Hunting From Large Diameter Trees

[farmlegend]

As an 18-year saddle hunting veteran, I have always hunted from trees small enough in diameter that I can wrap my tether around the tree while hunting, according to manufacturer's instructions.

It would be quite useful to me if I were able to hunt from larger diameter trees, if for no other reason than to reduce my chances for getting sight-busted by deer. I have some wonderful hunting spots on my farm that I could utilize if I could hunt these larger trees with my saddle.

Take a look at this video:

In particular, beginning at the 8:24 mark, John E is shown suspended from his tree at hunting height WITHOUT his tether wrapped around the tree. I find this option to be very intriguing. I would be interested in remarks from those who have figured out how to saddle hunt from these larger diameter trees. Pics of attachment methods would be great!

 

[Bowmanmike]

You must be talking about giant trees if you cant get your tether around the trunk.at hunting height. I carry a webbing loop to add to my tether or platform if i have to. I used it once so far and i hunted some big oaks.

 

[farmlegend]

You must be talking about giant trees if you cant get your tether around the trunk.at hunting height. I carry a webbing loop to add to my tether or platform if i have to. I used it once so far and i hunted some big oaks.

They are pretty good diameter trees. Nonetheless, I'm specifically interested in the methodology shown in the video, ie., attaching to the tree without wrapping the tether around it. Obviously some hunters have found a way to do this.

 

[Bigterp]

Yeah John used an attachment point like an eye to hook into. That scares the crap out of me & I feel way more comfortable with something wrapped around the tree. You could just preset those.....

 

[Holt]

From what I remember him doing was he used 2 T screws from Cranford. He would screw one in at his anchor point of where he wanted his tether hight to be. Then a 2nd one lower and off to the side, about a foot away. He would loop over the top one then tie off to the bottom one. Think that way it would spread the pressure points to 2 anchors and in case of failure, you would hope the other one would save you. That's a do at your own risk type thing.

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[Hunter260]

I’d check out srt of drt climbing for big big big trees. That seems like the most viable option for a mobile setup

 

[Bigterp]

From what I remember him doing was he used 2 T screws from Cranford. He would screw one in at his anchor point of where he wanted his tether hight to be. Then a 2nd one lower and off to the side, about a foot away. He would loop over the top one then tie off to the bottom one. Think that way it would spread the pressure points to 2 anchors and in case of failure, you would hope the other one would save you. That's a do at your own risk type thing.

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Your absolutely right!!

 

[farmlegend]

From what I remember him doing was he used 2 T screws from Cranford. He would screw one in at his anchor point of where he wanted his tether hight to be. Then a 2nd one lower and off to the side, about a foot away. He would loop over the top one then tie off to the bottom one. Think that way it would spread the pressure points to 2 anchors and in case of failure, you would hope the other one would save you. That's a do at your own risk type thing.

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I have heard similar. Would love to see a pic of this.
Would like to see how much lower the side t-screw is. What kind of t-screw(Cranford has two sizes)? Same size?
Have also heard i-bolts were employed.

 

[Holt]

I have heard similar. Would love to see a pic of this.
Would like to see how much lower the side t-screw is. What kind of t-screw(Cranford has two sizes)? Same size?
Have also heard i-bolts were employed.

I have no idea. It was posted on here with alot of details at one time, but that was 3 or 4 years ago. I'm sure if you search on here some pics will pop up. It has to do with the sling he was using at the time. It had a large webbing strap. I can't remember a whole alot about. I know back in the day I had done stuff similar to hang a lock on in a tree that was too big. I put a screw in step on each side of tree and wrapped the cam strap around them. Definitely wasn't the smartest thing I've done before.

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[Bowmanmike]

What is the point of not going around the trunk? I don't get it. Why the extra work?

 

[Chrighton]

If you have rapel setup you have plenty of rope to go around a huge tree. Thats what I do. It can be frustrating physically getting it around a large tree, but typically can be accomplished in a few tries.
Good cover in large trees.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I have heard similar. Would love to see a pic of this.
Would like to see how much lower the side t-screw is. What kind of t-screw(Cranford has two sizes)? Same size?
Have also heard i-bolts were employed.

I think this is the post referred to. As @Holt said, this is definitely a try at your own risk thing. I'm definitely a full girth hitch around the tree proponent.

Cranford ring of steps and T's - John Eberhart

I just hung up the phone with Dennis who owns Cranford and he's going to try and get me a prototype of his ring of steps by March so Bobby Boswell and myself can show them at the 3 shows I will be doing seminars at and will have a booth at with a mock up tree and a Kestrel. Dennis will also be...

saddlehunter.com

 

[Tapeworm]

That’s the right thread

Reminds me that I never followed up with looking into this for some huge live oaks here in FL


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[Loopwing]

Would a 3/8 lag eyebolt with a carabiner work as an anchorage point for your saddle?I say 3/8, because it would be the same size as the treehopper hand drill.

 

[Bigterp]

Would a 3/8 lag eyebolt with a carabiner work as an anchorage point for your saddle?I say 3/8, because it would be the same size as the treehopper hand drill.

There are a lot of things that could cause immediate failure as your “only connection point” that’s why it’s not common practice.....

 

[Noonespecial]

You can find the thread on here about how he does it and this is a pic from that thread. He recommended not using tree steps it was just for demonstration. He uses two extra long Cranford T screws but I have seen him do it with nail spikes also. I believe he mainly does this for a quick hook up process.

 

[Loopwing]

I was just spit balling. I would think a Grade 8 3/8 or 5/8 lag eye would be far from the weakest point in the system. I mean it is probably safer than doing any of the climbing you did to get to that point. If my tether doesn't reach around the tree, then for sure my lineman's belt is not going to reach while I am climbing.