember looking at the trees trying to find one without limbs. When it comes to one sticking or even multi sticking, everything is light weight, compact, and quiet. And limbs are no issue. Lots of videos out there on how to go over limbs, I even did one on my channel. I chose this straight tree with no limbs simply as a baseline for simplicity in a video. I used the same tree for a side by side full speed video on multi stick vs one stick. As I recall both were about 7 to 8 minutes to get up the tree and ready to hunt. I can tell you that after 9 months of only one stick climbing, I can go faster, not that it is a race. At the end of the day, we as hunters have many choices, and that is a great thing. There is no one "right" method to get to an elevated position to hunt. Be safe, have a great season, and thank you for the views!

[@christophercriss5888]

To complicated..I will keep my old climbing stand with the fold out seat

[@NewDayOutdoors]

The beauty is there are options for everyone. That is really a good thing and people should use the methods that are best for them personally. But as someone who spent years climbing trees in a Summit climber, I am way faster, quieter, and more efficient one sticking, especially after doing it for so many months now. It is faster, more efficient, and safer. AND ... I can climb trees with limbs ... cannot do that in a Summit climber.

[@perryharper4169]

That's cool, but climbing spikes takes half that process out

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Until they split out of the tree. Also not legal on most public lands. And not quiet.

[@codybabb147]

I disagree. Its a little more work to stay quiet but you can be quiet. They are definitely more set up and break down time but once you spike in you're 25 feet up within 1 to 2 minutes. Repel down which takes 30 seconds and then comes the part that in my opinion is the worst part of climbing with spikes. . Setup/takedown

[@codybabb147]

And you don't really gaff out unless your in a really hard tree or not paying attention but still you're tied in its not a big deal

[@v.hillegass4351]

While I can appreciate tree saddles why do you guys all climb telephone poles? For a couple extra pounds I will use my lone wolf and be up and seated while you're thinking about it with all the ropes, carabiners, etc. I would like to see videos of climbs with limbs or funky trees that can not be climbed with a climbing stand. Great video otherwise. I just don't see the advantage. With a kidney belt and padded straps I can carry my lone wolf and not even know it's there. That being said I am 6'3" 240# and in better than average shape. Great how to video! Not trying to be a jerk and I hope this is not received tat way.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

Straight limbless trees are simply a benchmark. I generally hunt trees with limbs and kinks in them. It is tough to do a video on funky trees because every tree is different. Again straight trees serve simply as a baseline.

[@RKLIFE17]

Saddle hunting is great. One sticking is a waste of time and needlessly dangerous. I can climb to 25 ft way faster with my 4 beast sticks.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

How is it dangerous? You're tethered the entire time. Most who climb multi stick only use a linemans belt during the climb up and down and only tether when at hunting height. Tethering the entire way up and rappelling down is by far the safest.

[@RKLIFE17]

@@NewDayOutdoors Easy. You have a decent amount of time that your teether is below your shoulders. Not the case for a using a linesman’s belt while climbing. If you slip and you are unable to get back to one of your aiders or the one stick, you are in trouble. On top of all this: it’s not efficient at all and I can ascend far faster with a normal method.

[@thejuror2009]

This is pure insanity. Just get a climber, such as the Open Shot from Summit, and skip all this complicated crap.

[@NewDayOutdoors]

LOL. Good luck climbing a tree with limbs with your antiquated climber.

[@thejuror2009]

@@NewDayOutdoors I don’t climb tree with limbs (obviously). I’ve never been in woods that didn’t include plenty of good trees for climbers. That method of yours is incredibly unappealing. So much so that I assume you have either a fetish for tree climbing or, more likely, a deal with whoever sells all the crap you need to “one stick.”