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Frustrated

Nutterbuster said:
"Slum it in a kestrel?"

Boo on you sir. I'll have you know the kestrel is the finest piece of fabric to ever caress a coon-ass.
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"Slum it" was sarcasm and a poor choice of words. I only said slum it because it was my third choice. That is when I became frustrated, when I got to my third choice and it was still not available. I started this thread without any products listed so that I would not call anyone product out.
With that said, my #1 is mantis, #2 was the kite and #3 Kestrel. I think the Kestrel would be too hot for early archery season.
 
This thread has me thinking I can start leasing my kestrel when I use the kite, and vice versa. I could probably pay for both in one season...

Tethrd and AeroHunter I hope you're paying attention - it's the new wave in saddle hunting. Lease the saddles for a season for 100.00 each, with fees for "extra mileage" put on them...You could probably increase volume by building out packages with weird rubber shoes. It's 2018 baby fake it till you make it!
 
predatorhunter said:
"Slum it" was sarcasm and a poor choice of words. I only said slum it because it was my third choice. That is when I became frustrated, when I got to my third choice and it was still not available. I started this thread without any products listed so that I would not call anyone product out.
With that said, my #1 is mantis, #2 was the kite and #3 Kestrel. I think the Kestrel would be too hot for early archery season.
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Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness!

Just bustin' your chops man. The mesh stuff is undoubtedly a bit lighter and packs better, but if it ain't to hot for me to wear a kestrel in 90 degree temps in a Cypress swamp, it ain't too hot. Mesh being cooler is one of those things that sounds good on paper, but just ain't so on the real world. The saddle is compressed. Even a fleece saddle will offer negligible insulation. Look at hammocks and the issues folks have insulating those. You have to have sag.

Don't matter to me what you stick on your rear, but don't hold off on a kestrel because you think it'll be hot.
 
You guys want to talk frustration... I search craigslist regularly for old lone wolf assault stands. I have not found one in 2 years of searching. This morning I found one 10 minutes from my house for 75 lousy dollars! I call the guy only to find out it sold yesterday.
 
I certainly understand your frustration, but as others have mentioned: you still have options.

Worst case scenario you get to schlep your hang-on stand around for another season.

Better but still not ideal your saddle comes right before or during your season. No better way to test it that by diving in head first IMO.

Best-case you have one soon and with time to spare so you can practice and feel comfortable.

I will personally assure you (for what that's worth) that the learning curve of saddle hunting is not as a significant as might be perceived. Once you go up and down a tree a few times and get setup it all becomes fairly routine.

If I were you I would either scour the classifieds (last I checked there were some commercial saddles there) or do a RC harness with a sit drag.

Sorry you're frustrated. But relax. Everything will work out.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Never apologize, it's a sign of weakness!

Just bustin' your chops man. The mesh stuff is undoubtedly a bit lighter and packs better, but if it ain't to hot for me to wear a kestrel in 90 degree temps in a Cypress swamp, it ain't too hot. Mesh being cooler is one of those things that sounds good on paper, but just ain't so on the real world. The saddle is compressed. Even a fleece saddle will offer negligible insulation. Look at hammocks and the issues folks have insulating those. You have to have sag.

Don't matter to me what you stick on your rear, but don't hold off on a kestrel because you think it'll be hot.
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X2 I upgraded to kite this year from kestrel, I’m not sold that it’s any better than the kestrel (except for looser molle loops, but there are plenty of work arounds for that) I wouldn’t regret setting up a kestrel as my first saddle!! Plus until you’ve hung on them for a bit, you really don’t know what you’re gonna like/dislike anyway. Just get in something & get rolling it will be cool. Also Welcome to the site!! Everybody seems a bit on edge lately, we’re normally a lot more friendly bunch. I think you just caught the tip of the spear...... no excuse. I’d gladly buy you a beer & show you the ropes!
 
Wirrex said:
You guys want to talk frustration... I search craigslist regularly for old lone wolf assault stands. I have not found one in 2 years of searching. This morning I found one 10 minutes from my house for 75 lousy dollars! I call the guy only to find out it sold yesterday.
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Ouch.
 
And If the worst you can do is a kestrel for this season you will be lucky to be hanging in what is essentially the cadillac of commercially available saddles.

I say that not having wore a mantis yet, which may surpass the kestrel in comfort and quality, though that remains to be seen.
 
d_rek said:
And If the worst you can do is a kestrel for this season you will be lucky to be hanging in what is essentially the cadillac of commercially available saddles.

I say that not having wore a mantis yet, which may surpass the kestrel in comfort and quality, though that remains to be seen.
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Yes it does. I have to say, it's mind-boggling how quickly stuff changes around here. Early adapters and innovators abound. Which is great, but I feel like the kestrel kinda turned into an orphaned child. It got one season in the sun and became old news. Kind of like how fiberglass limbs on trad bows got shoved to the side when the compound bow came out. HUGE innovation that doesn't get appreciated nearly enough.

My modded kestrel is one of the finest pieces of gear I have ever owned. It took very little effort to make it absutely perfect for me.
 
predatorhunter said:
Kestrel are not currently available either.
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I dont think anyone has "stock" sitting on a shelf, especially this time of year. Your best bet is to pick the one you want to own, get it ordered and forget about it. When it shows up it will be like Christmas morning when you were a kid.

In the mean time you could take up the generous offer of a loaner RC harness and saddle or procure your own. If you order a saddle, you may or may not have it in time to enjoy. If you don't order one you definitely won't have one to enjoy.
 
Order one and wait. Just hunt like you normally would till it comes in. I've ordered from both Tethrd and Aerohunter and in nearly 8 weeks all I've recieved from either was updates..so be it. I'll just lug the ol Summit a few more times. In the meantime, I've modded my heliums, made a 2 step aider and have been going up and down trees just to get used to it. Saddle hunting is gonna be a game changer for me so I'm ok waiting

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
bowhuntinde said:
Order one and wait. Just hunt like you normally would till it comes in. I've ordered from both Tethrd and Aerohunter and in nearly 8 weeks all I've recieved from either was updates..so be it. I'll just lug the ol Summit a few more times. In the meantime, I've modded my heliums, made a 2 step aider and have been going up and down trees just to get used to it. Saddle hunting is gonna be a game changer for me so I'm ok waiting

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
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My thoughts exactly.
 
@predatorhunter the kestrel is a wonderful saddle and it shouldn’t be that hot so to speak. I hunted in 95 degree weather with no issues other than it was hot in general. I have a size 2 but it is my only saddle left in my arsenal till my mantis arrives. If your still looking for one when the mantis starts shipping hit me up and we can work a deal!! Good luck with everything!!
 
Should also toss in that the reason you can't get an Aerohunter product is not because of lack of planning or knowledge of the manufacturing world, it's because they had to evacuate due to wildfires. Something to consider when you are bummed you can't get a saddle on time.

Reminds me of a lady I met one time at a fancy party explaining how disappointed she was she had to build her fence with American limestone instead of Syrian limestone. She couldn't understand why it wasn't available. Once informed that a civil war may affect export activities, she still seemed not to care that she wasn't getting her limestone because people were suffering.
 
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