One nice thing about a longer platform (like a Tethrd Predator or longer) is that you can be at the same leaning angle but be slightly further from the tree and so you can run a bit longer of a tether at the same angle and tether height. That is if you typically put your feet towards the back of the platform. This can allow a bit more freedom of movement and clearance for the bow. Of course, there are no solutions, only tradeoffs when it comes to most things in life.
Nice vid but I feel like you can hug the tree closer then you showed on film with a platform. I also use a ring of steps and like them but have issues with slipping sometimes and they aren’t as comfy as a normal saddle platform. I may try both at the same time but again setting up a ring of steps is kinda loud and tedious compared to a platform.
You sure can, definitely agree with that and that’s what I try to do as well. But the marketing material from the saddle companies show people shooting from the 9 o’clock position all the time and that’s what I wanted to show. In my opinion, it’s easier to take that 11 o’clock shot from the ROS. Comfort wise, how low are you siting? That could be why it’s not comfy. Knee pads are a requirement too. Also agree on the setup. I feel it’s still worth it though. Having both is the way to go!
Dave, Thanks for the video. I currently have a Bullman ring-of-steps and I'm considering getting a platform. I noticed in the video that the shots on the right of the frame allowed you to use the tree for cover while the shot from the left of the frame had you skylighted and in the open. which side was the platform, and which was the ring-of-steps?
Left was platform, shooting at the 9 o’clock position. Right was ROS, shooting at the 11 o’clock position. The benefit of a saddle and ROS is exactly what you said, using the tree as cover!
So my followup question was going to be... have you ever hunted using both ROS and the platform? Well, I found your other video on that very subject. Thanks for the information and excellent videos. Good hunting! @@BarefootDave_
@@gasanchez84 thank you for the sub! I appreciate it. Can’t figure out how to message on here, but if you ever want to see something specific, hit me up on instagram and I’ll get a video around for you! If it’s a big tree, I’ll use both for sure. Especially when the deer might come from anywhere. If it’s a small tree and I know where they’ll be traveling, I’ll just use my platform and still shoot at the 11 o’clock position. I’m one sticking this year so I find it much easier to use just the platform. When I was using sticks plus a separate platform, it wasn’t much more work to use both.
