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The Unofficial Saddle Hunters Tree Climbing Competition!

Who thinks this would be a fun idea and want to join?

  • I think it's a great idea.

    Votes: 10 24.4%
  • I like it AND want to join.

    Votes: 7 17.1%
  • I think its dangerous and crazy.

    Votes: 12 29.3%
  • I dont see the need for it.

    Votes: 21 51.2%

  • Total voters
    41
The only saddle hunting "competition" that interests me is my wits versus the deer's. If I win, I have venison in the freezer. If they win, I eat tag soup.

That "competition" already has enough "rules". The rules of physics and safety, which if you run afoul of, have serious consequences, and game laws, which also can have serious consequences in the breaking of.

Why does everything has to become a competition?

Count me out. Not even interested in watching the vids, should this come to pass.
With the utmost respect and understanding for your point of view, I'd like to make 2 points.
That first, we already have a "Competition" a deer hunting one, which doesn't seem to bother people, but that critics could claim induces a greater chance of people being desperate and taking bad shots at deer just to be on the scoreboard! Yet I dont believe that happens because the vast majority of us have ethical standards in our hunting that trump a desire to "win". Same with this competition, I dont think anyone will take unnecessary risks in climbing just to win when they can try again, and again.
2. I believe we will get better climbers because some will practice more than they would've otherwise, and better videos for the next wave of young saddlehunters to learn from.
Also itll be a way of almost documenting the changes and upgrades to various systems and might even spark brand new ones.
However, thanks for sharing your thoughts Sir!
 
May have been said before, but I think for something like this to be useful it'd help to start the clock pack-on-back and bow-in-hand, and stop it the same way.

Speed is really just an empirical measurement we try and correlate with something decidedly less objective..."How much of a PITA is it going to be for me to get up and down this dumb tree?" Same is true for weight. Speed is more relative for the actual climb, weight more useful for the walk in. Bulk is also a big factor for me.

I've found after trying everything that bolts make my life the easiest if I'm walking more than half a mile, and sticks are easiest if I'm walking less.
 
You might see me climbing with bolts and my dewalt.
I put in two votes that kind of contradict each other.
 
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Though I agree that speed is the only real measurable way of this said competition I can’t say I like the idea of it. You seem pretty set on pursuing this so with that said whoever takes part I hope no one gets injured or worse.
 
I used to care about how quickly I was set up at height. Made more noise and generally ended up frustrated. I have been significantly quieter and less stressed since slowing down. I see the fun for bragging rights, but don't see much for practical application when mainly focused on speed.
 
Rule change. Too hot in august lol. How about like March before Turkey season?
 
I used to care about how quickly I was set up at height. Made more noise and generally ended up frustrated. I have been significantly quieter and less stressed since slowing down. I see the fun for bragging rights, but don't see much for practical application when mainly focused on speed.
I agree and there is a point where rushing to go faster actually makes you slower! Methodical muscle memory is what makes you smoother quieter and ultimately faster.
 
I want to start this post by saying I enjoy the peacefulness and quietness of the woods and stop along the way when I'm climbing to monitor sounds and movements of a potential deer. I carry my bow on my back so I could stop at any point and shoot a deer. This is not hunting, it's a game.
I can see there is a majority so far who think this is unnecessary and even dangerous.
And I'm not trying to be bullheaded and plow ahead. This thread is not even 24 hours old, everything is up in the air, including the fact that it may not happen.
I am trying to explain my point of view to those who I feel aren't seeing the concept of why people play games among friends and family, or have competitions and sport of any kind.
All games and sport is unnecessary! People do it for fun, motivation to stay fit and active, as well as bragging rights.
Why do we have a Deer hunting "competition"? For fun and bragging rights and no one takes it too seriously.
A feeling I get is summed up in the statement " I don't think this is neccessary because someone may get hurt"! Is not a valid one! All sports are not necessary and people get injured in every sport and competition!
This may never happen, it's still in an exploratory stage.
I just dont completely understand the doom and gloom feeling by some who won't participate due to not being at their physical prime.
I haven't heard any reactions to my point about this not being an ADRENALINE fueled event and why that allows it to be much safer than if it was done face to face, 1 take.
 
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Here's an idea....u wanna compete? Come to Georgia the weekend after Valentine's day for saddlepalooza...
Trust me, I would if I could! I have a 14 yr old special needs daughter my wife cannot lift and I can't be gone from home more than a day in order to care for her properly.
I actually thought of this because of your saddlepalooza and for all the athletic folks who couldn't make it there as a game/ competition we could do when we have time and at home. One of these years I'll find a way to go!
 
Is there videos of peoples 20 foot climb yet?
No, this idea is hardly a day old! And its freezing cold outside! I'd like to have at least 10 people say via the poll that they'll join!
 
I don't get the 2 methods either.....
Does this involve platforms/Ros and bow/gun holder setup or just straight climb to X height and go down
Ideally it would just be climbing as I'd like to keep it simple, but we can add shooting an arrow if the majority of active participants wants to!
 
I'm sorry if I'm bothering folks or if it seems like I'm spoiling a time honored sacred tradition by making it a competition. I really thought that bcuz of the hunting competition people would be game for another one!
I'll just give this a few weeks to get more responses, hopefully, and we'll see if itll be shelved or put into action!
@gcr0003 the timing of when is open to change. I thought of summer so that warm clothing won't be an issue or slow down those of us who live where it can still snow in May!
 
I'm sorry if I'm bothering folks or if it seems like I'm spoiling a time honored sacred tradition by making it a competition. I really thought that bcuz of the hunting competition people would be game for another one!
I'll just give this a few weeks to get more responses, hopefully, and we'll see if itll be shelved or put into action!
@gcr0003 the timing of when is open to change. I thought of summer so that warm clothing won't be an issue or slow down those of us who live where it can still snow in May!
I’ll be in nothing but my britches if it’s in august. Lol
 
I’ll be in nothing but my britches if it’s in august. Lol
Yeah, you could probably film it any time you want, just dont post until specific day for a few reasons:
As a safety measure to keep from people making dangerous decisions due to outside timing pressure that causes adrenaline spikes.
And suspense, if someone posts a lightning fast video too early we may not get to see more of others videos since they may not bother "since they can't beat that time anyways".
I really want to see everyone's best 2 climbs...even if I don't win, that's reward enough for giving up my platform that took many hours to create!
 
I may be interested, completely dependent on the final rule set... Not really interested in anything beyond a "hunting-style" climb (which is what we do this for, duh, lol). Any additional safety measures, beyond those that should be taken EVERY SINGLE TIME, could result in complexity issues. Again, completely dependent on final rules. I'm way more interested in how people differ in accomplishing the end result.
 
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