Catman has a good video on them on his YouTube channel.
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Saddle Hunting - Year 1 Review
- Thread starter KatManDew
- Start date
I watched YouTube and uses a drimel tool to open the buttons up and they work great. There are better sticks out there but they are stupidly expensive to save a pound or two. Kinda like biking. You can get carbon pedals for a price to save weight, OR you can lose a couple pounds of fat and achieve the same weight reduction.
I wish I had looked that up before using them and breaking the buttons on the 2nd trip. I also didn't like the straps that came with the two step stick. The three step sticks came with a different strap that seems to work better. Also the buttons have not broke on the three steps yet. I also picked up the skeletor and was able to use them the last weekend of the season. Overall they pack easier and attach to the tree better than the hawk and seem to be of better quality.
I bought the 2 step hawks but they seemed to kick out with me. Bought the 3 step and really like them. No kick out. Will sell the 2 steps. Tried the rope mod and this seemed to not hold as well as the strap.
Had the same issue with the 2 steppers. Design flaw in my opinion. 3 step are fine. Still lovin those Skeletors. Got to use em again yesterday
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
The 20" hawk steps? I had one kick out on me while practicing my routine back in the summer and luckily I was strapped in. Unfortunately gravity slung me down into the next step. Still have scars on my belly and chest. I'm lucky it didn't get my jaw or catch a rib
I still have scars on front of leg from sliding into one. I've never had the 3 step kick out.
I went straight with the beast sticks so I have no experience with the cheaper options. I have some bigger heavier sticks I use that I set and leave at permanent private spots I hunt but I wouldn't consider using those on public. Just too heavy. You run the risk of theft if you leave them. Mobility is key for public for me. I am hunting public spots I would never go to if I had to pack a 20+ lb climber in. I read too much about kick out and stability issues with some of the cheaper options and wanted light and sturdy. To get both I didn't think I could go cheap. They are pricey but it was a one time spend for me and I have no regret.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
I'm all about going super light, but I completely agree - get in shape and stay in shape. It makes life so much easier. It also makes hunting so much more enjoyable.
tanasirivertea
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2022
- Messages
- 108
This was my first season using the saddle. I got the Cruzr XC and it was very comfortable once I got over my fear of heights and trusted in the design. I like the Cruzr platform. Not as heavy as my old lock on but close. Bought 2 step Helium Helium sticks and I think they're ok but won't purchase again. A buddy of mine got Timber Ninja carbon fiber sticks and that's probably my next purchase. Cruzr also came out with a smaller, lighter platform which I plan to buy too. One thing I recommend everyone avoid is the Hawk Helium stick platform adapter. Its VERY noisy. I'm sure there's a modification to make it better but I don't like fooling around with stuff like that.
Be careful with those Hawk 2 steppers. Jokers are BAD to kick out on you.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Heck yea they are!
I used the Hawk sticks my 1st year 2020. Last year I ditched the sticks and started 2TC (2 tether climb). When I first seen a video and heard about 2TC I thought people were crazy. However, after trying it and making some adjustments I have no plans to go back to sticks. Check it out. There are only a few videos of it on YouTube. To come down the tree you would either 2TC down or better yet repel down. Feel free to reach out if anyone has questions or such.
East TN Bowhunter
Well-Known Member
Is the Cruzr XC saddle better and more comfortable then the Phantom? Should I consider the Phantom XL? Im 6'3" and 230lb. Ive heard the XL is super comfortable and alot of smaller people are even switching to it. I have never tried any of them but would like to get into saddle hunting.
You and I are almost identical in size (you have me by a couple inches but I weigh 225. I can tell you from experience, you WILL have hip pinch with the Phantom. It was serviceable but not comfortable. I went to see Chad at Cruzr and demo'd a XC. Within 3 secs of sitting in it, I said, "I'm good. Ring me up" Infinitely more comfortable than the Phantom and more adjustable. Plus depending on where you live, it probably isn't too far of a drive to Cookeville to visit Chad and try one yourself.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Love my Cruzr XC
Year 2…..
Skeletors have never been out of the box. I bought tetherd one sticks and haven't looked back.
Yes, I could lose a few pounds and achieve the same thing but I'm in pretty good shape already. Lighter is lighter plain and simple. If you don't need to walk long distances I don't blame anybody for not spending the extra. But if you do, and you can afford it just go straight to the one sticks/beast sticks/ultra light weight sticks.
There's no substitute for reputations going up and down a tree. Your 20th sit will be wayyyyy more comfortable than your 10th. It's hard to replicate a 4 hour sit in the off season if you're like me so it just becomes an evolution.
I'll second the night eyes twist ties. Get a half dozen of the 6" ones.
I learned to put my platform at the same height as my top stick (within a half foot or so) at 90* to the sticks. You can walk around the tree to shoot so quiet and easy it's almost dumb.
A good shoulder strap Fanny pack with compression straps is about perfect for transport. Fasten your platform to the harness above the pack and go.
Walk in wearing your saddle with the belt of it above your pants belt. When you get to the tree adjust it and slide it down below your belt lower on your butt and hip pinch disappears.
Mess with your bridge length. Longer is better for me, but I'm tall. Only way to know is to experiment.
One last thing - I thought knee pads were goofy and no way they could be needed. I was wrong. They really help several ways are absolutely worth the effort. I just pack in a $20 pair from lowes. They have a half dozen different kinds.
Skeletors have never been out of the box. I bought tetherd one sticks and haven't looked back.
Yes, I could lose a few pounds and achieve the same thing but I'm in pretty good shape already. Lighter is lighter plain and simple. If you don't need to walk long distances I don't blame anybody for not spending the extra. But if you do, and you can afford it just go straight to the one sticks/beast sticks/ultra light weight sticks.
There's no substitute for reputations going up and down a tree. Your 20th sit will be wayyyyy more comfortable than your 10th. It's hard to replicate a 4 hour sit in the off season if you're like me so it just becomes an evolution.
I'll second the night eyes twist ties. Get a half dozen of the 6" ones.
I learned to put my platform at the same height as my top stick (within a half foot or so) at 90* to the sticks. You can walk around the tree to shoot so quiet and easy it's almost dumb.
A good shoulder strap Fanny pack with compression straps is about perfect for transport. Fasten your platform to the harness above the pack and go.
Walk in wearing your saddle with the belt of it above your pants belt. When you get to the tree adjust it and slide it down below your belt lower on your butt and hip pinch disappears.
Mess with your bridge length. Longer is better for me, but I'm tall. Only way to know is to experiment.
One last thing - I thought knee pads were goofy and no way they could be needed. I was wrong. They really help several ways are absolutely worth the effort. I just pack in a $20 pair from lowes. They have a half dozen different kinds.
themanpcl
Well-Known Member
Agree 100% with everything! Season 2 I am finding out what I really like and dislike about my saddle and setup. Definitely want to replace my stick straps with amsteel. Not a weight issue but the buckle sound and time setting up and breaking down quietly. I think I may look at a 2 panel saddle. I cannot get the saddle to ride correctly. I also underestimated the amount of practice needed with the bow and the varied shots. Additionally the seated draw practice is vital.
I just shipped my saddle setup UPS Wednesday. Apparently I guess I'm just a climber guy. I tried a hangon and found out VERY quickly I hate climbing sticks and hate sitting in a hangon even worse. So I bought a saddle and 2020 was my first season. I went thru a Hawk, Tethrd and landed on Cruzr.
Pros: Packed easy and light
Cons: Hanging sticks, HATE them
Not quite as comfortable as a climber but not too bad.
Could not stay still fidget constantly
I was basically limited to one shooting lane. Everything else felt just odd to me. On my climber I didn't even realize there was a "weak" side. I've practiced shooting my bow a LOT for 3 years from a saddle and to me it's just awkward.
My one "pro" above is light and packable but when I get to the tree by the time I hang and climb sticks, get all my gear strapped around the tree, pull my bow up and hang it on something I want to go home. I've never hung, hooked and wrapped more crap in my life.
People say oh how safe I'm attached to the tree from the ground to the top.
SIDENOTE - unless your tethered in you are not truly tied in for fall arrest. A lineman rope is NOT a fall arrest, it's an aid for balance and hands free tasks. If you fall with a linemans rope it will hurt, you will hit every climbing stick between you and the ground and it will keep you from hitting the ground too far away from the base of the tree. 99% of the people I see use a linemans rope use it incorrectly anyway and to be honest it is hard to keep it in the right position as you're going up hanging sticks.
You could tether in going up but with a saddle and the bridge it could get cumbersome. You could one stick and rappell down but a saddle is designed for constant tension and you can't one stick without adding slack every so often. That's why safety harnesses with regular tree stands have a "shock cord" instead of static rope. A saddle is designed so that if you have all your weight on the saddle and your platform drops you don't really notice anything because there was no slack in the system.
Go outside and put your platform on a tree about 1' off the ground. Saddle up and put a little slack in your line and jump off that platform.
Anyway I hated hanging sticks and I used the stock cam straps, amsteel daisy chain, buckle less web strap and rope mod. Rope mod seemed to be my favorite although NOTHING bit and held like the stock cam straps. So I finish my hunt a week ago today and climbing down a stick kicked out on me. Rough deal and it hurt.
Pros: Packed easy and light
Cons: Hanging sticks, HATE them
Not quite as comfortable as a climber but not too bad.
Could not stay still fidget constantly
I was basically limited to one shooting lane. Everything else felt just odd to me. On my climber I didn't even realize there was a "weak" side. I've practiced shooting my bow a LOT for 3 years from a saddle and to me it's just awkward.
My one "pro" above is light and packable but when I get to the tree by the time I hang and climb sticks, get all my gear strapped around the tree, pull my bow up and hang it on something I want to go home. I've never hung, hooked and wrapped more crap in my life.
People say oh how safe I'm attached to the tree from the ground to the top.
SIDENOTE - unless your tethered in you are not truly tied in for fall arrest. A lineman rope is NOT a fall arrest, it's an aid for balance and hands free tasks. If you fall with a linemans rope it will hurt, you will hit every climbing stick between you and the ground and it will keep you from hitting the ground too far away from the base of the tree. 99% of the people I see use a linemans rope use it incorrectly anyway and to be honest it is hard to keep it in the right position as you're going up hanging sticks.
You could tether in going up but with a saddle and the bridge it could get cumbersome. You could one stick and rappell down but a saddle is designed for constant tension and you can't one stick without adding slack every so often. That's why safety harnesses with regular tree stands have a "shock cord" instead of static rope. A saddle is designed so that if you have all your weight on the saddle and your platform drops you don't really notice anything because there was no slack in the system.
Go outside and put your platform on a tree about 1' off the ground. Saddle up and put a little slack in your line and jump off that platform.
Anyway I hated hanging sticks and I used the stock cam straps, amsteel daisy chain, buckle less web strap and rope mod. Rope mod seemed to be my favorite although NOTHING bit and held like the stock cam straps. So I finish my hunt a week ago today and climbing down a stick kicked out on me. Rough deal and it hurt.
