Vtbow
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Same way I always carried mine when I had one as well.
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The Helo is Getting me Out of the Saddle
- Thread starter bodark
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- Sep 4, 2019
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Through some strange evolution the Summit Climber has now become the mobile games’ most underrated stand. An under the radar niche product for those in the know.
It’s the mobile stand for those that don’t call themselves “mobile hunters” lol.
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Two seasons ago - at the peak of my saddle gadgetry and not yet up the learning curve - a buddy of ours flew in from Houston and blew the dust off a crossbow. Parked his butt in a Summit for two or three days and dropped a 140”. My gadgets didn’t put me on any deer that weekend.
parkersdad
Well-Known Member
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- Jan 7, 2015
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I know you’re probably joking however in my area on public land there is a large group of Asian guys that drop more big bucks than anyone. Those jokers carry Summit vipers all over these mountains.
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I think sometimes we don’t see the forest for the trees, so to speak. I know I’ve spent a lot of time on this forum researching, buying, selling, etc. Most of it hasn’t helped me put deer in the freezer, thus far. The Summit climbers are bulky and on the heavy side but are known for being comfortable. I think carrying a few extra pounds is worth it if it keeps you in the tree longer. The Mini Viper isn’t too bad at 18lbs. I’m fidgeting after a couple hours in a saddle.
parkersdad
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- Jan 7, 2015
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- 695
Yep, I’m going back to a climber this year. I will be using my summit viper and my Lone Wolf hand climber. I am just more comfortable in a climber. I see more deer and I kill more deer.
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Correct. Gear helps, but only to a certain extent, and it’s a case of diminishing returns. I started hunting at age 12 and hand little clue what I was doing. Fast forward a couple of decades and I’ve learned a few things along the way and had some success. Take that 12 year old version of me, give him all the fancy, high-end gear I have now, and that kid still isn’t shooting a deer. Take todays version of me, give me all the clothing and gear from that 12 year old kid, and I’m pretty confident in the outcome.
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Wow! This threads at least got me thinking about pulling the Summit off the shelf this fall, see what it feels like after 3 or 4 years away…
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- Jun 17, 2020
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I have hunted from climbers for years. My first was a TSS Bushwaxker I believe. I purchased the kit. And at maybe 14 years old I cut a piece of 5/8” plywood and put it all together in my basement and since I couldn’t afford the seat, I made my own, that was foldable, out of a rather heavy piece of pipe. That was the platform. I used a chest harness with hand loops to advance up the tree. That was 36 years ago. The good old days. I wasn’t scared of anything back then. Then as I got older and had all the best Summit climbers I was in heaven. Then as I got even more older, the climbing didn’t bother me at all. It was the getting into position when at height. Or having to stand and turn to take a shot. I was scared ****less! Lol. See, after having a climber do a little shift when you’re standing on it and shuffling your feet for a shot and then your butthole puckers and you actually hug a tree, it gets in your head a little. At least mine it did. About 5 years back I shifted to hang ons. And I must say, I felt much better at height. I could easily stand and turn around, move freely on the stand and I knew the stand wasn’t moving or dropping on me. All good…mostly. I still harbored that fear of heights that could’ve been from the climber days or just getting old. Hell, I dunno. Enter the saddle. GAME CHANGER! I truly mean this. At least for me. The feeling of tension from being constantly tethered has brought my swagger back. Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely safety oriented. But I feel comfort in knowing that I’m hanging from that tether in my saddle. When I’m preparing to make a shot or have a deer approaching I use slow deliberate moves and can pretty much shoot in any direction and from any angle I SAFELY choose. As far as comfort, the Summit climbers are hard to beat for a nice comfortable sit. But I’ve made my peace with maybe swapping a little comfort for the weight savings and being more alert on stand and having adjustability and options and most important to me, feeling safe moving around and giving me more confidence when it matters most. I haven’t used a climber in 5 years. I’m not saying I never will again, but at this moment I have no reason to.
I just meant they aren’t the ones on message boards trying to shave ounces or chase the next new thing. They are the “mobile hunters” before that was a cool thing to call yourself. I think we are on the same page.
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It's not even that complicated. Tracking, Still Hunting, Hunting on horseback...atop Elephants, Hunting from canoes.....hunting "mobile" isn't like a new thing at all. Used to just be called hunting.
It's actually a bit comical to me that the "mobile hunting" moniker is associated mostly with ambush techniques...aka...stands and saddles. Moving around from spot to spot sitting on logs, stumps, rocks, or the ground is a more mobile approach.
Hunting off a bucket is more mobile than "mobile hunting".
"Mobile hunting" isn't a hunting term, it's a marketing term.
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Mobile hunting- what you do when you’re too lazy to carry your 40lb climber to a new spot, so you buy a 10lb set up.
Then you discover it’s not the weight, you’re just too lazy to go to a new spot.
But you have less money.
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Less money...but pride of ownership and club membership. Probably worth it.
Petrichor
Well-Known Member
Had the mini viper for years. Comfortable stand and easy to use in the dark. I regret selling it.
Petrichor
Well-Known Member
I came to saddle game this last season. I like it ok. Just got a Waldrop pac seat (5lbs) and am probably gonna sell all the saddle stuff and just hunt from the ground. I’ve seen more over the years from the ground. Though I love swaying in a tree on a fall day. If I go back to aerial game I’ll just get a climber again.
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Not every one is 36. You have middle age guys like me that just can't do it any more. After two bad car wrecks and falling out of a tree stand there are limits.
Also I am sure their are guys and gals on this forum with physical issues that are drawn to saddle hunting and saving weight out of necessity.
I’m glad I went ahead and bought two at $205. My luck I need another one for whatever reason and things are BO or they’ve been discontinued or they change the price, etc..Part of growing up in the pre-production saddle craze I guess. I figured I could get two Helo stands for less than one LWCG or Beast stand. I’m happy with my helo especially for the price I got them. I’d still be happy at $340 or whatever they are now but at that price I would always wonder what the other “premium” stands were like.