New to hunting....Started with a Saddle now I’m here!

[Blackmamba]

So I hope this is be one of those long lived threads we all can chime in on and learn. So I am brand new to everything hunting, archery, and the like. It all started out with me finally pulling the trigger on my dream bow. A Hoyt Rx1 Ultra in black. Knocked out my hunters Ed and bow hunters Ed even though bow is not required in SC and it started building from there. A friend at work gave me a climbing stand to get me started and when I picked it up I thought “there is now way one would lug this thing in and out the woods!” So I started looking up videos and ended up happening upon a video with a guy showing how he used climbing sticks and this thing called a saddle and platform. I thought hmmm. So after much research I found this forum which has been helpful and many more videos I saved and got some equipment/gear that would at least get me started. And that old climbing stand we’ll it will have a time and place. Since my only options are public land in upstate South Carolina I decided the whole mobile run and gun deal fit my personality and needs better.
With all that being said the gear I started out with, some stuff was because of lack of availability, some were based on reviews

1. Muddy Pro climbing sticks
- there were/ are others I have my eye on. But for the money and quantity I gave them a shot.
I do like the sticks, they are easy to set up but only on basketball diameter size trees and under. How ever the are heavy and is the only reason I have my eyes open for other options.

2. My platform (for now) Hawk Hangout seat
- very inexpensive to get into and try out. Tried it at ground level first. It def needs an upgrade for the teeth that bite into the tree. I also thought about doing a versa button rope mod on it due to it coming with a ratchet strap and the attachment clip is too cumbersome. However I use 2 straps on it to be safe and I have done 3 sits with so far and have a few hours on it. It does well and haven’t had any shifting or scary moments on it. I’m 260 currently. i do have a predator on the way that I found here in the classifieds.

3. The saddle is a Tethrd Mantis.
I also found it here in the classifieds due to wait times with the actual company. It came with tether and lineman’s rope, biners that are on prusik knots.The prusik is for me and I have ropemans on the way! I couldn’t get the prusik to adjust one handed and I almost found myself in compromising positions. I wanted theFlex because I am a big guy not fat but athletic. However my Mantis is an XL. I’m wearing a 38 in pants but waist is actually a 36 and it is very VERY comfortable. In fact most mornings I’m going after work with little to no sleep, and I have dozed off in the saddle in the dark for a couple hrs not moving and I felt amazing when I woke up. Once with my knees in the tree resting on my bridge and once in the position sitting beside the tree with my feet still on platform leaning on the bridge. The first time it scared me that I had dosed off!!! Got my heart beating pretty good and had to gather myself. The second time I said yep nap time and passed out. Some of the most peaceful sleep I have had in a long time!

4. My Pack. Oh man my pack....Cabela’s Multi day
Now I justified buying this pack because I wanted to get more than I thought I’d need. And hopefully one day I’ll get to chase some Elk and Mule deer on a multi day backpacking trip. The pack I have now is small it just doesn’t pack my sticks and platform well. And as I said hunting WMA I’m searching for off the grid areas and take enough stuff that I don’t need to come back out until I’m done for the day. I’ve not used it yet just picked it up over the weekend. I’m going to try in the morning with it. I may end up getting smaller version if it’s too cumbersome. But hey this is what it’s about. Trying and critiquing and getting stuff dialed in when you’re 100% confident in it. Takes everything else away so you can focus on the task at hand.

5. Camo
I have a montage of Bass Pro Strata (love this pattern) Sentinel, UA barren Forrest, some good ol Wal Mart Real Tree and some ScentLok stuff. Most everything I got was on sale or off eBay. I did see John Eberharts video about laundering scent free and packing it in totes. (Side note it’s on the bucket list to get to his work shop and learn from the best since I have no knowledge)
Now with all that said I’d like to learn from everyone. I’d like to be critiqued and make some new friends here. I feel bad because I should have done this a long time ago. Using no one will teach me how got old and decided to do something about it and I needed another outlet. (Hadn’t been able to fish tournaments consistently in the last 3 years). I’ve both seen and heard deer on my last couple sits so I am figuring things out and getting closer to sealing the deal. I’m totally ok with not making it happen this year. I accepted that before I got started, but I’m going to try like a mother ! Let’s hear it guys.....

 

[Blackmamba]

More pics trying things out then my first sit.

 

[Blackmamba]

I’m not sure how to rotate my pics here to orient them the right way. Look good on my phone...till it post

 

[Blackmamba]

More pics of my set up and spots

 

[GiGisDaddy]

I think you have tried everything but a handstand on that Hangout! Just spend time in it, be quiet and hunt where there are deer, it'll come along.

 

[Blackmamba]

I think you have tried everything but a handstand on that Hangout! Just spend time in it, be quiet and hunt where there are deer, it'll come along.

Wanted to make sure it would hold a big man. I actually did a handstand on the platform before hooking up lol.

 

[Blackmamba]

https://www.facebook.com/168076030661680/posts/573172780152001

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this is normal right?

 

[boyne bowhunter]

https://www.facebook.com/168076030661680/posts/573172780152001

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this is normal right?

It is for me. The one bad thing I've found about saddle hunting is that the bridge makes a great headrest.

 

[Blackmamba]

It sure does! Scared me it was so comfortable

 

[mtsrunner]

Yep, I think you’ve got saddle fever for sure. I used to be on a hunt club in the upstate (Campobello). A lot of deer around there. I hope you can close the deal this season, but you’ve got the right attitude. I started bow hunting in 1990 and didn’t get one until my third season. I’ve probably killed at least 40-50 with a bow since then. It never gets old being in the woods. I love it. Good luck.

 

[Blackmamba]

Yep, I think you’ve got saddle fever for sure. I used to be on a hunt club in the upstate (Campobello). A lot of deer around there. I hope you can close the deal this season, but you’ve got the right attitude. I started bow hunting in 1990 and didn’t get one until my third season. I’ve probably killed at least 40-50 with a bow since then. It never gets old being in the woods. I love it. Good luck.

I live maybe 15 20 mins from there. Do they still have a hunt club up that way?

 

[bakin7005]

Looks like you been doing it for years! You certainly are set up for success. Just enjoy the woods! It isn't all about the killing but it won't be long from the looks of it.

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[Blackmamba]

Looks like you been doing it for years! You certainly are set up for success. Just enjoy the woods! It isn't all about the killing but it won't be long from the looks of it.

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Thank you for the kind words. One thing I’m doing now is being super methodical on my load out from home my pack in and routine /ascent/decent and pack out. I’ve learned everything off the site and from some guys on YouTube that I am sure are member here. I really enjoy the outdoors. Even googled to figure out the noise I heard beneath me was a doe bleating. I know what a coyote sounds like though and I heard one 2 many dogs in the woods my last time out which made me quicken my step a little. Glock in hand of course

 

[rutjr]

You look very comfortable with your set up. I see nothing wrong with it either. You may be like some of us and try different things but I think you are off to a great start. Best of Luck!

 

[MettBriler]

your setup looks good, I'm also an Adult onset hunter and went straight for a saddle as well.

 

[Blackmamba]

You look very comfortable with your set up. I see nothing wrong with it either. You may be like some of us and try different things but I think you are off to a great start. Best of Luck!

Thanks to you guys on this forum who basically did the field testing and reported back and made videos. That’s how I was able to select gear

 

[Blackmamba]

One thing I forgot to mention is I picked up a Garmin 64st handheld gps. I think it’s normally 250$ or $300 at bass pro. Got it for $150. Wanted this because I use onX to get to my spots and back and sometimes if I see what I think is sign I will follow it. So I’m going to try it out this week. I’ve lost service on the phone and the battery has gotten pretty low. Don’t wanna get lost at dark.

 

[twobiscuit]

One thing I forgot to mention is I picked up a Garmin 64st handheld gps. I think it’s normally 250$ or $300 at bass pro. Got it for $150. Wanted this because I use onX to get to my spots and back and sometimes if I see what I think is sign I will follow it. So I’m going to try it out this week. I’ve lost service on the phone and the battery has gotten pretty low. Don’t wanna get lost at dark.

Try downloading the off grid maps on onx. It's a pretty cool feature. I am kinda like you though, if I'm going somewhere I know nothing about, I take my Garmin too.

 

[Blackmamba]

Try downloading the off grid maps on onx. It's a pretty cool feature. I am kinda like you though, if I'm going somewhere I know nothing about, I take my Garmin too.

Do you have the onX chip in your Garmin? I’m think about that vs using birds eye that comes with the hand held unit.

 

[twobiscuit]

No sir. I just use my phone most of the time. The chip is probably awesome though

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