Saddle packout, can I do it better?

[billdozer]

Just curious if there are any improvements you guys make to your saddle setups (saddle, sticks, gear strap, pack, etc). Right now, I'm running a TrophyLine Nimbus which I originally bought as one of their kits with the Platow pack, mini double-step sticks, etc. I'm trying to cut down on fluff gear and simplify my setup for max efficiency. Right now, I'm running 2 round pouches - 1 has my lineman rope and the other has my tether. My bridge is clipped into a loop and bundled up with a shock cord tie to stay out of the way.

I was previously running 3D printed stick holders on either side, BUT I've had at least 2 or 3 instances where the sticks fell out while climbing up. Since I've just switched to 550 cord and a cord lock. I'm running 4 sticks which gets me about 20 - 24 feet up, but considering knocking that down to 2 or 3 sticks with double-step aiders to cut down on weight.

What's in the bag? 1 knife for field dressing, gloves, 550 cord, zip ties, pocket saw, back up release, milkweed, rattle bag, grunt, license. This year my first deer I dragged out, which absolutely sucked because the woods I hunt are so thick. My second deer, I brought some 550 cord, tied the legs up criss-cross style and used the legs like a backpack and carried the deer out on my back. 1000% easier compared to dragging. Nice and easy to walk out, pick the easy walking path even if it's longer, but walking with 100 lbs on your back vs dragging was a no brainer for me. I had to go about 300 yards mostly uphill and it really wasn't that bad. I don't really bring food or snacks, I like to hunt hungry. Weird, I know. The only instance I brought anything else was a few days where temps were single digits and I brought hot coffee, which makes all the difference when your snot is freezing in your nose.

I just switched over to the Latitude Quick draw gear hanger to clip my platform to the back of the saddle, which is real easy to detach while on the top stick. For gear strap, I also just switched over to the Latitude gear strap with their Bite Bow hanger. Typically I carry the gear strap on one of the side pouches of my Platow Pack. The only gear I really need to go on the hanger is my range finder or a grunt call. I stopped bringing rattling antlers with me and leave the quiver on the bow.

I had good luck this 2025 season and harvested 2 deer, a doe and a spike. This is my 2nd year bow hunting so I'm pretty happy overall. Last year I harvested a nice 8 pointer that was probably in the 130s.

 

[Bigterp]

Man I’d say you’re awfully dialed in for 2nd year bow hunting. You can find little stuff here & there that’s more efficient, but it’s all personal preference. My climbing method changes based on hunting location, length of sit & season. So does my pack…… so have a few constants. I have a Doyle’s gear hoist on each pack & a kill kit, TP/wipes & license in each. Rangefinder/ binos move from pack to pack & LB/ tether live in/on my saddle (as well as gear strap)

 

[NMSbowhunter]

The biggest "game changer" for me was ditching sticks entirely and climbing 2TC (two tether climbing). Everything I need to climb as high or low as I want is all in a 10 pound soft mid sized backpack. With 2TC, you are retaining your top tether, which you use to climb with, not just hang off of, and a foot tether that you use to advance yourself up the tree. It is very simple, but does have a steep learning curve, but once you have it, you have it.

I don't need to hang anything off my saddle, and there is nothing to drop or fiddle with. I just hook up and start climbing. I use a ring of steps which I attach while climbing. Then I just go on up the tree and stand on them. It's all very streamlined and efficient.

 

[BTaylor]

I agree with Bigterp, you have a pretty dialed in system for a new bowhunter. As NMS mentioned learning 2TC would save some weight but requires some practice time to get comfortable and efficient with the climbing system. It also saves the fiddle factor of sticks and potential noise issues from bumping metal. I got a set of the origin steps during the season and they wont really save much if any weight depending on what stick you compare them too but I highly doubt I ever use another set of sticks for mobile hunting. The steps are so adaptable and easy to climb with.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I agree with Bigterp, you have a pretty dialed in system for a new bowhunter. As NMS mentioned learning 2TC would save some weight but requires some practice time to get comfortable and efficient with the climbing system. It also saves the fiddle factor of sticks and potential noise issues from bumping metal. I got a set of the origin steps during the season and they wont really save much if any weight depending on what stick you compare them too but I highly doubt I ever use another set of sticks for mobile hunting. The steps are so adaptable and easy to climb with.

Yes, Bigterp and BTaylor are right. Your system is pretty dialed in. If you are fairly happy with it I would wait until the season is finished before making any major changes, like trying to learn 2TC. It's a great system but I would not recommend trying to learn it mid season.

 

[billdozer]

I've never even heard of 2 tether climbing, definitely going to check that out. Glad to have a little confirmation bias that what I'm doing is on the right track. Only reason I ask is because I basically figured out most of this stuff from YouTube, sleuthing the internet, and hitting the woods hard the last 2 seasons. As far as climbing goes, I think so far I like the KISS method with the sticks.

I switched over to Saddle hunting because last year my Summit climber cable popped off while ascending and I fell from about 6 feet. It was my fault, but I didn't like climbers at all and that mistake motivated me to find something else.

On average I think it takes me around 15-20m to get up the tree and be ready to rock. I think even after 2 seasons of hunting out of a saddle, I could still probably benefit from a few dry runs in the back yard to iron out some rope management while ascending. I always get hung up while hanging the platform or extra rope from the lineman rope gets cinched down under the versa strap of a stick.. I love the versatility of the saddle, but I'm just slow.

 

[gcr0003]

Yea I agree with terp, it sounds like you have your system dialed in. Where are you looking for changes/improvements? What’s your goal? Lighter? Less bulk? Easier/faster set up? Packability? Simplicity? Depending on where your head is at you could add/subtract in different directions.

What I didn’t pick up on was if you said how you were carrying your sticks and platform in. What bag? Or are you just using the parachord and walking in with them hanging off your saddle?

Bulk/weight could be reduced using one stick climbing or 2 tether climbing and still be able to climb as high as you want but they come with their own trade offs and limitations and a slight learning curve.

You could add a formal frame pack that would handle gear better and that deer when you need to get one packed out, but It’s the other direction on weight. Really you make up for it with the pack in comfort and utility. It could also open you up to bringing more junk you don’t need.

Are most hunts fairly close then? Are we talking private, public or both?

 

[-CRASH]

This is my first year saddle hunting and I would say you got it dialed in pretty good. I've learned some things I like and don't like. My changes will happen in the off season, when I have more time to practice.

I went with the one stick climbing method and I have been super happy with it thus far. You might look into that one as well to see if it's an option you might like.

 

[billdozer]

Yea I agree with terp, it sounds like you have your system dialed in. Where are you looking for changes/improvements? What’s your goal? Lighter? Less bulk? Easier/faster set up? Packability? Simplicity? Depending on where your head is at you could add/subtract in different directions.

What I didn’t pick up on was if you said how you were carrying your sticks and platform in. What bag? Or are you just using the parachord and walking in with them hanging off your saddle?

Bulk/weight could be reduced using one stick climbing or 2 tether climbing and still be able to climb as high as you want but they come with their own trade offs and limitations and a slight learning curve.

You could add a formal frame pack that would handle gear better and that deer when you need to get one packed out, but It’s the other direction on weight. Really you make up for it with the pack in comfort and utility. It could also open you up to bringing more junk you don’t need.

Are most hunts fairly close then? Are we talking private, public or both?

I'm hunting a very small private property that's 5-6 acres very close to my house as well as public land where I've hiked as much as 7-10 miles round trip. Currently using the TrophyLine Platow pack and carrying the sticks on the bottom.

Primarily I wanted to cut down on some bulk, and improve set up. That said, I'm also new to SH so also used this post to jump in and rate my setup . I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with my setup.

 

[BTaylor]

With that EDP, you could swap the post out for a 20" long post, add a stand off and step to the bottom and tie on a simple rope aider and make a one stick out of the EDP. That's what I did with my mission and it works fantastic. Eliminates the need to carry multiple sticks. You can also add a couple short straps with buckles to the yoke of the Platow and carry the platform that way. That also works very well with the modded version.

 

[Dhamilton1]

The biggest "game changer" for me was ditching sticks entirely and climbing 2TC (two tether climbing). Everything I need to climb as high or low as I want is all in a 10 pound soft mid sized backpack. With 2TC, you are retaining your top tether, which you use to climb with, not just hang off of, and a foot tether that you use to advance yourself up the tree. It is very simple, but does have a steep learning curve, but once you have it, you have it.

I don't need to hang anything off my saddle, and there is nothing to drop or fiddle with. I just hook up and start climbing. I use a ring of steps which I attach while climbing. Then I just go on up the tree and stand on them. It's all very streamlined and efficient.

NMS, What saddle are you running in the pic?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jsh909]

I like your setup and it looks like it works for you. Good job and congratulations, the learning curve is typically a bit longer. Its also going to depend on what you are comfortable with, but an alternative climbing method could definitely save you some bulk.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

NMS, What saddle are you running in the pic?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is a Treehopper Recon size small. I now use a very similar saddle I made called a Wraptor. It's even more streamlined.

 

[Sunshine]

With that EDP, you could swap the post out for a 20" long post, add a stand off and step to the bottom and tie on a simple rope aider and make a one stick out of the EDP. That's what I did with my mission and it works fantastic. Eliminates the need to carry multiple sticks. You can also add a couple short straps with buckles to the yoke of the Platow and carry the platform that way. That also works very well with the modded version.

Hmm...I have an onyx...tell me more lol. Where'd you source the post, stand off and step?

 

[BTaylor]

Hmm...I have an onyx...tell me more lol. Where'd you source the post, stand off and step?

Not sure if the same conversion will work with the onyx. You would have to measure the base where the cast post attaches to the platform to see if the tube post will fit. Got the parts from EWO. Originally I did mine with the versa button and it will work but I opted to replace it with a cam cleat.

 

[neonomad]

The only thing I’d suggest is a rappel length tether… I’ve decided I’m advancing a tether for every climb, lineman’s isn’t enough if a stick were to give out. This admittedly is a little slower. Descending with a lineman’s is arguably more dangerous than climbing with one. Rappel after hunt is safe when done right, and faster. I aspire to go JRB for most hunts but that hasn’t happened yet, haven’t preseason prepped trees etc. But believe the long rappel tether is the way to go.

 

[phatkaw]

^^^ That thing looks heavy!


^^^ This is what my saddle looks like when I one-stick.


^^^ That's what my saddle looks like when I 2TC...

 

[billdozer]

Yeah that's kinda why I've gone scorched earth and started getting rid of everything that I don't use or rarely use. Even replacing all my gear attachments with just 550 cord. It's not bad, that said I also haven't really tried anything else. I did order some 2 step aiders so I could try a couple hunts with 2 or 3 sticks.

This year I've found that I don't always need to be up 20+ feet. The doe I harvested I was about 10-12 ft up on only 2 sticks and I shot her weak side. I saw them coming from 60 yards away and had time to swing my body around weak side - but even at 2 sticks, they never picked me up even at 25 yards. I think if you're set up well at 10-15 feet with 2 sticks and plenty of cover there's no need to go higher up.

 

[dhoff545]

but even at 2 sticks, they never picked me up even at 25 yards. I think if you're set up well at 10-15 feet with 2 sticks and plenty of cover there's no need to go higher up.

Cover is everything. You are much better off at 8' with good cover than 30 silhouetted.

I pack a pretty similar load out. In addition to what you pack I carry a lighter, compass, havalon, headlamp and a large flashlight. I also almost always use a bino harness with my rangefinder and a spare screw in bow hanger.

I currently use a Genesis 3D gear strap but I've had my eye on the Latitude Bite. How do you like it.

In terms of your set up I'm a stickler about sound. I see a lot of metal and a lot of noise potential. I'd go through the setup and process with an eye towards eliminating noise. Then I'd test it in the dark then go through it again.

If you deliberately go through your set up half a dozen times like that you will find something you want to change. Or at least spots you want to add vet wrap and hockey tape too.

I'm currently working my way through two separate setups. One is a Kuhnert style large platform low setup and the other is 2TC. I am perfectly capable with them but don't have them dialed in yet either.

I have also been screwing with ultra low setups. Been watching too much Cody DAquisto I guess.

 

[billdozer]

Cover is everything. You are much better off at 8' with good cover than 30 silhouetted.

I currently use a Genesis 3D gear strap but I've had my eye on the Latitude Bite. How do you like it.

In terms of your set up I'm a stickler about sound. I see a lot of metal and a lot of noise potential. I'd go through the setup and process with an eye towards eliminating noise. Then I'd test it in the dark then go through it again.

If you deliberately go through your set up half a dozen times like that you will find something you want to change. Or at least spots you want to add vet wrap and hockey tape too.

I have also been screwing with ultra low setups. Been watching too much Cody DAquisto I guess.

I learned the cover lesson the hard way. Every deer I shot from the saddle, has been at 2-3 sticks, so I decided to only pack 3 with 2-step aiders. The only reason I stopped climbing all 4-5 sticks was because of watching Cody's content. Figured I'd give it a shot and it's worked out for me twice now.

The Latitude Bite bow hanger is pretty solid. I did wrap it in Stealth Strips so I don't have any metal-to-metal noise, but apart from that it's certainly my favorite bow hanger. My 3d printed hanger made me real nervous a few times.

As far as silencing goes, I have everything covered in Stealth Strips and compression strapped. Even my carabiners are taped up. Sometimes as I'm passing the Versa straps around the tree, I find that can be noisy - but overall my noise profile is ok. The most noise I make is typically from walking. I know that I really need to work on walking in slower and really feeling every step.

Definitely need to pack a more high-lumen light on me. Sunday I learned a hard lesson. Decided to do one last sit for 2025 and wouldn't ya know, 4 bucks came in. 4:30pm they were across the corn field 300 yards away. I rattled soft and they v-lined at me. 1 decent 8 point and the rest were spikes, however 1 was appeared injured - either shot by another hunter or hit by a car. I decided to wait for him and he gave me a shot at 40 yards. I drilled him center of lungs, and he took off but the direction he ran I couldn't see where he went. Really struggled to find him, so after 2 hours decided to come back in the morning. He was maybe 50 yards from the initial shot, I must've walked past him 5 times, but the coyotes got him. I may have had better luck with a little more light power, but my tiny little head lamp combined with my colorblindness didn't do me any favors.