Bowsite.com

I've been intrigued for a while but have never seen anyone use one personally.

Thanks!

I may have a different focus than others in that I plan to have my gear in my pack when hunting from the ground and using it when I find a place that it makes sense.

Will save a lot of extra time, particularly when hunting wilderness, to have to hike back out and drag a hang-on stand 2-3 miles in and then have to go back and pull stands. My whole setup will come in at around 8 pounds and be able to get up to 20’ in a tree if necessary. Hell, should be able to pack out a deer or 1/2 an elk in the pack with my tree saddle! I’m looking at it to save a lot of time and effort.

https://youtu.be/UNiB31PIAZo

Most of the newer saddles are offer lighter weight, better comfort, more features and adjustability. Very recently upgraded to the Cruzer Archon which is a two panel..... my search for 2 panel came down to the Cruzer and the Latitude 2, those fit my criteria best. Amsteel bridges, etc. Very adjustable as to back support and seat support. Very happy with my choice. Not cheap IMO. Bang for buck is subjective. But saddlehunter.com often has good deals on pretty quality used equipment. That and ebay can be a good resource. Hands down used can be your best bang for buck. My experience is quality used is normally far better than cheap new.

WRT platforms I've never had good luck with them. You need a good stable solid place for your feet, but kinda see platforms as treestand folks transitioning, they feel more comfortable with a platform. But I was never really in the "treestand" culture much, first time in a tree in my life was in Canada on a bear hunt in 2006. Came home and could see the advantages on some small properties we could hunt. But by 2009 or so was pretty much just saddle hunting. Platforms I've seen were near as much a headache to haul around and set up as a small stand. Most times we just used screw steps or lag bolts and combine with some tree limbs to make a platform.

I know sometimes you can't use screw in type gear, my vote for best bang are the wild edge steps. No matter how you climb, 2, 3 or 4 of those steps makes for a very good platform IMO. I hate strap on steps or what they call a "ring of steps". Steps are okay just standing on straight up.... but when you need to push off and torque around the tree they will move, slip.... can and have cost me shots. They don't take side pressure well. Wild Edge steps do much better. I'd say 3/4 of my shots require some side pressure on the steps. They take practice setting them but pretty quick you can deploy them in your sleep.

Anyway, I've gone all in and working on some real interesting systems, getting more comfortable with them but a bigger learning curve. And a much larger budget. Changing strategies from preset stand sites to run'n'gun sets. We're finding the deer are figuring it out our prepped sites and shifting patterns. And often just a new fence line, property sold with new dogs or no dogs, tree falls, washouts, development, stock tank shut off, etc. renders a spot into a good place to read a book..... anyway, more likely next week.

The guy in that video admittedly never used it. But maybe there’s cheaper options in the US. That’s the only saddle available at a retailer even in Canada. My Tethrd cost me 50% more and was way less comfortable

The guy in that video admittedly never used it. But maybe there’s cheaper options in the US. That’s the only saddle available at a retailer even in Canada. My Tethrd cost me 50% more and was way less comfortable

The area I’m hunting dictates my stand choice of saddle or climber. Long haul it’s going to be a saddle every time. My saddles are a mantis and a phantom. I said last year I saw no need to upgrade to the phantom. Well, after doing so, it was worth every penny to do so. It’s a really comfy saddle.

I own two sets of helium’s. The set of 4 short ones and a set of four modified from the longer sticks. I like them both. I use a five step aider the most. And could get to 23-24’ easy with that setup.

However last spring I tried a two tether system. I’ve been using it more. Weighs about 13 ounces total. And is very safe. Check out you tube for Scott Adkins two tether system. He straps in, climbs twenty feet up, then back down, unhooks and walks away in 3 minutes or so. It’s dynamite to me.

I used to use a platform exclusively. This is the first year I’ve used the ring of steps. I like them better. And, they don’t hurt my feet at all. Plus, you can get real close to the tree. Making it More comfortable when setting versus knees into the tree with the platform.

Whew. That sucked. Anyways, I don’t think you could go wrong with the phantom or mantis. The mantis was pretty dang comfortable. The phantom is real dang comfortable.

Knowing what I know now, the hawk sticks are great if that’s the route you go for a climbing method. Better for me then the wild edge. But, not nearly as light or safe as the two tether. And, that’s not knocking either of the other two.

And I’d go ring of steps over a platform. I like both. And, they both have their strong and weak points. So, owning both ain’t a bad option either.

Jt

But I think for those wanting to get started be prepared to do some experimenting.

Just keep in mind that you need and just able bridge. And, the shorter the better when climbing. Then adjust it out when you set up.

Nick, yes I’m using the strap on ROS. I’ll come back and exit the thread as I’ve gotta Google the company. Mine are packed in my bag and I’m lazy. :^)

Mine are made by Bullman outdoors. I like them a lot. Only ones I use but, they are solid and haven’t kicked out yet. You can get them tight with their strap.

Yes. This ^^^^^

Climbing method, "platform", even what kind of saddle (from rock climbing harness to recliner and everything in between....) I've seen setups that look like there was a contest to see who could get the most redneck for a quarter. And others that money was no object. I'm sure stuff has been killed from both.

Most of this saddle stuff has a risk, but care and some effort it can be as safe or more so than any other way to spend time in a tree. There is currently a lot more DIY and "new" methods and equipment out there than say a more "mature" technology such as regular treestands. And the interest in it has kind of exploded, like I said, wasn't that long ago NOBODY made hunting saddles at all after Trophyline stopped. As long as you stay safe it's really a fun and effective way to shoot stuff.

Safety from a saddle is like safety from a lock on. It can be as simple as no lineman’s belt while climbing to tethered in impossible to fall while climbing. It’s what you make out of it. But, it’s important to understand that the only way you fall while climbing is if you are rigged to allow it.

A lineman’s belt holds you to the side of the tree. That’s it. Keeping your hands free. While I have zero reservations with that, you can fall and gut yourself on the way down while using them. The only climbing methods that takes all those variables out are rope rigging techniques that arborists use. Or, the two tether system. The only way you fall with these are if the ropes break. That ain’t likely to happen.

Now I gotta get more stuff! And haven’t even got all the first round of stuff i ordered!

Wanted to get into the real run'n'gun setups, go in with no prep and pretty much pick a tree, any tree. Trying to stay a step ahead of our local deer as well as have a system to easily travel and hunt anything, anywhere with. Been researching for some time and finally just decided to dive in head first..... One Stick Climbing. I needed ALL new gear as my old saddle was not up to it with fixed bridge, etc. I've seen folks shoestring it, but the advice I got was it was pretty gear specific and to get the right stuff out of the gate. So I bit the bullet, chewed on it actually, might have cracked a few teeth. Much of it was near impossible to find like the Madrock Safeguard, but had some folks helping me. A small "platform" is incorporated into the 15" stick (ultimate stick w/UP platform from Eastern Woods Outdoors, great bunch of people) VERY solid, very comfortable.

Once i get it down better I'll post up what I'm using and how. Haven't actually hunted out of it yet (the saddle, yes, but not the rest) Really want to get it down so I can do it in the dark when the time comes. "In my sleep" so to speak. Pretty trick stuff, been playing with a dozen different trees, climb, "hunt", and when done rappel down in seconds. Haven't found one I can't climb yet. Literally takes about 2 minutes to pack everything up after your feet hit the ground and be ready for the next climb. The stick/platform with the amsteel aiders I made comes to 3lb.4 oz, packs into a real small package that straps on my fannypack. Cruzer saddle, 40feet of climbing rope, madrock belay device, linemans rope with ropeman, bow rope, various carabiners, autoblocks/prusik backups, drop pouches, everything, 5lbs 8oz. And all that gets me to from 0 to roughly 30 feet if I wanted to. (I don't really plan on it, the point being I don't have to count sticks or steps or whatever. ) And it all comes right back out with me.

So far I'm pretty excited. First few climbs were REAL slow and the learning curve steep, mostly on little things. And I use my linemans belt pretty religiously, not just cuz the new climbing method, have from the time I got the new saddle, new bridge,etc and wasn't fully comfortable with it,. But I can't recall ever having that much fun climbing a tree and I KNOW never so much fun coming down. =D

But.... Coach did confiscate the magic card again. Says it's like living with a little kid with all this tree climbing stuff and her trying to keep me out of em... but told her I AM using it to prune the big avo tree next week... That smoothed a few feathers, practical don'cha know. If only she saw were I go on the mountain when sheep and goat hunting.....

+1 on EWO. Great people, fast service!

That sounds very versatile and lightweight. Not sure if the two tether method will work as well in those twisted up live oaks in Arizona and Texas or the pines around here in Colorado.

One sticking may just solve some problems there… and cause more problems with the little lady if she figures out what I’m doing!

Tethrd Phantom saddle

Lineman's rope with Ropeman 1 ascender

Tether

(3) Shikar sticks with amsteel rope

Versa Aider

DIY platform

My platform is big enough I can stand and lean against the tree occasionally or turn to make a weak side shot. I also like to wear boot blankets so I can hike in my regular elk hunting boots so the platform is big enough to accommodate those. There is wool felt on top for silence and insulation.

The entire kit weighs in at just under 12.5 lbs. Yes, you can go lighter. A ring of steps or smaller platform or go to the 1 stick method but this is a very simple set up you could comfortably (all relative) stay in dark to dark.

I think having a more minimalist set up may be ideal for a quick morning or evening hunt or scouting new areas.

Current set up:

Cruzr XC saddle Canyon c-IV 9mm ropes (2) Kong ducks XOP Edge Platform 4- 20” hawk mini steps