Initial saddle hunt - Advice?

[okie_edward]

If the properties you hunt allow it, I would recommend the spurs for run and gun or one time sits, and drill/bolt for the rest. EZKut makes a hand drill, but if you are setting trees up before season you can use a kreg bit and drill stop with a cordless drill to prep trees. That kind of setup is very light. I plan to do just that next season, and will be choosing the properties I hunt to support that plan.


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For pre-sets I already have drills and kreg bits - probably even bolts. I've used climbers and hang-ons and the assassin, but weight gets me every time. Mostly I hunt either my personal or family property. I'll keep the sticks for public management hunts around here but I'm sure I'll have spurs... soon!

 

[g2outdoors]

You're absolutely on the right track.

Listen, I typed up the classified ad on this forum for my spurs after my first time trying them. I was not a fan.

Now, I love my spurs. They are my favorite climbing aid hands down, no question, no doubt. I love them.

 

[DIYSaddler]

I'm totaly about rope access but we're not allowed any methods that "Damage" the trees here in missouri. That's not to say it's not a matter of who you talk to whether spurs damage trees or not. With a good bowfishing arrow with weight on the tip, some good throwline, and a little practice you can be up and hunting in no time. I do own a pair of spurs and they do happen to reside on the floorboard in the back of my car just incase I get a hair to use them for a quick hunt.. But most of the time I figure I've got the rope, I've got a throwbag and throwline in my pack already. So all I have to do for a new setup is throw and go.

 

[huck72412]

You're absolutely on the right track.

Listen, I typed up the classified ad on this forum for my spurs after my first time trying them. I was not a fan.

Now, I love my spurs. They are my favorite climbing aid hands down, no question, no doubt. I love them.

It's the little things

 

[Maustypsu]

I hunted with the assassin platform and harness a few years ago but never got comfortable with that harness. I finally got the Evo out for a hunt last night and here are some of my lessons learned and and a couple of questions. Any and all advice/suggestions are welcome.

I climbed with 4 LW sticks and used the Assassin with 3 Ameristeps.
Set up in 45 minutes. That included pruning and cutting quite a bit on the way up.

Findings -
Prepare trees in advance for next year. - I practiced in a large tree - 12" dia. Trees less than 8" diameter sway a lot more than I expected.. Took a bit to learn to control my moves around the smaller tree. I'm right at 200 #s.
EVO comfort was acceptable - Much better than sitting on stand. - Ameristeps with OCBuckle was super solid. - Having a 2nd tree close enough to hang pack on is key.
Blake's hitch on tether was difficult to move once loaded - Need one hand operation for both LB and tether. Ropeman, right ?
Learn to do this in the dark (......)
Gotta get the weight down - Mine and the equipment!

Questions;
Assassin slips a bit - I think an OCBuckle might fix that. Has anyone tried that?
Is there a difference in the Ropeman1 and the Ropeman MK1?

Bottom line
Harness upgrade will wait. Platform upgrade will not wait!
I probably didn't remain still enough to see deer but learned a lot this time out.
I promise not be so long winded on posts from here on out - sorry

But this saddle thing.... I'm hooked
Next stop ; classifieds to purge the old heavy metal gear!!

Send me a PM if the Assassin is for sale.

 

[okie_edward]

Yes. It you can put your weight on the post, then lift the platform with your other foot, it should slide down the tree slightly. Then step down on platform and as it folds out it will be as tight as it can get.

I set the assassin up like this (pushed post down with foot) for practice. After and hour or so it started to move a little. I was working on turning 180 to shoot, a lot. Again it only moved a little. Hunted yesterday for 4 hours and it never moved. Obviously less movement so I know this was the fix. I have 2 XOP platforms on the way and a new sitdrag to start working on.
Thanks for the pointers