Noobie Advice/Info

[Islandshooter]

I've watch a few videos that suggest swapping out Tethyrd strap for a lone wolf or versas button but you can see the gap, about 3/4 inch, I've tried G2 suggestions from youtube, A couple of questions the only options i have for this is Box Elder trees, and Cottonwoods. As you can see cottonwood is shaggy loose bark, could strip bark but that would be time consuming and noisy for a saddle set up, not to mention it would be very slick for a good bite. Who else has set a platform on cottonwood and remedied this? Could I as a modification drill into post and put a versa button and two strap the top of platform, or would the lw strap get me more cinch? I will also keep trying to get a fit with this strap, just surprised me as a potential problem.

check out the "Versa strap and predator platform help" thread or the above YouTube video, perfect explanation. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to link it.

 

[2rivers]

Obviously try this at ground level first, then search this site for" toe hooking" a platform, should be a good video on it somewhere. Once you cam it over, step on the platform. Take one foot and place it on the post with the weight OFF the other foot. Reach down with the unweighted foot and pull the outside edge of the platform up. Your weight on the post pushes the platform down deeper. Then take that unweighted foot and push down on the platform again. That should tighten it hard!!!
I've got an old oak in my yard that I'll try tomorrow morning, pretty much the same as the cottonwoods that I hunt in Nebraska every year. Never had a problem with my lone wolf's out there either.

Thanks will keep trying. Islandshooter that did the trick

 

[Bkbowhunter]

I am ordering a mantis saddle in a few weeks im 5’10 195# should I order a large or ex large. For more clothes in late season. Thanks

 

[Patriot38]

I am ordering a mantis saddle in a few weeks im 5’10 195# should I order a large or ex large. For more clothes in late season. Thanks

I'm at 5'9 185 right now with a 34 waist. I went with a large and really like the fit. This past season I hunted with very bulky clothes late season and I was just fine.

 

[Homebrew454]

I'm 600 210 and wish I would have went xl. I lean about 95% and get some hip pinch when I sit

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[keb]

Lots of good info, was skeptical but got my mantis and platform and been practicing, starting to get used to it and man it’s a light rig. Using 12 bullman silent steps, while not perfect hard to beat at 5lbs

 

[Sodbuster3]

Newbie advice rule 1: dont go and check your old hang on stands after buying a saddle....stick with the saddle. Went with a friend checking out the safety of old lock on stands the other day and stepped onto the platform when the cable gave out, luckily the other cable held my weight. Saddle is the only way to go when it comes to safety IMO!

 

[Whereareallthedeer]

Super info! I have been blasting through various forums for weeks and have learned the most from this post. I will come back to dig through all the links and videos I have not already stumbled across. I can't wait to get up into a tree.

 

[Daybreak]

I'll say it again awesome!! Job sir!
As a newbie I have been hooked on these technique for a couple of months sucking in info like hogs on acorn's. Brain gets a little foggy. This is a awesome post and place for reference. Thanks agian!
Daybreak
Happy trails
Tired of hanging tree stands

 

[CodeBreaker]

Good read. Thanks for compiling the info!

 

[zu!]

Hello @donnieballgame, I’ve recently started researching tree stands and then discovered this whole saddle hunter subculture and have gotten well and truly hooked.

Rope, webbing Amstel, Prusik cord etc on its way from doublestep, ascender and locking carabiners on their way from Amazon.

The only thing missing now is the ascender / descender device.

I was looking at the CT Rollnlock as an alternative for the Grigri and also because you mentioned using a Ropeman1. But upon further research discovered that neither should be used as a descender. So where does the Ropeman fit into your SRT system?

I’m currently now researching mad rock’s safeguard. I’d rather get just the one device but wondering how the Ropeman (or rollnlock) fits into the equation. I’ve seen the video by the gentleman who uses the safeguard.


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[Homebrew454]

Hello @donnieballgame, I’ve recently started researching tree stands and then discovered this whole saddle hunter subculture and have gotten well and truly hooked.

Rope, webbing Amstel, Prusik cord etc on its way from doublestep, ascender and locking carabiners on their way from Amazon.

The only thing missing now is the ascender / descender device.

I was looking at the CT Rollnlock as an alternative for the Grigri and also because you mentioned using a Ropeman1. But upon further research discovered that neither should be used as a descender. So where does the Ropeman fit into your SRT system?

I’m currently now researching mad rock’s safeguard. I’d rather get just the one device but wondering how the Ropeman (or rollnlock) fits into the equation. I’ve seen the video by the gentleman who uses the safeguard.


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Most people use the ropeman on their tether or lineman's belt. I tried a distel hitch recently. I really liked it and will probably convert to that next year and get rid of my ropemans.

There is a wealth of knowledge here on this forum.... Be careful as the rabbit hole (money pit) is awfully deep.

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[TNbowhunter]

Most people use the ropeman on their tether or lineman's belt. I tried a distel hitch recently. I really liked it and will probably convert to that next year and get rid of my ropemans.

There is a wealth of knowledge here on this forum.... Be careful as the rabbit hole (money pit) is awfully deep.

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@Homebrew454 What made you decide to ditch the Ropemans (Ropemen? Ropefellows?) ? Is the distel hitch more reliable, or is it something else?

 

[Homebrew454]

@Homebrew454 What made you decide to ditch the Ropemans (Ropemen? Ropefellows?) ? Is the distel hitch more reliable, or is it something else?

I hunt in Wisconsin and the ropeman gets pretty cold when I adjust it. After saddle hunting for a couple of years now, I find that I really don't adjust the ropeman much. I actually used a prussic again as well this year but found that was difficult to adjust and that's why I originally went to the ropeman.

There is also the safety factor and the fact that I'm switching to 8mm oplux rope for my tether.

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[zu!]

Most people use the ropeman on their tether or lineman's belt. I tried a distel hitch recently. I really liked it and will probably convert to that next year and get rid of my ropemans.

There is a wealth of knowledge here on this forum.... Be careful as the rabbit hole (money pit) is awfully deep.

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Yes, I figured that. I was just trying to figure how he used it (if at all) in his SRT setup.

Talking about rabbit holes, I’m now reading up about a ton of other useful little doodads to help In going up and going down etc etc. yep, beginning to look like when I started reloading to “save money” lol!


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[Otolith]

Thanks everyone for all the info and for sharing their ideas. This site is a gold mine.

Regarding the RCH lineman's belt mod linked in the original post, I'm not sure that using the back of the harness as the load point is the best idea. And this may have been addressed and I just missed it.

IF there was a slip while using any lineman's belt (I know, the lineman's belt is not a part of the fall arrest system) and you were to fall and load the belt, it would pull you into the tree (or slide down) and could very well cause injury. But if the only real load point is on the very back of your harness, it seems this would create a strong rotating force that would bring your upper body into the tree. Keep in mind this could happen after falling a couple feet or the belt sliding before catching and the force spinning your face forward into the tree would be significant. Especially if you are stepping a bit too high between adjustments or are far out on the belt.
Yes, you should be able to mitigate this risk with proper safety tether usage. But there is still a risk while adjusting the tether that you could slip and load the lineman's belt.
I would think side connections would reduce this risk. While hitting the tree in the stomach or between the legs would not be a good situation, I think it goes without saying spinning forward and taking the impact (on the tree or climbing system) in the face could be much worse.
If you get your arms up and are able to protect your face, you are still in an awkward hang here which could be difficult/dangerous to sort out.

There are a lot of other good ideas on here that wouldn't have this issue. I just wanted to point that out since it seems to be a popular harness and mod.

 

[pesqimon]

Thanks everyone for all the info and for sharing their ideas. This site is a gold mine.

Regarding the RCH lineman's belt mod linked in the original post, I'm not sure that using the back of the harness as the load point is the best idea. And this may have been addressed and I just missed it.

IF there was a slip while using any lineman's belt (I know, the lineman's belt is not a part of the fall arrest system) and you were to fall and load the belt, it would pull you into the tree (or slide down) and could very well cause injury. But if the only real load point is on the very back of your harness, it seems this would create a strong rotating force that would bring your upper body into the tree. Keep in mind this could happen after falling a couple feet or the belt sliding before catching and the force spinning your face forward into the tree would be significant. Especially if you are stepping a bit too high between adjustments or are far out on the belt.
Yes, you should be able to mitigate this risk with proper safety tether usage. But there is still a risk while adjusting the tether that you could slip and load the lineman's belt.
I would think side connections would reduce this risk. While hitting the tree in the stomach or between the legs would not be a good situation, I think it goes without saying spinning forward and taking the impact (on the tree or climbing system) in the face could be much worse.
If you get your arms up and are able to protect your face, you are still in an awkward hang here which could be difficult/dangerous to sort out.

There are a lot of other good ideas on here that wouldn't have this issue. I just wanted to point that out since it seems to be a popular harness and mod.

Welcome to the forum. Not sure I quite visualize the concern you have, but to the extent that the LB will stop your fall it should do it regardless of how it is held by the RCH. I see the attachment to the RCH as positional, not functional.

 

[Otolith]

Welcome to the forum. Not sure I quite visualize the concern you have, but to the extent that the LB will stop your fall it should do it regardless of how it is held by the RCH. I see the attachment to the RCH as positional, not functional.

Yeah it’s a bit tough to explain.

I’m referring to the RCH Lineman’s belt mod that was linked in the original post.

It might help if you imagine there was no tree and you just took a fall in the open with a rear harness connection point. Now imagine the same motion with a tree in front of you.

 

[bj139]

Yes, I figured that. I was just trying to figure how he used it (if at all) in his SRT setup.

Talking about rabbit holes, I’m now reading up about a ton of other useful little doodads to help In going up and going down etc etc. yep, beginning to look like when I started reloading to “save money” lol!


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The Ropeman is really an ascender. I used it as such when I was first learning SRT. It worked OK, but a comfortable handle is nice to have so I bought a Petzl ascender. I made some videos recently about SRT. Here they are if you are interested.

billj139

I am just an old guy having fun tree climbing and playing with sewing machines. Both these things grew out of an interest in saddle hunting from a tree saddl...

www.youtube.com

 

[Fatty in a tree]

Thank you so much OP! So much info!