saddle hunters

[dougell]

Here's a slick little set up for saddle hunters.This is a new Shikar stick and a two step aider from backwoods gear.The stick weighs 1.5 lbs and stacks very well if you have more than one.You can customize them however you want.I order a 20" stick and had them put double steps on it.What's nice is,they grip the tree better than any stick I've ever seen and the steps stick out away from the tree further.I actually put a single strap on step on the strap so I can walk around the back of the tree.The aider is much easy to use than traditional aiders because you don't have to fumble around,trying to get your feet in it.With this combination I can get 7 feet off the ground.I climb with one stick and this combo allows me to get at hunting height(17-18 ft) with just three short moves of the stick.It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.

[cspot]

Got my scout platform today and installed on my Beast Stick. I only used the 1 bolt that also goes thru the antler bracket. This seems very sturdy and with the beast stick it really sticks well to the tree. Will need some stand time this fall with it to try it out, but I think this may work well for me especially for single sticking. The platform is well made. During an all day sit I think I would still take my Predator platform for a little more room.





Untitled by cspot12, on Flickr





Untitled by cspot12, on Flickr

[ridgecommander]

Got my JX3 Hybrid today. Man this thing is decked out. Gonna run up a tree with it this weekend if the weather cooperates.

[cspot]

Apr 2, 2020 17:45:41 GMT -5 ridgecommander said:

Got my JX3 Hybrid today. Man this thing is decked out. Gonna run up a tree with it this weekend if the weather cooperates.

Nice! You should have some good weather for it.

[cspot]

Does it come complete with linesman belt and tether?

[ridgecommander]

Apr 2, 2020 17:52:12 GMT -5 cspot said:

Does it come complete with linesman belt and tether?

Mine came with both. Not sure if I'm special or if they all come that way. On nice feature is the steel claw in the front of the saddle that is adjustable to keep your knees from hitting the tree.

[dougell]

At first it may seem like a hassle but after a while,it all becomes second nature and much easier to use than say a climber.You have to remember,the stand is the harness so it's really no worse than putting one on.When I climb a tree,I like to have the tether right at my face,some like it higher.If you're shooting a crossbow or gun out of it,you'll want the knot on the tether to be off to your right,if right handed.I got mine the day after the late season ended so I haven't had a chance to hunt out of it.Out of pure boredom,I spend some time in it most weekends and the more I use it,the more I like it.It's insanely comfortable.

I strongly recommend getting a mechanical prussic for both the tether and linesman belt.Wicked edge sells them and they have a carabiner that works well with it.

[dougell]

Craig,one of the cool things about the tether is that it has a little rubber stop on it so when you loop it around the tree,you slide the stop up to keep the rope from sliding back down.It would be easy to do on every tether if you can find little rubber balls.

Gene,you can get little packs from Trophy line to keep your gear in.There's no need to bring a pack with you.I'm telling you.It's slicker than snot.Before you walk in,hook up all the buckles and even the bridge.Drop the seat before you climb,hook the tether around the tree and to the bridge and you're hooked up the entire way.When you get to hunting height,adjust the tether at your face and then sit down.Move the prussic to get the right seat height as your sitting.It's as simple as that.A ring of at least two or three steps on one strap will allow you to shoot in any direction.It's just a fun way to be up in a tree.Also,adjust the side straps just a pinch so you lean back a little.

[ridgecommander]

All great stuff. I plan to play around with it quite a bit this summer.

[cspot]

Apr 3, 2020 9:43:32 GMT -5 dougell said:

Craig,one of the cool things about the tether is that it has a little rubber stop on it so when you loop it around the tree,you slide the stop up to keep the rope from sliding back down.It would be easy to do on every tether if you can find little rubber balls.

Gene,you can get little packs from Trophy line to keep your gear in.There's no need to bring a pack with you.I'm telling you.It's slicker than snot.Before you walk in,hook up all the buckles and even the bridge.Drop the seat before you climb,hook the tether around the tree and to the bridge and you're hooked up the entire way.When you get to hunting height,adjust the tether at your face and then sit down.Move the prussic to get the right seat height as your sitting.It's as simple as that.A ring of at least two or three steps on one strap will allow you to shoot in any direction.It's just a fun way to be up in a tree.Also,adjust the side straps just a pinch so you lean back a little.

I bought some packs off of Amazon that I like better than the ones I bought from Tethrd. Tactical Molle Drawstring... www.amazon.com/dp/B07N7YPWLP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[cspot]

I like a lower tether height than most. I like it about neck height. Everyone is different.

[dougell]

I see that OAL is going to make a stand alone scout platform.It looks like it work work pretty slick with a couple of steps added to the strap.

I had my kid using my JX3 and TL tree saddle the last couple of weeks during this boring shutdown.He's getting the hang of it but it's obvious that he isn't part raccoon.

[cspot]

Apr 9, 2020 7:28:10 GMT -5 dougell said:

I see that OAL is going to make a stand alone scout platform.It looks like it work work pretty slick with a couple of steps added to the strap.

I had my kid using my JX3 and TL tree saddle the last couple of weeks during this boring shutdown.He's getting the hang of it but it's obvious that he isn't part raccoon.

They definitely take a bit to get used to. I need to play around some more with 1 stick climbing and then rappelling down. I think that is the ticket.

[cspot]

Apr 9, 2020 7:28:10 GMT -5 dougell said:

I see that OAL is going to make a stand alone scout platform.It looks like it work work pretty slick with a couple of steps added to the strap.

I had my kid using my JX3 and TL tree saddle the last couple of weeks during this boring shutdown.He's getting the hang of it but it's obvious that he isn't part raccoon.

Doug,

I saw you post on another board that you bought some Treehopper steps. How do you like them? I have been thinking about buying a set for my son to use with the JX3.

[dougell]

They're awesome,especially is you use them with the trteehopper over center buckle.

[cspot]

Apr 30, 2020 7:30:00 GMT -5 dougell said:

They're awesome,especially is you use them with the trteehopper over center buckle.

I ordered a set with the ocb to try out.

[dougell]

You'll like it.Solid as a rock

[cspot]

Apr 30, 2020 14:35:46 GMT -5 dougell said:

You'll like it.Solid as a rock

I hope so. I got 5 steps. How many did you get for the ring.

[dougell]

I only ever use 3 because the top step of whatever ladder you're using can act as a front step.You don't actually need a platform but I like to use one,even with JX3 because if a deer comes in on my weak side,I can just pivot to my right,put the tether against my left shoulder and shoot.There's a lot less movement doing that than crawling around the tree and you can use the tree as cover.Even with a platform,I like a step or two,one on the left side of the tree and one strait behind it.I have a podium that I put two step on the strap,just in case I need them.I had out on a limb make me a level scout platform.I got it yesterday and put it on a shikar stick but haven't used it.The idea was to use it as a one stick climber and still be able to just pivot and shoot to my weak side.I'll try it this weekend but I'm pretty sure they'll be enough room because those sticks stick out pretty far from the tree.If it works like I'm thinking it will,that and a ring of three steps will be extremely light and ideal.

[dougell]

When I bought those steps,he convinced me to try a recon sling and sent me one just to try.I played around with it a bunch this weekend and it's slick as snot.It weighs nothing and it's actually two pieces so you slide the one section over your butt and the top section acts as back support.You can lean or sit and if you sit,it's way more comfortable than any other saddle I've used.It's not as comfortable as a JX3 but it's definately doable.I had Jordan shooting from it over the weekend and he likes it better than the JX3.

[cspot]

Well after some tinkering around I think I have my early season setup ready to go. Wanted to go packless so I added some suspenders to the phantom, got a stick mule system from Genesis 3D, and bought some pouches. This is everything I need to get up the tree and rappel down. Still have enough room in the 1 pouch for a water bottle and a rangefinder. I think I will be pretty happy with this setup for the early season. When it gets into the all day rut hunting, I will be carrying a pack as I take additional clothes plus food/water to sit out there all day. I would also be packing a larger platform like the Predator as I would want more room to move around. I think the Scout will be sufficient for short early season hunts. The new stick mule system from Genesis is pretty slick. I actually have a Beast Mini-stick coming in July to replace the full length stick. Not really doing for weight savings, but my son is going to use my full size set of Beast Sticks this fall with his JX3 so I needed 1 more stick. Measured this on a bathroom scale and it was 9lbs even. It is a bathroom scale so that may be off slightly. I am not really one to chase ounces, but considering for most of last season I was using a Summit Climber that was 20lbs bare, this will be a huge improvement.



PS. My son is the one with it on and just did it so I could take a few pics. His leg loop is hooked up incorrectly as it goes thru the bridge loop. Just wanted to point that out before someone caught it. Also he is a tad skinnier than I am so the saddle isn't really adjusted up right. LOL.

Untitled by cspot12, on Flickr

Untitled by cspot12, on Flickr

Untitled by cspot12, on Flickr

[ridgecommander]

Big improvement from carrying that Summit for sure. Looks like a great set up for the mobile public land hunter.

[dougell]

I had oal make me a scout platform that was strait.I wanted it strait and not at an angle so I could pivot to my right and shoot on my weak side.I put it on a shikar stick with an aider.I didn't weigh it but I'm betting its 2.5 lbs.There's no need to use a ring of steps because I can shoot at any angle from the platform,especially with a JX3.I use it to climb with just one stick.With an aider,you start off about 7' off the ground,three adjustments and I'm at about 17-18'.It's way easier than using a climber once you get a system down.I still plan on setting up a bunch of sets with small platforms so we can just climb and hunt.I like to use pine trees when I can and it's tough to one stick with all the branches.It's no problem to get around a couple but some trees are best set up a head of time.With a JX3,one stock and everything I take with me,I'm still under 13 lbs and I don't even know it's on my back.The level of comfort is unbeatable though.

I've been playing around quite a bit with that recon sling and as far as a saddle goes,it's by far the most comfortable and easiest to use.Putting suspenders on that saddle was a good move.Th old Trophy line I had actually came wit them. That recon is so small and light that it actually fits in a pocket.He also makes some relatively cheap platforms that weigh 1.5 lbs.I have two on the way to try out.

[cspot]

May 20, 2020 7:04:18 GMT -5 dougell said:

I had oal make me a scout platform that was strait.I wanted it strait and not at an angle so I could pivot to my right and shoot on my weak side.I put it on a shikar stick with an aider.I didn't weigh it but I'm betting its 2.5 lbs.There's no need to use a ring of steps because I can shoot at any angle from the platform,especially with a JX3.I use it to climb with just one stick.With an aider,you start off about 7' off the ground,three adjustments and I'm at about 17-18'.It's way easier than using a climber once you get a system down.I still plan on setting up a bunch of sets with small platforms so we can just climb and hunt.I like to use pine trees when I can and it's tough to one stick with all the branches.It's no problem to get around a couple but some trees are best set up a head of time.With a JX3,one stock and everything I take with me,I'm still under 13 lbs and I don't even know it's on my back.The level of comfort is unbeatable though.

I've been playing around quite a bit with that recon sling and as far as a saddle goes,it's by far the most comfortable and easiest to use.Putting suspenders on that saddle was a good move.Th old Trophy line I had actually came wit them. That recon is so small and light that it actually fits in a pocket.He also makes some relatively cheap platforms that weigh 1.5 lbs.I have two on the way to try out.

Have you tried Rappelling? It is pretty slick after you do it a few times. Easier and faster than 1 sticking back down and not much added weight. I am using 8MM OPlux with a Grivel Master Mono Belay and then have an autoblock for a backup. This setup I can hookup and then take off my tether and then remove my step/platform on my way down. This also gives you a backup system to get down in the case of a stick falling or some other oh crap moment. Not too mention it is fun. LOL.

[dougell]

I have not.I tried watching some youtube videos and I just don't get how you get the rope back down.I'd like to see it done in person.I can actually get down pretty fast with one stick.What helps when using one stick is using a daisy chain rather than a buckle.