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Custom Tree Strap

Stykbow1 said:
I've seen it mentioned quite a few times for a lighter or minimalist saddle but I have to say that I can't imagine after years of schlepping around climbers and fixed position, sometimes weighing in the double digits, anything lighter than the current AeroHunter. I felt like i was practically running around naked when I put the saddle on for the first time and walked around. Compared to what I used to have to lug around the saddle is ultra light and minimalist for me I can't even imagine something smaller and lighter than that with the same safety, versatility, and functionality. I'm not saying it can't be done or shouldn't but for me the weight advantage, portability, and manueverability that I've gained by going to the current AeroHunter Evolution are to me anyway amazing compared to what I was used to using. What used to take up half of my truck can now be carried and stored in a canvas bag, what I had to lug in on my back I now wear, and the big cumbersome metal stand that banged and bumped into every branch and stick is replaced by softer quieter material that slips through the heaviest of cover with ease. Heck i think my bow and a quiver full of arrows weighs as much or more than my saddle!

While I realize there is always room for improvement with any product I'm just enjoying the freedom that the AeroHunter is affording me and looking forward to putting it to good use this fall and winter. I think an ultralight saddle appeals to a certain group of hunters with specific needs and wants just like ultra light backpackers think things like titanium spoons and cookware are the cats meow because they shave ounces off of what the person has to carry but the average camper wouldn't give it a second thought. Maybe after hunting with the saddle for a while I might think it is heavy but all I have to do is look at my climber, hang on, or ground blind to remind me just how far we come and I'm really happy with that.

Roger
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I think it is the combined weight of all hunting gear. Start adding in sticks, platforms, camera gear, bow, arrows, field dressing, binoculars, calls, extra clothing, etc..... it all starts adding up. Then toss in the rockies while chasing elk near wallows----- I cut weight wherever I can so I can be as mobile as I can be. I would much rather not have to carry anything into the woods as far as tree stand/climbing but the truth is I hunt public land and everything goes in and out each time I hunt. I typically walk 5 to 7 miles each day while hunting (I do a lot of scout and hunt type set ups) and trust me, 10 pounds can make a world of difference in hills over the course of a season. Most of my stands are at least a two mile hike just to get to them - that's 8 miles a day right there for a morning and evening hunt.... but I typically scout a new section all day and hunt over best sign as I find it.

I do hope that you all can come out with a minimalist saddle at some point. I keep hoping :)
 
Dave I guess if I wasn't a flatlander I might have more of an interest in an ultralight saddle but as I said compared to the stuff I used to lug around my Aero Hunter is ultra light! When I go down in my basement and look at some of my traditional tree stands and how much they weigh I'm amazed at how much equipment I was lugging around. Dave please understand I'm not downplaying that an ultralight saddle would appeal to some hunters especially those hunting in the mountains like yourself but only making observations about my own hunts and hunting equipment. Given a choice between trying to take one of my old tree stands on a mountain hunt or the Aero Hunter I'll take the Aero Hunter every time. Now that's not to say if they came out with a lighter version of the Aero Hunter that I wouldn't choose that over the current version to save weight on a mountain hunt. However, I have to be completely honest since making the shift from a metal stand to the Aero Hunter I'm thrilled with the current weight savings over my old equipment.

Also after watching my buddy slip through some the the heaviest, nastiest, and thorniest cover this spring while scouting to setup for this bow season while wearing his Aero Hunter I realized if he had a traditional stand on his back that wouldn't have been possible at all. While I realize we all have priorities for our hunting equipment sometimes we do have to make concessions and I think the Aero Hunter in it's current configuration is still a much better choice than any other hunting stand out there and that goes double for me for a high country bow hunt. As I said earlier if they did have a ultralight version I'd probably opt for that but when my Aero Hunter is sitting next to my climber it's not much of decision to make I'll grab the Aero Hunter every time. I'm sure if enough guys are interested and they can safely make a lighter version they will but right now me personally I have no complaints about weight for my hunting area or setup. Now as for a platform that's a whole different issue and I'm still searching for the perfect platform.

Good hunting,

Roger
 
This is great! Stopped by ace hardware and grabbed the sewing awl tonight. Ordered the webbing and hardware also. I have 2 Anderson slings that Im going to sew a bridge in to. Will the square with an x through it be enough to hold ? I'm 200 lbs


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320thmp said:
This is great! Stopped by ace hardware and grabbed the sewing awl tonight. Ordered the webbing and hardware also. I have 2 Anderson slings that Im going to sew a bridge in to. Will the square with an x through it be enough to hold ? I'm 200 lbs


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It will easily hold your weight if you don't take a fall, but I wouldn't trust it as your only harness without having it sewn by a professional with the correct thread, needle, and sewing pattern.
 
Ok I have a shop close by. Maybe I'll just bring it to them.


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320thmp said:
This is great! Stopped by ace hardware and grabbed the sewing awl tonight. Ordered the webbing and hardware also. I have 2 Anderson slings that Im going to sew a bridge in to. Will the square with an x through it be enough to hold ? I'm 200 lbs


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Click to expand...
320thmp said:
Ok I have a shop close by. Maybe I'll just bring it to them.


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Any time you use custom gear for life safety, it falls on you to ensure it is safe in the end. I guarantee that a sewing shop is not going to take responsibility for something they make for 1 customer to use hanging from a tree.
 
320thmp said:
This is great! Stopped by ace hardware and grabbed the sewing awl tonight. Ordered the webbing and hardware also. I have 2 Anderson slings that Im going to sew a bridge in to. Will the square with an x through it be enough to hold ? I'm 200 lbs


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Click to expand...
I want to add that after building that tree strap, I used it for a little bit, and then went to to using a rope with an ascender which I like much better.

For your anderson slings, you could either use 2 carabiners ( I like the delta biners for this) to connect your bridge, or tie in a bridge directly. Either of these options would be much easier than having one sewn.
 
redsquirrel said:
I want to add that after building that tree strap, I used it for a little bit, and then went to to using a rope with an ascender which I like much better.

For your anderson slings, you could either use 2 carabiners ( I like the delta biners for this) to connect your bridge, or tie in a bridge directly. Either of these options would be much easier than having one sewn.
Click to expand...

How can I tie one in? I understand using the biners. Ideas would be apprecIated. I thought maybe the biners would be a pain. Any experience out there with these? Pics ? I think the Anderson sling is the best thing out there. I have a web and an aero hunter. The Anderson I can wash with my laundry to keep scent free


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320thmp said:
How can I tie one in? I understand using the biners. Ideas would be apprecIated. I thought maybe the biners would be a pain. Any experience out there with these? Pics ? I think the Anderson sling is the best thing out there. I have a web and an aero hunter. The Anderson I can wash with my laundry to keep scent free


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Click to expand...
I don't mind the biners with it, I like how it makes the bridge easily detachable. If you were to make the bridge with tubular webbing you could do an overhand on a bight retrace on both sides. You can google it and justsomedude has posted about it on here if you search.
 
320thmp said:
How can I tie one in? I understand using the biners. Ideas would be apprecIated. I thought maybe the biners would be a pain. Any experience out there with these? Pics ? I think the Anderson sling is the best thing out there. I have a web and an aero hunter. The Anderson I can wash with my laundry to keep scent free


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Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy brother of the saddle, you haven't tried a Ken sling.:cool:
 
320thmp said:
I'm just wondering what they look like


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It is posted somewhere in a thread last winter if you want to search. I can't find it right now though.
 
Hmm like the mighty whitetail.... it seems very elusive lol


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