Saddle Info
Massachusetts
Contributors to this thread:
As some of you know, my son won a Tethrd saddle at this year's SaddlePalooza!! So now's the time to gather whatever else he'll need to start practicing with it. So I have a couple questions about gear. I know there are other threads here, and yes I did a search, but I know how some of you guys like to talk about saddles and I'd like to start a new thread to discuss some gear options for this year since some of you have another year's worth of experience and a lot of us attended the Saddlepalooza event and are also getting gear together.
For starters, I'd like to get a Ropeman but not sure if we should get the 1 or 2. And where's the best place to get rope for the tether? And which rope? Should I just buy the tree tether from Tethrd and replace the prusik with the Ropeman? The only problem with that is the tree tether from Tethrd is $55.
Also going to need to find some steps and a platform if you guys have any advice.
Saddlehunter.com and G2 outdoors have all your answers. You guys saved 200 winning the saddle. Just buy tethrd's lineman's belt and a predator platform and a Ropeman 1. Better order now ifin you want it for huntin season. And if it turns out saddle hunting's not for you you'll be able to sell it all on saddle hunter.com in one day because theres so much demand for their gear.
Les, I remember, that was a sweet rig! It's not hard to set up a tether yourself and you'll probably save a bit of money. I used the black 11mm kermantle static climbing rope, it's pretty cheap, and you can order it on Ebay and possibly Amazon. After a year of practice and a season in the field, it shows no wear whatsoever, great stuff. I use an 8mm prusik that was already looped and ready to go, you get 2 or 3 in a pack on Amazon for 10 bucks. I really don't see the benefit of the ropeman on a tether, you only have to slide the prusik up once to adjust for the tree and comfort and your all set, plus as MRW explained to me when I was getting set up, the ropeman is not rated for a fall, the prusik and rope are both rated for several thousand pounds. I certainly could see the advantages of the ropeman over a prusik when it comes to the linemans belt. Right now I use the same 11mm rope and prusik for a linemans belt, and it can be a pain adjusting the prusik several times as you climb the tree. It's as simple to set up as tying a figure 8 knot on one end with a loop large enough to feed the tether, prusik and carbiner back through, and an overhand stopper knot on the other. DIY sportsman and G2 outdoors have great videos on tethers and everything else saddle, not to be redundant. I like muddy aerolite climbing sticks, although there are a ton of great options out there. Your platform options are multiplying quickly, the predator seems to be great , although I think an average size guy could get away with a ring of steps and is most economical, also providing the most versatility when it comes to shot. One of the best things about saddle hunting is having the ability to customize everything to your preference, as he gets into it, he'll stream line the setup and tweak it till it works perfectly for him. Goodluck!
Cougar's Link
I'm using 13mm dynamic kernmantle (climbing) rope for my tether and linemans belt w the ropeman 2. 8mm accessory cord for my prussik on tether. Ordered the ropeman online and got the rope at REI. Ordering rope online can be iffy with color and quality in my experience. some cheaper rope the kern and mantle arent woven tightly together, which makes cutting and sealing the ends annoying. I use a sitdrag w my rock harness when in saddle mode. check out saddle hunter for more opinions
I get all of my ropes at apsltd.com. It is a sailing related store. All their stuff is top notch. I use a Ropeman 1 on my tether and lineman belt. While not required for the tether, I like it because it is easy to fine tune and adjust, especially during long hangs in the tree. I think my tether cost me ten bucks. I did my own splice as well. Again, while not necessary, adding a splice gets rid of a lot of bulk. This is handy when you are packing things up.
I am not a platform fan. Lots of folks love them though. A couple of wild edge steps are plenty comfortable for me, lighter, easier to pack and easy enough to set up. Since I already climb with the steps, it just made sense as a platform. I really wanted to like platforms, but could not see the advantage after playing around with them.
I am a tweaker but I have gotten to the point with my hunting system where I see no reason for any more changes. I poke around on saddlehunter every once in a while and guys are coming up with longer aiders, other ways to climb, etc. I have yet to see anything that is overwhelming better than what I am doing. In fact, I think safety is being jeopardized in cases. WE steps are rock solid once you know what you are doing. Sticks are another great option. Using a reasonable one or two step aider is fine. I think your risks go way up when you start to screw around with five step aiders.
BTW, cranford has come out with a strap on step that looks awesome for a ring of steps. They look very stable. I believe they are marketing as a ring of steps; four with a strap for like 60 bucks. Worth a serious look.
You do not need much for your feet because you are hanging. Practice leaning and sitting with your knees into the tree (get a nice cushy set of pads). You will be surprised at how comfortable you can be, even on just a skinny peg. The key is to have enough so you can get into almost any position. Biggest argument for platforms have to do with weak side shots. I never set up my tree so I have a weak side shot. Very rare when I would have multiple lanes all around a tree for a shot any way. I am happy if I have two lanes, and they are never on my weak side. And if I could get a weak side shot? Well, just go around the tree in the other direction for a strong side shot :)
Les, I do not remember where you live, but if anywhere near Auburn or Boylston, just send me a note if you want to hook up and try out everything I use. Pete
Awesome guys thanks for taking time to reply! peterk1234, I'm in zone 9 north, appreciate the offer. We tried out a lot of stuff at the get together, just been so long!
Cougar...you should really be using Static for tether, no dynamic. but at 13mm its def thick enough...lol
Greetings All,
Was referred here from the CT Forum, just entering the realm of saddle hunting this year, I have a Tethrd Mantis on order, and some WE Steps. Have been doing lots of reading, and I am looking forward to beginning this new adventure of hunting from a saddle.
I live in Voluntown, and hunt both RI and CT, all along the Eastern part of CT, and Western RI, to the shoreline.
Best of luck to everyone this year!
~ Van
Van - glad you chimed in... Peter is the guru, and as you can see, several guys here have a lot of experience. You are in good hands with this crew!
Welcome! Hope you didn’t just order the saddle cause it’s cutting it close to have it shipped before the season!!
Welcome aboard! Switching to a saddle has been a game changer for me. I suggest beginning to practice with your WE steps asap, even if you don't yet have your saddle. I really struggled learning how to get them working properly and more importantly, consistently. They are Rock solid when put on right, but more difficult to master than I expected.
I agree with HSFC above. WE steps do have a bit of a learning curve to get it down...and you don't want to be fumbling in the dark (literally and figuratively). hopefully you have a safety harness with linemans loops so you can start practicing the climb before your mantis comes in.
I hunted the pomfret/eastford CT area a few years ago, and also hunted the WMA in northwest RI a time or two (buck something....can't remember now)....
Got some hawk helium sticks last week, put them up on a tree last night, going to take some practice to get used to them and be able to get them up in the dark quietly and quickly.
Still waiting for my predator platform to ship I ordered a few weeks ago.
I also just picked up an XOP vanish hang on for when me and my son are hunting together and he’s in the saddle. Just going to need another set of steps now.
Hopefully going to retire the summit climber I just bought last year. Just not feeling it.
Got my platform and tether delivered today! Time to start seriously practicing!!
I ordered Aug 1st so about a month.
I tied a 1.5ft aider to 3 of my four LW sticks out of leftover ratchet strap material and used a 8" pc of heater hose to hold the steps open. I timed it the other day from arriving at the base of the tree to being able to shoot a deer was 17min and 8 sec. This was a slow deliberate process and I was not racing for a speed record but rather safety. I was able to climb to 23ft at my butt with four sticks. I know this as I have marked my Doyles tree hoist in 5ft increments. This included unpacking at the base of the tree, climbing. and screwing in two tree hooks. One for the pack and one for the bow as well as hauling up the bow. I wore the saddle walking in. It did NOT include setting up camera gear which I have not timed as of yet. I think it will at about 10 more minutes to the equation.
Noticed two things in your pic. Les. Get a Ropeman 1 to replace the prussic knot and 2 change the platform strap to a LW. Ive got a gen 1 and a gen 2 platform and the gen 2 strap is just to sticky compared to the LW strap. Its too hard to tighten and loosen. You'll see what I mean after using it a few times.
Agreed with drslyr on the ropeman. I recommend 2 ropemans…. one for your linemans and 1 for your tether. They are a huge step up in convenience, ease, and speed.
I’m using a hunter safety system rope style tree strap for my linemans belt. Would a ropeman work on that? I don’t want to have to splice my own REI climbing rope.
I am not sure about that. I would find out the diameter of the strap and then go on the manufacturers website for the ropeman and see if it will fit. I am guessing it will because I think its standard size but not something to leave to chance.
Ropeman 1 are for 9 to 13mm climbing rated rope. 99.98% sure
G2 outdoors has a great video on splicing ropes bridges etc. I will be ordering that kit soon also. Didn't seem to difficult as long as your paying attention to what your doing.
Thats how I learned to edit videos too. Watching tutorials on you tube! Still not great but I can put out a decent vid.