#2083183 - 09/23/10 11:21 AM
Changed my methods
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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I'm making a adjustment in my tree stand tactic this Fall. I've been a exclusive user (and proponent of) The Tree Saddle for some time. While I use screw in steps on my small, private property set ups, I am primarily a public land hunter.
In the past, I have used a hybrid method with my Tree Saddle. I would use a stripped down climber to get up the tree and then place 3 or 4 rope on steps around the tree and climb above the climber to settle in my Tree Saddle for 360 degree shooting radius. Frustrated with the bulky and cumbersome climber, I have ditched it completely in favor of carrying 20-25 rope on steps. I've gotten fairly efficient at setting up quickly. I can be settled in 25-30 feet in 10-15 minutes. Obviously slower, but the steps all fit into a small daypack, I can climb past branches and in trees too large or small to accomodate climbers. I expect to become quicker over the course of the season.
The entire pack with 20 steps and a full Camelback bladder weighs 18 lbs.
18 pounds properly distributed throughout a well designed pack is a completely different story than the bulkiness and weight distribution of even the lightest climbers.
For my hunting style of maintaining many stands over multiple WMAs and a few small properties (70+ prepared tree stands for this Fall, plus other potential spots marked in my GPS), many of them with long and sometimes difficult approaches, I think this adjustment will enhance my hunting. Its light, compact, silent, and extremely versatile. I'll report back after a few hunts
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It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2083296 - 09/23/10 12:05 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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lung-buster
8 Point
Registered: 09/16/08
Posts: 1838
Loc: Southern Middle Tn
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Cool
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#2083361 - 09/23/10 12:45 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: lung-buster]
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BowGuy84
10 Point
Registered: 09/16/07
Posts: 4847
Loc: Nashville, TN and Louisville, ...
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I used the saddle until this year. I use it and tree climbing spikes. Towards the end of last season I got some lone wolf sticks and loved them. I know have sold the saddle and got a lone wolf hang on to go with the sticks and am very happy. Movile, light, 17lb total plus safety harness and comfy and able to be still (somethign I wasn't able to manage with the saddle). You have to find what works for you and allows you to get where you need to go. I get in a lot of trees that I never could with a climber...
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#2083615 - 09/23/10 03:05 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: MUP]
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RF270
4 Point
Registered: 07/09/07
Posts: 399
Loc: Williamson Co.
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Good luck, use that linemen's safety strap.
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#2083813 - 09/23/10 05:47 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: RF270]
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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Good luck, use that linemen's safety strap.
I know the rope on steps make a lot of people nervous. The little info/reviews I was able to dig up on them, most commented that they didn't feel like they could get them tight enough around the tree and added ratchets to them.
You have to get over them feeling "loose" on the tree. The steps move a bit under weight but they are designed to do that. If you cinch them tight, the steps have a upward angle that flattens out under weight. You have enough webbing on webbing friction that there's not much of a chance of the step inverting on you if you pull it reasonably tight. Though, if you are uncomfortable with heights, I can understand that these steps would make you nervous due to the shifting movement under weight. Adding a come-a-long to each one would add considerable weight and bulk, not to mention, noise.
I'm using the Cranford steps. API is the only other manufacturer that I know of that makes them, but I haven't had a chance to try out the API design.
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2083828 - 09/24/10 08:43 AM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25245
Loc: TN
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Being versatile is a must! Good job and good luck!
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#2083848 - 09/24/10 08:48 AM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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Gray Ghost
TnDeer Old Timer
14 Point
Registered: 01/10/00
Posts: 7815
Loc: Kingsport, TN, USA
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I'm making a adjustment in my tree stand tactic this Fall. I've been a exclusive user (and proponent of) The Tree Saddle for some time. While I use screw in steps on my small, private property set ups, I am primarily a public land hunter.
For my hunting style of maintaining many stands over multiple WMAs and a few small properties (70+ prepared tree stands for this Fall, plus other potential spots marked in my GPS)....
Do you mean 70 TREES or tree stands?
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Witness to the Execution
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#2083950 - 09/24/10 09:18 AM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Gray Ghost]
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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70 trees that are setup (selected, pruned, etc) for hunting from my Tree Saddle.
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2084012 - 09/24/10 09:44 AM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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redcorn
4 Point
Registered: 09/07/06
Posts: 252
Loc: Chattanooga, TN.
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I think the setup and process you use is impressive, and has some advantages. It seems like it would take a while to develop proficiency. I can't even figure out my safety harness half the time. I have no doubt that if I tried to use your method, it would take me an hour to set up, I would be soaked with sweat when finished, and if it was really cold, my fingers would probably be frost bit.
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#2084152 - 09/24/10 10:50 AM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: redcorn]
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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Redcorn,
Yes, its a complex setup for sure and with far more individual pieces of gear than most people use. I rock climbed for years, so the concept of hanging in a harness and trusting gear is very familiar to me. As I transitioned out of climbing and back into hunting, I looked around at most of the modern conventional tree stand equipment and methods and knew that none of them fit my style. When I laid my eyes on the Tree Saddle, I knew I could work with it. I spend a lot of time thinking about ways to enhance my hunting experience by being able to move and adapt faster, travel lighter and have the most versatility possible. I can't wait until I get my hands on a pair of anti-gravity boots:)
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2088454 - 09/27/10 06:07 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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My Saturday evening setup. I hunted 27 feet feet up using 16 steps, counting the 3 I placed at my set up point for pivoting. It took me 22 minutes to get settled in. If I can get this down to 10 minutes over the course of the next couple of weeks, I'll be satisfied. Coming down and removing the steps was real easy and quick -probably as fast as using a climber.
I was settled in for my afternoon hunt by 3:00, had 3 does and a fawn come in at 5:00 and feed on acorns and browse for 1.5 hour with another fawn showing up at 6:15. I elected to pass as the does were young and my drag out would have been brutal.
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2088518 - 09/27/10 06:36 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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Carnage
4 Point
Registered: 12/03/08
Posts: 473
Loc: TN, Dickson
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Nice setup! I despise carrying my climber in and out of the woods due to the bulk/imbalance/noise. Purchased a new Summit Switchblade (thanks Gator-n-buck!)and it's much better. But I do like this idea!
If I try it, I'm changing my screename to Tree Ninja 
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#2088541 - 09/27/10 06:59 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Carnage]
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Poser
14 Point
Registered: 07/28/10
Posts: 8163
Loc: Tennessee
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Nice setup! I despise carrying my climber in and out of the woods due to the bulk/imbalance/noise. :
Yeah, I'm with you on that. Even the lightest stands, just feel ridiculously cumbersome to me. See my post about the thicket I had to approach through -no way I could have made it through with a climber on my back! And, despite hunting pressured public land, I never saw a hunter or even any sign at all of another hunter within 3/4 a mile of my setup.
_________________________
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. Wild & crazy, can't be stopped. Only the strong will survive. Keep your knife sharp and your skillet greasy. http://www.GoCarnivore.com
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#2088782 - 09/27/10 08:43 PM
Re: Changed my methods
[Re: Poser]
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Boone 58
16 Point
Registered: 06/23/04
Posts: 13537
Loc: Food Plot
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i love using ladders and lock ons for bow season as getting in really quiet is so important to not disturbing the deer movement at daylight.....not as critical during gun/rut hunting.
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