newer member from central il

[swampbilly]

I've been lurking around the forum reading and learning and trying to make up my mind on if I wanna try saddle hunting. I've finally decided to take the plunge. Going to place an order for a mantis and the whole rest of the whole shebang from tethrd. Anyone have any insight on how the sitka heavy fanatic bibs fit under the mantis. I wear a L didnt know if I should size up on the saddle. Thanks in advance for any comments and glad to be a part of such an active forum with so many awesome members

 

[DanO]

Welcome from SE Michigan! Sorry, can't help on Sitka bibs fit under the mantis.

 

[Homebrew454]

Welcome from SE Wisconsin. I wore Sitka fantatic bibs with the mantis this last fall. They worked fine together and I used the SBW from tethrd when it got cold. All I needed was medium weight ECWCS for a bottom layer, pants, and then my bibs. I hunted in NE Wisconsin with no issues.

I had the large and I'm 6 feet 210lbs with a 35 inch waist and bought the large. I primarily leaned (95% of the time I estimate) and was comfy. If I was a sitter, I would go with the XL .

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[oldognewtricks]

Welcome From Mississippi! Sorry I cant help I am just starting to learn myself, but that is part of the fun!!

 

[rakbowhunter]

Welcome to the forum! What's parts of central Illinois? I'm located in Springfield but have family in Effingham area. I was wearing the fanatic with a med mantis with no issues. I have since sold the mantis and bought a Kestrel.

 

[dpierce72]

Welcome - lots of us new guys starting together...

 

[Phopkins]

Welcome! I'm in Metamora, northeast of Peoria. Where are you located?

 

[Newhunter1]

I had the mantis, sold it to get the kestrel and sold that to get the flex. However to answer you question I had the mantis with the First Lite Sanctuary bibs and jacket. XL and I'm 190 and 5'4".

 

[swampbilly]

Welcome! I'm in Metamora, northeast of Peoria. Where are you located?

I'm west of Peoria kinda between Peoria and bartonville

 

[Deltahuntr]

Welcome from Louisiana

 

[Phopkins]

We're close. I've got a Kestrel size 1, Wild Edge steps, a lone wolf hand climber seat, etc. Let me know if you want to try any of it out.
It's nice to actually try some of this stuff before you buy it. I've got plenty of trees we can climb. Don't hesitate, I'm more than happy to help out.
Paul

 

[Kurt]

Welcome from MA.

 

[rakbowhunter]

@Phopkins Paul is a great guy and a great resource! He was kind enough to let me come over to talk saddle earlier this year.

 

[Newhunter1]

@Phopkins Paul is a great guy and a great resource! He was kind enough to let me come over to talk saddle earlier this year.

Ditto on Paul being a great guy to ask questions.

Wait, my name is Paul too...oh...you weren't talking about me. Seriously...Paul's (Phopkins) is a great person to gather information.

 

[jbrow340]

Welcome from Ohio

 

[hairy chinch bug]

Welcome from W IL.

I do some SRT and one stick climbing (LW & aider), sit a fleece hammock w/ a webbing bridge; still working on my platform.

 

[swampbilly]

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and ordered a mantis since sounds like it will b a while till I will get it and didnt wanna not have it by the opener. Phopkins might still take u up on the offer to check out ur set up so the saddle isn't so foriegn to me when I finally do get it

 

[Phopkins]

I'd be happy to show you my gear, let you try it out. Right now I've been climbing with 4 Wild Edge stepps and a knaider/swaider. It's pretty slick but getting the steps right is absolutely essential. I was climbing a slight leaner last night and the step tipped a little, I was using my tether instead of linemans belt so got caught between hanging from tether and the swaider, took me a minute to get untangled.
PM me if you're ready to come over and check this stuff out.

 

[Sheldon]

Welcome from God's Country Missouri!

 

[fbwguy]

Welcome from Arkansas