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Tennessee Hunting Forums
Deer Hunt'n Gear
Saddle Hunting - Year 1 Review
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<blockquote data-quote="themanpcl" data-source="post: 5275861" data-attributes="member: 12032"><p><strong>Disclaimer: </strong>My opinions only and from my experiences only. This was my first year using a saddle as well. I didn't use saddle every hunt but got through the awkward first few hunts. I really enjoyed it and will use the saddle more next season. I am a bigger guy 250# so my experiences may differ than if I was 140#. Also I do not have 10 mile hikes into my spots so differences in ounces of weight aren't a factor. I have the hawk helium 20" sticks, hawk saddle and hawk platforms. I didn't want to spend >$600 for something I may not like so I got in for $300 for all new equipment (4 sticks, saddle, platform). I have some things that I would like to change/modify and if I cannot work it out with the present setup, I may try another setup. <strong>Sticks:</strong> Grip all the trees very well (no kick outs or slips) with cam straps. Will be trying daisy strap, maybe amsteel next season simply for the ease of setup and not performance or weight issues. (4) 20" sticks get me to the 15' height and I really don't go much higher in climber. <strong>Saddle:</strong> Very easy to use. Comfortable too. I do not like walking with the leg straps on as the size of my legs makes it constricting on long hikes. Loosening makes it worse so there's that. <strong>Ropes:</strong> All ropes were included. The lineman's rope had a prusic and the tether had a hawk ascender. I replaced both with Ropeman 1's. MUCH easier. I will probably replace the carabiners next year. <strong>Platform #1:</strong> I added non skid grip tape after I painted it and no slippage even with wet or muddy boots. <strong>Platform #2:</strong> This is the one that attaches to the top climbing stick. Not a fan but it does have a use if you have a long haul and want limited weight and amount of gear as it is attached to the stick. That being said, might not be the best for a long hunt. <strong>Mods:</strong> I added 2 dump pouches to the saddle initially. Took them off after 1 hunt. Nite Iyz gear ties, worth weight in gold. I used a $4.50 hammock strap and S hooks for hanging weapon/gear/backpack from tree. Stated before, I added non slip tape to the saddle platforms. I painted sticks and platforms. All in all, this was a great first year for me. I will be practicing with bow at range this winter out of the saddle. One thing I will do next season is begin practice climbing in the summer. Would love to see a saddle hunting forum on here!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="themanpcl, post: 5275861, member: 12032"] [B]Disclaimer: [/B]My opinions only and from my experiences only. This was my first year using a saddle as well. I didn't use saddle every hunt but got through the awkward first few hunts. I really enjoyed it and will use the saddle more next season. I am a bigger guy 250# so my experiences may differ than if I was 140#. Also I do not have 10 mile hikes into my spots so differences in ounces of weight aren't a factor. I have the hawk helium 20" sticks, hawk saddle and hawk platforms. I didn't want to spend >$600 for something I may not like so I got in for $300 for all new equipment (4 sticks, saddle, platform). I have some things that I would like to change/modify and if I cannot work it out with the present setup, I may try another setup. [B]Sticks:[/B] Grip all the trees very well (no kick outs or slips) with cam straps. Will be trying daisy strap, maybe amsteel next season simply for the ease of setup and not performance or weight issues. (4) 20" sticks get me to the 15' height and I really don't go much higher in climber. [B]Saddle:[/B] Very easy to use. Comfortable too. I do not like walking with the leg straps on as the size of my legs makes it constricting on long hikes. Loosening makes it worse so there's that. [B]Ropes:[/B] All ropes were included. The lineman's rope had a prusic and the tether had a hawk ascender. I replaced both with Ropeman 1's. MUCH easier. I will probably replace the carabiners next year. [B]Platform #1:[/B] I added non skid grip tape after I painted it and no slippage even with wet or muddy boots. [B]Platform #2:[/B] This is the one that attaches to the top climbing stick. Not a fan but it does have a use if you have a long haul and want limited weight and amount of gear as it is attached to the stick. That being said, might not be the best for a long hunt. [B]Mods:[/B] I added 2 dump pouches to the saddle initially. Took them off after 1 hunt. Nite Iyz gear ties, worth weight in gold. I used a $4.50 hammock strap and S hooks for hanging weapon/gear/backpack from tree. Stated before, I added non slip tape to the saddle platforms. I painted sticks and platforms. All in all, this was a great first year for me. I will be practicing with bow at range this winter out of the saddle. One thing I will do next season is begin practice climbing in the summer. Would love to see a saddle hunting forum on here! [/QUOTE]
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