This is the best video explanation I have seen so far. I've been doing my research before I buy and a lot of videos and sites mention the equipment you need but they don't SHOW what that actually is! Thank you for explaining the terminology!
Great video Cameron! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It is such a simple and light system, and for me would be perfect for public land and spots that are a long hike. Great job!
Seems to me that saddle hunting could be a tool to add to the arsenal in certain circumstances, but no way will it replace other hunting stands. I use climbing stands, ladder stands, shooting houses, portable ground blinds, and hunt from natural cover on the ground, depending on weather, terrain, weapon, and season of the year. Personally, I’m not inclined to add more paraphernalia to what I already have. Right off the bat, saddle hunting gives you no safe practical way to add or remove clothing and no place to put miscellaneous items. It does provide a way to possibly use some trees where a climbing stand would not be used and it could get you elevated without having to do more involved work, but I’m thinking I’ll skip it.
Great video, I saw something yesterday that showed when using the kong the rope should go through the caribiner. Might want to double check the instructions. I use one as well
I've been saddle hunting for over thirty years and if you use climbing sticks, you might as well use a tree stand! Throw them climbing sticks in the closet and SRT.
If you have 4 sticks and place one on the tree, how do you get the other 3? Like are you trying to dig them out behind you while dangling? Or do you have to hold all 3 in your hand? Basically, how hard is it’s to set the second stick while standing on the first one.
This will be my first year trying saddle hunting. Most of what you say seems to be logical and thank you for posting this. However, I have a question for everyone. When the hunt is over and it is time to get out of the tree, would it be better to leave your tether attached to the tree until you have transitioned to the ladder stick? The running statistic says that 90% of all falls happen when getting into and out of the stand / platform. In my minds eye it seems like it would be a good idea to have that added layer of safety at that point. I also see where people might think that the tether should be attached at all times. I am not sure if I agree with that one though. I feel like the lineman rope would at some point cease a fall, but i dont see a way to tether at every point during the ascending or descending process. I think the way I will be handling this is to attach the tether right before I mount the platform and leave it until I remove the platform. To each his own I suppose. But I thought I would at least pose the question.
You can certainly tether up before getting into your platform and take it off once you are on your sticks. That is definitely added fall protection at that moment! Good point, I may start doing that
Are you sure that 10 lbs is correct ? 4 Beast stick minis "with" original beast straps weighs 8 lbs, i know i own them...... + the 3.8 lb EDP platform comes to 11.8 lbs total so far.... then add the tether, linesman rope and saddle weight so it is closer to 14 lbs total.
Cameron Is running Amstel daisy chains on the sticks bringing the weight down. The EDP and Sticks were weighed together for a video on the Exodus Channel coming in around 10lbs. Not considering the saddle weight into the total. Its being worn in anyways so It's just another layer. That weight was strictly based off the sticks and platform
There are a bunch of different ways to make your saddle sits more comfortable. For back pain, the bank bands are handy! Having a good platform, and a pleated or two panel saddle will be your most comfortable saddle options
I run the clips down through the Molle loops. The downward pressure from the weight in the pouch keeps the clips from sliding back up through the molle. Latitude Outdoors just posted a video on this! Check it out
You need to ditch that linesman rope before you get seriously injured. Keep yourself girthed to the tree at ALL times. I've seen linesman rope cause more injuries than anything. Example: a stick kick out, you go down. Nothing is going to keep you from falling, just falling away.
There are plenty of guys hunting with crossbows out of a saddle! It's something you will have to practice with but it can definitely make your setup more mobile.
