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The Unofficial Saddle Hunters Tree Climbing Competition!

Who thinks this would be a fun idea and want to join?

  • I think it's a great idea.

    Votes: 10 24.4%

  • I like it AND want to join.

    Votes: 7 17.1%

  • I think its dangerous and crazy.

    Votes: 12 29.3%

  • I dont see the need for it.

    Votes: 21 51.2%
  • Total voters
    41
I didn’t see an option for “I think it’s a great idea, and I’d pay to watch it.” I can see this becoming a serious event. Somebody get ESPN8 “The Ocho” on the line...

I mean there’s professional cornhole for Pete’s sake!
 
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I have made the first rule change to the original post, wdyt of those of you who have voted so far? Would that be safe enough to convince you to at least not think of the idea as crazy and dangerous?
 
Like the idea. Competition always leads to innovation. More innovation leads to good things for all saddlehunters even if they don't participate in the competition. I'd suggest some kind of archery component addition, like you have to pop 3 balloons at certain locations from height.

This isn't any kind of official blessing on behalf of any moderators, just my personal opinion.

 
Samcirrus said:
I have made the first rule change to the original post, wdyt of those of you who have voted so far? Would that be safe enough to convince you to at least not think of the idea as crazy and dangerous?
Click to expand...
Sam, I have two comments:

1. In order to have a realistic comparison of climbing methods based on time, it should include all the time, starting from when you arrive at the tree, nothing unpacked and nothing in hand. The problem is that if someone is carrying two separate methods, that might be a lot to carry.

2. I do climb on multiple methods and so this isn't a selfish statement, but a lot of our brothers climb one way, and are good at it. Lets include em. Consider that each submission should be a vid of ONE climb. Give recognition to the fastest. And for anybody who submits to videos, you would just add the times together and recognize the fastest combined time.

3. I agree on no throwball presets for rope climbers. Even though we use them all the time, it just would not be a fair comparison next to a different method that has no advantage in the canopy. Also, if you did wanna see two climbs, you would need to specify if the Rope climber needed to use his throw ball a second time after executing an SRT climb and then going on to a d r t climb, or whatever.

4. In keeping with the theme of no presets, although i like the added rule for a safety tie in, having that tie in UP on the tree before the climb is unrealistic. The whole point of my original suggestion is that no matter how we climb, we need to install our tie in or tie ins and manage them as we climb. The problem is that if you impose this rule, a lotta methods are gonna get slowed down because that's not what they're doing today. It's your call. But I just don't want anyone getting hurt cuz they hurried.

As for me, you can count me in. I am not planning on winning anything but if my climbing inspires anybody to make safer choices, it's still a win.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
John RB said:
Sam, I have two comments:

1. In order to have a realistic comparison of climbing methods based on time, it should include all the time, starting from when you arrive at the tree, nothing unpacked and nothing in hand. The problem is that if someone is carrying two separate methods, that might be a lot to carry.

2. I do climb on multiple methods and so this isn't a selfish statement, but a lot of our brothers climb one way, and are good at it. Lets include em. Consider that each submission should be a vid of ONE climb. Give recognition to the fastest. And for anybody who submits to videos, you would just add the times together and recognize the fastest combined time.

3. I agree on no throwball presets for rope climbers. Even though we use them all the time, it just would not be a fair comparison next to a different method that has no advantage in the canopy. Also, if you did wanna see two climbs, you would need to specify if the Rope climber needed to use his throw ball a second time after executing an SRT climb and then going on to a d r t climb, or whatever.

4. In keeping with the theme of no presets, although i like the added rule for a safety tie in, having that tie in UP on the tree before the climb is unrealistic. The whole point of my original suggestion is that no matter how we climb, we need to install our tie in or tie ins and manage them as we climb. The problem is that if you impose this rule, a lotta methods are gonna get slowed down because that's not what they're doing today. It's your call. But I just don't want anyone getting hurt cuz they hurried.

As for me, you can count me in. I am not planning on winning anything but if my climbing inspires anybody to make safer choices, it's still a win.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yes, I do think we could have 2 categories. Fastest single method and fastest double climb( per your point 1, it could be filmed in 2 separate climbs days apart and put together in 1 video.)
All the "rules" would be voted on by the joining participants. Including the lifeline one. I personally don't think its necessary as I dont think any mature adult here in this group would risk injury or life for bragging rights or a prize of any sort.
That being said, if we all agreed to have a lifeline, it would be off camera as to how ppl set it up beforehand, and would be an equal pain to us all in our normal climbing method.
I really think ppl will have many runs up a tree before they decide that 1 is fast, quiet, and safe enough to post for the competition.
 
I think of the lifeline idea as a belay system in a rock climbing race. It's pre setup and is an "invisible " safety net. If someone was racing up a tree while being videoed, and had a slip or mistake and got caught by the lifeline, I highly doubt they'll submit it as their competition climb. They'll try again.
Maybe if they are funny enough or it was a good lesson they can share it separately as a blooper after the competition is over.
And no one will have any magic number of minutes to race to until the deadline afternoon of submission!
 
In my head : "Hmmm, I wonder how many are going to risk injury and jeopardize their hunting season..."

Yeah, not for me. I'm too old.

In my head: " More like old enough to keep my ego in check and make smart decisions..."

I'll watch the videos for sure!

In my head: " Yup, only watching for the wreck, just like a NASCAR race..."

In my head: " Note to self - add an injury column to the 2022 contest statistics... "

:tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink::tonguewink:

Serious note, be safe guys!!
 
Is time the only metric being considered here? Should other variables/categories/elements be measured such as safety, system weight, sound, heart rate, etc…Is the focus on this competition to find the best “hunting situation” climber/system or the fastest climber? Maybe some things to consider.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
[mention]Samcirrus [/mention] might want to update the title or first post to point out the poll on the full SH.com website. Those of us using Tapatalk won’t know it’s there unless we read all the posts.

And I look forward to having a CF platform!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I think to accurately depict the speed it would have to be separate categories divided by climbing method. There is too many variables between methods IMO.

On another note, me personally, I love competition but I would rather take my time setting up that way I am set up exactly how I want to be and comfortable for my hunt. I get this is just a competition but like others have said, why invite room to get hurt.

Stay safe guys. It's not going to matter how fast you were if you're paralyzed.
 
To me with this being a hunting type of system, would favor a competition that would include smoothness, noise, breathing rate with sweat being a big factor of scent control and maybe repeatability? That would really make people focus on their way of climbing over flying up and maybe skipping a safety step. With 2 videos of the same setup with an average time would be nice to see for us newer guys and how repeatable it is.
I'm definitely in for watching and learning how everyone climbs and packs there stuff in, this will show a ton of ideas and can help a lot of people find better ways to setup.

Stay safe out there.
 
Wow, theres lots to reply too.
FrankNess14 said:
[mention]Samcirrus [/mention] might want to update the title or first post to point out the poll on the full SH.com website. Those of us using Tapatalk won’t know it’s there unless we read all the posts.

And I look forward to having a CF platform!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Will do.
 
blt348 said:
Is time the only metric being considered here? Should other variables/categories/elements be measured such as safety, system weight, sound, heart rate, etc…Is the focus on this competition to find the best “hunting situation” climber/system or the fastest climber? Maybe some things to consider.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
The idea for THIS competition is to have fun improving the smoothness and thereby speed of your system, as well as 1 other system, to make you more versatile.
Time is really the only measurable thing in a contest like this that is done remotely.
I have no idea how we would measure increase of heart rate and amounts of sweat. Because you have as many tries as you want to get your best climb, those things are going to be all over the place. So they won't be included.
Yes safety and quietness(sound) will be a part of it.
 
Irishman said:
To me with this being a hunting type of system, would favor a competition that would include smoothness, noise, breathing rate with sweat being a big factor of scent control and maybe repeatability? That would really make people focus on their way of climbing over flying up and maybe skipping a safety step. With 2 videos of the same setup with an average time would be nice to see for us newer guys and how repeatable it is.
I'm definitely in for watching and learning how everyone climbs and packs there stuff in, this will show a ton of ideas and can help a lot of people find better ways to setup.

Stay safe out there.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is one MAJOR intention of mine for this competition. Watching people's BEST climb.
I mean no disrespect but there are alot of videos on YouTube of climbs that someone has just learned how to do and then makes a hard to watch video filled with mistakes and lound clanging.
I personally want to see how smooth and fast, yet safe folks can be in their method.
Also many folks have different "boasts" of time for this climbing method or another. Let's see it.
I hope people, especially new saddlehunter's will see all the different styles at their best and have a better visual of which methods they want to learn.
 
Everyone reading this thread before 10 AM 01/14/22 can look at the First post to see some changes and options we will choose from. As well as some further clarification.
 
The only saddle hunting "competition" that interests me is my wits versus the deer's. If I win, I have venison in the freezer. If they win, I eat tag soup.

That "competition" already has enough "rules". The rules of physics and safety, which if you run afoul of, have serious consequences, and game laws, which also can have serious consequences in the breaking of.

Why does everything has to become a competition?

Count me out. Not even interested in watching the vids, should this come to pass.
 
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