Saddle interest.
Massachusetts
Contributors to this thread:
I know a bunch of guys are interested in tree saddles. Why don't we pick an easy sort of spot, like Hockomock off 495 in Norton/Taunton. Some of us saddle hunters can bring our saddles and climbing methods and let guys try different things before they drop some coin on something they're not sure of.
Aside from saddles the climbing methods should interest a bunch of y'all too. Like sticks, or Stepps, single stick, platforms, etc.
Some Saturday in January before it gets too cold might work. Anyone interested?
Very interested! I'm currently torn between a saddle or a lone wolf hang on. A test drive would be super helpful.
I'm in!!!! had one a few years ago. It it was a larger size than I needed and really couldn't figure out how to get comfy in it. Would love to have some guys in the know tell me how to use it
I would love to. My only issue is that we start skiing and are not around on weekends....uggh. But if I can, I will be there. I have pretty much made up my mind that I am saddle hunting next season. Maybe consider a Part II sometime during the Spring? Pete
Doesn't have to be January. I'll still be hunting Rhody's Jan bow season. We could have it at mine or someone else's house so even tree screws could be used. Let's see who's interested then make a plan.
Where is this place,.. ? Is MRW a town :)
I would go just to meet some of the crew,.. How often in your life do ya get to hang out with a bunch of bow hunters? Plus I bet no one smells bad! LMAO
I would be interested as well. coming down from NH but worth it to see how well these things work.
J
I'd be interested too. Thanks for the offer!
I'm in. Who is heading this thing? Tell us when and where. Saturdays are.good. Sunday mornings are good. By lunch on sundays, I go north to visit parents with my kids. Thanks.
Also interested. Keep posting here if something comes together.
If the day/time worked I'd probably be interested. Not as someone who has any knowledge to offer but as someone who's looking for the best, most versatile, way to get up a tree without sweating my butt off and/or killing myself.
Bruce, that's why I would do this. Yeah I like helping others out, but I will at least meet some like minded in-duh-viduals, if not learn a few things and get a new perspective on something I've been doing too long.
I really don't care where, I'm in Rehoboth, off Route 44. I would travel. Might be best to do this on private, or some spot where we can gently molest some trees. Also, if it's going to be a gathering I might suggest bring a game dish, not a lot, like a tasting - more ideas to take home. So again, someone's house might be best. I'm not central, but I would volunteer. Anyone more central wants to step up I'll go there. We need tree's and room to park a bunch of trucks and Will's Prius.
Thanks Mark, I think it's a great idea. It even makes me think twice about all the bad names I called you for moving peoples bright eyes ;-) That was you, right?
Mark it sounds like fun. I would Like to meet some of the guys. I have a recipe for venison meatballs I could bring. Lets do this!
I'm central (just east of worcester), and have some public land access near my house. I have a kestral size 1 and a DIY sitdrag saddle, leverage steps and just picked up a set of Stepp Ladder steps. If I had private land I'd even bring some trad bows so you 'training-wheels' fellahs can see what a real bow is like to shoot. ;)
let me know....if not here I'm willing to travel...heck I'd even be willing to drive Will so we don't have to get side-eye from a prius mixed amongst the pickups and suvs. :)
I could prob get my club to let us do it there (Hopkinton) we could do like a pot luck lunch I have some pheasant and venison I could share
I have the perfect house couple acres that back up to 3200 acres, prepped trees also. Have parking for 10 or so vehicles ( 20 if it's a Prius ) and I have a guest house that we all can fit in with satellite TV and a bar. A grill and a smoker too. Unfortunately I live no where near anyone. Live at the end of 495 near the cape in Marion. There is only a few of us down this way. It is available Anytime to use, if you guys want to make the drive. I am also open to driving just need a little notice so I can coordinate with the wife and kids. I will bring something different for food. Have a ton of striped bass. Will make some killer blackened striper tacos with a chipotle aioli and homemade salsa and cole slaw to top it off. ( favorite way to eat it ). I might also have some thresher shark steaks left. If you like swordfish or mako you will love these.
I'm in for anything just let me know! Would offer my house but still live with my parents lol. Unless you guys wana come up to school, it's a fun time ;)
Moons most of us would be looked at as " dirty old men "
We can test out all the gear at our camp in NY. Could probably stuff 10 guys in camp. All the deer will be back too after hunting season.
I would be interested. I have an Evolution size 1. Been using a saddle for 3 years.
Dthfrmabove, your place definitely works for me I live in Dartmouth and work in Marion. .lol
Fran. Nice!! There is some nice areas out your way used to hunt out there but for lazy and hated the drive. Lol. We also have a couple other guys down here. I think that might make 5-6 total.
I'd be interested ! Currently mobile with a hang on and climbing harness rig. From time to time I find myself set up standing and leaning back into my harness pretending it's a saddle. It'd be nice to see what others do before diving into something for real
I'd like to check out saddles also, if it happens to be on a day/timeframe that I can make I'll be all in for it, just have a busy schedule
Alright then. We need to figure on the when and the where. Let's see geographically how the attendance is looking and pick a central choice, although Hopkinton might be a winner! For a date, I'm still hunting bow in January, Feb or March works, April is Turkey. I don't care if it's cold, just not arctic.
to start location attendance, I would be coming from Boston.
I am in Marion. Last exit on 495 south towards the cape
I'm in. February is good. I'm in Easton near 495, so I can travel up or down. Let me know.
I am in Boyslton (near Worcester). I am a member at Auburn Sportsman's Club. I can see if they will allow us to coordinate something there if that happens to be a central location. They have an outdoor course that meanders through the woods, should we want to take some shots while hanging. Pete
A tree saddle party? Sounds kinda of sexual to me lol.
Spike. I'll bring the sausage. Hahahha so wrong !!!
Hun where you going? Um just a saddle party with a bunch of dudes I never met. Oh ok have fun ha.
Hahah my wife doesn't even bat an eye to stupid things I do anymore. There are far worse things I could be doing than hanging out with a bunch of guys climbing trees in 20 degree weather
the best "fun with ropes" you could ever have. er...well...maybe not.
I'd be coming from Littleton so I can reach most places within about an hour or so. Not too bad.
I'd vote for March since there's a decent possibility we'll be leaving arctic and returning to just cold by then.
I'm in Beverly and have no problem driving to whatever location is agreed upon. If I get a couple weeks notice I can make just about any day work. Looking forward to trying out one of these tree swinging deer hunting gizmos.
I’m not sure if I want to try one as I don’t need another piece of hunting equipment to buy. I think I have a small fortune invested so far as it is! They do look intriguing though and if safer then a climber I may be interested. Honestly the damn thing creeps me out lately.
Spike, here is my climber story from this season. So, I climb up a new tree in the dark one morning. Once set up, the damn platform is not level because the tree was as thick 20 feet up as it was at the base. So, I am sitting there with another half hour or so to kill before I can see a thing. I'm like, "I gotta fix this thing". Now I have done this 100 times before, so I know the drill. But I was in a beech tree and the bark was pretty slick. While sitting, I hook my feet under the platform and proceed to unhook the cable so I can readjust. Plop....... the platform falls. It is tethered to my seat, but there I am dangling on a tiny cushion. I have zero fear of heights, but even I was uncomfortable dangling up there trying to lean forward and sideways to grab the tether. I got lucky because the platform did not hang up and I could pull it back up easily. Got it back up, and yes, I kept screwing with it (almost lost it again) until I got it right. Once done, it was perfect. I stood up and started dreaming about hanging from a saddle :)
Plus, I break all the rules. I do not climb with a tether with the climber or a linesman belt if going up with sticks. Bad habits, I know. Heck, the other day I went to one of my permanent stands and forgot my tether and harness because I was hunting on the ground before that. I climbed up and spent four hours 20 feet up sitting and standing, being perfectly comfortable. My only concern; I could not allow myself to fall asleep. I am a statistic in waiting. Saddle equals forced safety for me, not just mobility. I am about to turn 51 in a few weeks, I should be smarter but that ship sailed a long time ago.
Pete,...
Even an old dog can learn a new trick,. just saying,..
I’m in live in Weymouth but can travel anywhere just about. I have some very nice Axis deer I can bring and I can eat like a fat kid
Pete, judging by your post you don't know anyone who has fallen from a stand. Putting yourself at risk is one thing, but there are others who will be affected by any type of accident that happens to you. I have seen it first hand and it is not easy on loved ones who are affected. With a climber it only takes an extra couple minutes to keep moving that tether up and down the tree and you are safe from ground to top. At a young age it is just foolishness and invincibility at our age it is stubbornness and selfishness. If you have family or people who depend on you I see no reason not to wear one. Just my .02
1SG Ret. you don't have to wait for the get together. Please share some with me anytime. Lol
Above, Whitetail is good, moose is very good, but Axis is off the charts great. I will have to post pictures of WT and axis meat side by side it’s amazing just the color differences the axis has a deep beef like color. I was very lucky to have him walk in my crosshairs.
My wife will not eat venison but I made her try a bite of axis yeah she came back for a second, third and fourth bite. Then said if you “catch” more of this next year that’s okay.....
where'd you kill the Axis Deer Sarge?
lets keep this up top so interest don't wane.
Anyway headway being made in locking down a date and time?
Hickstick I got him in Doss TX at a friends property. We do a Vet hunt every year I had got 2 spikes a couple days before and I was looking for a doe because it’s a 2 and 2 county so I couldn’t take another buck as I watched the doe this guy walked in my path and because they are exoticyou don’t need a tag
Joe you guys should do the saddle party this weekend when it’s 20 below and with a foot of snow on the ground. Could get very interesting!
So let's look at putting this thing together. Can't get any colder! Valentine's weekend is out, I work hard at domestic tranquility. How about Feb 24 or March 3?
For locations Hickstick volunteered to the East of Worcester, Stokedfx thought he could get his club in Hopkinton and I can host in Rehoboth. I think electric, grilling, parking and a head might all be useful.
My inclination would be for the timing to be for late morning to early afternoon, but we should expect the Bull to flow, perhaps into the evening.
So, thought, comments, criticism? Let's hear it.
Mark
My vote is for a Sunday during turkey season because it is likely most of us are probably around then. I am being selfish of course, because we are into ski season through March (even into April). I will toss Auburn Sportsman Club into the mix. I am happy to ask if they would permit us to use the woods. They have a bar there and the grounds are quite nice. My yard is also an option. I live in Boylston MA. I sit on an acre, mostly wooded. My place is nothing fancy, but I am sure we can make it work. Got a grill, a kitchen and a functioning toilet :) Pete
I'm in for any of them although it seems like Hopkinton is closest to the middle.
hopkinton does seem to be central...thats good for me provided we can get it. my spot is public land behind my house and we're have to cross my neighbors property in order to have access to a head. the main parking access to the public land is 2 streets away. so that may not be ideal.
I'm good for feb, march or april, if we do turkey season, sunday is okay too.
Pete, if it doesn't work out to when you aren't skiing, I still have you covered some other time.
Hopkinton or Auburn work
Tekoa
Hopkinton or Auburn work
Tekoa
I've been really interested in saddle hunting over the past few months, watched a ton of video, and it seems like a super mobile set up. I'm up for it, assuming I get lucky and can take a day off from work, I don't mind traveling. I think this is a great idea and very generous, thanks guys!
Hey saddle hunters, what are you guys using for platforms? Strap on Ameristeps seem elusive and stupid expensive if you can find them. I am curious what contraptions the Mass folks have thought of. I found some aluminum brackets on Amazon that I am going test out.
x2 Dthfrmabove, I can a climb or descend a tree safely with a harness and prussic rope in about two minutes. And I bet you could do the same. If you dont want to wear one for your family, do it for the first responders who have to drag your rotting , coyote ravaged corpse out of your favorite hunting spot.... And just one more news article for the antis to say that hunting is a dangerous sport.
Peter k, I use screw in steps, strap on Ameristeps, the seat part of a Lone Wolf climber, Jim Stepp's, my climbing sticks. Tree branches, all kinda of stuff.
For climbing I've been practicing single stick, any height. Awesome light for the hike in, bit of calisthenics though.
I plan on ordering steps similar to the ameristep, but still being produced. I found them referenced on a website, and located them at bullman outdoors dot com. They come in sets of 2 for 25 or 6 for 65. I think this will be the platform I go with, plan on doing a bunch of practicing come spring. I'm also making my own saddle out of the sit and drag, and just bought a new climbing harness for that set up. Great videos on YouTube for this. My wife is getting a little pissed at me with all the packages arriving in the mail, but I was smart, I timed my orders to coincide with new bags and stuff she ordered for the summer, and I cleaned the house. For you younger married guys, this is how you pull off purchasing even more hunting gear, without winding up in divorce court! Lol
Those steps by Bullman look good. The brackets I found are wider (probably more stable) but probably an inch shorter. Please keep us posted on how they work.
Is the platform necessary? I thought guys put thier feet up against the tree.
I can't speak from experience yet, but from videos and websites I think a platform adds to overall comfort. Also attaching several of these steps to a ratchet strap or one of the pull straps makes it easier to move completely around the tree , taking a shot in any direction. That's one of the big draws for me to saddle hunting, that 360 shot, along with the light weight and mobility of the setup. I really wish I had listened to guys who had talked about this in the past, it would have been a game changer for me in Ohio.
Stillhunter, you need some sort of platform, and there are a lot of different ones people are using with saddle's. When you're sitting you might not need steps, but once you want to move, say to shoot or hide behind the tree you will need something to maneuver.