Hello From SW Michigan

[ricky racer]

Hello, ricky racer here. I'm a new, old guy. Been bow hunting since the mid 70's. Most of my hunting anymore is from climbing or ladder stands. Over the years I've used most every method of tree stand hunting. Years ago I used an Anderson Tree Sling and more recently a Tree Suit. Both were good ideas that came up a bit short when it came to execution. The Anderson suffered from lack of adjust ability while the Tree Suit hook up to the tree seemed a bit short making it less maneuverable and the earlier design like mine used the rope that seemed to be somewhat noisy.

This last weekend I found a brand new, still in an unopened package Trophyline Tree Saddle at a garage sale, of all places. Again my interest in sling hunting has been rekindled. The downside of getting older is the difficulty of installing tree steps and climbing trees. I'll be looking for clever ideas of using the sling and climbing trees. Man, if I had a dollar for every tree step I've screwed into a tree, I'd be a rich man. I'm looking forward to learning from the experts here to see if I can expand my hunting horizons. Thanks.

 

[redsquirrel]

Welcome to the site ricky! You're come to the right place! We will do everything we can to help keep you in your saddle!

 

[ingramjri]

Welcome! This site is a great resource on all things saddle and deer hunting.

 

[ricky racer]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm learning a lot already. I've got strap on Ameristeps but it looks like they are prior to the recall. I learned about the recall on this site. Like many of you, I put 4 steps on a single strap to use as a platform but could never get the belt tight enough to suit me. I never thought about using a ratchet strap. I'm going to have to check that out. I'm just a sponge not trying to learn everything I can about this type of hunting even though I've spent many years playing with the slings. Thanks for a great site!

 

[redsquirrel]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm learning a lot already. I've got strap on Ameristeps but it looks like they are prior to the recall. I learned about the recall on this site. Like many of you, I put 4 steps on a single strap to use as a platform but could never get the belt tight enough to suit me. I never thought about using a ratchet strap. I'm going to have to check that out. I'm just a sponge not trying to learn everything I can about this type of hunting even though I've spent many years playing with the slings. Thanks for a great site!

:thumbup:

Nice buck in your avatar btw!

 

[ricky racer]

Thanks Red. It was the only photo I could get sized correctly to post. :lol: That picture is years old. I haven't hunted with a compound for years. Now I'm using a Longbow or Recurve. Nothing against the modern bows it’s just that when I first started bow hunting, what drew me to it was the challenge. As equipment got better and I learned more of what I was doing the challenge kind of went away. I knew where to place my stands and any deer that walked within a 30 yard was toast. All I had to do was cock the bow, align the sights and pull the trigger. It seemed to be getting more like gun hunting. So to challenge myself I decided to become a “Trophy Hunter”. That increased the challenge but also it increased the work. I really had plenty of work in my life as it was and adding to it wasn’t what I was really looking for. :roll:

That increased the challenge but also it increased the work. I really had plenty of work in my life as it was and adding to it wasn’t what I was really looking for. One day I happened upon an issue of Traditional Bow Hunter Magazine. I devoured that issue and the light came on. That is what I was looking for, more challenge not necessarily more work. So now that’s the only archery equipment I hunt with. I don’t kill as many deer and I don’t kill as big of deer but I enjoy it more. :mrgreen:

Anyway, that's my story. Hunting from the saddle may be the next challenge for me.

Thanks.

 

[redsquirrel]

:thumbup: Good stuff! As long as you are out there having fun, that's all that matters!