How slick are those moss babies once they get wet and muddy? You might be better off using those slippery branches after all haha
I do the same thing with my tree hopper steps. I will also sometimes pair 2 together at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions then single steps at 7 and 5 with the top of my stick just below the 7 and 5 step. I use the top steps of my stick to rest my heels on at times. I think that's the benefit of a ROS is you can move them around and try different positions to see what works best for you unlike a platform.I run 6 steps and pair them two together in three spots around the tree, if that makes sense. Gives you double the area for your feet.
I use bullmans ROS. I'm 210lb and they feel sturdy to me. I have them rung on the strap that came with my hawk helium stick (made daisy chain for the stick) and a ratchet strap. I have to ratchet them very tight or they'll slip which happened twice while I was still getting used to them.Any updates on the bullmans?
I think I’m doing the same thing… two ROS steps are snugged pretty close to the top double step and my feet are usually supported by both the step (a bit higher than the stick) and the then the stick. comfortable for me but I’m only 170.I do the same thing with my tree hopper steps. I will also sometimes pair 2 together at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions then single steps at 7 and 5 with the top of my stick just below the 7 and 5 step. I use the top steps of my stick to rest my heels on at times. I think that's the benefit of a ROS is you can move them around and try different positions to see what works best for you unlike a platform.
This might help but I always feed the tag end of the OCB back around and under the steps wedging it between the steps and the bark, so the OCB won't pop loose at an inopportune time. I have thought about just what you described.I’m using 5 bullman steps this season, and pretty happy up to 4 hour sits, then the predator xl for the 1 all day sit i did. I’m running latitude. Seems like the 2 panel sitters are fine with ROS, i rarely have more than 30% weight on my feet, except when lining up a shot, which has been rare this season, sadly. I’m hunting a lot of new spots this season due to EHD taking a toll where i hunt, and i always find i need to put a big gap where the OCB hits….and invariably deer end up coming from opposite of where i think, or the wind shifts, and i end up wanting to step on the OCB buckle. Finally did this last week with 15 minutes of light left, nice loud pop…and i just hung out the last 10 minutes of light with a 0 step ROS and a branch. (Lol). I lash the 5 pack with an elastic strap to my backpack belt, stole that idea from @tailgunner. works great except i did drop them recently. Still my first season with them, but they do take some fiddle factor to setup. The predator XL sets up smoother and faster.
Just know John has been doing it a few times more than us. In reality if a deer comes in from your 6, there’s a good chance they’re already pretty close by the time you see. Grabbing the bow, letting enough slack out of the tether to get around, then doing so quietly with a deer within 30 yards is not so easy as it looks. This happened the same comedy of errors hunt i refer to above. First i unlashed the ROS, dropped them, had to rappel down and 2TC back up (only 10 ft). Probably the noise i made led a curious doe to come in from thicket at 6, i heard her, slowly turned, and she was already looking. I managed to scoot around, but she went back into cover, and i think bedded down. hoped she’d come out before dark, but the pop of the OCB on my ROS probably isn’t a “natural” sound. i should cross post this in the failed hunt section.I think I need to give the ROS a go. Have only tried platforms. But watching some of John’s videos gets me thinking….lol
I agree John makes it look simple. Honestly when I’m watching videos always seems that way…lol. NY Saddle guys make rope stuff look effortless comes with experience.Just know John has been doing it a few times more than us. In reality if a deer comes in from your 6, there’s a good chance they’re already pretty close by the time you see. Grabbing the bow, letting enough slack out of the tether to get around, then doing so quietly with a deer within 30 yards is not so easy as it looks. This happened the same comedy of errors hunt i refer to above. First i unlashed the ROS, dropped them, had to rappel down and 2TC back up (only 10 ft). Probably the noise i made led a curious doe to come in from thicket at 6, i heard her, slowly turned, and she was already looking. I managed to scoot around, but she went back into cover, and i think bedded down. hoped she’d come out before dark, but the pop of the OCB on my ROS probably isn’t a “natural” sound. i should cross post this in the failed hunt section.