This is my first season in a saddle. I have a little bit of rope rescue experience so I felt very comfortable jumping to the one-stick method. It has taken about 6 weeks, but I have built the perfect system for my needs. My average walk in is about 3/4 of a mile but often doubles that. My set up is:
-Latitude Method Metal-Free Saddle
-Muddy Pro Stick with Out On A Limb Scout Platform Step (I call this my Pla-Stick) and 2-Step Webbing Aider
-35’ 9mm Static Rope with Safeguard
-Badlands Dash Pack
At first I thought the pack was a bit too small. It is great for early season when I carry a wool button down and fleece sweatshirt, but the last few weeks have been cold here in CT and I’ve been bringing my winter jacket that is a little bulky to pack. It fit in the backpack, but was a pain to get in and out. I rearranged my system a bit. I dropped my DIY platform that was bulky and cumbersome to pack, and I sewed straps that are removable and attach to the external frame rods of the pack which allows me to carry bulky clothing and my “pla-stick” on the outside of the pack. I’m absolutely thrilled with how this turned out. I’m standing on the stick for the first hunt and I’m surprised how I’m able to move around the tree still. I was expecting to sacrifice movement around the tree from the stick sliding out, but not the case. I will say, I can not stand on the platform with my back against the tree, however. I have to rotate around to get a rear, or off side shot.
-Latitude Method Metal-Free Saddle
-Muddy Pro Stick with Out On A Limb Scout Platform Step (I call this my Pla-Stick) and 2-Step Webbing Aider
-35’ 9mm Static Rope with Safeguard
-Badlands Dash Pack
At first I thought the pack was a bit too small. It is great for early season when I carry a wool button down and fleece sweatshirt, but the last few weeks have been cold here in CT and I’ve been bringing my winter jacket that is a little bulky to pack. It fit in the backpack, but was a pain to get in and out. I rearranged my system a bit. I dropped my DIY platform that was bulky and cumbersome to pack, and I sewed straps that are removable and attach to the external frame rods of the pack which allows me to carry bulky clothing and my “pla-stick” on the outside of the pack. I’m absolutely thrilled with how this turned out. I’m standing on the stick for the first hunt and I’m surprised how I’m able to move around the tree still. I was expecting to sacrifice movement around the tree from the stick sliding out, but not the case. I will say, I can not stand on the platform with my back against the tree, however. I have to rotate around to get a rear, or off side shot.
