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I have a bone to pick with some of you...

gcr0003 said:
How come none of you ROS guys have told me just how incredibly amazing, stable and comfortable a ROS is for saddle hunting?

I’m just kidding, but I seriously never gave the concept a try until now. I thought it would just have more problems than solutions. Now I only have like 6 hours on a ROS but I have enjoyed every minute of it.

I don’t know what kind of voodoo magic happens when you stand on a ROS and I can’t explain it but the angle that you lean at when using a ROS is just so natural. Shooting around a tree is a breeze as each step offers as much stability as anyone could ask for . I’m standing on some wooden blocks now but I’m hoping the tree hopper steps are just as good if not better!

I know some of y’all have been using these for a long time but some of us noobs coming in need reminding that some of the OG gear is OG for a reason.

In closing, if you were like me and skeptical of a ROS I would go cut some 6 in triangles from 2x6s drill a hole for a strap and give them a go in your back yard, you might be surprised to find you like what they have to offer like I did.
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Sorry Bro, I thought you knew.
 
I tried every platform on the market. Came back to ROS again. I am done with platforms. I am not trying another.

I have a straight scout. Not for standing on hunting but for moving my tether up the tree. A big solid spot to stand on. I use my ROS once to height.
 
Arrowsquirrel said:
One more thing to say about ros is that they allow you to shoot from a lot more angles or could you say area around the tree. This can be huge if you hunt in thick stuff. Being able to go to the other side of the tree and lean out may be what it takes to get a shooting lane on that buck you've been chasing.
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I agree 100%... If I am leaving a preset out for an all day hunt I take my platform BUT I also have 3 slotted squirrel steps that slip onto the platforms strap, so that I don’t lose that secure ability to get to the back side of the tree, especially a large diameter tree. A couple seasons ago I made too much motion on a weak side trying to spin around in the platform, it spooked the best deer I saw that season. After that happened, I have been keeping a slotted ring of steps with me no matter what. If I’m only making a 3 hour afternoon hunt, I don’t even bother with a platform anymore. You can’t beat the ROS for weight or ability to get around a tree!
 
Ok, quick update both my groins are mildly sore this morning after about 10 continuous hours on a ROS yesterday. Something to consider I suppose... I’m still undecided.
 
gcr0003 said:
Ok, quick update both my groins are mildly sore this morning after about 10 continuous hours on a ROS yesterday. Something to consider I suppose... I’m still undecided.
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I’ll say it for Kyler...this is where a JX3 shines.
 
Yea
enkriss said:
I like narrow trees myself.

Sounds like you were a little tense. Need to relax and just chill....lol
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First sit with a ROS so I still need to dial it in. Maybe I had my steps separated too much or maybe the tree was too big.
 
St.CroixArcher said:
I’m afraid to ask because I’m sure it’ll cost me but what are these sky hooks you speak of?
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They are aluminum strap on steps once made by api. Similar to squirrel steps or loggy bayou steps.
 
gcr0003 said:
Yea

First sit with a ROS so I still need to dial it in. Maybe I had my steps separated too much or maybe the tree was too big.
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A ring of steps takes a little practice and experimenting to get your comfort, setup, and shooting dialed in. A platform on the other hand is like your treestand just shrunk. Much more plug and play.
 
I’m happy to hear your experience with a ros. I just received my order of five slotted squirrel steps and two ocb buckle straps. I have a tree suit platform that I’m going to change the strap to one of the ocb straps I purchased. I can use one strap for a ros or add a few squirrel steps to the strap on my tree suit depending on which I choose to use that day.


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I tried a ROS. It did not work for me. But that's saddle hunting no one setup, size, or choice fits all. It made my feet hurt bad. Disclaimer, I am 67, I have had plantar Facia twice. My feet have been fine for several years but I am careful about my footwear. I am 5'11" and 185#. My predator p works well for me, I prefer to run it tilted. On a bit bigger tree (I am right handed), I find putting my left knee against the tree and pushing off the side of my platform with my right foot is both stable and easy to do. For a really large tree pushing off of the back corner of the platform works well. The stability comes from the left knee on the tree. The needed movement from my right leg. The saddle holds all the weight via the tether. It seems to come naturally and with ease for me. As long as a imaginary line drawn through both shoulders lines up on my target it all seems to work well. For me I think a partial ROS with my predator p would work well. For me the steps just don't have enough surface area for my feet to spend hours on in comfort. For a short time, maneuvering for a shot it would not bother me. I have not done it as I just don't want all the extra bulk, weight, and setup.
 
I also tried the ring of steps and it wasn't for me either. I'm just way more comfortable sitting with my feet on a platform for the long haul. That said, I'm a big proponent of walking around the tree.

I leave my stick on the tree at about the 10:00-11:00 position from where I'm standing on my platform. That way I can step around the tree and shoot from the backside of the tree to my weakside 3:00 position. On smaller trees I'll put it directly opposite and I can step out either direction. I typically have a camera arm to my right side though so stepping that way can be a little difficult as I have to negotiate the arm.

This is one of the reasons a one stick with an integral platform just isn't for me. I locks me to one side of the tree.
 
We need to put the word out to this company. If they could make a ring of steps I think they would sell a lot.
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Anyone still running Marine Exhaust Hose?
 
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