JX3, Trad bows, and tying off the bridge....

[splatek]

I have a JX3 Hybrid. For those that do not know, it's the most comfortable thing hanging from a tree anywhere in any tree. No debate about that. However, I am shooting this season trad - I have a relatively short recurve (60") and it's certainly possible to shoot it from the JX3, particularly while standing/leaning, but I was listening to a podcast recently - The Stick Boys Podcast - and they had a fella on there named Joey Buchanan (anybody know him?) that mentioned ever so briefly that he shoots his trad, long bows from the JX3 while seated. And, he went on to say that he does this by doing something with his lineman's belt on his tether... He mentioned the actual method very quickly and only in passing and I can find no images, or details of this method. I am going to play and experiment, but has anybody else figured this system out? To be able to shoot the trad bow from the JX3 while sitting means I could be virtually motionless in the woods, sans the occasional nose scratch or something like that. The JX3 is literally THAT Comfortable. And we all know the best camo is being quiet and being still... I find myself fidgeting in my trophyline and sit drag and other sling style saddles.

Anybody know this voodoo technique that Mr Buchanan was talking about?

 

[RRussell]

I have wanted to shorten my bridge to get less of the bulk from in front of me. I cant think of a way to tie the bridge up with a rope to shorten it.

 

[Swampman]

I think I have seen someone wrap the excess rope of the tether tightly around the bridge to pull it in. I haven't tried it yet but I think that would help get some of the bridge out of the way. I am going to give that a try the next time I hunt.

 

[ryansean]

I think I have seen someone wrap the excess rope of the tether tightly around the bridge to pull it in. I haven't tried it yet but I think that would help get some of the bridge out of the way. I am going to give that a try the next time I hunt.

That's what I do. Wrap the excess of the tag end of my tether and push your stopper knot through the carabiner.

It doesn't make it too much shorter, but takes the spread out of the bridge to give you a little more room. This is with the stock JX3 ropes and I think they're 11 mm, so the stopper knot holds it.

 

[dlist777]

There's lots of ways to shorten up your bridge if you want. You can pull the stock bridge and replace with a small climbing runner (girth hitched on one loop and then connected to the other via caribiner). I use two runners each girth hitched to each side and then I connect to caribiner in the middle. Or, you can tie down. Here is a pic of my set up and tied down.

 

[RRussell]

How long are the runners on each side?

 

[dlist777]

20 CM (but they lose some length with the girth hitch.

 

[kyler1945]

If you’re not a really big guy try bypassing bridge altogether. Tether biner connected directly to both bridge loops. See how that works for you.

I hook up as high as I can reach on a tree bigger than say, 12” in diameter so I canhave enough tether play to get all the way around tree. On small trees, I can have a much lower tether hook up and still have full access to all shot angles. When the tether is hooked as low as possible(prussic is up against girth hitch) it pulls bridge loops forward and away from me. You might try hooking up lower for more clearance, but less ability to move around the tree.

Indont shoot trad, but these may be helpful if you do.

 

[sokraski]

I shoot crossbow not trad, but have been trying to find something similar to allow more shooting range without having to swing around as much. I ordered this to try out. Not the most compact or sexy thing out there, but it is climbing rated and should eliminate the entire "triangle" portion of the bridge. This also kills two birds with one stone for me as I usually climb SRT and needed a much shorter bridge for climbing. Right now I am climbing just using a quick link on the bridge loops, but I don't like to leave it on while sitting as it kind of squeezes my sides (wider body). It is still being delivered, so I can't comment on how well or if it works. Just some food for thought.

 

[RRussell]

I tried it with no bridge but my gut said EFFF no!!!LOL

 

[CooterBrown]

Loving this thread

 

[RRussell]

I shoot crossbow not trad, but have been trying to find something similar to allow more shooting range without having to swing around as much. I ordered this to try out. Not the most compact or sexy thing out there, but it is climbing rated and should eliminate the entire "triangle" portion of the bridge. This also kills two birds with one stone for me as I usually climb SRT and needed a much shorter bridge for climbing. Right now I am climbing just using a quick link on the bridge loops, but I don't like to leave it on while sitting as it kind of squeezes my sides (wider body). It is still being delivered, so I can't comment on how well or if it works. Just some food for thought.
View attachment 36507

Just ordered this and the runners for a test

 

[GCTerpfan]

I have a JX3 Hybrid. For those that do not know, it's the most comfortable thing hanging from a tree anywhere in any tree. No debate about that. However, I am shooting this season trad - I have a relatively short recurve (60") and it's certainly possible to shoot it from the JX3, particularly while standing/leaning, but I was listening to a podcast recently - The Stick Boys Podcast - and they had a fella on there named Joey Buchanan (anybody know him?) that mentioned ever so briefly that he shoots his trad, long bows from the JX3 while seated. And, he went on to say that he does this by doing something with his lineman's belt on his tether... He mentioned the actual method very quickly and only in passing and I can find no images, or details of this method. I am going to play and experiment, but has anybody else figured this system out? To be able to shoot the trad bow from the JX3 while sitting means I could be virtually motionless in the woods, sans the occasional nose scratch or something like that. The JX3 is literally THAT Comfortable. And we all know the best camo is being quiet and being still... I find myself fidgeting in my trophyline and sit drag and other sling style saddles.

Anybody know this voodoo technique that Mr Buchanan was talking about?

I listened to the same podcast. With a little digging I found the post he was referring to.

My Traditional Bow Clearance Solution

Maybe there are some On here that hunt with trad bows and find that the solid seat/backrest Type saddles Are too restricted for some shots. Here is my tweak on my JX3. It opens up that 9 -12 shot tremendously . Basically I take my lineman rope and pull the bridge closer to the tree. Give it a...

saddlehunter.com

 

[CooterBrown]

I listened to the same podcast. With a little digging I found the post he was referring to.

My Traditional Bow Clearance Solution

Maybe there are some On here that hunt with trad bows and find that the solid seat/backrest Type saddles Are too restricted for some shots. Here is my tweak on my JX3. It opens up that 9 -12 shot tremendously . Basically I take my lineman rope and pull the bridge closer to the tree. Give it a...

saddlehunter.com

Doesn't that totally eliminate moving around the tree?

 

[GCTerpfan]

Doesn't that totally eliminate moving around the tree?

Looks like it would but, I have never tried it.

 

[splatek]

I listened to the same podcast. With a little digging I found the post he was referring to.

My Traditional Bow Clearance Solution

Maybe there are some On here that hunt with trad bows and find that the solid seat/backrest Type saddles Are too restricted for some shots. Here is my tweak on my JX3. It opens up that 9 -12 shot tremendously . Basically I take my lineman rope and pull the bridge closer to the tree. Give it a...

saddlehunter.com

Dude. Nice digging. Thanks.
I think he mentioned in the podcast something about not worrying about moving around the tree as much as worrying about 1) being comfortable so he can sit still and 2) being able to sit while seated... or maybe that's just what "I heard" him saying... Thanks.

Thanks for all these suggestions. This forum is the best! Raining this weekend so i am going to play with some ideas that will get tested early next week once this storm moves out.

 

[splatek]

It, at the very least looks like it would reduce the ability to slide through the tether and get certain leaning positions.
Something to play with for sure.

 

[splatek]

I tied my own version of the Triad Bridge from H2 and it allows me to keep a longer bridge for 1-sticking or LWHCer-ing. But then I can tighten up the Swabisch knots so that the "triangle" of the bridge area is effectively reduce to a small area. It allows for climbing, but then the adjustability to open up space for that trad bow shooting. Haven't field tested yet, but hopefully early next week.

Long, or extended position:



Short position:



If anybody sees any problems, particularly safety issues with this system, please let me know.

 

[Phopkins]

I shoot traditional and decided the stock bridge was too long. I made a new one from tubular webbing that is only about 10 inches long plus biner length. That helps get clearance as well as letting the backrest straps out so youreat 135 degrees from seat. It's very comfortable that way and creates plenty of room to get your bow drawn.
The short bridge will also help for SRT climbing.

 

[splatek]

I shoot traditional and decided the stock bridge was too long. I made a new one from tubular webbing that is only about 10 inches long plus biner length. That helps get clearance as well as letting the backrest straps out so youreat 135 degrees from seat. It's very comfortable that way and creates plenty of room to get your bow drawn.
The short bridge will also help for SRT climbing.

I am going to have to try that, because the triad bridge from H2 didn't want to work on the JX3 when I took it to the woods. Should've done more beta testing in the yard.