My First Hunt in a Saddle! Thoughts and feedback appre

[GreenMtHunter]

It was a balmy (and very windy) 70 degrees in VT. on Saturday. I woke up around 4:30am to meet my Old Man and get into our stands. At around 11:30 we departed after a quiet, yet beautiful morning amongst the foliage here in the Green Mountain State. On the way home I decided it was time to do some scouting and try out my new Tethrd Mantis Saddle and Muddy Pro Climbing sticks for the first time. I geared up, and after just over a mile long hike into a local WMA, I found a spot I liked and setup.
I had carried 3 sticks, my backpack, bow, and predator platform (on my backpack) with me and was ready for my first ascent during a hunt. After a few practice rounds in the backyard I had set a goal of a 20 minute setup with plenty of sun in the middle of the day. About 35 minutes later I was finally packing away my lineman’s belt and hoisting up my bow.

What I learned:
1) Take off a layer or two at the truck. After a hike and a climb I was drenched in sweat. The heat wasn’t helpful but I can see the same happening evening on a cool morning or late afternoon.

2) Practice, practice, practice. It is going to take at least 7-10 more attempts for me to find a rhythm or process for climbing that is efficient. It takes me too long to get up the tree.

3) Find a better way to hook up extra sticks for the climb. My paracord loops are too far back and make my sticks clang when I climb.

4) Trust the gear. After hooking up my tether and getting onto my platform, I find it unnerving to tuck away my lineman’s belt and be so high in the air with my amsteel bridge. My mind tells me it’s safe and strong but my eyes look at that rope and hope it holds lol.

5) Have fun. It’s hunting, be thankful you can still do it, thank you have a supportive wife who encourages you to enjoy the outdoors and that you can afford the equipment and time to enjoy such a hobby and reflect on so many amazing relationships and experiences.

6) Be creative. There is no “right” in saddle hunting. Keep modifying to figure out what is working and what isn’t.

7) Have a process. Dissect it.

 

[Bama_Xander]

It was a balmy (and very windy) 70 degrees in VT. on Saturday. I woke up around 4:30am to meet my Old Man and get into our stands. At around 11:30 we departed after a quiet, yet beautiful morning amongst the foliage here in the Green Mountain State. On the way home I decided it was time to do some scouting and try out my new Tethrd Mantis Saddle and Muddy Pro Climbing sticks for the first time. I geared up, and after just over a mile long hike into a local WMA, I found a spot I liked and setup.
I had carried 3 sticks, my backpack, bow, and predator platform (on my backpack) with me and was ready for my first ascent during a hunt. After a few practice rounds in the backyard I had set a goal of a 20 minute setup with plenty of sun in the middle of the day. About 35 minutes later I was finally packing away my lineman’s belt and hoisting up my bow.

What I learned:
1) Take off a layer or two at the truck. After a hike and a climb I was drenched in sweat. The heat wasn’t helpful but I can see the same happening evening on a cool morning or late afternoon.

2) Practice, practice, practice. It is going to take at least 7-10 more attempts for me to find a rhythm or process for climbing that is efficient. It takes me too long to get up the tree.

3) Find a better way to hook up extra sticks for the climb. My paracord loops are too far back and make my sticks clang when I climb.

4) Trust the gear. After hooking up my tether and getting onto my platform, I find it unnerving to tuck away my lineman’s belt and be so high in the air with my amsteel bridge. My mind tells me it’s safe and strong but my eyes look at that rope and hope it holds lol.

5) Have fun. It’s hunting, be thankful you can still do it, thank you have a supportive wife who encourages you to enjoy the outdoors and that you can afford the equipment and time to enjoy such a hobby and reflect on so many amazing relationships and experiences.

6) Be creative. There is no “right” in saddle hunting. Keep modifying to figure out what is working and what isn’t.

7) Have a process. Dissect it.

#1 - all day every day. Back when I carried heavier stands, I would hike in with just my base layer on looking like a ninja or super hero (I’m sure that was a sight for some hunters). Cold at first but comfortable a couple minutes into the walk. Now that I’m lighter, one less layer on top generally does the trick.

#2 - yes yes yes.

#4 - I still remember that first lean back at hunting height. My butt puckered so much. I now keep my lineman’s belt taunt until I get my tether completely situated and slowly ease the pressure into the tether with the lineman’s belt still on.

#5/6/7 - good stuff

You got a lot of good insights from you first sit. Keep it up!

 

[rswink]

It was a balmy (and very windy) 70 degrees in VT. on Saturday. I woke up around 4:30am to meet my Old Man and get into our stands. At around 11:30 we departed after a quiet, yet beautiful morning amongst the foliage here in the Green Mountain State. On the way home I decided it was time to do some scouting and try out my new Tethrd Mantis Saddle and Muddy Pro Climbing sticks for the first time. I geared up, and after just over a mile long hike into a local WMA, I found a spot I liked and setup.
I had carried 3 sticks, my backpack, bow, and predator platform (on my backpack) with me and was ready for my first ascent during a hunt. After a few practice rounds in the backyard I had set a goal of a 20 minute setup with plenty of sun in the middle of the day. About 35 minutes later I was finally packing away my lineman’s belt and hoisting up my bow.

94 in the Sooner state yesterday, was in as little as I could but accidentally allowed myself to stop sweating while helping my wife into a tree, well, safety inspector on the ground for her 1st time in hunting season up a tree. This set me up for failure. I stood with her for almost an hour on her chosen tree.

What I learned:
1) Take off a layer or two at the truck. After a hike and a climb I was drenched in sweat. The heat wasn’t helpful but I can see the same happening evening on a cool morning or late afternoon.

I ended my hunt yesterday in the cab of the truck, AC on, and sucked down 3L of water before starting to sweat again. After that I waited for my wife and brother to both get done and walk out. Was borderline heat stroke last night and could feel it. So, what I learned was to keep the water on me while doing other tasks like watching her. I take safety serious and my wife and daughters safety even more seriously.

2) Practice, practice, practice. It is going to take at least 7-10 more attempts for me to find a rhythm or process for climbing that is efficient. It takes me too long to get up the tree.

My wife thought she was 15 minutes to being in the tree, when looking at the group texts she realized it was over an hour to in the tree. She is evaluating her technique last night. Told her it is just repetition and finding the little things that make us faster, not that I am a speed demon, 30 to 45 minutes is normal as I need to pick better trees.

3) Find a better way to hook up extra sticks for the climb. My paracord loops are too far back and make my sticks clang when I climb.

Built a 12' long HYS strap per the online DIY instructions. They fit over the buttons on a Hawk Helium, then clipped to her, she can drag just a strap up on her gear and then pull up her sticks without banging. Then lower what she doesn't need to the ground as she climbs. Next found we are going to put her platform and ROS at he end. After the cord was pull cord to her backpack, and then it had the pull cord for her bow. This brought her each item she wanted in the order she wanted them.

I use WEI steps and Modified Cane Technique, as slow as and as heavy as her sticks, and this strap makes me want to build another for myself and some Hawks, but I would use Amsteel daisy chains or something as I hate those buckles.

4) Trust the gear. After hooking up my tether and getting onto my platform, I find it unnerving to tuck away my lineman’s belt and be so high in the air with my amsteel bridge. My mind tells me it’s safe and strong but my eyes look at that rope and hope it holds lol.

Everything is a 1 handed operation, practice it 1 handed in the house also. I have also found it is better to daisy chain my ropes and put them in a big pouch, the small pouches I worked with made me want both hands on them.

Also, the more I build my own stuff the more I seem to trust it. It might be that I am gaining trust by exposure but I feel like knowing my equipment more intimately helps me.

5) Have fun. It’s hunting, be thankful you can still do it, thank you have a supportive wife who encourages you to enjoy the outdoors and that you can afford the equipment and time to enjoy such a hobby and reflect on so many amazing relationships and experiences.

Yes, and encourage your wife to start coming with you. It ain't cheap helping her, but you would be amazed at the things she brings to your hunt that you would have never thought of. Plus, if she takes to it then you have a built in hunting partner.

6) Be creative. There is no “right” in saddle hunting. Keep modifying to figure out what is working and what isn’t.

I would add, tell others what is working for you, keep it positive, and helpful. And throw away the negatives as much as you can.

7) Have a process. Dissect it.

During my sit with just myself.
After the hunt with the group.
When home with just my wife.
At night in my dreams.

Oh, and tactical shoulder straps, gave mine to the wife this weekend as she kept losing her saddle and readjusting during her walk in. So, now I remember why I bought those in the first place.



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[Jlosee]

Nice write up. I dont have any advice to offer as i am still trying to figure all this out. Just started looking at this forum the other day . Def want to get started just need to jump in and buy a saddle.

 

[rswink]

I bought a saddle and am thinking of building next.

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[wdarby]

It was a balmy (and very windy) 70 degrees in VT. on Saturday. ... After a few practice rounds in the backyard I had set a goal of a 20 minute setup with plenty of sun in the middle of the day. About 35 minutes later I was finally packing away my lineman’s belt and hoisting up my bow.

I'm a VT native, but live in NH now. Love that state.

Setup time in a saddle surprises me, too. I've timed my single stick climb at 7 min. Yet it takes me 30 min total time from the time I approach the tree to be in hunting position with everything in ready. I had a deer spook before shooting hours Sunday as I was getting my setup ready. This is my first year in the saddle, but seems like I double check everything more than I did with my mobile Lone Wolf sticks & Assault last year.

I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train

 

[Buckkillr]

My bow pull up rope is 1/2"x 30' webbing to avoid tangles, with that I tie a loop in it at about 8' and 15' and as I climb I pull up ladders and then my bow last. Important thing is too lay everything out and order so they don't clang around once lifted and platform on my back.

 

[NikoTheBowHunter]

It was a balmy (and very windy) 70 degrees in VT. on Saturday. I woke up around 4:30am to meet my Old Man and get into our stands. At around 11:30 we departed after a quiet, yet beautiful morning amongst the foliage here in the Green Mountain State. On the way home I decided it was time to do some scouting and try out my new Tethrd Mantis Saddle and Muddy Pro Climbing sticks for the first time. I geared up, and after just over a mile long hike into a local WMA, I found a spot I liked and setup.
I had carried 3 sticks, my backpack, bow, and predator platform (on my backpack) with me and was ready for my first ascent during a hunt. After a few practice rounds in the backyard I had set a goal of a 20 minute setup with plenty of sun in the middle of the day. About 35 minutes later I was finally packing away my lineman’s belt and hoisting up my bow.

What I learned:
1) Take off a layer or two at the truck. After a hike and a climb I was drenched in sweat. The heat wasn’t helpful but I can see the same happening evening on a cool morning or late afternoon.

2) Practice, practice, practice. It is going to take at least 7-10 more attempts for me to find a rhythm or process for climbing that is efficient. It takes me too long to get up the tree.

3) Find a better way to hook up extra sticks for the climb. My paracord loops are too far back and make my sticks clang when I climb.

4) Trust the gear. After hooking up my tether and getting onto my platform, I find it unnerving to tuck away my lineman’s belt and be so high in the air with my amsteel bridge. My mind tells me it’s safe and strong but my eyes look at that rope and hope it holds lol.

5) Have fun. It’s hunting, be thankful you can still do it, thank you have a supportive wife who encourages you to enjoy the outdoors and that you can afford the equipment and time to enjoy such a hobby and reflect on so many amazing relationships and experiences.

6) Be creative. There is no “right” in saddle hunting. Keep modifying to figure out what is working and what isn’t.

7) Have a process. Dissect it.

#1 - yup! Walk in with nothing but the baselayers. Body heats up carrying in all that gear. Not to mention climbing. I pack all my outer layers in the backpack in order they will go on once I’m in the tree.

#2 - after a season in the saddle I’m still fine tuning my set up and climbing method.

#3 - look to possibly going single stick method. Then ya don’t have to worry about that.

#4 -I don’t think I’ll ever fully trust my gear and I hope I never do so I don’t end up coming to comfy and have something bad happen myself. I try to back up everything within reason. One idea is that once at height instead of tucking that lineman’s belt away, attach it to the tree as a back up tether. I do this with my back up tether of Amsteel for getting around limbs while climbing. I just hook it up loosely and it sits there with no tension as a backup.

My only other advice would be to get to your spot earlier than you think you need to be. Slowing down as you near your stand/tree, being extra careful not to make noise, going slow as to not sweat, it all eats away at the clock. One thing I’ve learned is it is going to take me longer to get fully set up than I think it will take so get there earlier than planned.

Anyways that’s my 2 cents on it. Best of luck to ya!!!