Greetings.
Second year saddle hunting and set-up has already undergone some tuning. Last year I climbed with Predator platform in my pack. Once up, I set it and started hunting. Wondering if there are folks who attach Predator to back of saddle for easy access.... If so, how do you do it? Looking for an easy and quiet way to attach platform. Thanks for suggestions and any pics.
I walk in with the Predator attached to the outside of my pack, climb with it attached like that, and then remove it at height without taking the pack off my back.
I took 4 bungee cord loops with the ball ends they sell everywhere. I can't get my amazon account to cooperate to get the link, but the loops are around 6 inches long.
I removed the balls from 2 of these. They are paired vertically on my pack. To one side, I have a loop with ball girth hitched to a tie down point on my pack. Above it, I have a loop with ball removed. This is repeated on the other side of the pack.
I have everything spaced so that I can lay my platform flat on the pack, snake the ball-less loop through one hole in the platform, and then attach it to its cousin that still has a ball. Do this on the other side as well.
Quiet (if you are careful and don't let the bungee cord with the plastic ball release....that side stays in your hand once you do your thumb flick move). Never had it fall off while walking. One less thing to move around while getting ready. At height, reach around with one hand and grab the platform and use the other to disconnect the loops.
Downsides: looks DIY, might make noise hitting the platform against brush but this hasn't been an issue for me since the pack and platform sit so flat against me. I never remember thinking (after 2 years and 60 or more hunts) that the platform ever made noise back there.