• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Mobile mentoring/climbing setup?

heretic

heretic

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2018
Messages
608
Location
Missouri
I'm the oldest of seven siblings and have started getting my brothers (and step nephew) into bow hunting. All their previous experiences have been gun hunting (weekend warrior style) in ladder stands. This last year was my first season in the saddle which afforded me the opportunity mentor my brothers by putting them in my hang on stand while I setup on the back of the tree in a saddle.

For what it was it worked pretty well as I am able to sit behind them and talk them through the shot. However we are still hindered by the weight of the old system (especially the climbing sticks). This year as I investigate more advanced (and lighter) climbing techniques I find myself wondering how the heck am I going to get them up the tree if I'm off one-sticking, or climbing w/ WE steps + aiders, etc etc?

I would really love to show them the benefits of mobile hunting, scouting and setting up on hot sign and everything that comes with it however I feel like weight will be the limiting factor. Half of me says I should get a RCH + fleece saddle and throw them into the deep end of saddle hunting while the other half is worried that too much information/effort will only work to frustrate and discourage them.

For you more seasoned saddle hunters how do you mentor new hunters? What does your tree setup look like? What kind of climbing methods do you employ for novice users?
 
I'm new to the saddle gig, but I plan on doing some filming with my brother and our buddies this year. I'm planning on doing this exactly in our permanent stands. They sit in the hangon while I hang off the back side/side. once one climbs up and gets set the other person can climb up and get set. I'm excited to try that out and be able to do a few dual sits this year.
As far as getting them mobile, basically all "traditional ways of hunting", a climber or a hang and hunt set up, will be heavier and bulkier.
If you want to get them out onto public land. Start em on the ground and don't worry so much as getting them into the trees immediately. Then you don't need to carry anything in beside your weapon!
 
cmbetke said:
I'm new to the saddle gig, but I plan on doing some filming with my brother and our buddies this year. I'm planning on doing this exactly in our permanent stands. They sit in the hangon while I hang off the back side/side. once one climbs up and gets set the other person can climb up and get set. I'm excited to try that out and be able to do a few dual sits this year.
Click to expand...
It really is a blast! I'm looking forward to it this year again
 
Same here!! Excited is probably an understatement! I'm ready for some cooler weather and leaves changing.
 
heretic said:
I'm the oldest of seven siblings and have started getting my brothers (and step nephew) into bow hunting. All their previous experiences have been gun hunting (weekend warrior style) in ladder stands. This last year was my first season in the saddle which afforded me the opportunity mentor my brothers by putting them in my hang on stand while I setup on the back of the tree in a saddle.

For what it was it worked pretty well as I am able to sit behind them and talk them through the shot. However we are still hindered by the weight of the old system (especially the climbing sticks). This year as I investigate more advanced (and lighter) climbing techniques I find myself wondering how the heck am I going to get them up the tree if I'm off one-sticking, or climbing w/ WE steps + aiders, etc etc?

I would really love to show them the benefits of mobile hunting, scouting and setting up on hot sign and everything that comes with it however I feel like weight will be the limiting factor. Half of me says I should get a RCH + fleece saddle and throw them into the deep end of saddle hunting while the other half is worried that too much information/effort will only work to frustrate and discourage them.

For you more seasoned saddle hunters how do you mentor new hunters? What does your tree setup look like? What kind of climbing methods do you employ for novice users?
Click to expand...
I have pondered this as I have a colleague that I am helping get into bowhunting this fall. I definitely don't want to add stress or complicate things with awkward climbing systems. I plan to just bring four sticks with us when we go together so climbing is simple for all. We can each carry two which is very manageable or since he will carry a stand to sit in I might carry all four sticks. Not that big if a deal and worth the sacrifice to help someone get into the sport.

You could use WE's alternatively but I would recommend having enough to use zero aiders (maybe Knaider at most). If you had 8 steps and each carried 4 that could work well.
 
That's the method we're using now, it's just not very mobile friendly. Especially since we hunt in the ozarks where there may not be a lot of elevation but there is a lot of elevation change.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top