Cost savings

[NikoTheBowHunter]

First off, welcome to the site and welcome from Madison WI area. Before making any purchases I would hold off and try to make our WI saddle meet up we are going to be having in June this year towards Milwaukee area. The plan is to have all the climbing methods and saddles for others to try out. Check the announcements section for details on it.

If money is an issue, I would do the following:

Climbing method: Single stick climb with aider. Can get away with a cheap $20 stick from Farm and Fleet with buckle strap. This is how I tried out single sticking before taking the plunge and dropping $150-ish on my one stick.

Platform: Use top step of climbing stick & knee pads. If and when money isnt so tight, upgrade to a Predator platform or one of the many other platforms out there.

Getting down after the hunt: Only need 30-40ft of 8mm-13mm rope along with a figure 8 and biner. SRT and DRT are great options for getting up and down a tree, but I find they require more equipment and if the tree isn't already preset, makes for a pain trying to set up in the dark.

Saddle: well this is where one is going to bite the bullet unless they want to go fleece and rock harness method. I went with the AH Flex but at $300 not really in your price range based on the original post.

I started off with 5 WE stepps and JC knaider. I loved the knaider, hated the WE stepps. I found they were more work than one sticking. Also, if wanting to get higher up the tree, one needs to add additional equipment/weight when using the WE stepps were as no additional equipment is needed when one sticking if wanting to go higher.

 

[Westdesign03]

First off, welcome to the site and welcome from Madison WI area. Before making any purchases I would hold off and try to make our WI saddle meet up we are going to be having in June this year towards Milwaukee area. The plan is to have all the climbing methods and saddles for others to try out. Check the announcements section for details on it.

If money is an issue, I would do the following:

Climbing method: Single stick climb with aider. Can get away with a cheap $20 stick from Farm and Fleet with buckle strap. This is how I tried out single sticking before taking the plunge and dropping $150-ish on my one stick.

Platform: Use top step of climbing stick & knee pads. If and when money isnt so tight, upgrade to a Predator platform or one of the many other platforms out there.

Getting down after the hunt: Only need 30-40ft of 8mm-13mm rope along with a figure 8 and biner. SRT and DRT are great options for getting up and down a tree, but I find they require more equipment and if the tree isn't already preset, makes for a pain trying to set up in the dark.

Saddle: well this is where one is going to bite the bullet unless they want to go fleece and rock harness method. I went with the AH Flex but at $300 not really in your price range based on the original post.

I started off with 5 WE stepps and JC knaider. I loved the knaider, hated the WE stepps. I found they were more work than one sticking. Also, if wanting to get higher up the tree, one needs to add additional equipment/weight when using the WE stepps were as no additional equipment is needed when one sticking if wanting to go higher.

Just curious what stick and add-ons did you get to make 1 stick $150?


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[NikoTheBowHunter]

Just curious what stick and add-ons did you get to make 1 stick $150?


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Ultra light custom stick (parts from Doublesteps.com)

 

[bj139]

I do prefer the arborist saddles but it's not much of a cost savings, but they do have lineman loops and a 'bridge's connection. What does one stick and SRT look like.

I climb SRT and use a sitdrag $35 with an added belt $6 and GI sustainment pouch $10. Rope $60, throwbag kit $15, acender $32, descender $66, slings and carabiners $60 for a total of $284. Too much. Here is my setup.
Edit: forgot platform, Primal step and DIY aluminum on top $10. Total just under $300. You will spend more over time to be sure.

 

[Westdesign03]

Ultra light custom stick (parts from Doublesteps.com)
View attachment 25836

Gotcha. I’ve been eying those sticks (stick parts) a little. Seems like a good stick. Are they pretty sturdy? I had API sticks for a while and they seemed to flex on me a bit. I hover around 170-175lbs so to me that was a little surprising.

I ordered a single short beast stick to do one stick climbing. Can’t wait to try it out.


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[yotehunter]

I just recently bought a trophyline and love it! Having said that i have never had anything to compare it to. Yes the straps are alittle bigger then most other brand the leg straps are not adjustable and the sold 2" webbing bridge is alittle less the desirable in some cases. Honestly i dont mind the leg straps the way they are i have tried falling out of it aint gonna happen. The bridge did not work will at all at first with my normal carabiner off my safety harness but i bought a carabiner with a larger face to allow the strap to slide nice. Have not been able to put a long sit in thanks to wonderful new york weather since ive had it but have sat for an hour and comfort is awesome! This is where i was at wanted to get into but wasn't ready to dive all in on the tethered or kestrel. Very happy with the trophy line and it will be just perfect for what i need lol

 

[NikoTheBowHunter]

Gotcha. I’ve been eying those sticks (stick parts) a little. Seems like a good stick. Are they pretty sturdy? I had API sticks for a while and they seemed to flex on me a bit. I hover around 170-175lbs so to me that was a little surprising.

I ordered a single short beast stick to do one stick climbing. Can’t wait to try it out.

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I very happy with my stick/parts from DanO. Why so many of us keep going back to him to order additional stuff. I could probably shave a few more grams off my stick it if I went with the feather light stick DanO is now offering but at the time all he had was the basic post which seems to suite be perfectly as i have yet to notice any bending/roating/etc from it. I weight in at 230ish without gear and knock on wood, yet to have any issues with it. The only thing I wasn't able to get from DanO was the cam cleat which I ended up getting off the classifieds here.

 

[Westdesign03]

I very happy with my stick/parts from DanO. Why so many of us keep going back to him to order additional stuff. I could probably shave a few more grams off my stick it if I went with the feather light stick DanO is now offering but at the time all he had was the basic post which seems to suite be perfectly as i have yet to notice any bending/roating/etc from it. I weight in at 230ish without gear and knock on wood, yet to have any issues with it. The only thing I wasn't able to get from DanO was the cam cleat which I ended up getting off the classifieds here.

Cool. Good to know. I might have to try building one sometime. Looks like a cool project. Yeah DanO seems to have some nice stuff. I like his tree steps. I have a couple I got not long ago to supplement my platform.


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[Derbooze]

I will certainly echo that a great way to get exposed is the WI Meetup in June. While I can afford more, my wife would rather I be frugal with what I purchase. Last year was my first year and to try it out, I used a sitdrag with a climbing harness (I already had a harness). I did not like the webbing bridge so I bought amsteel and zing it and made my own. I picked up rope and cordage at REI for my lineman's belt and tether a few years ago when I was still hunting from a stand. I used Hawk Heliums and while I DIY'd an aider, I found I could get high enough without it. Also, the top step is an OK platform, but to really get full coverage, I bought a pair of primal steps ($7/piece) that I strapped to the left and right of my top step. All this to say, I was skeptical and did not want to drop $500+ on saddle kits, climbing system and platform just to find I didn't like it. Honestly, I think I put in about $100 total cobbling together what I already had.

Last year I hunted bear over bait in Zone C in Wisconsin so I had some really long sits. And then there was deer season. I hunt public and will move several times if I need to. I bagged my rifle buck 15 mins after settling in my second spot of the day (2 miles from the trailhead). I think the sitdrag is fine, but it is not super comfortable and I found myself "adjusting" too frequently for my liking. So you are not missing out there.

What I can say is that the primal steps are cheaper but heavier as a whole and the buckle system is clunky. They clank together either in the pack or in setting up, so I bought some WE replacement straps and they are much better. Like my sticks, but I wish they were easier to carry, and honestly once you handle the learning cure for the stepps, they are great -or at least just fine.

Here is what I come up with a total package for the cheapest for what I want in a complete setup. There are certainly others with far more experience, but in my opinion this package would hit the high notes for versatility and comfort.

$185 H2 Slinghot with legs and the TriAd upgrade
$128 WE Stepps (8 pack) - I would use 5-6 for climbing and the others for a ring of stepps "platform"
$ 15 Knaider/swaider - I DIY'd mine from supplies on strapworks
$ 40 Lineman's Belt/ Tether - Supplies bought on REI. I use prusik knots over the ropeman since it is way cheaper and safer in my opinion
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$368 Total (exclusive of shipping)

I like the Slingshot look and reviews indicate it is comfortable, so I went ahead and ordered it. Knowing from experience that an adjustable bridge will make my hunting more comfortable, I upgraded to the TriAd bridge. I think the TriAd also is very comparable to the adjustment on the phantom. My twin just ordered his phantom so I am eager to compare. My twin bought a predator platform on a flash sale for just over $100, so I will give that a try and maybe get one next year.

I'd love to hear others thoughts on this set up as well.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

$185 H2 Slinghot with legs and the TriAd upgrade
$128 WE Stepps (8 pack) - I would use 5-6 for climbing and the others for a ring of stepps "platform"
$ 15 Knaider/swaider - I DIY'd mine from supplies on strapworks
$ 40 Lineman's Belt/ Tether - Supplies bought on REI. I use prusik knots over the ropeman since it is way cheaper and safer in my opinion

I love the H2, i dont have a triad bridge, and imo once you get your bridge length i dont see need for adjustability.

Seems people either love or hate the we steps, I had bought one, and it was fine, but ultimately i decided it was too much fiddle factor for me. Sticks are simpler, and even with 1 sticking I only need to set my stick 3 times to get to my hunting height. No WE steps means no knaider/swaider either.


Im using the treehopper steps as a ros, they cost about 15ea and suit my needs just fine

 

[Derbooze]

I love the H2, i dont have a triad bridge, and imo once you get your bridge length i dont see need for adjustability.

Seems people either love or hate the we steps, I had bought one, and it was fine, but ultimately i decided it was too much fiddle factor for me. Sticks are simpler, and even with 1 sticking I only need to set my stick 3 times to get to my hunting height. No WE steps means no knaider/swaider either.


Im using the treehopper steps as a ros, they cost about 15ea and suit my needs just fine

You make a great point. You could easily shave money (and weight) going with one stick. The Shikar is pricey ($100) but stupid light, and with the treehopper steps you would still come in less than $350.

 

[Gsaari]

I’m am going to try saddle hunting this fall for public land hunting and mobility but I haven’t decided on a saddle yet. Tough to drop a lot of $$$ on something that won’t be comfortable. Thinking about the h2 or trophyline ambush. Do you think the cordura seat on the h2 is noisy? I planned on wearing it to my stand quietly. Thought the ambush mesh might be quieter but seems like most people say they are not as comfortable. I don’t like the looks of the 2in bridge strap on the ambush but figured I could modify it into an adjustable bridge some how.

 

[Westdesign03]

I’m am going to try saddle hunting this fall for public land hunting and mobility but I haven’t decided on a saddle yet. Tough to drop a lot of $$$ on something that won’t be comfortable. Thinking about the h2 or trophyline ambush. Do you think the cordura seat on the h2 is noisy? I planned on wearing it to my stand quietly. Thought the ambush mesh might be quieter but seems like most people say they are not as comfortable. I don’t like the looks of the 2in bridge strap on the ambush but figured I could modify it into an adjustable bridge some how.

Just my opinion, out of those two I would go for the H2 hands down. I wouldn’t worry about the noise. I wear my H2 in sometimes and just my coveralls swinging back and forth and pushing through tall grass and brush makes way more noise than that saddle ever will. If you get it with the triad bridge, you can set it where you want it and pretty much leave it. The bridge tightens up pretty good once under pressure one time and is harder to adjust again. A lot of people don’t like that but I kind of see it as a benefit. Set it and forget it.


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