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2018 Game Changing Gear Pieces

1 - Gen 1 Predator for me - hands down. Best advice I got last year was from Ernie at 2018 SP when I asked him about his XOP kit... "just hang tight"
2 - Carls versa strap for it
3 - DIY fleece saddle - nothing comes close for me on comfort and packability - still love the kestrel and will get a Tethrd saddle later this year but its a nice option
4 - Arcteryx knee pads - best upgrade to an existing piece of equipment I did after last year
5 - this will fall in the 2019 category but grabbed some Buckingham's at SaddlePalooza to get comfortable with. I can see CF in my future which would change everything
 
kelly.jayp said:
1 - Gen 1 Predator for me - hands down. Best advice I got last year was from Ernie at 2018 SP when I asked him about his XOP kit... "just hang tight"
2 - Carls versa strap for it
3 - DIY fleece saddle - nothing comes close for me on comfort and packability - still love the kestrel and will get a Tethrd saddle later this year but its a nice option
4 - Arcteryx knee pads - best upgrade to an existing piece of equipment I did after last year
5 - this will fall in the 2019 category but grabbed some Buckingham's at SaddlePalooza to get comfortable with. I can see CF in my future which would change everything
Click to expand...
Man, I completely forgot about those knee pads. I think that may have been early 2018. Those are definitely up there.

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1: Switching from recurve to Mathews Triax.

2: Spurs.

3: Paracord accessory/bow/pack hanger.
 
Hmmm

Modified APIs were a nice touch. Little work but after your done 3 sticks at 2 pounds for 99 bucks is a pretty good deal

Carl’s versa strap was LEGIT!!

OnX was a good addition this year to

Other than that my gear was pretty simple.
 
Carbon. Fiber. Bolts. 'Nuff said

Squirrel Steps weren't necessarily a game changer, but they were definitely a "better mousetrap" moment.

The Badlands Silent Reaper pack @redsquirrel sold me was a LONG overdue upgrade. It's nice and quiet and simple. I love that little thing.
 
1) Kestrel and related mods (Amsteel and Ropeman 1).
2) Predator
3)Treehopper drill and bolts
4)Found this a couple years ago...Windy.com It goes hand-in-hand with the milkweed that I've used for 30+ years. Monitor the prevailing wind on Windy and compare it to what the actual surface wind is doing as shown with milkweed and prepare to be educated on intricate wind behavior.

Comment on the OnX...I've been experimenting with it's accuracy with KNOWN property pins. It's often off by 20 yards or more. OnX is helpful, but it aint "balls-on" accurate.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
1) Kestrel and related mods (Amsteel and Ropeman 1).
2) Predator
3)Treehopper drill and bolts
4)Found this a couple years ago...Windy.com It goes hand-in-hand with the milkweed that I've used for 30+ years. Monitor the prevailing wind on Windy and compare it to what the actual surface wind is doing as shown with milkweed and prepare to be educated on intricate wind behavior.

Comment on the OnX...I've been experimenting with it's accuracy with KNOWN property pins. It's often off by 20 yards or more. OnX is helpful, but it aint "balls-on" accurate.
Click to expand...
I'll have to look into that windy.com

I've noticed that as well that OnX can be off on the property lines a bit. I use it mainly to escout terrain fetures and then drop pins where I find sign.

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1)CF Bolts. SO happy we these. They're #1 because, well, they rock.... and I can use them with my treestand setup too.
2)A Saddle in general-This was was first season in an actual "saddle" instead of RCH so...
3)Guidos Web. As bulky as it is, I"ve never been able to sit so still and been warm and comfortable in nasty rifle season weather and some of the below 0 sits during muzzle loader. I would have been ground hunting or packed it in early if I was sitting in a stand.
 
1.) Sit & Drag

2.) Kayak access

3.) Ropeman1

4.) CF bolts


....................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
#1 Saddle Hunter for sure. Without this site the learning curve would be much longer. I learned a ton from everyone here. Saddle hunting was originally started by DIY guys a very long time ago. It has been jump started with new products and fresh new ideas . SitDrag ,Mantis, Kestrel,XOP,Out on a limb. Guido`s and forgive me if I have missed any. All of these MFG`s use SH and from what I have seen they are building stuff based on ideas started right here. SH is the only source on the internet that touches all the subjects . You can and will find answers to most questions. Thank You Admin.
#2 Kestral Saddle ; with a few mods ,dialed in ready to go
#3 Practice Practice Practice and as Greg from G2 say`s ( get saddle ready) To date I have 38 practice climbs at height now after months on the ground.
#4 Subscribe to any and all you tube channels , watch, learn and support them IE: Urban Hunter, G@ outdoors, Catman outdoors, Nutter Busters,Ect to name just a few.
#5 Check equipment after every climb and develop a system for this . I know where all my stuff should be and know how it feels in the dark. I climb with confidence in low light no light conditions now much more than I used to.Really I just can't say enough about the Saddle Hunting Community
and the Administrators here at SaddleHunter.com
 
Well, I’ve had all of that list for longer than the 2018 season, CF bolts excluded. But, if they were game changers back then, they are game changers still!


....................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
This is a tough one for me since I'm ALWAYS experimenting with new gear.
1. More people talking about saddle hunting - this is great for all of us.
2. The Predator Platform - If someone ever creates anything better, my head might explode. The Predator is as close to perfection as I've ever used.
3. Tri-Fold cover on my Silverado. The ability to lock my tailgate and protect my hunting equipment was a TOTAL GAMECHANGER for me. I wish I had bought one 10 years ago.
4. SYS Hauler. I freaking love those things and how easy they are to connect. Screw those darn molle straps!
5. Thumb release - I moved away from a wrist release and I was more accurate.
 
I really thought I had my gear dialed in 2017 then the whole Tethrd thing changed it all, yet again. So most of my items are related to that and the weight/bulk I saved.

1. Predator platform. Going from the diy XOP platform the difference was huge in weight and packability. So much easier to install and the wings to push off of have helped a ton on those odd shots to either side.

2. Carbon fiber Geckos. Again, a huge weight savings going from my ClimbRite’s to the Geckos. At 2.6lbs I don’t even know I’m carrying them.

3. Mantis saddle. Another savings in weight from my previous Kestrel. I love how all the accessories attach and how streamlined it is while walking to the woods.

4. Maven binos. Having good glass is important to me and I freakin love those Mavens!

5. Last but not least, my Nucanoe F12. I had always wanted to hunt using kayak access and finally made that a reality in the 2018 season and had shot opportunities 2/3 hunts. Those three hunts were some of the most fun I had all season and can not wait to do it again this season!


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EricS said:
I tried a lot of new things last year. The one that really wowed me was five 15 year old ameristeps on a strap. They were nothing new or revolutionary but I fought paying the price for years and Dano’s steps got the value of them low enough I ordered five to give it a shot. Couldn’t be happier.
I bought the mantis and predator last year as well. I really struggled getting the comfort level I wanted on a regular basis. I think a step on either side of the predator to make sitting more comfortable would have changed everything for the better. I will likely revisit that idea next season if not before. The drill and bolt system is another new to me but really old item I tried last year. Setting trees up to climb for less than 10 bucks just leaving the bolts in was awesome. Fast to climb and never pop like cheapo stick ladders. I did get some titanium bolts a few weeks ago and will explore them more as the season approaches. I’m staying away from carbon fiber bolts even though every time I see a Red Bull commercial I picture @Nutterbuster saying carbon bolts give you wings. I’ve already purchased enough new gear to try before next season.
Click to expand...

You will enjoy the step on each side of the Predator, makes a world of difference for long sits!
 
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