What else do I need? Saddle setup

[motor-ends]

So far I have:

3 tethrd one sticks
Predator platform
Predator pack
Shoulder straps
Phantom saddle
The pouch and roll up.
Hys strap w/ the bow hook
The recliner
11mm tether w/ ropeman

Buying a 11mm lineman’s belt w/ ropeman

What else do I need to get out in the woods this upcoming season? Or what would make it easier?

 

[Macintosh]

You have the basics. What I would recommend is to get it all together exactly as you plan to hunt, and get out scouting now. When you find a potential stand location, get up in the tree just like you will when climbing—pack, bow, everything. If legal a pair of hand shears will let you do some pruning now. Mark stand on gps with notes, tear it down, move to the next. The practice you get climbing now will tell you more than any of us ever can via text, as well as help you become more efficient, quieter, carry it more comfortably, etc, to say nothing of having a bunch of “pre-set” but invisible-to-other-hunters stand locations in your back pocket.

As far as gear, the only thing I see possibly missing is some nite-eyes flexible wire ties or carabiners or something in your saddle waist belt to hold your third stick while you climb. You should not ever need to go back down the tree to get more sticks—its louder, its slower, it creates more movement, etc. Also if you plan to use an aider to get more height from 3 short sticks, make sure to practice with that.

 

[Kheimann]

Pretty solid set up, a couple basic carabiners to be able to hang bag/ grunt and other misc. stuff off the strap. And I like to run single step aiders off my first few sticks just to help gain some elevation. Otherwise I think you just need time in it to figure out what works for you and how to fine tune your setup. Everyone seems to do it just a-little different.

 

[Kheimann]

You have the basics. What I would recommend is to get it all together exactly as you plan to hunt, and get out scouting now. When you find a potential stand location, get up in the tree just like you will when climbing. If legal a pair of hand shears will let you do some pruning now. Mark stand on gps, tear it down, move to the next. The practice you get climbing now will tell you more than any of us ever can via text, as well as help you become more efficient, quieter, carry it more comfortably, etc.

As far as gear, the only thing I see possibly missing is some nite-eyes flexible wire ties or carabiners or something in your saddle waist belt to hold your third stick while you climb. You should not ever need to go back down the tree to get more sticks—its loud, its slow, it creates more movement, etc. Also if you olan to use an aider to get more height from 3 short sticks, make sure to practice with that.

Good point on something to carry sticks/ platform up. I was able to get a little 3D printed hook I use to hold platform on saddle while I climb and little paracord with mini buckles to hold sticks. Believe I got them off Etsy pretty cheap, could easily make something though

 

[Bushwacker44]

I like to use a 2 step aider on 1st stick and a single step aider on next 2. I didn't like 2 step on anything higher than 1st stick, started swaying to easily and wasn't worth the extra height to me.

 

[RedPaint]

I am a huge fan on one sticking. If that’s not your thing, I would at least look into a rappel system. My tether is also my rappel rope. When I am done hunting I rappel down and I am safely on the ground in seconds. No more down climbing in the dark when I am cold and tired. I use a madrock safeguard.

 

[chanson_roland]

As has already been said, you've got all the gear you need. Putting in practice climbs between now and season is the next thing. Even if you run across the street to the local school like some of us do (cough, cough), getting some time in trees is critical now. It takes a while to get your efficiency down, where this becomes 2nd nature. Saddle hunting is one of the ultimate "smooth is fast" endeavors.

 

[Bushwacker44]

Smooth is fast is very true. I don't have it as fast as a lone wolf climber yet after a couple season's with a saddle. Versatility, comfort and quiet make up for how fast it is. I haven't did 1 stick yet but maybe this year ill try.

 

[tkhuntsman]

A bow or gun hanger doesn't have to be a screw in there's lots that strap around the tree. Oh and don't forget your pee bottle.

 

[RedPaint]

Smooth is fast is very true. I don't have it as fast as a lone wolf climber yet after a couple season's with a saddle. Versatility, comfort and quiet make up for how fast it is. I haven't did 1 stick yet but maybe this year ill try.

I took right to it. I can not imagine doing anything else. It is so easy and fast. I think it is easier and faster than multiple sticks.

 

[lil' bear]

A place to hang your weapon. I don't like hanging them from the strap.

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[Luked]

Biggest thing I see is no knee pads or tree cushion.
Sounds dumb but the more time you spend sitting and pushing your knee into tree bark you will want a pad of some kind. I went with knee pads and wouldnt go without them.

 

[wadehalk]

Knee pads make a big difference on long days. I have 3d printed hooks a small paracord loops on sticks to carry up on my hips as i climb. They made me much smoother and quieter getting set up.

 

[Hjswal]

I agree with everything that’s been said and would second the knee pads as crucial. I would also add in a bow rope, preferably one that lives on your saddle and reels in or is retractable

 

[MDpublic]

agree with all the above. you have all the basics and as you start hunting you will realize you may need some small things that will make you more efficient. one thing i will add is that you may want to stealth strip your one sticks and platform and any other metal to reduce noise. good luck

 

[huntcookwrite]

Knee pads are a game changer.

Figure out your layers and how they interact with your saddle — especially your pants. Can you get in your pockets, unzip if you’re hot, etc.

Make sure you practice shooting from a tree, too — and not just broadside, good side shots. Practice moving around the tree, under the bridge, offhand side, turning around, close shots (steeper angle), and around branches. If you’re pre-hanging anything, make sure you bring your bow and practice drawing, too, because you don’t want to get up in the tree and figure out you can’t take a shot because of the obstructions or just a bad angle. It’s sometimes hard to tell from the ground.

 

[ahawk116]

I’ll echo what all these guys have said and say again. Get some reps climbing to figure out your system of how you are going to do it safely, efficiently and quietly.

 

[nosajnh]

If you are not allowed to cut limbs where you hunt bring some paracord to tie branches back to give you better shooting lanes.

Knee pads or a tree pad are a must have for me.

Climb with your tether especially if you are going to use sticks with aiders. You want as little slack in your tether as you climb. A linesman belt keeps you close to the tree however it doesn't do a good job stopping you from falling, landing on the next stick is what will probably stop you and that can leave a mark.
Practice self rescue with your tether/linesman/platform. If your sticks drop and you have your tether and linesman you can do what is called two tether climbing to get down.

slow is smooth, smooth is fast is the TRUTH in saddle hunting

 

[johnw3474]

I like to climb with a pair of mechanix gloves or something like that. Helps from busting knuckles and I always seem to end up with poison ivy on the tree I want to climb. I have a two step aider on my bottom stick and single aiders on my other two.

 

[Primal-Understanding]

If you are not allowed to cut limbs where you hunt bring some paracord to tie branches back to give you better shooting lanes.

Knee pads or a tree pad are a must have for me.

Climb with your tether especially if you are going to use sticks with aiders. You want as little slack in your tether as you climb. A linesman belt keeps you close to the tree however it doesn't do a good job stopping you from falling, landing on the next stick is what will probably stop you and that can leave a mark.
Practice self rescue with your tether/linesman/platform. If your sticks drop and you have your tether and linesman you can do what is called two tether climbing to get down.

slow is smooth, smooth is fast is the TRUTH in saddle hunting

Im just getting into this. Most guys climb with just a linesman belt, correct? Then tether once at platform height.


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