Hunted on a ROS for the first time...

[jgleas114]

This is my first season in a saddle. I bought the tethrd package with the phantom saddle and the predator platform. Really no complaints. Although I think I would prefer a 2 panel saddle.

Today I one sticked up and then threw on a strap of ring of steps. I get it. I understand why Eberhart is such a fan. I didn't shoot anything this evening but I was playing out scenarios of deer coming from every direction and I could get a shot on them. Maybe that's why I didn't see anything. I am far from perfecting them but I am will continue to use them.

If you are on the fence ... try them!

 

[tmhaz1]

I like the ros but only use them in conjunction with the platform. Gives the ability to get 360 around the tree but am still able to stand feet on platform just to change posistion or if I have to take a leak

 

[NMSbowhunter]

This is my first season in a saddle. I bought the tethrd package with the phantom saddle and the predator platform. Really no complaints. Although I think I would prefer a 2 panel saddle.

Today I one sticked up and then threw on a strap of ring of steps. I get it. I understand why Eberhart is such a fan. I didn't shoot anything this evening but I was playing out scenarios of deer coming from every direction and I could get a shot on them. Maybe that's why I didn't see anything. I am far from perfecting them but I am will continue to use them.

If you are on the fence ... try them!

A ring of steps is all I have used. I really like the ability to move around the tree. I use a ring of 7 pioneer steps on an OCB paired with 2TC and it has been working great. It is about the lightest and most minimalistic way to saddle hunt I can think of without sacrificing versatility. Both pictures below were with the ring of steps at about 28 feet.

 

[tmhaz1]

A ring of steps is all have used. I really like the ability to move around the tree. I use a ring of 7 pioneer steps on an OCB paired with 2TC and it has been working great. It is about the lightest and most minimalistic way to saddle hunt I can think of without sacrificing versatility. Both pictures below were with the ring of steps at about 28 feet.

Cool, I switched 2TC this past season and loved it. Practiced all off season. There was one hunt where I brought my sticks because I wanted to do a time comparison, wasn't noticeably faster and didn't feel as safe. Although on that particular day I was able to tag a really nice 8pt but had nothing to do with climbing method. MY last few climbs of gun season I was at 30 feet as I need to get around some limbs. I use a little daisy chain made out of amsteeel to hold in place while going around limbs. It weighs practically nothing and is very quiet and easy to use.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Congrats on the buck! Yeah, I switched to 2TC from sticks after last season. I was averaging about 20 feet with 4 lone wolf sicks and a single aider on the bottom and it was taking me 15 to 20 minutes to set up. Not to mention lugging 4 sticks all over the woods. I can be 28 feet up ready to hunt in 8 to 10 minutes easily, and 2TC feels way safer to me than sticks and a lineman's belt. Everything fits neatly in a backpack with room to spare.

 

[HardwoodsFanatic]

This was a very interesting read. I never really understood what 2TC meant, or the possibilities it could be used for. I'm going to do some YT video surfing tonight. Thanks guys.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

It's Two Tether Climbing. There is a thread "Why don't y'all 2TC". It goes over just about every conceivable option. At its simplest, you use the tether you are already using for the top tether, and you use a simple loop as a way to advance up the tree. I used it all last season and it was great. Let me know if I can help.

 

[bfriendly]

This is my first season in a saddle. I bought the tethrd package with the phantom saddle and the predator platform. Really no complaints. Although I think I would prefer a 2 panel saddle.

Today I one sticked up and then threw on a strap of ring of steps. I get it. I understand why Eberhart is such a fan. I didn't shoot anything this evening but I was playing out scenarios of deer coming from every direction and I could get a shot on them. Maybe that's why I didn't see anything. I am far from perfecting them but I am will continue to use them.

If you are on the fence ... try them!

I tried the ROS by themselves, but like having a platform. With a step on each side of the platform, it’s the best of both worlds! They just ride on he strap with the OCB and pack up nice……vet taped up of course.

BTW, I just got a buzzard roost cause I was thinking the same thing about a 2 panel saddle, but haven’t sat in it yet.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

2 tether climbing and a ROS is as light as it gets. And, a ROS is a wonderful tool to have. I’ve never understood when people complain about their comfort. I personally believe their tether height was too low. For me, a high tether makes a ROS very comfortable on the feet. Just set it as high as you can before your bridge loops limits comfort. I think you’ll like a long tether and bridge better for a ROS, versus any other tether/bridge length combo

Not to mention, The first time you play peek-a-boo with a deer on a set of ROS’s, you’ll get sheer joy when thinking back on it.

 

[GeoFish]

I thing 2TC is great. Supper safe. I just was not very good at it. But it is a must learn, IMO, that I use as a emergency to get me down.
I used a ROS for 2 years. Very comfortable for me, but I have gone to a platform with 3 steps.
I need to stand up, to take a leak, put on layers and just stand and let the blood flow.

 

[jgleas114]

What is the most comfortable ROS you have used to date?

 

[GeoFish]

I cheated. Heals on Doble step, ball of foot on step. These are the only ones I tried.

 

[tmhaz1]

I thing 2TC is great. Supper safe. I just was not very good at it. But it is a must learn, IMO, that I use as a emergency to get me down.
I used a ROS for 2 years. Very comfortable for me, but I have gone to a platform with 3 steps.
I need to stand up, to take a leak, put on layers and just stand and let the blood flow.

There is a learning curve with 2TC, my first few attempts were complete failures. If you like it give it another try. To me it is the safest way to climb. I did 2TC down once because I couldn’t find my pull down cord for my rappell line, good skill to have but a bit of a hassle and not as fun as the rappell

 

[Just_Hangin_N_GA]

This was a very interesting read. I never really understood what 2TC meant, or the possibilities it could be used for. I'm going to do some YT video surfing tonight. Thanks guys.

Same here, very interesting.

 

[Just_Hangin_N_GA]

Congrats on the buck! Yeah, I switched to 2TC from sticks after last season. I was averaging about 20 feet with 4 lone wolf sicks and a single aider on the bottom and it was taking me 15 to 20 minutes to set up. Not to mention lugging 4 sticks all over the woods. I can be 28 feet up ready to hunt in 8 to 10 minutes easily, and 2TC feels way safer to me than sticks and a lineman's belt. Everything fits neatly in a backpack with room to spare.

The 4 original lone wolf sticks is my climbing method also minus the aider on the bottom just because I couldn't figure out the safest way to attach one. I have wanted to try the 2TC but just didn't fill comfortable adding yet another new feature to my saddle hunting.
Love the ring of steps though. Even have a Tether Platform that has been in the tree once but I felt tied to it and not as free with the ring of steps.
I will read the 2TC thread and give it go... based off your recommendation.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Good deal. Try it low and slow to start out. I was terrible at 2TC the first couple of times I tried it. Now it is second nature.

This is my whole hunting setup, minus the bow. It all fits in a medium backpack with room to spare. I used it all last season and really liked it.