fairchaser said:
I had a tree saddle for a brief time and sold it because the first time I tried to climb a tree with tree climbers; well lets just say it was a bad experience. The saddle was comfortable enough but if you had to carry tree steps or a stick ladder, you might as well be toting a climber. Also, you can work up quite a sweat, no to mention blisters screwing in 10 or 15 steps and its not something you want to do in the dark the morning of your hunt. The concept is great, but it takes some experience to get the system down. JMO
I think that primary difference between carrying a climber and 15 to 20 tree steps is the fact that the tree steps are so compact. This is my "treestand" which fits comfortably into my pack:
No metal rattling, no getting snagged walking through the woods, no awkward load on my back. I also have a cheat system that allows me to skip step spacing, specially the first 3 or 4 step placements. Again, this is not for everyone and it takes some time to get your system down. My main gaol was to find the most compact system with the most versatility. I can climb virtually any tree: Trees that are both to fat and too skinny for climbers. I can easily pass limbs, even multiple limbs (I climbed a tree on opening morning where I passed 8 limbs), and I can climb trees with leaning angles that will not accomodate climbers. If I kill a deer way back in the woods, I skin and quarter and stuff it in my pack in which case I attach the step bag to the top of my pack. I just wear my Tree Saddle in and out of the woods. With this system, I am far less limited by factors that prevent other hunters from hunting entire areas of the woods. For example, in swamp bottoms, most trees have huge trunks and then taper off. Or, in new growth areas where most of the trees are saplings. I just want to be limited by as few factors as possible while being light and mobile. This system accomplishes that better than any other stand on the market.