Brand new saddlehunter - My gear Buylist/Checklist

[newbiebowhunter]

Hey all,
Awesome forum for starters, I went from not knowing anything at all about saddlehunting or treeclimbing to feeling like I am ready to give it a try in a very short time here. That being said, I still had a few questions to work out - basically making sure I am not forgetting anything crucial for my first trip up a tree. I couldn't find a ton of information on exactly how much rope to get depending on what ascent method I am interested in so I figure I will just list my plan here and the gear I am thinking of getting. If anything looks completely wrong or I am missing something major, please let me know!

I should also mention here I am on the tightest budget possible since it is a new activity (try convincing the wife that a new EZ V bowsight isn't all I needed this season...).

I am planning to climb via SRT on public land so here is the list of stuff to get me up the tree legally:

- Throw line and bag - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XIALJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ehClFbNBHMV0D

- Black Diamond BOD harness - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MOWVT...olid=3PCSNAW5UQJ9Z&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

- Sitdrag saddle - https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Hunter-Sp...ild=1&keywords=sit+drag&qid=1596830580&sr=8-2

- Samson Predator Rope 80' - https://www.wesspur.com/items/pr15.html
-- 50' srt climbing rope (is this too much? I'm Southeastern Pine forests here mostly (Midlands SC)
-- 10' tether (is this redundant if I am already using climbing rope with throw line?)
-- 10' linemans
-- 10' bridge for saddle

2 "3-packs" biners - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084DGXMS...olid=3PCSNAW5UQJ9Z&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I am thinking Prusik knots for ascent for now. I know I am going to get a lot of recommendations to bite the bullet and grab 2 ropeman 1's (one for the lineman, one to ascend with), but I am really trying to cut costs here. That being said, I couldn't find any current recommendations for accessory rope. I know it needs to be about 8mm (based on the 60%-80% ratio of 11.7mm predator). Any help on this topic, brand recommendations, and how much of it I will need would be helpful. If I am really setting myself up for a terrible time, let me know that too and I will use you folks expertise in my argument later on .

Finally the platform. I am looking at some DIY stuff on here, but I honestly am probably most up in the air about how to cheaply make one of these. Open to any advice at all here.

Thank you all for compiling so much useful information already and I look forward to continuing to learn about saddlehunting and hunting in general here.

Edit: I have some better idea that cost is going to be my main barrier here and have already gotten some good advice that it may be a bit cheaper to move toward a one stick and rappelling climbing and descending method. Now I am trying to refigure what I need to make that happen if that is going to cost less.

 

[HuntNorthEast]

Hey all,
Awesome forum for starters, I went from not knowing anything at all about saddlehunting or treeclimbing to feeling like I am ready to give it a try in a very short time here. That being said, I still had a few questions to work out - basically making sure I am not forgetting anything crucial for my first trip up a tree. I couldn't find a ton of information on exactly how much rope to get depending on what ascent method I am interested in so I figure I will just list my plan here and the gear I am thinking of getting. If anything looks completely wrong or I am missing something major, please let me know!

I should also mention here I am on the tightest budget possible since it is a new activity (try convincing the wife that a new EZ V bowsight isn't all I needed this season...).

I am planning to climb via SRT on public land so here is the list of stuff to get me up the tree legally:

- Throw line and bag - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XIALJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ehClFbNBHMV0D

- Black Diamond BOD harness - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MOWVT...olid=3PCSNAW5UQJ9Z&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

- Sitdrag saddle - https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Hunter-Sp...ild=1&keywords=sit+drag&qid=1596830580&sr=8-2

- Samson Predator Rope 80' - https://www.wesspur.com/items/pr15.html
-- 50' srt climbing rope (is this too much? I'm Southeastern Pine forests here mostly (Midlands SC)
-- 10' tether (is this redundant if I am already using climbing rope with throw line?)
-- 10' linemans
-- 10' bridge for saddle

2 "3-packs" biners - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084DGXMS...olid=3PCSNAW5UQJ9Z&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I am thinking Prusik knots for ascent for now. I know I am going to get a lot of recommendations to bite the bullet and grab 2 ropeman 1's (one for the lineman, one to ascend with), but I am really trying to cut costs here. That being said, I couldn't find any current recommendations for accessory rope. I know it needs to be about 8mm (based on the 60%-80% ratio of 11.7mm predator). Any help on this topic, brand recommendations, and how much of it I will need would be helpful. If I am really setting myself up for a terrible time, let me know that too and I will use you folks expertise in my argument later on .

Finally the platform. I am looking at some DIY stuff on here, but I honestly am probably most up in the air about how to cheaply make one of these. Open to any advice at all here.

Thank you all for compiling so much useful information already and I look forward to continuing to learn about saddlehunting and hunting in general here.

Welcome from Maine! I one stick climb so I don't have any experience or feedback to give you on SRT unfortunately. In my opinion, a good knot is just as good as any ropeman, save your money. I DIYd my first platform using some aluminum bar stock and a lone wolf seat kit with some LW standoffs and loved it! That being said I am 175lbs and it flexed a bit for me, but held! Good luck, the guys will definately
guide you in the right direction shortly!

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Few questions:
What is the highest you want your feet to be?

How much did all the stuff you List so far run?

What is your max budget, including platform?

 

[newbiebowhunter]

Few questions:
What is the highest you want your feet to be?

How much did all the stuff you List so far run?

What is your max budget, including platform?

Good questions.

I'm pretty new to hunting as well so I'll take recommendations for height, but I was thinking no more than 30 feet or so just because I'm not sure of a reason to go higher.

If I go with no ropemans, I'm thinking everything plus some sort of simple platform should be around $250.
45 for harness
22 for sitdrag
85 for predator rope
40 for six biners
maybe another 30 for prusik knot accessory rope
Hopefully about 25-40 for a bare bones platform

Now that I've added it all up it makes me wish it were cheaper haha. I was hoping I could make it up and down a tree for around $150 if I cut corners in the ropeman 1's. I'm open to any other ideas, one stick climbs, drt even if it's cheaper.

max budget right now is honestly probably $200. I realize now that I'm already over my own max. Glad I came to you all, maybe someone can direct me.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

Yeah SRT adds up pretty quick even without the fancy stuff.

For $200 budget I would recommend one-sticking, wild edge steps or get a set of 4-20” hawk helium’s to climb with.

1-sticking you would realize quick you want to rappel down. Which is more $$ for rope.

My first year was the sit drag and 5 WE steps, a knaider, and a diy swaider.

4 steps got me 20’. The 4th and 5th step were my platform.

I was probably close to $200 with that set up once I added HSS tether ropes and carabiners.

 

[newbiebowhunter]

Yeah SRT adds up pretty quick even without the fancy stuff.

For $200 budget I would recommend one-sticking, wild edge steps or get a set of 4-20” hawk helium’s to climb with.

1-sticking you would realize quick you want to rappel down. Which is more $$ for rope.

My first year was the sit drag and 5 WE steps, a knaider, and a diy swaider.

4 steps got me 20’. The 4th and 5th step were my platform.

I was probably close to $200 with that set up once I added HSS tether ropes and carabiners.

That is really helpful to know, sounds like I should definitely switch to one stick. Keeping that in mind... I'm gonna need to figure out what all I need for that. I've watched diysportsman's one stick and rappelling video. Seems pretty great honestly, but some of those gear pieces are $150 just for one mechanic hitch. Gonna edit my post to reflect this change as best I can.

 

[Aaronpaul14]

That is really helpful to know, sounds like I should definitely switch to one stick. Keeping that in mind... I'm gonna need to figure out what all I need for that. I've watched diysportsman's one stick and rappelling video. Seems pretty great honestly, but some of those gear pieces are $150 just for one mechanic hitch. Gonna edit my post to reflect this change as best I can.

Check this out man! Could be an affordable and lightweight option. Also sets you up with core pieces of equipment where you could add some items later for different methods.

5.5lb climbing, platforming, & descending package - Solo Scout

Saddle hunting is dangerous. People have died doing it. Know that if you hunt from an elevated position, there is a higher percentage of you not coming home to your loved ones than if you stay on the ground. Take the words/ideas of dudes on the internet with a grain of salt; very few of them are...

saddlehunter.com

Also, if you want cheaper smaller ropes go to doublesteps.com and look at the 9mm htp rope and 6mm TRC for accessory cord. If you get 40-45’ of rope can use it for SRT later too.

Solo Scout = $70
Aider = $20-$50
Carabiners = $20
Other stuff = https://doublesteps.com/wcssc-cart/c357fdd4cb77b09b2555e79c5d12ad10/

I have a 5 step aider I wasn’t a fan of and would send you. Along with 1 or 2 carabiners.

 

[newbiebowhunter]

Check this out man! Could be an affordable and lightweight option. Also sets you up with core pieces of equipment where you could add some items later for different methods.

5.5lb climbing, platforming, & descending package - Solo Scout

Saddle hunting is dangerous. People have died doing it. Know that if you hunt from an elevated position, there is a higher percentage of you not coming home to your loved ones than if you stay on the ground. Take the words/ideas of dudes on the internet with a grain of salt; very few of them are...

saddlehunter.com

Also, if you want cheaper smaller ropes go to doublesteps.com and look at the 9mm htp rope and 6mm TRC for accessory cord. If you get 40-45’ of rope can use it for SRT later too.

Solo Scout = $70
Aider = $20-$50
Carabiners = $20
Other stuff = https://doublesteps.com/wcssc-cart/c357fdd4cb77b09b2555e79c5d12ad10/

I have a 5 step aider I wasn’t a fan of and would send you. Along with 1 or 2 carabiners.

I am in awe right now man. Thank you for going to all this trouble for me! I am sharing with the wife now and she thanks you too haha. I think I am going to go with this setup exactly as you have it here for me. So excited right now, I love the idea of the minimalist setup as I plan to also take this around to some fun non-hunting places in the mountains from time to time to scout. What happens now? I truly am the newbiebowhunter.