76. Platform vs rings of steps, maneuvering around tree, using tree as buffer, shooting & much more 

Thanks for all the wisdom from the woods John. Just ordered some tree hoppers to try

I think I just used my platform for the last time. lol. the ring of steps makes total sense. thanks, John.

Shout out to John for the comment on posting videos of scouting public land and why he doesn’t do it. Thank you….. some of us out here really appreciate that, unlike the rest of the RU-vid community who doesn’t mind inviting the entire world into their local public gates .

THANK YOU for your very informational videos that truly break down in detail the best way to use the saddle, as a kid i only had magazines and an occasional bowhunter for advice, I truly hope other youth get a chance to learn from John Eberhart, my opinion the best teacher ever !

I absolutely love my ESS saddle! Spent a few hours every week in a tree in the backyard during the summer practicing using it, and shooting out of it. There was a small learning curve at the beginning from always hunting out of a treestand (which I still do occasionally), but once I used it a few times, it is badass! And comfortable!

I bought a set of bullmans with a ratchet and the tree hoppers with the OCB. I sold the bullmans , and kept the hoppers. I also run the tree hopper recon saddle as well. Love it. John has definitely been one of the more influential characters in helping me pick equipment. Even though this video wasn’t out at the times I bought the the stuff

John last year after watching another one of you ring of steps videos, I ordered a set. Left the platform at home, set up the rings just like you said, and hammered a large doe at 5yd. It worked perfectly. Keep up the good work, thanks

Tree hopper ros and squirrel steps are awesome

Love using the ring of steps in conjunction with a small platform attached to top of my sticks. Nice setup for sure.

Love ur videos no bullshit just right to the point....keep up the good work john buckslayer eberhart....

RoS all the way!! There's no comparison! I use the tree for cover way too much to have a platform not to mention who wants to lean all day when you can sit down and relax.

I’ve been saddle hunting 30 years and I would never have a saddle without leg straps. I also on anyones videos never see anyone use a strap on seat with there saddle. I use a podium foot platform as a seat and it works great. It folds up tightly against the tree. You can stay a lot stiller sitting as apposed to leaning. I do love ring of steps. Love your videos, always looking to improve my hunting and I’m 66.

I can attest to the platform plus ring of steps for those that want to use a platform. The very first time i practiced shooting with just a platform I immediately realized how hard it was to shoot around the back side of the tree. It was a struggle holding steady at 20 yards! My left foot was searching for a place to go to state it myself but there was nothing there. I had seen your videos previously and suddenly it all made sense. I immediately researched steps and bought a five pack of tree hoppers. They solved my problem and I have been using them ever since. I actually killed a 180 lb sow yesterday at about 35 yds with a shot I could have never taken with a platform alone.

The cranford steps with the heavy duty buckle are great. They work fantastic!

Can’t wait to watch

Phenomenal video, John. Your comments about movement are spot on. Every early season I get a wake up call on just how good deer are in picking up movement. Just yesterday I called in a few does with a fawn bleat. I was using a ring of steps but knew I had to move/step to left to get a shot opportunity. I moved too quickly and they busted me. I have been recalibrated once again! I believe that hunters make the mistake of thinking that being up in a tree means that deer can't see us because they don't naturally look up. But on level ground, If I am at 20 feet elevation and a deer is a 30.0 yards, my direct line of sight to the deer is 30.7 yards. So the angle is not that large. Your point about looking at it "from the deer's perspective" is so true. We are still in their peripheral and up/down vision until they get much closer. All the more reason I agree with your assessments about steps vs platform. Questions: 1. Do you place your HYS strap and/or bow hook higher than your tether? 2. I noticed that the ratchet is prone to rust. Do you add a bit of vaseline or gun oil? I want to reduce rust and keep it operating smoothly but want to be scent free. You cannot remove the ratchet from the strap for purposes of washing. 3. Do you wait a year to use your boots hunting because you want scent to dissipate or because you want to break them in?

Thanks John! I've only hunted for meat over the years, and this year I'm targeting some big bucks for the first time. Bought your signature saddle and coming from a old tree worker that has been in saddles it's very comfortable. Thanks for all the information for a new guy just getting into saddle hunting!

Sometimes the truth hurts thanks for not selling out and keeping it real from ACTUAL experience SKOAL🍻 from an old yooper

Just came in from my first sit of the season. I hunt on a platform. I had a doe come in from my 4 o'clock and walk to my 7 o'clock. Once I had my right arm under my tether and was ready to draw, she was far enough to my strong side that I couldn't take the shot any longer. Long story short, I'm going to order a ring of steps.

You’ve always got excellent content brother

I like to dig the bottom of my toes into the tree like I'm squishing a bug while using the aider. It feels more stable IMO. Good luck this year and happy hunting!!

Silent approach platform step for ROS. Has the angle for your feet. Best step on the market.

xop has a ring of steps that is the best of both worlds. Composite steps and a heavy duty ratchet strap. I've been nervous about using them for a mobile setup because of the noise but i'll trust you that it's alright and ditch my platform!

Great information.

Bought the ess saddle and im really enjoying the heck out of it

Great video John !!!

I go between a ring of steps only and a ring with my platform, but mostly just a ROS. I do find my predator platform VERY comfortable! But, one thing to add, is you should be cautious when wearing nobby boots. Cause sometimes if you pivot your feet instead of picking them up when you move, the lugs will get hung on the holes in the platform and make kind of a popping sound. Atleast it does/has with me. But nothing wrong with either. You do you....

Love your videos! Learn so much every time I watch. I like the ring of steps and find them to be really versatile, and I LOVE that you instruct people to use a ratchet strap. That’s the only way I use them. One thing regarding the platform is most people don’t have them angled upward. They are either flat or angled slightly downward and they are pretty comfortable.

Good stuff! I love the honesty. A pressured 3 yr old is a different animal here in Franklin County NC.

John, SO much good information, I'm going to have to watch again. I Tried the single panel with platform on a less than vertical tree--didn't feel confident in my shot making ability. Would like to try double with ring of steps. Also thanks for info on the gum leaf boots. I'd be money ahead right now if I'd known that about 20 years ago. ATB

Appreciate your videos and knowledge John. Thanks for sharing.

After talking to you last weekend, I’m the guy with the Lions cup you made fun of. LOL. Anyway, I took your suggestions and received my treehopper steps yesterday. Look forward on trying this saddle and steps this weekend!

cool thanks for sharing, I noticed how you always keep your bow to the left of your body. there is no way to accidently cut anything very smart.

The treehopper steps are great

Just bought 5 treehoper steps.. I just has it happen to me where I got busted on the same side. I wasn't able to move over out of sight. Give these a shot. For 80 bucks it's worth a shot see how they work. Be lighter than my xop platform too. Might try using both idk see what happens. Thanks for the video ol boy

Good stuff John! TY

I have the tree hopper steps love them. Use them with my one stick with a small platform called the flat scout. If you clip the strap on the ocb and pull on the strap you can move the steps under tension the cam just takes out more than your arms ever could. They will settle a little but then they do not move. Play around with it more you may grow to like it.

Good day John, Thanks for another informative video. Totally agree with your opinion on the cam strap for the Tree Hopper ring of steps. Too many adjustments to get them stable. Secondly you mentioned your bow holder placement, what kind do you use and do you place it above your tether or below. I've been using deck screws with a stubby screw driver always seem to be relocating my bow hanging point. Thirdly when wearing a saddle, pocket placement on most jackets is not conducive to saddle hunting. I've had to make additional pockets inside my jacket and high enough to be saddle obstruction free to keep things organized. It seems all jacket hip pockets are right under the support points of my saddle making the pockets useless for gear. And finally I would appreciate a video of your approach on changing jackets and pants due to weather conditions while suspended. Thank you for the sharing the years of experience with us all.

WOW THE DEER I HUNT WOULD LOVE THE PAINT JOB

Great video I use a ring of steps with a platform also. I don't understand why can't sit on a platform? I do it all the time. There's plenty of RU-vid videos if hunters sitting in a platform or leaning on the platform.

So do you use a back pack or anything like that while in the tree? If so how do you manage to go around the bag that's hanging on side of tree?

I'm working on switching to "Ring of Steps" only, but when i do use my platform (A) it is level, not angled like yours and (B) i sit with my feet all the way into the tree with the tree trunk between my legs like how you sit. Only time i use that extra platform room was occasionally standing up to pull my one piece saddle back down or just to change positions for a minute, in which i hug the tree and stay totally tight against it while standing. Now that I have the ESS saddle I'm working on ditching the platform, but it's kind of like a pacifier for me, a hard habit to break. But YOU are the KING of hunting and I wanna kill more deer, not suck my pacifier so I am doing what i need to do to be as successful as i can be, because all i have is heavily pressured public land, no free permissions and no private land at all.

Gumleaf boots are absolutely the best boots. I have been wearing mine for 3 hard years and no issues. Although last year I was dragging a nice 10 out and the g2 cut the top off my boot but what the hell

I don't use a saddle but I'll listen anyways 🤪

John you can’t post these videos while I’m at work. I’ll get in trouble

You definitely make a good case for steps. Curious if you have played with the Any Tree Outdoors Tree Straps? The concept as a platform looks interesting and seems to share some of the tree step advantages.

I use John's scent regiment 100% to the T. That being said. I just can not see how this saddle hunting is more effective than using a climbing stand. I can walk up to a tree and snap 2 cables around a tree. Tie my gear to my rope and be 25' up in less than 3 minutes. I've never not one time in my life had an issue to where i couldn't get a shot off with my bow . Ill use my summit as long as I'm able to climb.

Don’t know if you’ll see this John but I’m a 315 pound in shape man and I am curious if they have options for bigger guys?

What ratchet strap do you use?

Hey John, any tips on keeping the ratchet quiet??? I’ve heard gun oil but that sounds very counter intuitive to the scent control idea. What are your thoughts ?

John your the best, period, end of discussion! :-)

Btw will you let me know when you have a yard sale? I'll fly from tn to Michigan just for it!!

Hi John my name is Mike and I have been watching your videos for years. I have a question about this video, where do you get the Cranford ratchet strap. I search for it and it doesn't come up. I would like some more information about the strap and wonder if you know more about it.

Hey John, do you use a peep sight with your setup? Thanks for sharing.

These videos on all details of saddle hunting are awesome. I run a hang on but I would like to get a saddle for additional options. Your arguments for the two piece saddle and ring of steps have me convinced. I saw in a lower comment that your saddle is modified from the factory ESS saddle that’s available. What is that modification?

I looked at Cranford and Tree Hopper but ended up getting Bullman ROS x 6. You try them?

Idk what brand my ring of steps in but it seems to give sideways and I can’t seem to ratchet it tight enough..

I have a question Mr. Eberhart: do you carry a side arm in case you run into wolves or bear when your are way back in the woods? I see there are estimates of 800 wolves (probably more). Thanks just want to be safe as I am able.

I have been watching alot of your videos and love them! Thank you. But I have been hunting off a platform for a couple years now and you are not representing the best and most comfortable way to actually be on the platform, not the edge. Just my 2 cents (even though you did not ask for it)

Why would you recommend NOT wearing GUMLEAF boots the first year you own them? Do they need to be broken in? Or is it because they have a strong odor of rubber?

John, doesn’t the sound of the ratchet spook deer? I like to hunt close to bedding and think the ratchet noise would push them away

Oneida makes a good finger release bow not just Mathews

I’d love to try this but I can’t afford to keep dumping money into gear. 🤷🏻‍♂️

How do those boots feel standing on ring of steps? Is the sole firm enough?

John do you use knee pads?

Always have good advice but the phantom is the worst single panel saddle on the market and the comfort ball are useless

How does he hold his bow steady enough to shoot a deer?

Love the content. But trying to swing around the tree for a back side shot is almost impossible because the girth hitch prevents you from going all the way around. I simply just stand up and turn the other way around opposite of what u did like I'm in a conventional hang on

Don’t need all this fuss when hunting a deer farm

Any plans on making a ess harness in larger size

Ratchet strap lol 😂

$380 for dinner boots?!?!?!?