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Giving it a try

T

theron.hall

New Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
28
Well if you happened to read my intro thread you already know I was very interested in this new method of elevated hunting.

I'm generally a DIY sort of guy but before i bought a $200-$300 saddle or invested in making one I had to try it.

Over the summer I have slowly been working on collecting the equipment to give it a go.

I bought some climbing rope and accessory cordage with carabiners and constructed a lineman's belt and a tether a couple of months ago, since then I purchased a sit n' drag to modify, and today I purchased a wild edge run and gun package. Now I can really give this a go!

I'm so excited!


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Start playing with the steps as soon as you get them. Right now they are my favorite public land climbing system. They are not a plug and play item. They are great once you figure out the tension
 
And don’t give up on saddles because the sit drag doesn’t work for you. I have a friend that did the same as you and wasn’t sold on saddle bunting because he didn’t have a good platform set up and tried with a sitdrag. It just won’t work for everyone. So keep an open mind that these new saddles have more adjustments and are actually made specifically for saddle hunting and may make a night and day difference for you.
 
Thanks for the responses. I am aware of the potential risk of injury.

I think if the sit drag doesn't work out I can throw together a mini gathered end hammock to get me through the season.

I'm very excited to try this.

T

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theron.hall said:
Thanks for the responses. I am aware of the potential risk of injury.

I think if the sit drag doesn't work out I can throw together a mini gathered end hammock to get me through the season.

I'm very excited to try this.

T

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Click to expand...

DaveT has a few videos on fleece saddles. I haven't made one, but it looks really easy.
 
For anyone who has showed concern, I ordered a fall arrest system as a safety measure to be paired with my sit drag.

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So my thoughts so far are....

The wild edge steps are great for once you get proficient at that knot and tension needed for a solid cam over.

I'm noticing as I've only practiced on soft wood trees, that it might work a little better on a tree that has a harder bark surface. White pines and Basswood trees just tear up.

The climbing harness I bought was inexpensive, effective but difficult to tighten up enough to stay where I need it. I'm a little fluffy as they say (ok... probably really fluffy) so it tends to slide down if it isn't tight enough.

The sit drag definitely needs mods to stay in place.

Adjusting a prusik knot will be the death of me! I need a ropeman or some sort of hitch that slides easier.

So as I get the funds I'll purchase a ropeman I and a saddle, in the meantime I'll work on my climbing with the steps recreationally.

Unfortunately with the gear I've collected I'm not feeling safe enough to hunt yet, so the climber gets used a bit more this year.




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