outdoorsbound
FNG
For those that have not tried it, give the use of a tree saddle some honest consideration. I hunt public land exclusively and in order to get away from the masses, I've normally got at least a mile to walk in and often as much as three. For me, that mandates butchering in place and packing the meat out. I carried a lone wolf and three muddy sticks strapped to a stripped down Cabelas pack frame. The lone wolf had a waist belt and shoulder straps on it as well so if I was successful, I packed out the deer first and came back for the stand. Also, carrying all that crap so far in September usually resulted in me being soaking wet by the time I was sitting in a tree. Alot of the fun was just sucked out of the endeavor.
I tried one of the original Trophyline tree saddles and knew the concept had great merit but found the saddle cumbersome and less than comfortable. When companies like Aero Hunter and Tethrd began to offer more streamlined solutions, I made the jump and will never carry a treestand again.
I carry just one stick (homemade lightweight), saddle, and associated ropes/hardware. My saddle incorporates an integral climbing harness so it is heavier than any commercial models but is still only 4 pounds. I do the "one-stick" method to climb and rappel down. The saddle plus all the other stuff is only 8 pounds. I carry everything in a MR Sawtooth and, even with cold wx gear and meat, can easily get everything out in one trip.
A couple of major added benefits include the ability to hunt from practically any safe tree, and being able to quickly get up the tree and set up without feeling like you just finished a crossfit WOD.
I sold all my stands 3 years ago.
I've not posted much here because I came to learn and you do that by listening. I only offer this because it totally changed the level of enjoyment I get from deer hunting and I felt maybe I could share something in return for what this forum has given me.
I tried one of the original Trophyline tree saddles and knew the concept had great merit but found the saddle cumbersome and less than comfortable. When companies like Aero Hunter and Tethrd began to offer more streamlined solutions, I made the jump and will never carry a treestand again.
I carry just one stick (homemade lightweight), saddle, and associated ropes/hardware. My saddle incorporates an integral climbing harness so it is heavier than any commercial models but is still only 4 pounds. I do the "one-stick" method to climb and rappel down. The saddle plus all the other stuff is only 8 pounds. I carry everything in a MR Sawtooth and, even with cold wx gear and meat, can easily get everything out in one trip.
A couple of major added benefits include the ability to hunt from practically any safe tree, and being able to quickly get up the tree and set up without feeling like you just finished a crossfit WOD.
I sold all my stands 3 years ago.
I've not posted much here because I came to learn and you do that by listening. I only offer this because it totally changed the level of enjoyment I get from deer hunting and I felt maybe I could share something in return for what this forum has given me.
