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About to dive in head first

C

ChromeKype

New Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2021
Messages
8
Hey guys, wanted to say thanks for all of the insight as I’ve been a public land DIY guy for the past few years running with a couple different hang on sets. I’m going to make the jump to 100% saddle hunting this year.

I have a pretty unique set of needs that revolve around my hunting transportation. Mainly it’s because I sold my truck and am going to be hunting out of my wife’s Corolla this year . So not really any room for stands and lots of gear. No deer cart or anything either.

Here is my plan.

Move to saddle and platform, keep my sticks and aider set up, Buy a western style hunting pack and bone out my deer in the field. I think this will work fine as I have a few totes I can keep in the car to put the meat in once I get back to the car (in the game bags).

I want to keep this set up as streamlined as possible and am looking to utilize the pack to haul in the platform and sticks. I’m a bigger guy, but am usually hiking in over a mile and am pretty athletic, looking to start with a platform as opposed to a ROS so my feet don’t ache (do a lot of all day sits).

Gear I am about to splurge on.

1. Recon saddle ( do I need to buy a bridge for this?)
2. 3 whoopie slings for my xop sticks
3. 3 Amsteel aiders for my XOP sticks
4. XOP edge platform or ridge runner? Input? - big feet. But need a platform to fit in pack so no xl
5. Amsteel daisy chain gear strap
6. 2 8mm tether/ lineman’s ropes/2 kongs/ 2 Kong carabiners
7. Hero clip and a couple small carabiners
8. Kuiu pro 3600 pack set and game bags


Anything I’m missing, any other recommendations?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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1. Recon comes with a tubular web bridge, so no, you won't need to buy one. I'd plan on putting the Recon in the pack for the walk in and put it on at the tree. I tried my son's Recon, and I think it pretty much sucks to walk in. There are some mods that help, but it will fit into a pack pretty compactly. I went with a Cruzr XC and find it more comfortable to use and practically unnoticeable to walk in with as long as you don't put the leg straps around your legs until you get to the tree. It is more expensive though, but worth it to me. YMMV. :wink:
2. What is a whoopie sling?
3. If you haven't used aiders before, I'd recommend adjustable ones. I've had quite a time figuring out just what the best spacing is for me.
4. Can't help you much. I have size 8 1/2 feet, so I went with a Tethrd Predator and have plenty of room on it.
5. I made mine out of paracord...$3.79 for 50 feet at Walmart. It's rated for 110 pounds, which is plenty especially since it is doubled in a daisy chain.
6. I have one 8mm lineman's rope with a prusik and DIY tender...yeah, I'm cheap. I added 40' of 9mm climbing rope with a quick link, a Mammut Smart 2.0 and a Mad Rock HMS carabiner. If you are going with 8mm rope, the Kongs are the way to go though.
7. Sounds about right
8. I've got a truck, so I'm sticking with my SOG day pack and a deer drag.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and be careful not to leave blood in the wife's Corolla!
 
I suggest testing how you like the whoopie slings for climbing sticks attachment methods. Its not the most user friendly. Since it does not seem like you are trying to go as lightest as possible, the stock cam straps that come with sticks are still the best IMHO.

I would look at the Trophyline EDP if you want something that is rock solid but not too big.

Have a back up emergency strap that you can 2TC climb down in case your sticks ever fail. One of your lineman rope can serve this purpose, just have a loop end big enough to put your foot in.

Or even better I recommend rappelling down, a lot safer and will cost you 2 lbs in rope at most.

RECON ALL THE WAY!!!
 
Go ahead and get quality ropes etc……sounds like you are off and running. But it also sounds like you could buy another truck if you wanted…..just saying. BTW-if the wife’s Corolla is white with racks on top, I saw it at the Pinelog dove fields yesterday…….or it may have been someone else who’s up to the same thing! I commend you for getting it done, no matter what it takes
 
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