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Noob in SE Oklahoma

D

Dmac678

New Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2019
Messages
3
Hello all. After making the change from a fairly stationary hunter (1-3 setup locations in a year) to a much more mobile hunter, (8 new setup locations this year and looking for more) I have started to dislike packing my climber all over the place. I have just recently heard about saddles this year from various YouTubers(THP, DIY, Catman to name a few) and have become intrigued. The saddle method seems to have more benefits than I can ignore. Lighter, more mobile, stealthier, better shot angles, the list goes on. Currently I am trying to weigh out the pros and cons between going with a DIY Sitdrag setup versus something commercially made like the Aero Hunter or Tethrd setups. I am currently leaning towards going with the Sitdrag paired with a rock climbing or tree working harness. I have a few picked out on Amazon and could use some help on identifying what to go with. Will hold off on posting links in case I need to add them under a different thread. If anyone has any suggestions I am very interested. Thanks.
 
Welcome from Wisconsin. If you don't have a tether and lineman's belt already, I would just look into getting the saddle package. I did try going the same route as you my first year doing this. I got a Petzl Corax and made a sit drag and also made a bosun seat. I thought the sit drag was comfortable and I still have it. I didn't like the bosun chair though.

I ended up just ordering the Tethryd Mantis when it came out and really like it.

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Thanks for the info guys. Homebrew, to be honest I like the idea of a saddle package but I have not gotten over the entry price yet. The Mantis does look like an awesome piece of equipment though. Mike thanks for the link. I also just found those videos from G2 Outdoors and and will be checking them out. How do you guys feel about something like this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7E7CU0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TmvqCb2Z2DMZF
It seems like it would be a good option since it is already setup for use with a lineman's belt. Thoughts?
 
Dmac678 said:
Thanks for the info guys. Homebrew, to be honest I like the idea of a saddle package but I have not gotten over the entry price yet. The Mantis does look like an awesome piece of equipment though. Mike thanks for the link. I also just found those videos from G2 Outdoors and and will be checking them out. How do you guys feel about something like this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7E7CU0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TmvqCb2Z2DMZF
It seems like it would be a good option since it is already setup for use with a lineman's belt. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Stay away from metal contacts that will clink together or make noise , even with other gear. So I want you to look at the price of how many treestands you own, this becomes one treestand and you become mobile. no more junk in trees. I will say this for going gum hunting I like a ladder stand and comfort to sit and how something walks by , but for the bow this is just a whole other world. If you haven't done any of this , the climbing harness with the sit and drag is not a bad way to go. Lets say you don't like it , well now you have a safety harness and a deer drag!
Now is the time to start figuring out what you want , and get it ordered for next season. Your climbing system is really important and how you climb , if you get a saddle you get everything in one in a way you could sell it, if you don't like it. Tether has great stuff and so does new tribe.
 
You can modify a harness to put lineman's loops on it...I agree to stay away from the metal on the harness. I also think you would be better off with a saddle package. If you don't like it, you could always sell it for a very small loss. I'm selling my stands and climber to fund more purchases for saddle hunting this year. I don't see myself ever going back. I'll keep my son's ladder stand and a few Rivers edge sticks.

If you do go the diy/ sit drag route, search the forum a bit to look at mods. I think diy Sportsman's YouTube channel had info on how to add lineman's loops to a harness. Also, it does take a little bit to get in saddle shape per some...I didn't notice anything other than a little hip pinch when sitting. I discovered I'm a leaner which may help with the hip pinch. Also, really read the forum and ask questions. Very good information here and a lot of help from a very knowledgeable base.... Much more knowledgeable than me! Also, practice, practice, practice!!!

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You can also look into the fleece saddle thread. A lot of people really like it and say it is very comfortable. It would be the cheapest route.

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I have yet to sell my stands lol , like I said some times its nice to just climb up a ladder stand to hunt with the gun , especially in the cold weather with all the extra clothes. That is me though , I'm also finding I want bibs on, as having a belt on is one extra thing in the ways , I do have first light pants with suspenders , I haven't tried them without a belt yet. My idea is less clutter and being able to just slip them on and slip into my saddle. Getting the right size saddle can be an issue, remember if your going to hunt in the winter about extra clothes!
All this takes time to figure out there is no need to rush, my progression into saddle hunting was over time, DIY sportsmen was the first to introduce it to me through his you tube channel. I was just trying to figure out lighter ways to hunt.
All of a sudden it has exploded, which I think is cool. Yet I had been doing research on the subject for well over a year before I pulled the plug. Its not just about being mobile either , you need to really get out and find places you want to hunt. I've been hunting one area for the last six years because it was what was available to me , but also because I was sick of climbing up hills with a climbing treestand. I'm still working on my climbing method , there are so many.
What this has done is open the door to hunting more areas without having to set up treestands everywhere , or carry a climbing stand. I have one hunt that I use to do with a buddy in my 30's. I gave up doing it via the weight , there are nice bucks there , I have seen them. Yet that hike with a stand on my back, just wasn't worth doing it. I just scouted the area a few weeks back. I can go in there now and not feel like I'm beat up once I'm set.
So is spending a thousand dollars worth it for all the gear , I think so. Think how much you have spent in treestands alone. My friends think I'm crazy but I also think I'm increasing my hunting time, you can literally keep everything in a couple of tubs that you can throw in and out of your vehicle and get in and hunt , even after work, and be set up in a new spot in no time. The hardest part of the whole saddle hunting thing is getting your climbing method and tree set up down. if you practice it and set up in the off season your going to have more opportunities to kick deer!
 
Thanks noxninja! Thanks again for the replies guys. Good call on the metal connectors. The thought had crossed my mind but being unfamiliar with climbing gear I was not really sure how noisy the carabiners on the metal loops would be... I might be the odd man out here. I only own one climbing stand at the moment and it was a big purchase for me at a little over $400, which unfortunately was only a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I may have some trouble convincing the wife that I need to purchase a commercial saddle so soon after buying a brand new climber lol. Everything you guys have said make complete sense though. I will definitely check out the fleece saddle thread that you mentioned. Thanks again for the help.
 
I hunt a lot in your area and one thing comes to mind. There are not a lot of climbing trees. I can hang almost anywhere. Those blackjacks and hackberries are tough on the knees but a pair of cheap knee pads will fix that. Go for it. You want be dissatisfied


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