Need some tips

[Acts117]

Hey newbie here. I just got my kestrel last week and have been out in the yard at ground level and have climbed a couple feet just with a step ladder and have discovered some questions that I didn’t know I would have before hand

1) I was intrigued with saddle hunting because it appeared that you could pretty much hunt any tree anywhere no matter the size or limbs but as I learn more I am realizing there are trees with too many limbs that are too big to be very useful and it is almost more like you need to have a tree that would meet the same qualifications as a climbing stand. Any tips on how to set up in a saddle in huge trees with multiple limbs and multiple trunks because that’s what I have at my place I don’t have a lot of the perfectly straight limbless trees?

2) Second reason I was interested is it looked extremely stealthy, and I am sure that I am not the epitome of stealthy at this point but even the best person scraping a rope up a tree with their lineman’s belt and then clipping on all types of stuff and Swinging your big tether around the tree a couple times and then clipping in. am I missing something here? (I’m sure I am) but how are you guys finding ways to be stealthy when you’re throwing your ropes around the tree and climbing up them? again thinking of climbing big trees not just 6 inch diameter straight trees?

3) is a rope man 1 a replacement for a Pristric knot? The knot on my teather from new tribe keeps getting stuck and not sliding ? And how do you use it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EricS]

1. You really can hunt any tree that will hold your weight. It’s not always easy and may require some planning ahead. If I was going to be hunting trees that were like 5’ plus in diameter I would look into srt climbing.
2. There are a lot of natural noises in the woods. Ropes dragging on bark aren’t that unnatural. Most people don’t drag their ropes. They pull them away from the tree move them up then lean back. Most of the trees I hunt I can reach around the tree with my tether and not have to throw it. All of this is something you should be doing regardless of the type of saddle or stand your using.
3. A ropeman is a replacement for a prussik for our uses but not all climbing.

 

[bigjoe]

You can also use a prusik, or a Distel hitch with a pulley for one handed operation. I was using a Distel hitch and a micro pulley this weekend. The kestrel comes with a Blake’s Hitch. It takes two hands to adjust the Blake’s Hitch. One handed operation for the Distel hitch and micro pulley. You can adjust this with weight on the knot. The ropeman you need to take weight off to lengthen, it also is one handed operation.

 

[elk yinzer]

1) In some respects hang ons are probably better in trees with a lot of limbs and funk, but the margin isn't very big. Certainly don't need to be to the level of climber trees. With practice you improve.

2) Just like any other method, be deliberate. The stealth thing always gets me, it's just not true. I am equally quiet and proficient in a climber, hang on, and saddle. It's all a wash if you know your gear and are good at being quiet. That said, some gear choices do factor in. Research and play with a few different ropes. The Predator rope that comes with the kestrel is a little too limp for my liking as a linemans belt. And again, practice and be proficient.

3) Yes, a ropeman can replace a prusik. There are lots of youtube videos and threads here how they work. Ropeman 1 has a lower rating but doesn't chew up rope. Ropeman 2 can chew up rope sheaths if you're not careful but comes with a higher safety rating. You don't want to use either Ropeman as a safety device if there is slack in your system.

 

[EricS]

@elk yinzer where I think the saddle system really shines in stealth is getting to the tree. My saddle and climbing method will fit into my backpack. I can quietly get places I wouldn’t dream of taking a climber. As far as trees with lots of limbs you should be climbing with a linesmans belt with a hang on stand so how does limbs make a hang on better?

 

[elk yinzer]

In really dense trees like hemlocks or white pines, branches get in the way of my tether/movement around the tree. Maybe I should rephrase that it takes maybe a little more planning on trees that have a lot of branches, like hemlocks, to get yourself setup just right. You need a little more room to "swing" whereas in a hangon I can be kind of boxed into a tight space with just enough room to maneuver. Certainly not a major difference or any concern. Not talking about climbing. My climbing system is exactly the same hangon or saddle, I even use a "mini treestand" platform.

 

[redsquirrel]

Hey newbie here. I just got my kestrel last week and have been out in the yard at ground level and have climbed a couple feet just with a step ladder and have discovered some questions that I didn’t know I would have before hand

1) I was intrigued with saddle hunting because it appeared that you could pretty much hunt any tree anywhere no matter the size or limbs but as I learn more I am realizing there are trees with too many limbs that are too big to be very useful and it is almost more like you need to have a tree that would meet the same qualifications as a climbing stand. Any tips on how to set up in a saddle in huge trees with multiple limbs and multiple trunks because that’s what I have at my place I don’t have a lot of the perfectly straight limbless trees?

2) Second reason I was interested is it looked extremely stealthy, and I am sure that I am not the epitome of stealthy at this point but even the best person scraping a rope up a tree with their lineman’s belt and then clipping on all types of stuff and Swinging your big tether around the tree a couple times and then clipping in. am I missing something here? (I’m sure I am) but how are you guys finding ways to be stealthy when you’re throwing your ropes around the tree and climbing up them? again thinking of climbing big trees not just 6 inch diameter straight trees?

3) is a rope man 1 a replacement for a Pristric knot? The knot on my teather from new tribe keeps getting stuck and not sliding ? And how do you use it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1. How are you climbing the tree? Huge tree's are definitely harder for (all types) of mobile hunting. The ability to preset these trees is where a saddle really shines in them.
2. They are very stealthy. I don't scrape my rope up the tree, I move it up and then lean into it. All of this comes down to more practice. On big trees where I do have to give either my lineman's belt or tether a toss to get it around I will try to set up with a branch on the other side of the tree. I will toss it gently over the branch and then reach around the other side to grab it. With practice you can do this very quiet.
3. Yes, buy 2 ropeman 1's and you'll never look back.

 

[g2outdoors]

Keep in mind climbing a tree is the same whether you use a lock on or saddle...assuming you are using a lineman belt. The difference comes at the end of the climb.

The difference is with a saddle you aren't hauling a giant hunk of metal up the tree as well.

The key to being quiet and stealthy is slowing down and being familiar with your gear. This is the same for any system.

@redsquirrel is right. Hunting giant trees is tough with any mobile system. If you can't fit your arms around the tree, it's going to be difficult. Hunting multiple trunked trees offer a lot of benefits with a saddle. But you need to plan your climb accordingly.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

 

[Plinker22]

Hey newbie here. I just got my kestrel and...

Pack that defected Kestrel up and ship it to TN.
I'll check it out for you and give you a detailed report of my finding. I issue no promises on when my report will be complete.
PM me for my address.

 

[Acts117]

Pack that defected Kestrel up and ship it to TN.
I'll check it out for you and give you a detailed report of my finding. I issue no promises on when my report will be complete.
PM me for my address.

Haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Acts117]

Thanks all for the tips and encouragement!
Some more questions.

1.)are there good videos you recommend on how to replace the prusic knot with a ropeman 1 safely? I have no experience with climbing or nots (I’m lucky if I tie my shoes right ) so with this important stuff I wanna do it right.

2.) along with mostly having huge trees with multiple limbs most of the trees I would want to set up in lean. So when hunting a leaning tree do you set up so the tree is leaning away from you or towards you?

Thanks y’all, if it wasn’t for this site I probably would’ve given up by now. I see the amazing advantages that this style of hunting will offer but the learning curve is definitely steeper than just a ladder stand from Walmart.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[redsquirrel]

Thanks all for the tips and encouragement!
Some more questions.

1.)are there good videos you recommend on how to replace the prusic knot with a ropeman 1 safely? I have no experience with climbing or nots (I’m lucky if I tie my shoes right ) so with this important stuff I wanna do it right.

2.) along with mostly having huge trees with multiple limbs most of the trees I would want to set up in lean. So when hunting a leaning tree do you set up so the tree is leaning away from you or towards you?

Thanks y’all, if it wasn’t for this site I probably would’ve given up by now. I see the amazing advantages that this style of hunting will offer but the learning curve is definitely steeper than just a ladder stand from Walmart.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

1. When you get the ropeman1, there will be an arrow pointing up. Make sure the arrow is pointing in the right direction on your tether and set up at ground level and try it out. There are only 2 ways to put it on so you'll figure it out quick if you did it wrong. You should test all your equipment out at ground level like this.
2. Yes, you want to hunt the side so the tree is leaning away from you. That way you can make gravity work for you rather than working against it.