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John Eberhart's Kestrel modifactions
- Thread starter John Eberhart
- Start date
Ontariofarmer
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I would leave the straps on to be safer maybe and I have not hunted out of a saddle for I think 40 years like John, so I am not comfortable with taking straps off.... I have been a saddle hunter for 2 years.
Why would I hunt with an extra pound of keys in my pocket?
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About as much as a ropeman1...
Why would I hunt with an extra pound of keys in my pocket?
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I really like how my Kestrel fits and it is so comfortable. I wouldn't change a thing. I known everyone wants to go lite but how much weight would you loose off the Kestrel by doing the changes John made. Just curious.
I agree , I would not change a thing either. I think it all comes down to personal preference. I hunted all season with both my kestrel and Evo and both are quiet and extremely lightweight. I only notice the waist band on the Evo when walking and nothing on the kestrel and im paying attention for noise. To me the buckle weight is irrelevant coming from being a 25 year treestand user. My biggest thing I have to keep in check is loading up my backpack with to much crap lol. Im so glad I took the leap into saddle hunting and have sold other hunters on it after only meeting them by chance. Many thanks to John E. For his dvds and saddle hunter for all the information !
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At first when i got the kestrel i assumed the riding up was normal so i figured i would get used to it. I then started wearing it lower, loosening the waist belt and taking slack out of the leg straps. That works for short hunts for me. However, I rarely will sit less then 6hrs at a time and most of my sits have been 8+ hrs. Im still having these straps ride up and choke the boys. Whatever adjustments i do just seem to be successful for short term sits.
I have a size 1 kestrel which i downsized from the original size 2 that I ordered. The size one fits me well in fact i may have a little more room than needed. The leg straps are my only issue. I have changed the way it sits on me up and down with no success. I had the same issue with my aero and evo. Both cases i ended up using them like a sitdrag.
I have contemplated just going back to my sitdrag for this reasons. Even with an rc harness underneath my sitdrag i did not have this discomfort or situation. I am comfortable with the sitdrag enough to not use an rc harness (I don’t recommend it but I have done it). I probably have 5 hunts left for the year planned and am going to ride it out for the remainder.
I would expect these issues if you were new to saddle hunting and had little understanding of adjustments. However I have been doing this for awhile now and am hunting exclusively out of a saddle this year. I have dealt with it for alot of hunts this year so right now i can tough it out for the last few. If i am missing something please let me know. I do have to call newtribe and see if they can repair some stitching that has started to pull along one of the bridge loops but it is minimal and still have plenty of security left in it.
Hey john rob loper ordered my kestrel november 27th as soon as i get accustomed to it i might make some adjustments but im gonna practice with it like you told me before i do any mods to it
I talked to Debbie and she said i should have it around jan 7th. Still enough time to hunt with this year
Im hoping i love it and its not tough on my back like a stand is. I got the back support too
I told you couple years ago to start a you tube channel lol. It will blow up if you do
i hope you do I’ll subscribe in a second. I started one too stuff coming after xmas. I think i told you what its about already i forget if i did or not.
When i get it i might call you if its ok with a few questions thnks
Merry xmas brother. Good and safe hunting
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_gcun8_kLGQWJMDxQtFpQ
This may seem like a dumb question, but if the leg straps are what is giving you problems, why don’t you keep them all the way loose. They are not intended to be kept right for support on the kestrel.
Is there suspender straps too? Im hoping there is. I have no butt. Im all belly. Lmao. I need them to keep from showing plumbers crack lol
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_gcun8_kLGQWJMDxQtFpQ
Not a dumb question but i have tried that as well!! Maybe i should loosen them all the way out!! Ill try it tomorrow and repost my experience!!
Ontariofarmer
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I put suspenders on my kestrel this fall because it wanted to fall to my knees when I loaded the molle loops. I just bought some clip on ones and they work great.
I had problems with the leg straps riding into the wrong places with the evolution but have never had that problem with the Kestrel. The Kestrel is fantastic and with the back belt it is even better for evenly distributing weight.
I think my issue is with the seat design as I have thought about it for awhile. The seat has some cupping like effect kinda what you see in alot of the hammock designs. The sitdrag did not have this issue and i think its the design thats not working for me. The sitdrag was more flat in seat nature. Im not sure if all that makes sense. Don’t get me wrong i still commend and will support newtribe and any and all designs in the future. They have opened a door for all of us and i still think they make a superior product. I just have to play with everything and have an addiction to gear.
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Do you have the only adjustment all the way out? See Bob's vid here starting at 3:00:
Also, Do you sit, stand, or lean in saddle? And have you played around with your treestrap height and bridge length?
Check these two videos for more detail:
and
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I didn't say I hunt with my keys. I typically throw them as far as I can into the woods. That way the deer know I'm coming. I like to play fair.
Why would I hunt with an extra pound of keys in my pocket?
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Good one!!!!
Ontariofarmer
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I like that third video. Great explanation of why people want different set ups. Bridge length, and rope tether height. I confirms what I like - I still have an adjustable bridge with a blakes hitch. I sit (75%) and lean - 25% of the time - an adjustable bridge allows for this. My personal preference - I know most people like a fixed bridge.
It confirms why I like ameristeps. There is often little pressure on my feet when I sit so my feet do not get sore.
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I loosen mine a fair amount so I can spin the saddle for shots to the weak side. If you fall this way (I've done several on my dynamic), the saddle returns to the normal position just fine.
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I have seen the videos and have literally spent more time in the kestrel than any other saddle. I stated somewhere most of my hunts im in the saddle up to 8+ hrs with 6hrs the usual minimum. I have just over 70 hunts this year. I have adjusted every which way. Im not saying this is a bad saddle by any means.
Ontariofarmer
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I guess were all different. Lots of variation in personal preferences.