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Brand new saddle hunter looking for the best climbing system.

Murphy, I'm starting with srt as my first climbing method and saddle as my first tree stand. Being from Idaho I've never used one, but as I'm 52 and my dad is 75 (plus an older uncle, a slightly younger than me brother) we have been stand hunting just sitting on the ground more and more. My dad decided to get a couple ladder stands for next year, and looking into it I decided to go saddle and srt, plus a new (old) ground blind I picked up cheap off craigslist for $50 (an ameristep penthouse with the tags still on it) for when it's windy, raining, snowing, etc. It's kinda crazy getting into stands for the first time after hunting without for almost 40 years, but it's been fun. I'm hoping I still like the idea after the first season.

If nothing else you have given me a little confidence I didn't dump lots of money into the wrong system. I'm still a little worried how easy it will be to isolate a clear line up pine trees (and may carry a back up system in case at first) but time will tell. Another month or so and I should be up there checking out some trees (and presetting paracord) and know more.
 
I really like the Lone Wolf hand climber. Lite and simple, that's for me. I'm also planning on using bolts as a back up or if I need to get around limbs.
 
One benefit of using the one stick method or hand climber is there isn’t any need for a linesman belt and ropeman. That saves $100. Any cheap small linesman belt would be sufficient to get around limbs.
 
Private? Public?
You say run and gun but there are a couple of differences
If you can use bolts for presets as you stated you can use them for fun and gun. I would say by far the cheapest run and gun set up. If you can drill everywhere you hunt.

Climbing sticks are probably the easiest to use bar none. If you are new to climbing I highly recommend this route.

5 Steps can get you in a tree light and compact but climbing with them the first time and coming down especially in the dark can be an adventure
Good luck and welcome to the site

***** edited to add if you look at the climbing poll taken here awhile back almost everyone has gone back to climbing sticks. There’s a reason

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I hunt private land almost exclusively. My deadly combo is the Aero Hunter Kestrel, aluminum tree spurs, and a Silky pocket boy 130 saw. With that combination I can safely and quietly climb any tree from 9" to 20" diameter. If I encounter a limb on the way up, out comes the pocket boy and in seconds I am moving again. It took a few climbs to get used to the spurs but once I did, it is crazy how fast I put them on and climb 30 feet up the tree (5 or 6 minutes). Some people believe that using spurs damages the tree (that has not been our experience) so when I am invited to hunt on someone else's land I use the Muddy sticks with aiders. But only if I have to! BTW, I modified my tree spurs by replacing the noisy velcro straps with cam buckle straps.
 
Now that folks have told you what they like, let me answer your question. 4 WE Stepps and a knaider/swaider. HaHaHaHaHa. Good luck. They are legal every where, they pack great, they're lite weight, stupid simple to tie on, solid as a rock, easy to pass limbs, and 4 gets you 20 feet. I guess that's why I like them. Which ever system you pick you're going to have to practice, practice, practice, and get used to, and comfortable with, the techniques unique to that system.
Next week I'll be able to tell you if the perch or the predator is the best platform option.
Happy shopping :)
 
Being new myself, I've come to realize that nothing will beat personal experience! By this I mean, only you know your style or what your plan is. I had trouble pulling the trigger on a setup because, other than borrowing a saddle and using screw steps, I had very little experience in a saddle. I found that I was too concerned about the cost of items. Then i came to the realization that being a member here, I could stress a little less on the price of things during the next few years to experiment, because I can always sell the items that don't work for me for good return!
So i went with the WE steps because I was able to a 5 step for 85 and added 2 singles, got it all for 130$. If they don't work for me ill be able to make my money back easily!
 
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