Anybody gone back to mobile stands?

[Plebe]

That was my first thought too.
But the more I play with my .75 and Wolfpack. I am questioning why I need a saddle set up, big pack and EDP.
A saddle and the .75 in hybrid mode makes more sense.

A drawback to such a setup is weight and bulk. For destination hunting, it's a fine option. But if you scout-hunt, it can be unnecessarily laborious, even with today's lightweight gear.

I like to explore every now and then, and cover lots of ground. I may never choose to hunt from an elevated position then, or I might come across something like a thicket that looks great but need to climb above it to effectively hunt.

In this case, something like 2 tethers and a three step ROS isn't going to bog me down if I don't ever need to go up a tree.

But not everyone is apt to 2TC and hunt from ROS, but another option is ok enough and still not such a haul as a .75 setup.

It's all situation + preference. Really it doesn't matter so long as it works.

The treestand vs saddle battle is just cross talk.

 

[mschultz373]

I’m not aware of a bolt climbing system that is suitable for public? In my state we aren’t allowed to permanently affix or otherwise drill into trees on public.

Not that everyone follows that rule.


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[NMSbowhunter]

A drawback to such a setup is weight and bulk. For destination hunting, it's a fine option. But if you scout-hunt, it can be unnecessarily laborious, even with today's lightweight gear.

I like to explore every now and then, and cover lots of ground. I may never choose to hunt from an elevated position then, or I might come across something like a thicket that looks great but need to climb above it to effectively hunt.

In this case, something like 2 tethers and a three step ROS isn't going to bog me down if I don't ever need to go up a tree.

But not everyone is apt to 2TC and hunt from ROS, but another option is ok enough and still not such a haul as a .75 setup.

It's all situation + preference. Really it doesn't matter so long as it works.

The treestand vs saddle battle is just cross talk.

Agree 100%. I am looking to put one of these lightweight 2tc setups with an OCB and 3 steps as a ride along with my ground hunting setup. The plan will be to hunt off the ground those sits but if I am out and find a spot where it just makes the most sense to climb, I will be ready. A set like this would weigh only a couple of pounds at most. I believe both the sets below weigh less than a pound. It might not be what I would choose if I were heading in for an all-day sit but having a streamlined, lightweight 2tc setup gives you options.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I’m not aware of a bolt climbing system that is suitable for public? In my state we aren’t allowed to permanently affix or otherwise drill into trees on public.

Not that everyone follows that rule.


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You might look at Cranford rope on steps (or Bullman). I put together this little setup earlier this year. Ten rope on steps, a ring of Cranford steps (Saddle Scaffold) and the tether fits in this small (kids) backpack I picked up at Academy for like $10.00.

 

[bowhunterchuck]

You might look at Cranford rope on steps (or Bullman). I put together this little setup earlier this rear. Ten rope on steps, a ring of Cranford steps (Saddle Scaffold) and the tether fits in this small (kids) backpack I picked up at Academy for like $10.00.

Those 10 steps get me up over 18 feet and with the 2 pouches only weighs 6 pounds.
I have all the saddle gear and I have a windwalker as an option.
Bowhunterchuck


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[NMSbowhunter]

Those 10 steps get me up over 18 feet and with the 2 pouches only weighs 6 pounds.
I have all the saddle gear and I have a windwalker as an option.
Bowhunterchuck


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That's a nice setup too. Those Windwalkers have been calling to me for a long time, ever since I watched Mr. Womack's climbing video on youtube year's ago. I get about 17 to 18 feet no problem with 10 rope steps. It takes me 12 to comfortably get an honest 20 feet.

I love bolts too, when I have a place I can use them. That said, I almost always do presets with a cordless drill. The hand drill can be a real workout. Either method, drilling or rope ons take about the same amount of time to set up. The rope ons are less fatiguing for me than the hand drill, but the nice thing about drilling (in the fall) is that the holes are ready for you if you come back to hunt it later. Then it is a breeze.

 

[GeoFish]

If you can hunt off a ROS everything changes. I did it for 2 years. Not for me.

 

[bowhuntr09]

A drawback to such a setup is weight and bulk. For destination hunting, it's a fine option. But if you scout-hunt, it can be unnecessarily laborious, even with today's lightweight gear.

I like to explore every now and then, and cover lots of ground. I may never choose to hunt from an elevated position then, or I might come across something like a thicket that looks great but need to climb above it to effectively hunt.

In this case, something like 2 tethers and a three step ROS isn't going to bog me down if I don't ever need to go up a tree.

But not everyone is apt to 2TC and hunt from ROS, but another option is ok enough and still not such a haul as a .75 setup.

It's all situation + preference. Really it doesn't matter so long as it works.

The treestand vs saddle battle is just cross talk.

My .75 setup and Wolfpack are significantly lighter than my Kifaru pack/ saddle setup.

 

[Plebe]

My .75 setup and Wolfpack are significantly lighter than my Kifaru pack/ saddle setup.

I wouldn't pick either of your setups then, for a scout-hunt. My point is clearly that one can put together a conditional elevated hunting package that is far less bulky and lighter. I stand by that.

 

[John 35]

You might look at Cranford rope on steps (or Bullman). I put together this little setup earlier this year. Ten rope on steps, a ring of Cranford steps (Saddle Scaffold) and the tether fits in this small (kids) backpack I picked up at Academy for like $10.00.

All I can think about while trying to use those rope steps is how much better the screw in ones are haha.

 

[kbetts]

I picked up one last year that I'll add to the rotation.

For the guys back and forth over the ROS.....alot of that comfort, or lack of, comes from the saddle....not the footing. If you can't sit or lean in the saddle with any comfort, you will put alot of pressure of your feet. You'll find it hard to find the compromise.

 

[GeoFish]

I wouldn't pick either of your setups then, for a scout-hunt. My point is clearly that one can put together a conditional elevated hunting package that is far less bulky and lighter. I stand by that.

I agree with you. I can take 12 Apex steps, 3.5lbs, a ROS and saddle and get super light. Not for me in November when its 16 degrees and snowing. Or 35 and its raining.
If I did a scout-hunt it's with my Pac seat.
Light climbing methods are great on some trees. But because sometimes I need to move, I need a climbing method that works on any climable tree.

This is why I don't hunt public land.

My Amazon influencer page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/joshscott...Find me elsewhere on social media:https://www.linktr.ee/joshscottoutdoorsMy hunting tees:h...

www.youtube.com

 

[Plebe]

My .75 setup and Wolfpack are significantly lighter than my Kifaru pack/ saddle setup.

It is hard to disavow weight savings. But at a certain bulk/weight point, I'm much less concerned about the delta. I prefer the upside of the frame pack.

I ran some numbers out of curiosity and even with a little tit-for-tat, on the scales it's basically a wash.

Here's what I found:

.75 (7lbs 8oz) + Cam strap (5oz) + Seat cushion (4oz) + Old LWCG backpack straps and belt (13oz) + Wolfpack (2lbs 4oz) + 4 ONE sticks (4lbs) = 242oz (spec)...aka 15.125lbs.

Kifaru Duplex Lite L/XL (3lb 14oz) + Stryker XL (2lb 8oz) + my climbing platform (10lb) = 262oz (actual)...aka 16.375lbs

So, I'm just about within 1lb of the .75 setup. In place of my climbing platform, sub in those same ONE sticks and up to a 5lb saddle platform and it's the same weight or less.

I'm actually currently using a Seek Outside Revolution frame and Merlin daypack with my .5. This combination from Seek Outside is about as light as the LWCG Wolfpack + LWCG shoulder straps and belt. (The Revolution frame can actually be stripped down to where it is lighter than the LWCG combo). As a bonus, the Revolution Frame rides super comfortably for me and offers legit pack out capability.

Seek Revolution (2lbs 9oz) + Merlin daypack (12oz) = 53oz...aka 3.3125lbs
LWCG Wolfpack (2lbs 4oz) + Old LWCG straps/belt (13oz) = 49oz...3.0625lbs

Again, on numbers alone, it's basically a wash. And I like the upside of the frame.

 

[Andrew]

It is hard to disavow weight savings. But at a certain bulk/weight point, I'm much less concerned about the delta. I prefer the upside of the frame pack.

I ran some numbers out of curiosity and even with a little tit-for-tat, on the scales it's basically a wash.

Here's what I found:

.75 (7lbs 8oz) + Cam strap (5oz) + Seat cushion (4oz) + Old LWCG backpack straps and belt (13oz) + Wolfpack (2lbs 4oz) + 4 ONE sticks (4lbs) = 242oz (spec)...aka 15.125lbs.

Kifaru Duplex Lite L/XL (3lb 14oz) + Stryker XL (2lb 8oz) + my climbing platform (10lb) = 262oz (actual)...aka 16.375lbs

So, I'm just about within 1lb of the .75 setup. In place of my climbing platform, sub in those same ONE sticks and up to a 5lb saddle platform and it's the same weight or less.

I'm actually currently using a Seek Outside Revolution frame and Merlin daypack with my .5. This combination from Seek Outside is about as light as the LWCG Wolfpack + LWCG shoulder straps and belt. (The Revolution frame can actually be stripped down to where it is lighter than the LWCG combo). As a bonus, the Revolution Frame rides super comfortably for me and offers legit pack out capability.

Seek Revolution (2lbs 9oz) + Merlin daypack (12oz) = 53oz...aka 3.3125lbs
LWCG Wolfpack (2lbs 4oz) + Old LWCG straps/belt (13oz) = 49oz...3.0625lbs

Again, on numbers alone, it's basically a wash. And I like the upside of the frame.

Have any pictures of the .5 with the Seek Outside frame? Also what do you do with the frame when hunting and climbing or does it stay on the stand?

 

[Jeremy_D]

Crazy to think we have complete systems under 20 pounds and people are still worried. I wear at least 20 pounds of crap everyday 8 hours a day up and down ladders and crawling around and dont even think twice about it....and Im not even in that good of shape.
The rest of my setup should be here Tuesday. I cant wait to get it together and weigh it.

 

[GeoFish]

Kinda depends on alot of variables.
With my EDP I need knee pads, 14oz, backhand 3oz. My saddle weighs 1lb 4oz more then my safety harness. In cold weather a under quilt may be necessary 7oz.

 

[Plebe]

Kinda depends on alot of variables.
With my EDP I need knee pads, 14oz, backhand 3oz. My saddle weighs 1lb 4oz more then my safety harness. In cold weather a under quilt may be necessary 7oz.

True, gear selection is driven by hunter preference. As a result, what's equal across the board gets a bit convoluted, as not all boards are equal.

For me:

Knee pads, never use 'em. I'll knee into my pack or into my frame pack belt occasionally, & the seat pad of my .5.

I have a saddle that weighs 1lb 11oz. There's saddles that weigh 1lb, I don't choose them. What does a safety harness weigh? Doesn't matter, I'm saddle hunting anyway, lol, so I don't choose those either.

Never seen, used, or needed an underquilt. I use the same bibs I've used since before I saddle hunted.

Anyway, those are my choices. They don't need to be anyone else's. Milage almost always varies. There's no best, just best for oneself.

JRB basically hunts from ropes. He could carry a bowling ball with him and my usual setups would be bulkier and weigh more.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I had this saddle (my 1st 2 panel Wraptor I made) out practice shooting off a ring of Cranfords in the back yard and thought I would weigh the saddle and my lightest 2tc setup while I had it handy. The saddle and 2TC kit weights 32.8 OZ (2.05 pounds). I'm not sure what an OCB and 3 aluminum steps would weigh. This is the sort of thing I would carry "just in case" I wanted to have the option to climb but wasn't really planning on it. It could really be made lighter. The D rings on this saddle are hardened steel.

I can see this being just the thing on a western hunt, say for elk, where you plan to be on foot but want something in your pack just in case you wanted to shimmy up an aspen tree for a couple of hours.

 

[Plebe]

Have any pictures of the .5 with the Seek Outside frame? Also what do you do with the frame when hunting and climbing or does it stay on the stand?

I can take a pic.

I bring the frame pack up the tree. It's not blockish. I take the stand off the frame at the base of the tree, since I need to access sticks and outerwear, and just haul it up. It can be easily reattached and brought up with the frame if preferred.

 

[TNbowhunter]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here.

You don't have to pick one or the other. There's a strong implication when people so often say such things as "switching to x" or "going back to x".

You don't have to choose between saddle or stand. Have them both in your arsenal.

I use everything. And I pick which system I use based on the situation. Saddle, hang-on stands, ladder stands, box blinds, pop-up blinds, ghillie suits on the ground, and on and on.

To me, it's like saying you bought a new ratchet set, so now you're going to toss all of your box wrenches...because you're a ratchet man now

Different tool. Different jobs. Different pros/cons. Different results.

I hear ya, but not all of us can afford to have two several-hundred-dollar setups for a primarily-recreational endeavor...