I recently modified my Lone Wolf sticks to work better for my style of mobile hunting. With a dual step mod and three etriers I can comfortably hunt over 20' with just three sticks.
PROCESS: Standing on the ground I reach as high as I can and attach the first LW stick. This puts the top of the stick at just over 7 feet high and the first etrier step at just about 15" off the ground.
Here you can see the tape measurement to the top of the first stick.
Here is the measurement from the ground to the first step of the etrier.
The dual top step and a lineman belt are absolutely critical to getting all the benefit from each etrier. If you don't have both, you can't stand at the top of the stick and reach the next 7 feet up the tree with both hands.
To make the dual top step I bought a 6' piece of aluminum from Amazon and followed the directions from the AT thread (links below). I don't have the tools or the experience to make the steps look cool. I used a hacksaw to cut the aluminum in 9.5" sections and my neighbors drill press to drill the 1/4" and 3/8" holes. Then I wrapped the aluminum in electrical tape and bolted it on. It works like a charm. Hockey tape or skateboard deck tap might work better, but I had the electrical tape on hand. It grips great even in rubber boots.
I have now been up and down trees in a hunting scenario about 5 times and I am confident in this system. At first the etriers are a tad bit tricky. After the second or third time it turns into second nature and isn't difficult at all. You WILL NEED a head light to come down from the tree in the dark.
I'm 5'7" and I'm able to get the top of each stick to just a tad over 7'. At hunting height this gets me pretty easily over 20'. If you have normal human legs and not hobbit sized legs you could probably get another couple feet before you'd need a 4 step etrier. I'm not tall enough to make use of a 4 step etrier. I would imagine if you're under 6', a 4 step etrier would be a waste as well.
The step from the etrier to the LW stick is the only one that feels a bit stretchy. It's not difficult, but I notice the difference.
I always loop the etrier over the bottom step. This may not be necessary, but I like that the etrier pulls on the step and not just the "v" bracket.
I run the etriers through the LW strap and tuck the bottom steps around the dual steps. It keeps the etriers from dragging around.
I purchased and orange and 2 purple etriers. The orange always goes on the bottom. I drilled holes in 1 LW stick so I could stack my two Muddy sticks. I used to carry 3 LW and 2 Muddy to get to 20 feet. I'm sure the LW stick with holes is perfectly solid, but I still always attach it at the bottom of the tree...just in case.
3 Step Etrier Link: http://www.cmi-gear.com/collections/webbing-products/products/etriers?variant=640306697
Aluminum Link: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Rect..._p_img_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YV14MMN6X3FJXTK6DR6
Original Dual Step Mod Link: http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1825660
PROCESS: Standing on the ground I reach as high as I can and attach the first LW stick. This puts the top of the stick at just over 7 feet high and the first etrier step at just about 15" off the ground.
Here you can see the tape measurement to the top of the first stick.
Here is the measurement from the ground to the first step of the etrier.
The dual top step and a lineman belt are absolutely critical to getting all the benefit from each etrier. If you don't have both, you can't stand at the top of the stick and reach the next 7 feet up the tree with both hands.
To make the dual top step I bought a 6' piece of aluminum from Amazon and followed the directions from the AT thread (links below). I don't have the tools or the experience to make the steps look cool. I used a hacksaw to cut the aluminum in 9.5" sections and my neighbors drill press to drill the 1/4" and 3/8" holes. Then I wrapped the aluminum in electrical tape and bolted it on. It works like a charm. Hockey tape or skateboard deck tap might work better, but I had the electrical tape on hand. It grips great even in rubber boots.
I have now been up and down trees in a hunting scenario about 5 times and I am confident in this system. At first the etriers are a tad bit tricky. After the second or third time it turns into second nature and isn't difficult at all. You WILL NEED a head light to come down from the tree in the dark.
I'm 5'7" and I'm able to get the top of each stick to just a tad over 7'. At hunting height this gets me pretty easily over 20'. If you have normal human legs and not hobbit sized legs you could probably get another couple feet before you'd need a 4 step etrier. I'm not tall enough to make use of a 4 step etrier. I would imagine if you're under 6', a 4 step etrier would be a waste as well.
The step from the etrier to the LW stick is the only one that feels a bit stretchy. It's not difficult, but I notice the difference.
I always loop the etrier over the bottom step. This may not be necessary, but I like that the etrier pulls on the step and not just the "v" bracket.
I run the etriers through the LW strap and tuck the bottom steps around the dual steps. It keeps the etriers from dragging around.
I purchased and orange and 2 purple etriers. The orange always goes on the bottom. I drilled holes in 1 LW stick so I could stack my two Muddy sticks. I used to carry 3 LW and 2 Muddy to get to 20 feet. I'm sure the LW stick with holes is perfectly solid, but I still always attach it at the bottom of the tree...just in case.
3 Step Etrier Link: http://www.cmi-gear.com/collections/webbing-products/products/etriers?variant=640306697
Aluminum Link: http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Rect..._p_img_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YV14MMN6X3FJXTK6DR6
Original Dual Step Mod Link: http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1825660