What to purchase.........

[Peterk1234]

I have been reading every possible thread on this site. Lot's of great info here. I am so sold on going the saddle route and getting rid of the heavy ladder stand, the old hang on and heavy climbing sticks, and finally my fifteen year summit climber (the last one is such a bitch to lug around).

I will hunt the rest of the season with my existing gear but I am going to slowly acquire the necessary goodies to make the switch. I want to do it once, and do it right. Ok, maybe not once, but I want to pretty damn close to once.

Kestrel Aero Hunter will be the saddle. So, first question: Do I go with the kit? Back support looks nice, but I wonder if people find that they need it. Also, the lineman's belt and hunter tree strap are a bit on the expensive side. I can make them for a lot less, especially since I have carabiners lying around the house from my climbing days. There is something to be said for just getting it and being done with it as well.

It looks like climbing sticks are the way to go for getting up the tree. The heliums seem to be the best bang for the lightweight buck. Wish it came in a pack of four but adding an aider here and there seems like a great solution and helps to keep weight down. I like to get to at least 18 feet.

Jim's stepps will be the platform of choice. Are the primal versions just as good, or pay the extra few bucks and go for the original?

Currently, I own a very basic camo backpack. I really like the idea of these smaller pouches. What are you guys using, and how many?

Finally, need something to lug the sticks and bow, I think. Or do I just sling it over the shoulder and carry the bow because I can fit everything I need into the pouches? I eat and drink very little when I am in a tree. I need my crap to dress the deer and haul it out, grunt tube, bleat can, bow hanger, gear hanger and a way to carry some clothes.

I'm sure I will have more questions soon. Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Pete

 

[justsomedude]

You can order your own rope and with the money you save, buy a Ropeman and greatly improve the linesmans belt.

For sticks I opted for Muddy Pro. I’d rather not have to mod anything. If you hang a 5 step Aider on the bottom stick, you’ll be good to go.

Get the Wildedge Stepps.

Pouches....I like Tactical Tailor. They’re on amazon. I don’t carry a bunch of weight in them though.

Look at Boudreaux YouTube about the Outpaq

 

[justsomedude]

Look at www.strapworks.com universal carry strap for carrying sticks. There are threads here about it

 

[redsquirrel]

Welcome to the site! It's generally a good plan. If you're comfortable with knots you can make your own straps. You don't want to put too much on your saddle it will weigh it down. I just have my tether and linemans. That way I can grab my saddle and it's all together ready to hang.

 

[kyler1945]

Consider a larger daypack if you go with Jim Stepps or rope climbing. I have an alpz and a sitka toolbucket that I can put my saddle, all hunting accessories, and either my SRT equipment, or 12 jim stepps (in their bag of course) for climbing, and platform. Either of those packs would support sticks being strapped to them i'd imagine. The tool bucket has a seperable pack that you can put the sticks behind to keep the weight close to you.

 

[GCTerpfan]

Jim's stepps will be the platform of choice. Are the primal versions just as good, or pay the extra few bucks and go for the original?

I bought the primal knockoffs in an attempt to save a few dollars. Shortly after getting them I cut off the straps and ordered replacement ropes from Wildedge, I now also plan on ordering the bag from Wildedge, so in the end I will have paid just about as much as ordering the originals. When I order my son a set it will be directly from Wildedge.

 

[Root]

The primals work for a preset tree. Anything else I wouldn't want the loud buckles to deal with. Plus as a platform you have to try to hook the buckles up behind the tree which isn't always fun. I now have both and I won't be buying more primals.

 

[Apex7]

I have been reading every possible thread on this site. Lot's of great info here. I am so sold on going the saddle route and getting rid of the heavy ladder stand, the old hang on and heavy climbing sticks, and finally my fifteen year summit climber (the last one is such a bitch to lug around).

I will hunt the rest of the season with my existing gear but I am going to slowly acquire the necessary goodies to make the switch. I want to do it once, and do it right. Ok, maybe not once, but I want to pretty damn close to once.

Kestrel Aero Hunter will be the saddle. So, first question: Do I go with the kit? Back support looks nice, but I wonder if people find that they need it. Also, the lineman's belt and hunter tree strap are a bit on the expensive side. I can make them for a lot less, especially since I have carabiners lying around the house from my climbing days. There is something to be said for just getting it and being done with it as well.

It looks like climbing sticks are the way to go for getting up the tree. The heliums seem to be the best bang for the lightweight buck. Wish it came in a pack of four but adding an aider here and there seems like a great solution and helps to keep weight down. I like to get to at least 18 feet.

Jim's stepps will be the platform of choice. Are the primal versions just as good, or pay the extra few bucks and go for the original?

Currently, I own a very basic camo backpack. I really like the idea of these smaller pouches. What are you guys using, and how many?

Finally, need something to lug the sticks and bow, I think. Or do I just sling it over the shoulder and carry the bow because I can fit everything I need into the pouches? I eat and drink very little when I am in a tree. I need my crap to dress the deer and haul it out, grunt tube, bleat can, bow hanger, gear hanger and a way to carry some clothes.

I'm sure I will have more questions soon. Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Pete

Ke

I have been reading every possible thread on this site. Lot's of great info here. I am so sold on going the saddle route and getting rid of the heavy ladder stand, the old hang on and heavy climbing sticks, and finally my fifteen year summit climber (the last one is such a bitch to lug around).

I will hunt the rest of the season with my existing gear but I am going to slowly acquire the necessary goodies to make the switch. I want to do it once, and do it right. Ok, maybe not once, but I want to pretty damn close to once.

Kestrel Aero Hunter will be the saddle. So, first question: Do I go with the kit? Back support looks nice, but I wonder if people find that they need it. Also, the lineman's belt and hunter tree strap are a bit on the expensive side. I can make them for a lot less, especially since I have carabiners lying around the house from my climbing days. There is something to be said for just getting it and being done with it as well.

It looks like climbing sticks are the way to go for getting up the tree. The heliums seem to be the best bang for the lightweight buck. Wish it came in a pack of four but adding an aider here and there seems like a great solution and helps to keep weight down. I like to get to at least 18 feet.

Jim's stepps will be the platform of choice. Are the primal versions just as good, or pay the extra few bucks and go for the original?

Currently, I own a very basic camo backpack. I really like the idea of these smaller pouches. What are you guys using, and how many?

Finally, need something to lug the sticks and bow, I think. Or do I just sling it over the shoulder and carry the bow because I can fit everything I need into the pouches? I eat and drink very little when I am in a tree. I need my crap to dress the deer and haul it out, grunt tube, bleat can, bow hanger, gear hanger and a way to carry some clothes.

I'm sure I will have more questions soon. Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Pete

Kestrel full kit. I use 4 lonewolf sticks with the carry stap. Ameristeps 5 on a ratchet strap. Badlands monster fanny or Field & Stream backpack has a bunch of pockets. I put the Kestrel in my pack and put it on at the tree. Also use stepp ladder with aider.

 

[Peterk1234]

Thank you. I like the suggestions. The Ropeman idea, that is slick. Does it make sense on the tether as well, with a prusik for redundancy? Definitely have to do more research regarding packs.

 

[huck72412]

Be careful with the Kestrel. It rose to stardom as quickly as Vanilla Ice. And potentially losing its luster as quickly also.The classifieds are filling up with them.

 

[Peterk1234]

Be careful with the Kestrel. It rose to stardom as quickly as Vanilla Ice. And apparently losing its popularity as quickly. The classifieds are filling up with them.

Interesting point. What else are folks using? It seems that a couple other manufacturers that are in the hunter saddle biz are retiring/done.

 

[huck72412]

Interesting point. What else are folks using? It seems that a couple other manufacturers that are in the hunter saddle biz are retiring/done.

I prefer the Trophyline even thought it's the antiquated option by comparison. NewTribe still offers the Evolution. Plenty of people love that one. Oh , and there's a small company out of Savannah Ga called " G2Outdoors". The owner pretty much fashioned the first and only saddle design for women. It's called the sitdrag. A lot of women on the forum prefer it over anything else.

 

[sir_tob]

Get an Ernie Power platform. I tried several different platforms from tree steps to jim steps ( I really wanted to like the Jim Steps and love them as steps alone, but not as a platform. The Ernie platform is a real help on the back and also with any hip pinching.. Many times I just stand instead of leaning against the tether. That variability is great for comfort, I tried the 'back brace' but found it one more thing to carry without a lot of benefit... just stand up straight for a bit, or put knees on tree (using a ground hunting seat strapped to tree instead of knee pads). After its all done and after doing it a year, keep it simple. Get a Kestrel, tether, linemans rope, and an Ernie platform. Climb however you like, I decided to one stick it even though it's horribly inefficient. It is lite, I'm finding myself set up lower and lower due to hunting marsh edges and it's been great for that. The most efficient climbing method is spurs but you can't 'legally' use them on public land. Sticks are ok but heavy for long long hikes. With the sticks I couldn't get below 22 lbs of gear in my pack.. LOL.. one stick is less. That's fine for short walks.

Have fun and take your time.. adjust and ask questions.

 

[1saddleguy]

Interesting point. What else are folks using? It seems that a couple other manufacturers that are in the hunter saddle biz are retiring/done.

Good point. We have 35 years experience making saddles and serving the climbing industry. We are always looking to innovate and think outside the box.
The Kestrel may not be for everyone but it was designed by a business that already knew what they were doing with the input and testing by hunters who had experience in hunting this way. Returns are very few. We also have an excellent return policy if you decide not to keep it and it is in unused.
Happy safe hunting whatever you choose.

 

[Justhanginground]

Be careful with the Kestrel. It rose to stardom as quickly as Vanilla Ice. And potentially losing its luster as quickly also.The classifieds are filling up with them.

What classifieds ? New to sight. What's wrong with the Kestrel? Just ordered do I need to cancel? New to saddle hunting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[huck72412]

What classifieds ? New to sight. What's wrong with the Kestrel? Just ordered do I need to cancel? New to saddle hunting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm teasing. Just poking at a few people. I've heard nothing but good things about the Kestrel. I have one on order myself.

 

[deleted_user01]

I also prefer my trophyline....I have a modified Sit/drag with rc harness backup as well.
Comfort has been stated before....you must condition yourself....Saddle time and finding your settings can really only be done by you. Yes members here can post what works for them but in reality it ultimately comes down to personal trial and error.
Good luck with whatever saddle you get, give it some time and don't give up after only a couple hunts.

 

[redsquirrel]

Comfort has been stated before....you must condition yourself....Saddle time and finding your settings can really only be done by you. Yes members here can post what works for them but in reality it ultimately comes down to personal trial and error.
Good luck with whatever saddle you get, give it some time and don't give up after only a couple hunts.

Excellent advice

 

[TreeHopper2023]

just got notice that my saddle will be delivered Saturday !! #525 ordered it April 9th 2017 just now getting it!
what a long wait. good luck everyone.

 

[redsquirrel]

just got notice that my saddle will be delivered Saturday !! #525 ordered it April 9th 2017 just now getting it!
what a long wait. good luck everyone.

April??