Big & Tall

[sdonx]

Any recommendations for climbing sticks? I'm 6'3 265lbs and am ready to pull the trigger on a set, but would like input from some other big guys.

Wait for the Dan Infalt sticks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SasquatchInaSaddle]

It's nice to see there's a bunch of big guys out there saddle hunting. I am 6'6" 285 lb. I use Lone Wolf sticks and the new tribe evolution. I've used the Lone Wolf sticks before but this will be my first year in the saddle. I don't worry about having the lightest platform but having the strongest platform. If you are over 6 foot and over 200 lb I don't believe two or three pounds will make a huge difference. besides If I want to shave a couple pounds off my setup weight, I'll take a **** before I go hunting.....

 

[Drslyr]

So is the new predator platform from tethrd scaring all the big boys off...... Not me..... I think its rated for 300lbs. I'm 6' 230....and not scared yet.....that is until I get to try it.

 

[bigjoe]

So is the new predator platform from tethrd scaring all the big boys off...... Not me..... I think its rated for 300lbs. I'm 6' 230....and not scared yet.....that is until I get to try it.

Your a light weight. LOL I am one of the larger saddle hunters. I have talked with @Erniepower about the Predator. (By the way I am still waiting on a kegerator @g2outdoors) I bought it. I feel very comfortable with the rating and the care and design that went into this. When Ernie and others designed this it was designed so a big guy can use it safely.

 

[griff]

For the big guys that have invested in the predator platform: Can you guys give a review and how much time you have spent using the platform? I decided to wait secondary to a few breaking and the fact we all know when you are 6'3"+ and 260+ things don't behave the same.

 

[dalton916]

Any recommendations for climbing sticks? I'm 6'3 265lbs and am ready to pull the trigger on a set, but would like input from some other big guys.

I have lone wolf & muddy pros. I like the lw sticks better but would love double steps.

Same. 6’4 260 with size 14 feet. I have 2 sets of LW sticks. Zero issues. I have ordered 8 of the double steps, but they haven’t arrived yet. Other than that, I’m about to split a gorilla loc on in two and use the seat portion for a platform and the bottom portion for a dog stand for my lab when I’m hunting timber.

I still spend my time about 50/50 between leaning and with my knees together against the tree directly in front of me. I can’t imagine sitting with my knees hugging the tree being very comfortable for me, but I had a brainstorm today for a lightweight means of resting my feet along the outside of the tree much like steps would offer. I’ll rig it up eventually and if it has merit I’ll share.

 

[PJC]

I’m 6’4” 250 without clothes. Preditor is sweet. I’ve had nothing but good hunts on it. Probably 8 hunts on it so far. 40 hours.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[griff]

I ended up with muddy aerolites and I'm using 2 WE steps as a platform, which I like pretty well. I am also working up to climbing with the WE steps if I can find an aider method I like and am comfortable with. I am really interested in that predator platform, but until I can start to see some feedback from guys our size I am going to wait a bit longer.

Same. 6’4 260 with size 14 feet. I have 2 sets of LW sticks. Zero issues. I have ordered 8 of the double steps, but they haven’t arrived yet. Other than that, I’m about to split a gorilla loc on in two and use the seat portion for a platform and the bottom portion for a dog stand for my lab when I’m hunting timber.

I still spend my time about 50/50 between leaning and with my knees together against the tree directly in front of me. I can’t imagine sitting with my knees hugging the tree being very comfortable for me, but I had a brainstorm today for a lightweight means of resting my feet along the outside of the tree much like steps would offer. I’ll rig it up eventually and if it has merit I’ll share.

 

[dvan]

6'5" @ 250'ish w/ size 15 boot and age 50. New to hunting mostly and decided on a saddle to get me in the trees (a taught tether makes more sense to me than a sling). Don't have my kestrel or my ropeman1's yet so been hanging in a weaver saddle so far using hawk sticks to climb and as top stick platform. I expect the kestrel will give me more comfort and ease of shots (current angle of tether is all wrong) but I do see I am gonna have to come up with something better for my feet. Gonna try the WE stepps in a ring first but do have concerns about side pressure regarding my size. Interested in seeing what you come up with.

 

[griff]

I’m 6’4” 250 without clothes. Preditor is sweet. I’ve had nothing but good hunts on it. Probably 8 hunts on it so far. 40 hours.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOT

6'5" @ 250'ish w/ size 15 boot and age 50. New to hunting mostly and decided on a saddle to get me in the trees (a taught tether makes more sense to me than a sling). Don't have my kestrel or my ropeman1's yet so been hanging in a weaver saddle so far using hawk sticks to climb and as top stick platform. I expect the kestrel will give me more comfort and ease of shots (current angle of tether is all wrong) but I do see I am gonna have to come up with something better for my feet. Gonna try the WE stepps in a ring first but do have concerns about side pressure regarding my size. Interested in seeing what you come up with.

Yesterday was my first official saddle hunt and I decided to use 2 WE steps for a platform and it really worked well. I hunted pines in the morning and evening and I had one slide just a little when I stepped up, but that seemed to lock it in and no issue with side pressure. If the trees were really large in diameter a 3rd would probably be warranted.

 

[EricS]

I’m 6’1” 290 and haven’t broken mine yet. Probably have about 20hrs on mine. I’ve been on one edge to the other. Had the top standoff pull slightly away from the tree a few times but it was still solid. If someone breaks one it either had a void or broke during setup. Once it cams over it shouldn’t break.

 

[dalton916]

6'5" @ 250'ish w/ size 15 boot and age 50. New to hunting mostly and decided on a saddle to get me in the trees (a taught tether makes more sense to me than a sling). Don't have my kestrel or my ropeman1's yet so been hanging in a weaver saddle so far using hawk sticks to climb and as top stick platform. I expect the kestrel will give me more comfort and ease of shots (current angle of tether is all wrong) but I do see I am gonna have to come up with something better for my feet. Gonna try the WE stepps in a ring first but do have concerns about side pressure regarding my size. Interested in seeing what you come up with.

I got 3 years on ya, lol. What I have in mind is difficult to explain. I have notes and a sketch on my desk, but the gist of it is basically stirrups like an aider that hooks in like a bridge, but it has a strap between the stirrups as well.

Picture a triangle with the top attached to the tether and the bottom two corners having stirrups. The bottom line of the triangle will be to set the distance around the tree that your feet will be allowed to go. This strap will also take some of the load off your feet in the stirrups (think of standing on scales and putting your hand on the wall, the weight goes down on the scales because some is transferred to the wall).

Adjusting the height that this is attached to the tether will set the amount of bend you want in your knees and a buckle like the lone wolf steps use (name escapes me right now) will adjust the distance between your feet and therefore the position of your feet on the tree.

I know this sounds like a contraption, but its more for taking breaks if you’re a combo leaner/sitter like me. I guess if you sit all the time it wouldn’t be bothersome in that instance either. It can be made extremely light weight as well.

It will need to be made with stirrups for the feet that you can get in and out of easily because you will NOT want them on your feet if you need to move around on a platform. For me, I plan to set it a foot +/- above my platform to keep it out of the way. Maybe add a piece of thin bungee to pull it up out of the way when your feet come out....we’ll see.

Anyway, that’s my idea if you can make any sense out of the description.

 

[DwadeCham]

I am 6'6" and about 263 at the moment. Working on losing a little table muscle. This is my second year using Ernie's platform. So far so good.

It's nice to see there's a bunch of big guys out there saddle hunting. I am 6'6" 285 lb. I use Lone Wolf sticks and the new tribe evolution. I've used the Lone Wolf sticks before but this will be my first year in the saddle. I don't worry about having the lightest platform but having the strongest platform. If you are over 6 foot and over 200 lb I don't believe two or three pounds will make a huge difference. besides If I want to shave a couple pounds off my setup weight, I'll take a **** before I go hunting.....

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[Travislsullivan]

6’2” 320ish here and a size 14. I have no reservations about using any of my gear and even have a diy saddle that’s bomb proof . I tried to break it at ground level then reinforced it some more. Have a set of big game aerolites Rated for #350 they have been rock solid for 2 years and use a ring of grizzly steps the smaller ones do break. Best thing for any big guys looking into new things is to do your homework for weight ratings and breaking strength then practice and practice some more until you can do it smoothly with minimum effort.

 

[BLP68]

Any update on this? 6'1" and 350 here. Working on trimming down for next year. I like over engineered anyways though.

 

[Bigterp]

I’m 6’6” 260 , I haven’t had any of my saddle gear feel unsafe. Kite & kestrel are both solid. Lonewolf sticks as well, just got beast sticks & they are tough as well. No issues w/ predator, or ameristeps. Only slight knock on we stepps I can slightly work them loose as a platform ( they don’t come off or uncam)

 

[PJC]

I got 3 years on ya, lol. What I have in mind is difficult to explain. I have notes and a sketch on my desk, but the gist of it is basically stirrups like an aider that hooks in like a bridge, but it has a strap between the stirrups as well.

Picture a triangle with the top attached to the tether and the bottom two corners having stirrups. The bottom line of the triangle will be to set the distance around the tree that your feet will be allowed to go. This strap will also take some of the load off your feet in the stirrups (think of standing on scales and putting your hand on the wall, the weight goes down on the scales because some is transferred to the wall).

Adjusting the height that this is attached to the tether will set the amount of bend you want in your knees and a buckle like the lone wolf steps use (name escapes me right now) will adjust the distance between your feet and therefore the position of your feet on the tree.

I know this sounds like a contraption, but its more for taking breaks if you’re a combo leaner/sitter like me. I guess if you sit all the time it wouldn’t be bothersome in that instance either. It can be made extremely light weight as well.

It will need to be made with stirrups for the feet that you can get in and out of easily because you will NOT want them on your feet if you need to move around on a platform. For me, I plan to set it a foot +/- above my platform to keep it out of the way. Maybe add a piece of thin bungee to pull it up out of the way when your feet come out....we’ll see.

Anyway, that’s my idea if you can make any sense out of the description.

Did you ever make this contraption? Sounds like it would be a lot of monkeying around to get it set up in the tree.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Adrena123]

@bigjoe , I really like this thread even though i don't belong on it lol. I'm only 5'7 205 lbs, built like a neanderthal. Some of you guys are real monsters. Reminds me of an old hunting buddy who moved away,he was 6'8. We were a pair! Anyway this is good info for me to keep in mind because a guy at my gym is interested in saddle hunting. He is 6'4 and about 275lbs. thanks again.

 

[dalton916]

Did you ever make this contraption? Sounds like it would be a lot of monkeying around to get it set up in the tree.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorta....

Aider/footrest mock-up
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...ds/Aider-footrest-mock-up.11905/&share_type=t

I actually started working on a combination gear hanger/aider/footrest.

Dutchware daisy chain strap girth hitched to the top step of the first stick with steps made from 550 chord and girth hitched to the strap. I only plan to use it for one stick so I’ll take it off as I go past that stick. Get to height, take the steps off and put the strap on the tree for a gear hanger. Then clip the steps to a second carabiner on my tether

 

[Lowg08]

I’m 6’2” 230 and size 13 shoe. I’m trying to decide on whether to go with 8mm rappelling rope or an 11mm. To control descent speed. The steps I had for lock one were uncomfortable to use so I just stick with my climbing hooks