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Are we unsafe?

Welcome!

Also, this feeling is the most dangerous part of the saddle hunting “thing”. Not ropes or ropemans or sticks or anything else. Humans are reliably terrible in their intuitions. When you think and feel like you’re safe because of cult mantras and snappy marketing slogans and YouTube money/attention grabs, you’ve lost your ability to think clearly about the situation.

Someone above said they don’t like the word safety. Me neither. Tradeoffs, probabilities, statistics. Get a deep understanding of what risks you’re taking before leaving the ground, and reduce those risks if you want to be “safe”.
Very true. I may have a skewed opinion about leaving the ground from a career in construction.
 
I myself have been navigating the canopy for many years both for hunting and rec climbing as well as some rudimentary tree work. The thing that appeals to me is the fact you have to think about every move because it could be your last. I also train a security team with firearms so I am no stranger to risk taking. Whatever we do it ultimately boils down to learn the proper techniques and skills to accomplish a given task and still go home intact. In tree climbing the phrase "tie,set and dress" pertaining to life support prussics has been ingrained in my head. There are force vectors that come into play when using srt with redirects but that is pretty advanced and something the average hunter doesn't have to be concerned. Learning proper techniques from a certified arborist can pay massive dividends. Climb cautiously, shoot accurately and go home intact should be our goals.
 
I agree about the concepts of situational awareness, risk identification and risk mitigation being key. The goal should always be to engineer out as much potential equipment and human error as possible…ideally 100%
 
In my opinion saddles are safer than climbers or hang on. Now I say this with thought that we are staying connected at all times. With that said. Any equipment used wrong or against manufacturers specifications introduces risk. Error and injury occur when the user introduces their own thoughts of “ I’ve done this a million times”, “ this will be quicker” and etc. even taking time to learn which direction to apply weight to a stick can matter to avoid cutting out/ side load shifting.
 
Public school didnt teach me to Asses risks.they taught me to mindlessly fallow orders.some of us idiots just do stuff.but someone needs to test new ways of going lite.if you are worried about the fall you will never jump at all.im just gunna hunt from the ground too.every one says climbing is to scarry.
 
Better video on safe third from Mike

I have to admit, six years on this forum and this is one of my favorite safety related posts of all time. A couple of quotes I really liked from this:

"Bottomline - - guidelines are great but they're no substitute for common sense."

"You're safety is your responsibility. Anybody who tells you something different, they're not protecting you, they're protecting themselves."

Edit: Another important takeaway. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security because of your gear or your method. That sense of security can result in complacency and that is what will get you into trouble. If you're always vigilant and cautious in your method and think about what you're doing, what ever that may be, you'll be more secure in the long run.
 
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How many people use a multi step aider? Or how many people would consider them unsafe?

I’ve working on a new setup of Shikar Minis with a 5 step Black Diamond etrier. I can get to the same height with this setup than I can with 4 Trophyline mini doubles with cable aiders. Save something like 5 pounds.
 
How many people use a multi step aider? Or how many people would consider them unsafe?

I’ve working on a new setup of Shikar Minis with a 5 step Black Diamond etrier. I can get to the same height with this setup than I can with 4 Trophyline mini doubles with cable aiders. Save something like 5 pounds.
I fooled around with them quite a bit and then went back to carrying four sticks. Not only are they a bit suspect on the safety side of things they also limit you in tree selection.
 
I fooled around with them quite a bit and then went back to carrying four sticks. Not only are they a bit suspect on the safety side of things they also limit you in tree selection.
I’m with you! I’ve been toying with one today. It works good enough to make it hard to get rid of but it’s not consistent enough for me
 
In climbing with something like the lwhc, i see a risk in the slack that invariably develops. I think using a telescoping pole to preset a tether/ rappel line will be safer. Gonna try it i think
 
In climbing with something like the lwhc, i see a risk in the slack that invariably develops. I think using a telescoping pole to preset a tether/ rappel line will be safer. Gonna try it i think
@Islandshooter has a great Idea with the trekking stick. With a little pipe connecting my trekking sticks. I’m able to put my rappel rope at 16’ first move from the game. If I was to climb my three step aider with a lineman rope to the top of my one stick I could put my rappel rope at 23’ roughly.
 
@Islandshooter has a great Idea with the trekking stick. With a little pipe connecting my trekking sticks. I’m able to put my rappel rope at 16’ first move from the game. If I was to climb my three step aider with a lineman rope to the top of my one stick I could put my rappel rope at 23’ roughly.
I can’t imagine where @Islandshooter got such an amazing Terrific idea either lol
 
Those small extendo’s for the buckets are perfect. Unfortunately the pricing on one is down right robbery lol
Ain’t it the truth. They took all of ours. We had one in each bucket. Something about testing or such made them decide to issue 12’ finger stick or shotgun sticks with the finger on the end. Im
Not paying a small fortune for one either.
 
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