Wedge Loc strap and stand base pictures.
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On the fly vs Preset stand locations
- Thread starter Stykbow1
- Start date
I seldom leave anything in the woods anymore and hunt almost exclusively on the fly or with preset trees with nothing in them. I use a modified saddle and three modified helium sticks. My platform now is a boat buckle strap with four strap on steps. I can hunt up to 18 foot with this set up and it all fits easily into my daypack. My total weight for this system is Saddle - about 1.5 pounds, platform about 2 pounds, three sticks with ropes and foot straps - 6 pounds, lineman's belt is less then a pound - total weigh is around 10 pounds. since I carry my sticks and wear my saddle in - I usually only have 3 pounds of equipment added to my pack. As far as set up - it takes me less then 15 minutes to climb a tree, set my platform, attach tree rope, pull up hang bow and pack and this is working very slowly without making much noise. The most noise made is setting the sticks in place by firmly pressing down on them before I step onto them. Occasionally I will preset a tree and leave tone or two Jim Stepps in them - but since I moved to the boat strap I seldom do that anymore. I might carry one with me with a rope modification if I plan on sitting in tree all day.
Like mentioned above I go to great lengths to keep my spots hidden not only from deer but from other hunters as well. Since I hunt public you cannot predict where hunters will bust in and ruin a spot. Especially with internet now telling them to look in these overlooked spots. SO I like to stay with a set up I can move on a minutes notice and not feel like I am starting a new process. Also, I love the freedom it gives me to jump over a hundred yards or so if wind changes or I see a travel pattern. Flexibility to me is the name of the game and preset trees, while helpful, are only one card in the deck. Don't under estimate ground hunting - I have a mobile set up with a bow blind and ghillie just for that as well
Like mentioned above I go to great lengths to keep my spots hidden not only from deer but from other hunters as well. Since I hunt public you cannot predict where hunters will bust in and ruin a spot. Especially with internet now telling them to look in these overlooked spots. SO I like to stay with a set up I can move on a minutes notice and not feel like I am starting a new process. Also, I love the freedom it gives me to jump over a hundred yards or so if wind changes or I see a travel pattern. Flexibility to me is the name of the game and preset trees, while helpful, are only one card in the deck. Don't under estimate ground hunting - I have a mobile set up with a bow blind and ghillie just for that as well
Another advantage that I wanted to mention for on the fly hunting is that if you completely blow it on a given hunt you only blew that spot and you can just move on to the next. Since I've been fooling around with the climbing rope this year I've had a couple of hunts where I either couldn't get my throwbag over the right branch or got my throwline tangled in the tree and I ended up only getting a 45 minute hunt in before dark. I didn't worry about it because if I did screw up the spot it is only 1 spot that I might not even go back to this year.
Mike K said:
Mike- I am still a novice at this so I don't want to give you too much information because I don't want to give any misinformation. I am only going give general information and point you to links for specific information.
Here is a good link I've been referring to: http://www.treeclimbercoalition.org/Tre ... icleid=174
DIYSaddler
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2015
- Messages
- 632
Mike K said:
Sherrill Tree has a great knot section @ http://www.sherrilltree.com/Knots
I tend to use a sewn in eye on an isolated limb. If you are going to base tie there are a few different options. YouTube has some very good. I'm a fan of the cornell tree climbing institute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXpPqEk54gg
The areas that I'm primarily hunting are all urban bowhunting locations that don't allow much flexibility as far as stand location. I have one or two trees I can setup in and still be legal and on the property I have permission to hunt. So in those areas it is easy to have both locations setup but in most cases the trees are only 20 or 30 yards apart not enough to make a difference if the wind shifts or I blow the hunt.
I am definitely intrigued with the whole rope climbing method for areas like the Delaware Water Gap or any area that has restrictions. I would also consider it for areas like the pines where the sap from the trees can get all over anything that you screw into the tree. It would probably be a lot better for all the equipment not to be covered in pine sap or myself for that matter.
Two other reasons I like preset locations is time constraints many times I'm traveling over an hour or more to my hunting areas and being able to get up the tree as quickly as possible is a benefit. Many times I might only have a couple hours after work and it works better for me that way. The second reason is that in most of the areas I hunt if it is a core area this year it is also next year. I have a stand I put up a couple of years ago on a friend's property and it has consistently been the best for big buck sightings and kills.
Good Hunting,
I am definitely intrigued with the whole rope climbing method for areas like the Delaware Water Gap or any area that has restrictions. I would also consider it for areas like the pines where the sap from the trees can get all over anything that you screw into the tree. It would probably be a lot better for all the equipment not to be covered in pine sap or myself for that matter.
Two other reasons I like preset locations is time constraints many times I'm traveling over an hour or more to my hunting areas and being able to get up the tree as quickly as possible is a benefit. Many times I might only have a couple hours after work and it works better for me that way. The second reason is that in most of the areas I hunt if it is a core area this year it is also next year. I have a stand I put up a couple of years ago on a friend's property and it has consistently been the best for big buck sightings and kills.
Good Hunting,