Saddle hunting question…

[Low Fence]

Easily the hottest tread for past 2 years. I got my set up today

Why hasn’t anyone designed a compact way to transport platform and sticks yet? Seriously there is nothing available that’s

A. Slimmer than my lone wolf alpha and 4 sticks
B. Much if any lighter than lone wolf
C.cost less than a F250

I will use a day pack, that seems like it’s a must. Don’t want one… don’t need “stuff”… need a stand

Any of the many on here got a solution? Sticks I prefer are lone wolf original. I have some hawk… they suck. Have gaffs… prefer not to go back that route (too old now. Lol)

[Randy Madden]

Not much help but a couple thoughts.
A platform has got to be smaller that the lock-on.
Either way you gotta get up the tree.
Last year I used a Cays pack, 3 mini sticks with an aider, and a predator xl platform. Everything packs nicely. No complaints except the pack itself isn’t as light as I would prefer.
This year I’m trying one sticking. Drops a few more lbs, packs smaller, and is quicker on the decent. Still using the cays pack till I find something I like better

[Low Fence]

Weight of backpack that wasn’t needed before and the weight difference ain’t as much as one would hope for the cost of investment. One stick is too much monkey motion for me. They really have over complicated things in the name of making YouTube videos

I found an old bone collector aluminum stand. It’s crazy light!…. And the most horrific stand I’ve ever owned. Lol. I’ll never hunt from it again. Everything I need lays on it and straps flat. I’m gonna remove the upper section and weight it loaded. If we are close, I can remove 2/3 of the cross bars. Only issue is, now I have a frame at my stand that I’d rather not be there…

[Low Fence]

The cays 2.0 was a pack I looked at last night

[Randy Madden]

Yes sir, the cays 2.0 is what I have. It’s a well thought out pack just not that light.
I wasn’t excited about one sticking at first. But it really isn’t any more work going up then using multiple sticks. The upside is I can go as high or as low as I want with just one stick and rappelling down is so much quicker. But…. I’m hanging onto all my sticks and stands Incase I decide it isn’t for me later.

[Low Fence]

Are you able to put sticks on the side of pack and they stay put? Or move around?

[Antlers86]

Probably not much help but this was my solution over buying a pack. I don’t hunt Public as much as I’d like and found myself using the same 4 different trees over and over on my personal property. To make it easier for me so I’m not packing everything all the time I bought the 20’ ladder sections and set them up in the 4 trees. Now all I have to do is tote my bow and platform.

I still have a set of sticks for anytime I decide to wonder off to public or elsewhere.

Basically have 4 permanent stands that I can go to quickly and get comfortable quick.

[Low Fence]

Yea that won’t work you my main purpose. I rarely hunt the same tree more than once or twice

[Arrowsmith]

I wear my saddle in. I carry my Predator platform in a US Army sustainment pouch MOLLE connected and strapped to my backpack. I use an old bow sling to carry my sticks. Works great.

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[Low Fence]

That’s hauling more gear than I currently am with a full stand the saddle is a no brainer, and platform is an easy solution if using my gaffs, but a set of sticks so far has me wishing I would have spent this house payment on a lone Wolf custom gear set up. So far beat solution I’m seeing is the cays … at another $150+ into this adventure

[Tshelly]

Tagged. I’m on the fence between a Novix and sticks or a saddle and sticks.


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[sp-bow]

I bought the archery back pack from Academy last year for mine. Similar to cays 2.0 but a lot cheaper. Not sure how they compare quality wise. I have a Predator Platform that can fit inside or on the outside and 2 climbing sticks on each side. I also added a 2 step amsteel aider on my bottom sticj and a single on the second stick.

[Arrowsmith]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

That’s hauling more gear than I currently am with a full stand the saddle is a no brainer, and platform is an easy solution if using my gaffs, but a set of sticks so far has me wishing I would have spent this house payment on a lone Wolf custom gear set up. So far beat solution I’m seeing is the cays … at another $150+ into this adventure

You can definitely spend a lot of $$$ on saddle hunting. Other than my saddle, platform and tether (with Ropeman) I have repurposed a lot of gear. I had the sticks, had the pack, had the bow sling, made my aiders out of mule tape, made my lineman's belt.

I am going to drop some more $$$ on a new Overwatch Outdoors Orion pleated saddle. I am also going to a 8mm tether with a friction hitch and tender to replace my 10mm tether and Ropeman. If you know anyone looking for a saddle and tether I got them for sale.

I have a Novix Helo that I picked up for $205.00 last year. I love it for a light weight stand. They recently went up to $339.99.

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[sp-bow]

Picture with Platform on the outside.


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[Low Fence]

Originally Posted by Tshelly

Tagged. I’m on the fence between a Novix and sticks or a saddle and sticks.


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This is all I need. That’s as flat and simple as it gets. And that’s an alpha, I could shrink it more with smaller models. SO FAR I haven’t come up with a saddle transportation system even close to that package

Upper- mid level saddle system will cost $800+ all in and done. Easily break $1k with magic nasa space ship sticks

At that price point the custom gear by lone wolf can’t be touched as far a pack able

[TradHunter]

I use a mystery ranch pop up 28. I only use three 20” inch hawk helium and strap those to the sides and platform fits perfectly in the meat shelf. It is low profile up in a tree and and can easily carry out quartered out deer if needed. Have no issues with this.

[LeanMachine]

Not sure if you are hunting public or private but I have gone to using a treehopper drill and bolts. Drill is like $60.I bought 50 bolts for like $20-30 online. Why I went to this for a climbing system is size and weight. I carry the drill and 6-8 bolts in a tiny fanny pack and I think it is sub 2 lbs.

The down side is it takes slightly longer to get up a tree the first time than it does with sticks. The up side is you can come down and pull your set WAY faster. And if you hunt the tree again, obviously you can leave the bolts in, but even if you pull them, the holes are already drilled for next time. Going up the first time it tends to take me about 1 minute per bolt, total time, if the tree isn't too wonky.

Another perk of the drill is i also bolt on my platform. I just weld up my own steel platforms. I think they are 3 lbs. I just added a 1/4" rod loop that hooks over the top of a lag bolt. I pre tap the hole with the drill and then run the lag bolt in with a wrench. I thought i would have to suck the platform down by tightening the bolt but not the case. I just leave the bolt out about 3/8" and platform goes on and off nice and easy. Very stable. Kind of tripods off the bolt and both sides of the teeth. I always hated fiddling with straps.

You could also drill a ring of holes and use bolts as a ring of steps and skip the platform. They make little paddle things that slide over the bolts to make them more comfortable to stand on.

[MnM]

I use wild edge steps. Lots of different ways to go up and down ( three foot intervals or aiders).

[Low Fence]

Drill ain’t an option the primary function of this is public land. Beside that I’m hunting bedding area 90% of the time. I ain’t got time to one stick and take core samples. I need yo a tree as fast and quiet as I can

18-24’ platform height is where I always seem to land. There’s got to be a way, I just ain’t come up with it yet. Lol

I’ve tried most all ways up a tree imaginable. The original lone wolf sticks are still the most simple and functional I’ve used. The “mini” versions of stick I’ve used don’t compare and save no weight when you add additional sticks. Unless you add aidders naders alligator and mashed potatoes to complicate things… then your back to weight of full length stick

I’m thinking of a way to convert the sticks into the pack and strap platform to it so I have nothing to hang or store once hunting

[LeanMachine]

I assume you have looked at live edge steps? Very packable. I used them for a season. Just too fiddly for my taste.

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[Low Fence]

Yes. Too much unnecessary “stuff”

[Arrowsmith]

Life's to short to drive yourself crazy over hunting gear.

1. Just sell the dang saddle gear and go back to your Lone Wolf. You know it works and you like it.

2. Get you a Predator pack or Predator XL pack whichever fits your particular platform. Carry your bow in one hand and your sticks in the other hand or sticks strapped over your shoulder.

Compact as it gets.

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[Death from Above]

I just strap my sticks to the platform and carry them in by hand. On long walks I have a padded strap that I can use.

I have never like the weight of the platform and sticks on my back.

I am running 4 API's and a trophyline Mission.

There are some guys 3D printing some neat gatchets to help out with stacking sticks and pack ability.

I can post links if you need them?

[Low Fence]

Lol option 1. Will happen looonnngggg before 2. Lol

I’m just finding it super odd as crazy popular as these systems are and all the “YouTubers” with 9,000,000 videos on how to tie a rope around a tree and saddle company’s fighting for the next customer that there ain’t a better “system”
….. I’m working on it

[Low Fence]

Originally Posted by Death from Above

I just strap my sticks to the platform and carry them in by hand. On long walks I have a padded strap that I can use.

I have never like the weight of the platform and sticks on my back.

I am running 4 API's and a trophyline Mission.

There are some guys 3D printing some neat gatchets to help out with stacking sticks and pack ability.

I can post links if you need them?

Love to see them!

[txbowman12]

3 hawk climbing sticks and aiders get me to 20 ft pretty easy. Amsteel aiders are easy to make and don't seem complicated to me at least. Lightest weight method to gain height. 4 gets me closer to 30, but I usually just put the 4th next to the 3rd one and use that as a platform. I'm hunting out of a jx3 hybrid so I am mostly hunting sitting down so a platform is not really necessary for me other than to walk a tree. Overall setup is a little heavier, but carries easier with less parts, so ends up washing out imo.

[lovemylegacy]

Not sure if this helps. I have a few stands that produce every year, so at those stands I have climbing sticks that stay on the tree, all I carry in is my platform, 4lbs and it lays inside my Badlands backpack.

I have transportable sticks that weigh less than 1lb ea., so that's 8lbs total with the platform, everything straps to my back pack.

[Randy Madden]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

Are you able to put sticks on the side of pack and they stay put? Or move around?

My platform goes in the slot and strap the sticks to the outside. There is an extra strap provided in the cays 2.0. With the 2 on the pack and the extra strap they don’t move around much but could be better. That’s one reason I’m trying the one stick. Eliminates 2 of the sticks and the Platform. So it straps down nice and tight.

I’ve always used a pack of some sort as I go in pretty deep and do long hunts most of the time and take everything I need. I’ve got bad knees and I’m not walking in and out several times when I kill something.

[IkemanTX]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

Drill ain’t an option the primary function of this is public land. Beside that I’m hunting bedding area 90% of the time. I ain’t got time to one stick and take core samples. I need yo a tree as fast and quiet as I can

18-24’ platform height is where I always seem to land. There’s got to be a way, I just ain’t come up with it yet. Lol

I’ve tried most all ways up a tree imaginable. The original lone wolf sticks are still the most simple and functional I’ve used. The “mini” versions of stick I’ve used don’t compare and save no weight when you add additional sticks. Unless you add aidders naders alligator and mashed potatoes to complicate things… then your back to weight of full length stick

I’m thinking of a way to convert the sticks into the pack and strap platform to it so I have nothing to hang or store once hunting

Modified Hawk Helium sticks have been my go to when I can’t use bolts. I hunt almost exclusively public land as well, and had many biologists and/or wardens tell me they could care less about the bolts. They’re usually not timber grounds, though.

I cut my helium’s down to 21”. I’m hunting with a full size backcountry elk hunting pack this year so I can pack out like a western hunt. I won’t be dragging out whole again. My last 2 bucks were over a mile back through multiple steep ravines. I’ve been saddle hunting since the early days when we were all sewing saddles out of sit-drags. I chased the whole ultralight and ultra compact thing to its end point, and decided that my comfort spot puts me intentionally adding weight back into my setup.

I use a saddle because I find it much more comfortable than a stand, so even at the same weight/bulk I would consider the saddle superior for my uses.


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[MadHatter]

I don't do any of this saddle stuff, but have spent yrs climbing structure & rope as a profession.
What about just setting a rope and climbing the rope?
I'm assuming these trees have limbs and we're not talking about a pine trunk.
Maybe I'm missing something so forgive my ignorance, but it seems like it might pack easier & possibly be lighter.

[bowhuntntxn]

Originally Posted by sp-bow

Picture with Platform on the outside.


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I really like the looks of that rig! Hopefully I can find that pack at Academy soon. I have a bigger pack that I think i could fit all my sticks and platform into but I just havent tried it yet.

[Death from Above]

Originally Posted by MadHatter

I don't do any of this saddle stuff, but have spent yrs climbing structure & rope as a profession.
What about just setting a rope and climbing the rope?
I'm assuming these trees have limbs and we're not talking about a pine trunk.
Maybe I'm missing something so forgive my ignorance, but it seems like it might pack easier & possibly be lighter.

I do that alot. The inly issue is getting the rope up there. A throw ball early in the morning is a disaster. I have some paracord presets that do help some.

[Low Fence]

Strapped platform to sticks yesterday and and strapped that with saddle to an empty timber hawk backpack. Was pretty compact…. Weighed an ultra light 21 pounds!

[rebelbow]

Originally Posted by sp-bow

Picture with Platform on the outside.


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thats a pretty compact package
i've been looking for a better way to haul my stuff

[Dirty Kev]

Have you looked into the one sticking technique? You'll have everything already except for maybe a madrock descender and a multi-step aider.

For platform, I use the feet platform from my aluminum climber stand, its big (~20"x30") and only weighs 12 lb. Sure theres a lighter/smaller option for platform, but I have mine rigged up on a set of backpack and shoulder straps and hip belt which turns it into a frame that is used to carry the day pack and deer quarters.

[sp-bow]

Originally Posted by bowhuntntxn

I really like the looks of that rig! Hopefully I can find that pack at Academy soon. I have a bigger pack that I think i could fit all my sticks and platform into but I just havent tried it yet.

Came with a quiver on one side. I just took it off. I can pack the plat form inside it, if I wanted to. Been pretty happy with it so far.

[Low Fence]

Done several test runs and configurations. The dreaded hawk minis pack best and are 2 pounds (almost) lighter. I had to go meet a dump truck so I’ll measure later. Judging by bow rope I’m 18’ to platform with a moderate climb. I’ll test some more methods and if minis will continue to get 18-20’ I’ll probably go xop 20” sticks.

One stick would run every deer out of the woods I hunt

[jds247]

I use the eblerstock 2 pack for my gear.. 2 sticks on each side and my platform in the middle.. I wear my saddle in. It's a frame pack so it can be used to haul meat if you are far enough from the truck.. I usually stuff my jacket or rain gear inside it has side pouches I keep my limb saw and hand shears in.. As well as my aider deer drag etc..

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

Done several test runs and configurations. The dreaded hawk minis pack best and are 2 pounds (almost) lighter. I had to go meet a dump truck so I’ll measure later. Judging by bow rope I’m 18’ to platform with a moderate climb. I’ll test some more methods and if minis will continue to get 18-20’ I’ll probably go xop 20” sticks.

One stick would run every deer out of the woods I hunt

I'm not sure why you feel 1 sticking would do that. Have you watched any of the 1-stick videos? It's really not any more movement then placing multiple sticks on the tree.

What 1-sticking does that multiple sticks don't afford you the luxury of is rappelling down after your hunt is over. I have zero interest in trying to climb down with sticks in the dark after being able to come down like batman.

[Low Fence]

Originally Posted by Blitz

I'm not sure why you feel 1 sticking would do that. Have you watched any of the 1-stick videos? It's really not any more movement then placing multiple sticks on the tree.

What 1-sticking does that multiple sticks don't afford you the luxury of is rappelling down after your hunt is over. I have zero interest in trying to climb down with sticks in the dark after being able to come down like batman.

I’ve watched and done it…. I’m not hunting the same animal they are…. It will 100% get you up a tree and down. It will NOT get you within 50-70 yards of bedded deer I have at least 1 if not more hunts a year where deer are at shooting range before I’m set up… and I’m from ground to ready to kill in well under 5 minutes. Climb up… slide down grab a stick, stand up. Great if it works for you… it will not for me. Repelling is fast way down… with another 8 pounds of rope and more gear.

If it fits your style, stay with it…. It will not work for me

[rocky]

Originally Posted by sp-bow

Picture with Platform on the outside.


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My climber is a lot less bulky than this. I don’t understand.

[sp-bow]

An amsteel aider on the bottom stick would give you another 17" with a single and 34" on a double. Bought mine from customamsteelproducts.com. Single is $15 and double is $25 for Hawk Sticks. It was pretty easy to mount in the stick.

[Randy Madden]

If your making to much noise with either method your doing it wrong.
I agree, everyone should do whichever method works best for them.

Op, mini sticks with aiders is a good option. May look into strapping some minis to your platform and using some pack straps on your platform if you don’t want an actual pack. Could be a viable option

[sp-bow]

Originally Posted by rocky

My climber is a lot less bulky than this. I don’t understand.

For me I'll take this over my Summit climber hanging next to it. If the climber works for you stick with it.

[Low Fence]

Originally Posted by Randy Madden

If your making to much noise with either method your doing it wrong.
I agree, everyone should do whichever method works best for them.

Op, mini sticks with aiders is a good option. May look into strapping some minis to your platform and using some pack straps on your platform if you don’t want an actual pack. Could be a viable option

That’s what I did today. It packed nice…ish and I could easily transport to any destination I’ve been too. With NO aiders and minis I got just under 18’… with 4.

I’m probably going novix minis with current arrangement and possibly add a single loop amsteel aider to middle sticks…. Possibly. I don’t like them on bottom. Too many times deer pick out that step. Blows my mind. They just know it’s different

Im getting a method down and got a lot of stealth stripping to do. I see it’s situational value. Time will tell

It ain’t noise of other methods it’s miles of unnecessary movement… which will by nature make more noise.

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

I’ve watched and done it…. I’m not hunting the same animal they are…. It will 100% get you up a tree and down. It will NOT get you within 50-70 yards of bedded deer I have at least 1 if not more hunts a year where deer are at shooting range before I’m set up… and I’m from ground to ready to kill in well under 5 minutes. Climb up… slide down grab a stick, stand up. Great if it works for you… it will not for me. Repelling is fast way down… with another 8 pounds of rope and more gear.

If it fits your style, stay with it…. It will not work for me

I want to make sure I am reading your post correctly.. Are you saying it won't allow you to get within 50-70 yards of bedded deer? Did I read that right?

Getting that close to bedded deer is a totally different conversation. You can do that with almost any climbing method depending on how quiet you are. Like another person has already stated. "IF" your making that much noise, your absolutely doing it wrong.

[cohenascopy]

I use hawk helium sticks when I’m not one sticking in my hawk saddle


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[IkemanTX]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

Done several test runs and configurations. The dreaded hawk minis pack best and are 2 pounds (almost) lighter. I had to go meet a dump truck so I’ll measure later. Judging by bow rope I’m 18’ to platform with a moderate climb. I’ll test some more methods and if minis will continue to get 18-20’ I’ll probably go xop 20” sticks.

One stick would run every deer out of the woods I hunt

With a regular stick, I’d agree with you on the one-stick issue. But, an acquaintance of mine tried the method “Staggs in the wild” posted on YouTube and said it was easy as could be. I haven’t put a stick together for it yet, because none of the properties I typically hunt have any issue with my Treehopper bolts so long as I don’t leave them in. But, if I knew I had a hunt coming up in a place I couldn’t use the bolts (and wanted to go super deep) I would probably rig one out and give it a good try.

https://youtu.be/hF1v69KsYm4


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[Low Fence]

After hearing him become orgasmic over first stick at 6.5’ I thought “heck mines higher than that, just a standard stick… hung one like I always do the bottom 80”!!!

Ain’t finished video, but that’s far too much movement and I’m still more efficient…. I’m just hauling far more weight. If it works and is proven to kill mature deer and not just climb a tree then that’s awesome!!! I don’t see it being an option FOR ME.

back to original post: got a friend with another platform and pouch we will combine our components and see if we find a perfect balance. Love to be as streamlined as possible and under 13 pounds for under $900 WITHOUT a bunch of nonsense it I won’t need

[Low Fence]

… (double post)