Looking at the new Mantis- newbie asking for a little advice

[ajandrs]

I agree there are other advantages. But at the risk of offending some, I'll play devil's advocate.

Like people, some deer are just stupid. I've had similar situations to yours play out sitting on the ground, paddling a canoe, and sitting in traditional stands. It is true that the profile of a saddlehunter is different, but I've been picked off a tree in a saddle. Saddles also require more movement for certain shot options than a tree stand. Going up-and -over the bridge for example is a LOT of movement. Movement will get you picked off.

I look at it this way. I have a Browning Citori I squirrel hunt with. I very much enjoy this gun, and believe it is the perfect squirrel killing gun. It carries well, patterns well, and allows me to quickly switch between chokes for different situations. These are undeniable advantages over, say, an 870. I can squirrel hunt every day of the season should I choose to do so, and I usually do. I had the money, and I bought THE BEST. Bully for me.

But, I would not for a second recommend that somebody financially inconvenience themselves and purchase a citori just to hunt squirrels once or twice a year. The advantages are NOT worth the extra money for most folks.

If OP wants a saddle, and can find a saddle system for a price that fits his budget, then that's awesome. There's plenty of folks here to help him with that, myself included. I just wanted to point out that there was no reason to feel like he was "settling" by purchasing an XOP.

I can really appreciate this post, much like you nutter when I buy something, no matter what it may be, it's generally going to serve a specific purpose, and I want to buy the best there is to give me the biggest advantage and best user experience possible. I'm a massive believer in the "buy once, cry once" mantra. Sure I can get some cheap rope and make myself a cheap linemen's belt, but I love the advantages of the factory spliced rope that Tethrd offers, and the ease of use the ropeman 1 provides going up and down a tree. Are those necessary? Absolutely not but I know they provide an edge over the alternative and I also know that I would eventually give in and pay additional money to upgrade to them anyway ... might as well just start where I want to be in the end, right?

I just ordered the XOP Vanish and Helium sticks, really can't beat $100 for 3 sticks that come in at 8.4lbs (plus straps I imagine). With an aider or two I should be able to get plenty high in them. I didn't get the Vanish because I decided on going with a hang-on, that debate continues. It's just that the Vanish is the same price as the TETHRD platform but I can hang it in a tree right away and use it as is until I decide on the saddle ... and with the Mantis production still being a couple weeks out at least I should have some time to get some seat time in the Vanish which will likely help make my decision. We'll see! I also just ordered the TETHRD linemen's rope and a Ropeman 1 so I have everything needed now to get up the Heliums and get the Vanish hung.

In the end I think this is the best approach as it gets me going and practicing by this weekend. I have a very strong suspicion that I'll end up in the Mantis (probably much sooner than later) and if / when that happens I'll simply steal the Vanish seat and build my platform out of that and be off to the races.

Still interested in hearing more opinions though so keep them coming, and thanks to everyone who's commented so far!

 

[Inconel710]

Well, I'm going in a slightly different direction from you. Just adding this for another perspective.

I'm not as new as you, but I've got about twice as many days in a stand as I have years of tags. Had a lot of tag soup. I pulled the trigger last week on a Mantis. I knew it was a risk and it's probably my fault they got the wrong colored webbing. I've already got an API climbing stand, so I have "something" while I wait.

I'm going basic. I too like quality, but I can't get the "whole shebang" all at once. I knew the Mantis is where I wanted to end up. I'll piece together a Sit Drag and rock climbing harness over the next couple of weeks and order some WE Stepps to start practicing. The Ropeman 1 can wait. When the Mantis comes in, I'll have the Sit Drag for my son to use.

I'm OK with DIY. Already made an Aider. Working on a Knaider and gear hanger now. I'll be using the HSS tree tether from my safety harness for my saddle and I'll probably start with an HSS lineman's belt or find some climbing rope that isn't eye-searing.

I think you'll be fine either way. Good luck.

 

[ajandrs]

Well, I'm going in a slightly different direction from you. Just adding this for another perspective.

I'm not as new as you, but I've got about twice as many days in a stand as I have years of tags. Had a lot of tag soup. I pulled the trigger last week on a Mantis. I knew it was a risk and it's probably my fault they got the wrong colored webbing. I've already got an API climbing stand, so I have "something" while I wait.

I'm going basic. I too like quality, but I can't get the "whole shebang" all at once. I knew the Mantis is where I wanted to end up. I'll piece together a Sit Drag and rock climbing harness over the next couple of weeks and order some WE Stepps to start practicing. The Ropeman 1 can wait. When the Mantis comes in, I'll have the Sit Drag for my son to use.

I'm OK with DIY. Already made an Aider. Working on a Knaider and gear hanger now. I'll be using the HSS tree tether from my safety harness for my saddle and I'll probably start with an HSS lineman's belt or find some climbing rope that isn't eye-searing.

I think you'll be fine either way. Good luck.

Thanks for the additional perspective, I appreciate it! Did you mean you would use the HSS tree tether for your bridge on the saddle? That's one area I was not sure of because on TETHRD's website it doesn't really talk about the bridge part. Obviously you could use the linemen's belt but then you would have to temporarily disconnect yourself from the tree to move the LM rope from around the tree to the tether. Do you basically just carry an extra LM rope and hook that to your tether, and only then disconnect your climbing LM rope?

I'm a huge DIY'er for most things, but for gear that I will trust my life with I'm certainly more hesitant. I already have the HSS tree tether but mistakenly put that in my cost analysis above, taking that and the SYS Hauler out (and just using my existing pack) would knock $60 off my total. Considering what I just purchased earlier today, to get into the Mantis now i'm just looking at $200 for the saddle ... plus a little hardware to convert my Vanish seat into a platform. I plan on putting versa buttons on the Heliums and doing the rope mod, then using the straps that they came with to make aiders to help get me up higher.

Good luck to you as well!

 

[Vtbow]

Thanks for the additional perspective, I appreciate it! Did you mean you would use the HSS tree tether for your bridge on the saddle? That's one area I was not sure of because on TETHRD's website it doesn't really talk about the bridge part. Obviously you could use the linemen's belt but then you would have to temporarily disconnect yourself from the tree to move the LM rope from around the tree to the tether. Do you basically just carry an extra LM rope and hook that to your tether, and only then disconnect your climbing LM rope?

I'm a huge DIY'er for most things, but for gear that I will trust my life with I'm certainly more hesitant. I already have the HSS tree tether but mistakenly put that in my cost analysis above, taking that and the SYS Hauler out (and just using my existing pack) would knock $60 off my total. Considering what I just purchased earlier today, to get into the Mantis now i'm just looking at $200 for the saddle ... plus a little hardware to convert my Vanish seat into a platform. I plan on putting versa buttons on the Heliums and doing the rope mod, then using the straps that they came with to make aiders to help get me up higher.

Good luck to you as well!

Bridge is sewn to the saddle, so you dont need another one. your HSS will work great for a tether/anchor. Can always upgrade the steel biner it came with to an aluminum one and be even happier.

 

[ajandrs]

Bridge is sewn to the saddle, so you dont need another one. your HSS will work great for a tether/anchor. Can always upgrade the steel biner it came with to an aluminum one and be even happier.

Thanks for that! I see now the bridge is just cut out of the pictures on their website, but it is listed in the description as 1/4" amsteel at 30"

 

[donnieballgame]

Looks like I'm too late to recommend a Sitdrag and a rock climbing harness. This will be my second year in a saddle and I have no intentions of upgrading from a sitdrag any time soon. I've also been using fleece saddles with my RCH and they are really comfy and also really cheap, you can make a lot of saddles for 10 bucks. For new saddle hunters, I think this is the way to go, it's cheap, you will need a climbing method regardless, it allows you to learn about saddle hunting, figure out what works and doesn't and you don't have to wait on anyone.

Oh, check out the new saddle hunter area, specifically the advice/info thread that I put together complete with links and covers most of the methods folks are using, also the glossary so you can understand the lingo, if you haven't already.