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20+ feet with 9.5oz.....

denots

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2017
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Denham Springs, Louisiana
What is that..............cheater.
c38f55c071466d7f4118e448ae1a68c8.jpg


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Ted Bright

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Nov 30, 2017
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Excellent Jared Shaffer. That’s definitely an effective method. I’ve done similar with the cordless drill as well but I really wanted to be public land friendly so I went to the Cranfords.

Drilling and tapping can save time on subsequent climbs but the first time is way longer and I also rarely hunt the same tree twice.


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flinginairos

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Sep 19, 2014
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Excellent Jared Shaffer. That’s definitely an effective method. I’ve done similar with the cordless drill as well but I really wanted to be public land friendly so I went to the Cranfords.

Drilling and tapping can save time on subsequent climbs but the first time is way longer and I also rarely hunt the same tree twice.


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Yep! I have several trees that are good every year so I will most likely prep those for certain winds. I need to try those cranfords they looked pretty slick!
 

EricS

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Dec 14, 2016
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That’s pretty slick. I’m wanting to give the cranfords a try with a five step aider using the @redsquirrel method of a tether on the tree with the aider attached to it. With careful placement I should be able to place the top step on my aider even with the cranford and be able to keep both feet at the same level while attaching the next step. It would probably be too noisy on pine but great on hardwoods.
 

Ontariofarmer

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Dec 25, 2015
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Excellent Jared Shaffer. That’s definitely an effective method. I’ve done similar with the cordless drill as well but I really wanted to be public land friendly so I went to the Cranfords.

Drilling and tapping can save time on subsequent climbs but the first time is way longer and I also rarely hunt the same tree twice.


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I suppose you could use cranfords or squirrel steps
I have tried a 5 step aider with squirrel steps It works well too



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onestringer

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Aug 28, 2018
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Guys I have to say something here. This is all nice and I am far from an experienced saddle hunter with only one season under my belt. However I just completed my 36th year bow hunting.......geez I am old. Someone is gonna die saddle hunting in the very near future. Just be safe.
 
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flinginairos

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Sep 19, 2014
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Guys I have to say something here. This is all nice and I am far from an experienced saddle hunter with only one season under my belt. However I just completed my 36th year bow hunting.......geez I am old. Someone is gonna die saddle hunting in the very near future. Just be safe.

This method is no different than any other aider method. Some folks don't like climbing with aiders and that's totally fine. With your linemans rope on and tight I think this method is safe, or I wouldn't have posted it. I feel this method is safer and easier than the knaider/swaider on the WE steps.
 

Ontariofarmer

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Dec 25, 2015
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Long aiders are no problem for this 61 year old. I feel safe but I have practised lots I have had as many sticks kickout as I have had aiders kick out

That said the one stick method looks even safer. I am always tethered with the @Cain method


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flinginairos

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Sep 19, 2014
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Long aiders are no problem for this 61 year old. I feel safe but I have practised lots I have had as many sticks kickout as I have had aiders kick out

That said the one stick method looks even safer. I am always tethered with the @Cain method


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I need to revisit the one stick method using the Cain technique. Looks pretty dang slick!
 

Benman

Active Member
Jan 23, 2019
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Cain’s method of one sticking feels as safe and in control as any method I’ve tried. It’s a fun way to climb, not to mention you move a good distance up the tree with each stick move. I’m using a mantis stick and a two step aider.
 

rutjr

Well-Known Member
Oct 6, 2018
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Cumberland, RI
That's what is great about this site! All these awesome ideas!
I started out the 2018 season with my Millennium lock ons and Summit climber and ending up with a Kestrel and bolts. A few years ago I fell and since then have not felt totally comfortable in my tree stands, even with a safety harness. With a harness you can still fall you just may not hit the ground. When I got into a saddle everything changed, from the time you leave the ground you are tied into the tree, you may slip but cannot fall. I'm not saying this is a reason to be careless but these methods of climbing and sitting in trees are much, much safer than treestands.
 
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EricS

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Dec 14, 2016
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Guys I have to say something here. This is all nice and I am far from an experienced saddle hunter with only one season under my belt. However I just completed my 36th year bow hunting.......geez I am old. Someone is gonna die saddle hunting in the very near future. Just be safe.
To be fair climbing methods can be used universally between saddle hunters and treestand users. We do seem to take it to the extreme sometimes. I think if you are going to use this method you need to have a way to self rescue and a plan to implement it. I have the ezcut and am really interested in using the bolt system mostly for presets. You guys that are using it for run and gun mobile sets I have a few questions. Do you find many places on public land where bolts are legal but spurs are not? If spurs are legal are they not worth the extra weight for climbing ease?
 
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Ontariofarmer

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Dec 25, 2015
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I resent yinz guys with squirrel DNA. No friggin way I am trying this one.

With good technique and practice you will evolve into a flying red squirrel
Natural selection will remove all that do not become squirrels.
And I am a creationist Created to climb safely
Someone will likely have a serious fall due to equipment failure or user error. All climbing is not risk free but saddle hunting is safe when done well.
Climbing with a linemans belt does reduce but not eliminate risk. Climbing with a tether reduces the risk closer to zero
Most of life is not risk free
Handling a loaded shotgun in a tree is risky.
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Ontariofarmer

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Dec 25, 2015
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Cain’s method of one sticking feels as safe and in control as any method I’ve tried. It’s a fun way to climb, not to mention you move a good distance up the tree with each stick move. I’m using a mantis stick and a two step aider.
There are less pieces to fiddle with too. Nothing to hang on my saddle and less things to make noise and fairly fast and only a bit over 2 pounds and safe.
 
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BassBoysLLP

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Sep 28, 2014
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I like it. This method really shines for a run and gun method for a backcountry hunt or hunt where you hiking several miles with limited pack space. it is tough to beat the combined packability and weight of CF bolts. Well done.

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Ontariofarmer

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Dec 25, 2015
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The versa strap does lock down nice on the carbon bolts and to your foot as well. It seems safe enough to me. Sorry for taking the post off topic.
 

skyjacker

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Nov 21, 2018
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I would climb Cain's method with a lineman's belt and the tether. Otherwise, during the climb I think the tether has way too much slack in the system. Taking a fall with slack in the system is not just about gear failing, it can do some serious damage to your body.