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The ultimate ultralight saddle?

The old threads on saddle hunter are the best... Now that u can just buy everything is kinda no fun anymore.... @justsomedude I don't know if u still on here or if u over it and moved on but u has some of the best ideas
Best part is that you can literally see the evolution of saddle hunting.....and that a lot of the questions are still the same! Obviously people should be using the search function, but I’m also glad that people don’t mind answering the same questions over and over.
 
This has been the most informative diy, budget saddle thread I've read (and I've been reading lots for months). I am absolutely going to try this. Will report back once I do. Cheers, and Go Blue (I got you BCHunter and Wolverinebuckman)!
 
I said I would eventually report back on how things are going with my first experience DIY'ing a saddle setup, so here goes:

1) I was fortunate to be gifted 4 Muddy pro sticks, so I made a typical two step aider out of some 1" webbing and old hose. It works great!

2) I went the route of the fleece saddle + rock climbing harness. It is great and easy (very comfortable). I'll make 1 or 2 more fleece saddles as backups ahead of deer season.

3) Ring of steps. This is the big one for me. I know spending money on better gear/materials is typically the smartest route. However, with two young kiddos and operating on a grad student budget, I had to prioritize my funds to the greatest needs - this year it is reliable rubber boots and finally getting into a proper rifle setup (hell yes bushmaster, ouch wallet). I decided not to spend the asking price for a quality platform, and from what I can tell I should just wait until I can afford the Tethrd Predator rather than buy a cheaper model. So my next thought was to DIY a ring of steps because I also can't justify spending the money for commercial models while I have the following idea and all of the material to make it on-hand.

I had a stack of 2"x6" boards, so I cut them into triangles, ~1" from both edges I drilled holes large enough to fit a 1" ratchet strap through, spray painted everything black with the $1 can, and now I have several extremely low-cost, effective steps (see pictures). After making the first set and using them successfully for a couple of months, I decided to make a bunch more so the paint smell dissipates fully in the months ahead of deer season. Plus, I don't want to spend any time I can be hunting this fall repairing/making more gear if I don't have to. If you try this, pay attention the direction of the grain in relation to the direction the ratchet strap compresses. If you get it wrong, it will break almost as soon as you put weight on it. After breaking my first step due to the incorrect grain configuration, I thought this idea may be sketchy at best, but once I corrected for the grain-to-compression issue, it was fine - for reference, I am ~210 lbs and used these in Feb-March temperatures. The only other thing I want to try now is applying a wood hardener and a deck sealer so I can preset spots on public. I figure rain (mainly) will cause these to deteriorate quicker due to swelling. Also, I can't imagine getting too upset if someone takes my $3 worth of stuff. You can add as many steps as you want to each set. So far, 6 has worked well for me - I can spread them equally around the tree (not my preference so far due to camming the sides), spread them in pairs (worked great), or use them in threes and keep those close together (works extremely well and seems to essentially mimic a platform).

All of this considered, I used everything mentioned here over the course of two months while out squirrel hunting. I got some interesting looks for setting up in a tree to hunt squirrels, but the point was to practice with my saddle setup out in the woods far ahead of deer season (I'm still doing this to a certain extent while scouting over the spring/summer). So far, everything has been great with the exception of carrying in my sticks and steps by fixing them to my pack. The issue is that my pack is too small, but slinging them in (see pictures) has been fine. It's easy enough to put them down should I run into potential quarry on my walk in to a spot. Also, since they're made of wood, if they hit each other they shouldn't easily spook anything, but I just ratchet them together and they don't move. Once I can afford it, I'll work out a new pack situation and *maybe* the Predator platform. Thanks for checking this out if you do!

-Geoff
 

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I said I would eventually report back on how things are going with my first experience DIY'ing a saddle setup, so here goes:

1) I was fortunate to be gifted 4 Muddy pro sticks, so I made a typical two step aider out of some 1" webbing and old hose. It works great!

2) I went the route of the fleece saddle + rock climbing harness. It is great and easy (very comfortable). I'll make 1 or 2 more fleece saddles as backups ahead of deer season.

3) Ring of steps. This is the big one for me. I know spending money on better gear/materials is typically the smartest route. However, with two young kiddos and operating on a grad student budget, I had to prioritize my funds to the greatest needs - this year it is reliable rubber boots and finally getting into a proper rifle setup (hell yes bushmaster, ouch wallet). I decided not to spend the asking price for a quality platform, and from what I can tell I should just wait until I can afford the Tethrd Predator rather than buy a cheaper model. So my next thought was to DIY a ring of steps because I also can't justify spending the money for commercial models while I have the following idea and all of the material to make it on-hand.

I had a stack of 2"x6" boards, so I cut them into triangles, ~1" from both edges I drilled holes large enough to fit a 1" ratchet strap through, spray painted everything black with the $1 can, and now I have several extremely low-cost, effective steps (see pictures). After making the first set and using them successfully for a couple of months, I decided to make a bunch more so the paint smell dissipates fully in the months ahead of deer season. Plus, I don't want to spend any time I can be hunting this fall repairing/making more gear if I don't have to. If you try this, pay attention the direction of the grain in relation to the direction the ratchet strap compresses. If you get it wrong, it will break almost as soon as you put weight on it. After breaking my first step due to the incorrect grain configuration, I thought this idea may be sketchy at best, but once I corrected for the grain-to-compression issue, it was fine - for reference, I am ~210 lbs and used these in Feb-March temperatures. The only other thing I want to try now is applying a wood hardener and a deck sealer so I can preset spots on public. I figure rain (mainly) will cause these to deteriorate quicker due to swelling. Also, I can't imagine getting too upset if someone takes my $3 worth of stuff. You can add as many steps as you want to each set. So far, 6 has worked well for me - I can spread them equally around the tree (not my preference so far due to camming the sides), spread them in pairs (worked great), or use them in threes and keep those close together (works extremely well and seems to essentially mimic a platform).

All of this considered, I used everything mentioned here over the course of two months while out squirrel hunting. I got some interesting looks for setting up in a tree to hunt squirrels, but the point was to practice with my saddle setup out in the woods far ahead of deer season (I'm still doing this to a certain extent while scouting over the spring/summer). So far, everything has been great with the exception of carrying in my sticks and steps by fixing them to my pack. The issue is that my pack is too small, but slinging them in (see pictures) has been fine. It's easy enough to put them down should I run into potential quarry on my walk in to a spot. Also, since they're made of wood, if they hit each other they shouldn't easily spook anything, but I just ratchet them together and they don't move. Once I can afford it, I'll work out a new pack situation and *maybe* the Predator platform. Thanks for checking this out if you do!

-Geoff
Nothing wrong with triangle woodblock ring of steps. I’ve used them plenty of times. The only thing I could knock is the way you cut your holes for your strap. No only are they jagged and might cause premature wear on your strap, you cut it length wize parallel with the grain. This will cause shearing/cracking sooner. I guess the way you cut your does prevent flipping of the step though. I would have recommended getting 2$ spade bit for a clean hole that would be less likely reduce structural integrity. The placement of the hole on mine allowed me to use the steps either way. Even then I rarely had one flip up.

On another note, a 5 step ROS from treehopper used on here can be found frequently for $40-60. I got a set at the end of last season and they are great. They pack easy and are really light. The blocks did give some more foot space though. Either way, both work!
 
Nothing wrong with triangle woodblock ring of steps. I’ve used them plenty of times. The only thing I could knock is the way you cut your holes for your strap. No only are they jagged and might cause premature wear on your strap, you cut it length wize parallel with the grain. This will cause shearing/cracking sooner. I guess the way you cut your does prevent flipping of the step though. I would have recommended getting 2$ spade bit for a clean hole that would be less likely reduce structural integrity. The placement of the hole on mine allowed me to use the steps either way. Even then I rarely had one flip up.

On another note, a 5 step ROS from treehopper used on here can be found frequently for $40-60. I got a set at the end of last season and they are great. They pack easy and are really light. The blocks did give some more foot space though. Either way, both work!

Good call on the jagged edges, I'll surely clean that up. The set I've been using is much better in this regard. As for the strap slots:
1) I did make those to avoid flipping, and they work well for that. That said, I'll check out the spade bit you mention to see how it turns out.
2) I originally cut the strap slot in both directions (separate steps, same set) to see which worked better, and the ones oriented "the other way" didn't work for more than 30 minutes. It seems to be due to the change in pressure from me standing on them vs the mostly static pressure from the strap to the tree. So, I don't see how the other direction would be an option, unless the spade bit helps with this issue.

Thanks for your feedback. Cheers!
 
Figured I’d make anotherView attachment 25170
Oh no, I have one of these throws……y’all are killing me! I’m just getting things figured out in a regular Hawk saddle and now I’ve spent the last hour on this thread. I know how comfortable my tree hammock seat is(use for ground hunting turkeys etc..) So there is already no doubt what y’all are doing would be ridiculously comfy. I can’t see any downside with an RC harness under it for safety….I’ll be messing with this idea no doubt!
 
Oh no, I have one of these throws……y’all are killing me! I’m just getting things figured out in a regular Hawk saddle and now I’ve spent the last hour on this thread. I know how comfortable my tree hammock seat is(use for ground hunting turkeys etc..) So there is already no doubt what y’all are doing would be ridiculously comfy. I can’t see any downside with an RC harness under it for safety….I’ll be messing with this idea no doubt!
And if you don’t want to diy it. Dryad drey brought the idea to market with a harness and hammock. Highly recommend.
 
And if you don’t want to diy it. Dryad drey brought the idea to market with a harness and hammock. Highly recommend.

Really dating myself here, but I started looking at the Dryad and thought "why would anyone pay for that its just an RHC with a hammock" then dig a little bit of digging and 18 pages later I know the history of the fleece saddle!

Funny how cyclical things are. Anywho, I'm super interested in this. Really wanting to try this with my recon sling.
 
Really dating myself here, but I started looking at the Dryad and thought "why would anyone pay for that its just an RHC with a hammock" then dig a little bit of digging and 18 pages later I know the history of the fleece saddle!

Funny how cyclical things are. Anywho, I'm super interested in this. Really wanting to try this with my recon sling.
My first saddle was diy hammock with an RC harness. I am seriously considering returning to that style. Now I need to decide if I want to go the DIY route again or buy the dryad and be done with it.

Does anyone know where to find an RC harness with linemen's loops for cheaper than what dryad offers?
 
My first saddle was diy hammock with an RC harness. I am seriously considering returning to that style. Now I need to decide if I want to go the DIY route again or buy the dryad and be done with it.

Does anyone know where to find an RC harness with linemen's loops for cheaper than what dryad offers?

Misty mountain gym dandy, get a length of 2” tubular webbing and 1” tubular webbing. Slide the 2” over the gym dandy waist belt, slide the 1” through the 2”, tie safe knots at the end with loops.

I ran this for quite a long time. Search my posts and you should see some pics. That said, gym dandy is like $75, so after buying tubular webbing, not sure how much you will be saving.

Here you go.

 
Misty mountain gym dandy, get a length of 2” tubular webbing and 1” tubular webbing. Slide the 2” over the gym dandy waist belt, slide the 1” through the 2”, tie safe knots at the end with loops.

I ran this for quite a long time. Search my posts and you should see some pics. That said, gym dandy is like $75, so after buying tubular webbing, not sure how much you will be saving.

Here you go.


i bought the wide webbing to do this, but decided i didn't feel comfortable because the webbing isn't rated for a 'tear apart' motion but a straight pull....so i felt i didn't know how much force it could take before it started to open like a zipper
 
@sampotter where’s the 2023 Iowa public land buck out of a fleece saddle pic? Hope all is well.
I didn’t allow myself near as much time to hunt this year as I would’ve liked. Passed a 160ish 10 the first 5 minutes of the first day I hunted this year (Nov. 4th) and an 150s 8 the next morning and have been questioning those decisions ever since. Season not over yet though.
 
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