We've both been chasing whitetails with our bows here in New York for 40 years. We've learned that being mobile and the first time in a virgin set is one of the best ways to out fox mature bucks. Saddle hunting helps us hunt a new spot every sit.
Scott's a 30 veteran arborist tree climbing professional. There's no substitute for experience , and we enjoy to continually learn and share what we've learned with others who share our passion. We believe the only limit to getting into the best position to kill a buck from a tree, is the tree and our imagination.
We hope our page helps others benefit from what we do , our experience , and our conversations on the Subject of Deer hunting, saddle hunting , climbing etc.
We will continue to try to bring interesting tips and content to the hunting public.
Love this system! Since switching over to this I have been hammering out presets and climbing trees like I never have before. I was very efficient with sticks but this has made me even more efficient and to be honest safer. Awesome video guys!
Love the system . Do you happen to have a video which shows how you Created the orange attachments on both ends of your climbing rope along with the fixed eye? for those of us that already have a climbing rope and want to modify it ?
Scott I'm from Michigan got my 40 ft. Of canyon elite from Eastern woods outdoors for one sticking. It has a small sewen eye at one end for just fitting a quick ling thru and a small loop at the other end for pulling gear up. My question is will I be able to thread my rope thru that quick link like you do your bigger loop ???
If you’re trying to use it like the half-line you’ll have trouble installing it. If you don’t hunt that high you can thread it by hand , then girth hitch it . Retrieval should be relatively easy.
Yes it is . I’m left handed. But you are right about the configuration. Typically Right handed people will use a left handed hand ascender. I’ll use either equally. It’s more about technique than dominant arm strength.
From a preset in place. Is it difficult to perform the half line girth hitch on thick barked, pine trees? does it have a problem feeding and sinching?? Also wondering your opinion on my buddy leaving his main climbing rope in the tree overnight to hunt the next morning. My worry for him is if a critter chews some of it in the night? Anyway are you for leaving it up for the morning hunt or against it? Might need to add he leaves it because he one sticks and never used presets
@@dylanhixenbaugh4575 sorry didn’t read my comment. But yea. I’m sure he does it to just save time from having to pick up his rope after each transfer. So I don’t feel like he’ll do anything special to get the rope in and out.
Howdy, I've always loved your guys content and learned a lot from it. Couple safety questions: - Wouldn't it be ideal to be tethered into the ascender? As is, if your belay device + knut hitch fail you aren't connected to the ascender at all. - Is there a risk that, if something goes wrong, someone will "instinctively grab" the rope in front of them, and thus depress the knut hitch, and if the belay device was engaged for rappelling have quite a rapid fall? - Does that belay device not need the brake line to be held by a hand? To assist with that, some similar systems have like an autoblock hitch (or a progress capture device like a micro traxion) down by a leg loop to help hold the brake line in case the person's hand is not where it should be. Your system does seem quite safe, but these ideas come to my mind looking at it and hoping for another 1/2 or full point of redundancy.
Hey Stephen, I feel this system has just enough redundancy in it . Having said that this isn’t something you would buy and run out into the woods and hunt without having practiced and become efficient with . I don’t see where you could add additional redundancy without it hindering the smoothness of the ascent or descent . Could you depress both mechanical brake and hitch cord simultaneously to a rapid descent . Yes , but as I said 1) you need to understand each piece of the system and its use 2 ) you need to practice it to become comfortable with it. And honestly this take about 2 to 3 descents . This device pays out smoothly when activating the brake. Not an all or nothing like some other devices. If you were looking for something more I’d say look into a Gri Gri + it has a panic feature built into the brake in that if you pull to hard it will lock. I would also advise to use the hitch cord as well . Per manufacturer’s request that they are not a hands free device.
So if the limb I'm attached to is higher than the best hunting height, making the angle of the rope too steep I assume you would switch to your tether?
Yes and no. If your comfortable at that angle and feel your rope is not interfering with drawing your bow or shooting then your fine. Is the 45 degree angle even more comfortable , yes ! I would practice both ways so if your ever in that situation you can pull it off . When the rope angle is 90 degrees or less. I tend to keep it tight to my body , almost leaning into it . This way it never interferes with shooting . If I know I have to log long hrs before possible getting a shot Short tether at 45 degrees all day 👍
Sure ! It’s actually the opposite of what you’d think it would be. Your dominant hand is the one you tend slack with not the one on the handle of the hand ascender. All my right handed buddies use a left hand ascender . Yes I am left handed but it makes no difference for me I’m ambidextrous. With tree work I would cut left or right handed equally . The nice thing about the CT Hand ascender is that you can spin it 180 degrees and use it right or left handed. The best way to choose is you want the action facing you and the micro pulley away from you Whatever hand you have better dexterity in using your thumb to open and close the action is the side you should choose . Hope this helps.
I started using the SRT system last year after finding a video of yours and I’ve never looked back! I will be adding the 8mm hitch cord this year. I don’t know if that’s new to the setup or if I just looked over it previously but this setup is money for us long walkers!
Great video. When using a Grigri recommended to always have a hand holding tension in rope below Grigri device or tie backup knots below Grigri. The Grigri does not always lock rope in itself if your weight is removed from Grigri (like if removing lanyard and returning to GriGri as support) unless you sufficient tension in the rope below the Grigri - ie not guaranteed to lock. The Rig or ID devices do lock rope and are more suited for hands free positioning without need for locking off with knot on device or below device.
Your best, most professional presentation yet! I've been using your Trango half-line system pretty much since you introduced it. Light weight, safe, QUIET, compact, easy. While I've historically upgraded to each improvement in the half-line system, I'm convinced that you guys have come up with the optimal configuration. You can be proud of the impact you've had on the hunting community.
Great setup and smart tips. Personally here in Mississippi I love hitch climbing SRT, I need no mechanical gadgets, no preset cords, nor a throw ball. But I do use a 20 ft pole, two pre-tied ascender/descender hitches, one with a footloop, the other attached to my bridge, Munter hitch rappelling. I love using this setup for new areas. The WMA I often hunt is 30,000 acres of mature oaks and some food plots, so there are lots of new areas to explore. if I want I can leave a preset cord for DSRT or SRT. Scouting is of course a good strategy, but you can spook out a big buck if hou wander around his sanctuary too much, so I map scout then hunt . When I 2TC, my bottom tether has a footloop and a hitch for a redundant safety bridge, top tether has three hitches - footloop, thigh loop and main bridge- very safe
So could you not use 2 hand ascenders? Like Be hooked in to one with your bridge and the other one to your foot. Bc they go up so easy? Just asking because I’m not sure. In my head seamsime it be easier.
You could but definitely to busy and not needed. Honestly this is so easy to do even though sometimes it doesn’t come across that way . When guys show up at workshops i do , it’s the first thing that comes out of their mouths, how safe and how easy it is to
Question! If you were hunting an area primarily with very tall pine tress that had next to no limbs, how would you go about getting up the tree or building a set? Would you kind of ditch this system as a climbing method and opt for the base of a climbing stand, and kind of go that route, or try something else?
Good question ! 3 answers : 1) I carry a stirrup on a short tether in my other saddle bag. If I were to run into this situation on a blind hunt . I could 2 tether up the pine and be in the game within minutes. If I like the spot I could leave a false crotch so when I return, I can use my system and half-line into the tree in half the time . 2) I’m thinking of carrying a One stick with me this season . It will become my primary platform whether I need to one stick into a blind area or I’ll use it with my half-line as my platform. This way I have all options covered. 3) I have a climbing platform company sending me a compact climber to demo and get my feedback on. I think this is going to be a big hit with the climbing saddle hunting community ( hybrid) It would be a great option for limbless trees with a lightweight compact climber . I’ll be dropping videos on this when I get it . All 3 options can be improved by leaving a false crotch to be easily rope climbed on returned hunts . Hope this covers it. I’ll be adding footage of these options and give you my thoughts on these techniques and adopt them when I see fit . Thanks CTA for the questions. Climb safe. PS. Jerry over at Custom Gear Modifications builds and sells the crotch rings for leaving false crotch’s in limbless trees.
If I havent already, thank you very much for your efforts in making these videos and your website selling equipment you use. After wading through some comments, Im reminded why Ive never posted a how to video on anything! Also, Im happy to purchase from someone who goes out of their way to sell a good product. 👍 Thanks again.😊
I am leaning towards a CGM Cobra for my first saddle purchase this year. I am torn on the waist belt though. Rope belt with sliding knot. Webbing belt with D ring buckle. Upgrade to a Raptor buckle. Upgrade to a Cobra buckle with D ring like a riggers belt for a secondary safety option… Any guidance or suggestion is appreciated. Thanks
There both good options I have the web belt , my buddies have the rope belt. Both are easy to use. The nice thing about either You don’t have to undo like a buckle you just loosen and slide it off , Pull it on and pull it tight. Other plus is it’s rotational so you can fasten to the right or left side of waist.
CGM 10x9x3 . I easily fit 40’ 9.5mm , hand ascender, belay device plus 30” hitch cord I’ll be selling them as well on my site . The newer edition will have mesh pockets for milk weed storage on the outer surface. Should be in stock by mid June
I am new to saddle hunting, borrowed a Tethrd Phantom last year and am looking to buy a saddle. I was considering the TX5 Lonestar 2.0, the Lattitude Method 2, CGM Cobra or the Overwatch Outdoors. Have a preference on top 2-3 saddles you like? Thanks
Would you use this saddle for recreation tree climbing too? I'd like to go up 50/60 ft or more and wonder if the hunting saddles would be safe and comforts ke compared to an arborist saddle like treemotion or monkeybeaver
As nice as any of the hunting saddles are. They do not compare to a arborist or Rec saddles. They are also put in extreme environments and situations. Arborist saddles have to pass a more rigorous inspection than hunting saddles,mainly because they’re designed to last 20 to 30 yrs and come in contact with solvents and sharp objects . If recreational climbing is your thing in the off season I would suggest you buy a quality Rec or Arb saddle mainly to keep your hunting saddle scent free
Your hunting saddle would be just as safe at 20 or 60 ft. Remember though if your pulling double duty in it as a rec saddle as well . Your decreasing it’s life expectancy of what the manufacturer lists .
Great video NYSH! Love ❤️ climbing ropes into trees 🌳. Have you considered using a leather cambium saver for MRT to save some friction but even better keeps sap off your rope?!
It would be great to see a video on how to choose a good limb crook for safe rope climbing. Min/Max size etc...The rope is your lifeline and choosing the correct limb is key IMO. You guys are doing a good thing for the sport of hunting. Thank you.👍
I have video on that subject. But it doesn’t include the new kits. Putting the finishing touches on our new vid. There will be a segment on limb choice and how to
It is an ascender = go up. To go down you need to take the weight off of the device and then slide it down which is why they are used in pairs - one for a foot loop and one for your harness. Maybe use the ropeman on the bottom for ease of movement and a prussic on top. The reason for a smaller diameter prussic knot is to get a better grab. The size is relative to the size of the rope it goes around and a rope the same size or near the same size won't grip as tightly when you need it to. Abrasion resistance is also important here because if you are sliding down on that prussic it generates heat and it can melt.
You’ll easily do 3 to 4 seasons with it if you’re using it a lot. I keep one for scout climbing trees and the other stays in my hunting rig so not to get contaminated with human scent.
He’s Good , We shot our bows yesterday, had a few beers . I see him regularly. We live around the corner from each other. He’ll be in some future videos. He’s a Grandad now enjoying life !
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!!!!! I’m new to saddle hunting, currently sifting my way through all the different methods. I just got a couple ropeman’s and was practicing at ground level. Tightening the tether or lineman’s is super smooth with a Ropeman BUT extending your tether or linesman made me PUCKER BIG TIME!!!!! I thought it was just me, thought I needed more practice. You just confirmed my fear. I’m going back to a friction hitch and adding a tender to make it easier. I really appreciate your knowledge. Thank you so much.
Everything I use comes from being in the tree care industry over 3 decades. The Ropeman is a tool that’s never in my opinion should be used for life support yet lots of people and saddle companies who influence people to use them swear by it . If you’re gonna use it at least be smart and back it up !
Jerry is a longtime friend and brother of mine. He's got a great thing going with CGM. Don't overlook this small Veteran Owned and operated company. I love my Cobra saddle. John, your rope system lives in my SRT dump pouch. A foot loop from CGM and Garda hitch gets me to height, and the Munter gets me down. Both are backed up by the VT Prusik. It works for me. Gonna give that Knut a try.
