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Kestrel comfort

As others have said the tie-in point was way too high and if you were sitting instead of standing on a platform that would explain a lot. A couple of pictures would help everyone narrow down what the issue is.

Roger,
 
First hunt with my Kestrel this morning. LOVE this thing. I even forgot my knee pad this morning but I was completely fine. I had deer all over me this morning so I was standing/leaning all morning. Felt great and no hotspots anywhere with an eye level hook up.
 
flinginairos said:
First hunt with my Kestrel this morning. LOVE this thing. I even forgot my knee pad this morning but I was completely fine. I had deer all over me this morning so I was standing/leaning all morning. Felt great and no hotspots anywhere with an eye level hook up.
Click to expand...


Great to hear that is a question I'm getting from a lot of Evolution users who are thinking of making the switch and those who are looking to try saddle hunting for the first time with a Kestrel.

Thanks,

Roger
 
OK someone please help with tree strap height on the Kestrel. Most people on in this thread say eye level for the tether and 24 inches for the bridge.
Ok but if I do that I do not have the 360 degree mobility around the tree.

Look at this video of Boswell. His bridge is WAY longer than 24 inches and the tether is about 6 feet above eye level.


Thanks guys for the help.
 
Coleman said:
OK someone please help with tree strap height on the Kestrel. Most people on in this thread say eye level for the tether and 24 inches for the bridge.
Ok but if I do that I do not have the 360 degree mobility around the tree.

Look at this video of Boswell. His bridge is WAY longer than 24 inches and the tether is about 6 feet above eye level.


Thanks guys for the help.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is very personal and you need to experiment with what will work for you. That video is of Boswell in what appears to be the first version of the aero hunter, a lot has changed in the design since then so that could be why he had it like that.

Tree size will dictate to an extend how high my tether needs to be. I can put it below eye level on an 8 inch tree and still have 360 mobility. On a tree that is over 2 feet in diameter I may need to put it higher. Nothing is written in stone. The other night I had to hang with the tether hanging on crotch that was above my head. The system is adaptable.
 
Coleman said:
Ok @redsquirrel thanks for the advice.
Do you use or recommend a ropeman or other devise instead of the prussic on the tether?
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No problem, keep at it, it takes getting used to and figuring things out. It doesn't always happen over night.

Yes, I strongly recommend using a ropeman on your tether and lineman's belt. The ease of use is life changing.
 
Coleman said:
Ok @redsquirrel thanks for the advice.
Do you use or recommend a ropeman or other devise instead of the prussic on the tether?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind, you can adjust your tether. I find a shorter, eye level hookup to be more comfortable while I'm waiting for deer to show up. However, if I need to move around the tree for a shot, I'll lengthen my tether 8"-12" using a Ropeman. This is easy to do on an XOP style platform. It's more difficult on steps.
 
Ok I just ordered a pair of the ropeman 1.
I am using 4 screw in steps for a platform.

Can you adjust the ropeman 1 while the rope is under tension....to lengthen the tether? I am assuming it must be almost under no load with a slack line to release it.
 
Coleman said:
Ok I just ordered a pair of the ropeman 1.
I am using 4 screw in steps for a platform.

Can you adjust the ropeman 1 while the rope is under tension....to lengthen the tether? I am assuming it must be almost under no load with a slack line to release it.
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Slack. I don't know that you could unload the ropeman under tension, but if you did it wouldn't be fun.
 
Ok I am just thinking about how I would lengthen the tether with a ropeman while my weight or partial weight was on the tether.
 
Coleman said:
Ok I just ordered a pair of the ropeman 1.
I am using 4 screw in steps for a platform.

Can you adjust the ropeman 1 while the rope is under tension....to lengthen the tether? I am assuming it must be almost under no load with a slack line to release it.
Click to expand...
Correct, it must have the load taken off it.
 
Ok so you guys who have received / hunted out of a kestrel....can you actually get 360 degrees of shot freedom?
I am having difficulty drawing my bow without the bridge interfering. Pretend you are facing the tree and you need to shoot to your 9 o'clock position. My bow string hits the bridge rope.
Would you attempt to position yourself so there is a more favorable shot position? I am guessing the 7 o'clock is the most ideal for a right hand shooter.
 
I can get 360 with some movement. The shorter your bridge the less it will get in the way. Mine is a little long at close to 30 inches. You need to get in the tree and practice. For 9:00 I bend my left leg and lean out in that direction and slightly back. Your bridge may get in the way at ground level but not 20 feet up the tree. That seven to eight o'clock position does feel good but I can make that same angle from a little past six all the way to 12:00 just by bending my left leg and allowing my knee to touch the tree at about the 9:00 position as long as it isn't a large tree. It's a pain to climb up and down to move targets around the tree. So I try to move it for each session. I do try to at least pick spots to draw and aim at pot practice even though I may only shoot a quiver full at one location.
 
Coleman said:
Ok so you guys who have received / hunted out of a kestrel....can you actually get 360 degrees of shot freedom?
I am having difficulty drawing my bow without the bridge interfering. Pretend you are facing the tree and you need to shoot to your 9 o'clock position. My bow string hits the bridge rope.
Would you attempt to position yourself so there is a more favorable shot position? I am guessing the 7 o'clock is the most ideal for a right hand shooter.
Click to expand...

You'll need to make some adjustments to bridge length, tether length and hook up height in relationship to your platform. But for the time being, a very quick fix - turn your body ever so slightly, which makes 9 o'clock 7 o'clock. Should just be able to adjust the way your toes are pointing and rotate ever so slightly.

I am having a hard time visualizing how your string is hitting while shooting at 9 o'clock. I can't see how it's possible - when shooting at exactly 9 o'clock, your string should be in line with your hip. the bridge connection is, or should be a few inches forward of that. Maybe you're sitting as opposed to leaning? If so, try standing more upright and 'leaning' for the shot.
 
I am defiantly more sitting than leaning. I am still tuning my setup. So are most people standing / leaning as opposed to a sit?
The reason I was more inclined to sit vs stand is because I usually stay in the tree all day long.
 
Honestly I’m shocked how comfortable my Kestrel is. Hour 1 logged and looking forward to many more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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