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Top of stick as platform

Letemgrowitllshow said:
Did you doctor up the heliums or were they pretty sturdy as is?

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Sturdy as is brother! The top step is also surprisingly flat. The two tips of the steps and the middle of the "post" section are close to the same height. I personally found it comfortable to stand on with my boot running down the step.

I'm using the predator platform this year. Best money I've ever spent. Much less movement for me to get into position to shoot. I wasn't the best at working around the tree to get a shot, and in all honesty haven't really practiced to get better. The platform has solved that issue for me.
 
I have been practicing with 4 silent approach steps on a ratchet strap with my platform in my primary position. Best of both worlds and very easy to stay comfortable. I am building a XOP platform for short hunts 2hours.
 
I have a pre set tree with climbing sticks where there is a ton of branches and moving around the tree is not an option. I use the top of the stick as my main platform and use the branches to adjust my position and stay comfortable. But If I had the option of adding something else, anything else I would.
 
Slomo (Bowsite) said:
I have been practicing with 4 silent approach steps on a ratchet strap with my platform in my primary position. Best of both worlds and very easy to stay comfortable. I am building a XOP platform for short hunts 2hours.
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I'm interested in the silent approach steps as a platform. Can you get the strap tight enough so the steps don't move around?
 
floathunter3 said:
I'm interested in the silent approach steps as a platform. Can you get the strap tight enough so the steps don't move around?
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I tried using a Rachet strap w silent approach and they still moved around for me. If you using the pull strap that they supply w each step, you will never get it tight enough. You will need to use a boat buckle, OCB or racket strap to have any success getting it tight.


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Jefferson10940 said:
I tried using a Rachet strap w silent approach and they still moved around for me. If you using the pull strap that they supply w each step, you will never get it tight enough. You will need to use a boat buckle, OCB or racket strap to have any success getting it tight.


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Thanks! I might start with a ratchet strap then try a boat buckle and see how it works.
 
Letemgrowitllshow said:
Wondering if anybody has experience using the top of their climbing stick as a platform? I watched a video on YouTube of a guy (can't remember who) that was just using his climbing sticks as a platform. Seems like a good idea. Already bringing the sticks out to get to height, why not use them as a platform and save the weight?

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Works like a charm if you are a "sitter" as opposed to a "leaner". bringing one extra stick is just 2 to 2.5 extra pounds, rock solid. Perfect if you can't use screw in's.
 
Jefferson10940 said:
I have a pre set tree with climbing sticks where there is a ton of branches and moving around the tree is not an option. I use the top of the stick as my main platform and use the branches to adjust my position and stay comfortable. But If I had the option of adding something else, anything else I would.
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Pre set tree with summit steps and 2 WE stepps is not bad at all. But carrying buck steps around is a pain for a mobile hunter.
 
The silent approach steps have a little give to them.If you just catch the end of a step it may turn over on the strap if its not tight enough. As a result I always use a ratchet and keep it tight. I also use the Muddy pro sticks. They are great steps for climbing but I have reservations about using them for a platform . I have first hand knowledge and knocked one loose with my pack while I was hauling it up .I wasn't aware I had moved the step and as a result had the step kick off to one side as I was descending. I was using a lineman's belt ,full harness and I was attached to a safety line This was definitely a "Oh ****" moment. That being said I ALWAYS step on the center of the top step on my way down now. This reseats the step and prevents it from kicking out to the side . Lesson learned. lol
 
I use Muddy pro sticks too. And was planning to use 2 sticks as platform. But I just remembered that I have an old strap-on seat (supposed to only use it with your feet on the ground). I might experiment with that and a ratchet strap as a platform. Set it up at the same height as my top Muddy stick. Any thoughts on that?
 
PastorKen said:
I use Muddy pro sticks too. And was planning to use 2 sticks as platform. But I just remembered that I have an old strap-on seat (supposed to only use it with your feet on the ground). I might experiment with that and a ratchet strap as a platform. Set it up at the same height as my top Muddy stick. Any thoughts on that?
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Check out my DYI platform . You have the seat and thats the hard part to find. Easy to make and cheaper than a store bought setup
 
For those new to saddle hunting, I would strongly advise you to try to evaluate what type platform you think will be comfortable to your feet. This is real important for a "leaner" versus a "sitter" approach since a leaner will be putting the most pressure on their feet. After experimenting with both approaches, I found that my feet appreciate as much surface area as possible to spread out the pressure. This makes the top of a climbing stick unacceptable for my liking. Although a double top step would be a big improvement, I probably still wouldn't like to spend an entire morning with that as my only platform. I found Ameristeps to be on the narrow side, at least for for my liking, so I strongly suspect that the Silent Approach steps would be even less comfortable. Also, it looks like most are having trouble getting the SA steps tight on the tree so I personally wouldn't like that as a platform. Anyway, that's sort of how I evaluate platforms.

One other important aspect to foot comfort is your choice in boots. Obviously, leather boots with rigid soles will yield the most comfort. Foot comfort is a major factor that determines how long I can remain in my perch and how still I can be. IMO, it can make or break your hunt so choose wisely.
 
DaveH said:
For those new to saddle hunting, I would strongly advise you to try to evaluate what type platform you think will be comfortable to your feet. This is real important for a "leaner" versus a "sitter" approach since a leaner will be putting the most pressure on their feet. After experimenting with both approaches, I found that my feet appreciate as much surface area as possible to spread out the pressure. This makes the top of a climbing stick unacceptable for my liking. Although a double top step would be a big improvement, I probably still wouldn't like to spend an entire morning with that as my only platform. I found Ameristeps to be on the narrow side, at least for for my liking, so I strongly suspect that the Silent Approach steps would be even less comfortable. Also, it looks like most are having trouble getting the SA steps tight on the tree so I personally wouldn't like that as a platform. Anyway, that's sort of how I evaluate platforms.

One other important aspect to foot comfort is your choice in boots. Obviously, leather boots with rigid soles will yield the most comfort. Foot comfort is a major factor that determines how long I can remain in my perch and how still I can be. IMO, it can make or break your hunt so choose wisely.
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Very well put.
 
I'll set all day using my LW sticks and a couple screw ins. Sitting and leaning in rubber boots. And I'm not a dainty little feller either, pushing 280. But I find it plenty comfortable and easy to get around the tree. Have some Muddy pro's, but they're too noisy and wiggly. Looking forward to Dan's sticks, I expect the double top will let me lose a screw in, or Ameristep if I'm on public.
 
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