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True DIY and the beginner saddle hunter set-up

Schemeecho

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2020
Messages
313
Location
Gaston, SC.
What's going on saddle hunters? I hope everyone is doing great. As some of you know already, I'm new to the Saddle Hunting world. I'm also still new to hunting. I have about five seasons under my belt. Although, I have no kills I have still learned a lot over the past five years. I started off not seeing any Deer at all, to now seeing deer and being able to find their sign. This post is geared more to the new hunters like myself and those new to saddle hunting in general. If all goes well this thread will be a conversation about how to get into saddle hunting without spending a lot of money and making most of what you need yourself.
First lets start with some ground rules. The most important being that safety comes first at all times. With that in mind I will start with the rules.
____________________RULES________________
1. Safety comes first.
2. Most Items will be DIY
3. Some items must be purchased
4. All set-up items must be necessary
5. The minimum saddle hunting kit must contain the following( Tether, Lineman's rope, Saddle or sling, climbing method, Some type of safety harness, and hunting platform.
6. All Items must verified by either a photo or video while being used.

My saddle kit : DIY Fleece Saddle, one Lineman's rope and one Tether.
My Climbing method : One Sticking
My hunting platform : DIY inspired, Tethered predator concept.
My safety System : safety harness That I got with an Ameristep Hang on tree stand that I bought from walmart a few years ago.
The tether is 8 ft long and made by Voxlova , 10mm static rope. rated for 15KN or 3372 LBS. Below is a link of what rope i purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BJCZKPB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My Lineman's rope was made form the same Voxlova 10mm climbing rope. Its also 8ft long.
Starting this coming Sunday I will start posting photos of what I'm making
This my journey into the saddle hunting world. I just want to see if I can get the same results from what I make and depend on expensive equipment just to see if saddle hunting really for me. In the event that I do enjoy saddle hunting by producing the same desired results then I will start to buy the right equipment. I do not expect anyone to follow in my footsteps. If someone does decide to do the things I am doing. It is a risk that they take on their own. I cannot be held liable . You do so at your own risk. The risk of using any Diy equipment outside the manufacture guidelines is your sole responsibility .
If you plan on following in my foot steps and building a DIY saddle set-up then there are a few items you must buy. Lets start with the first out of pocket major expenses.
1. Buy good quality climbing rope for your Tether and Lineman's rope. Buy the highest climbing rated rope that you can afford. DO NOT skimp on this. Remember rule one safety comes first.
2. Buy good quality climbing rated carabiners. ........ See rule one.
3. Either use a good quality full body safety harness ( as I do ) or buy a good rock climbing harness ( I plan to do this soon.) Do your research on all safety items. Good quality climbing ropes can be bought by the foot from a lot of suppliers.

Until my next post, Have a great day or evening everyone.
 
Ok guys and gals. Lets take a look at my safety ropes for for my tether and lineman's rope. I bought 32 feet of Voxlova climbing rope rated at 15KN or roughly 3300 LBS. I cut it into two 8ft sections for my Tether and Lineman's rope. I also cut a 36 IN. section for the bridge on my Fleece Saddle. AKA The butt hammock. I also cut a section to use as a bridge on my safety harness. More on that later. Tomorrow we will talk about Prusik's and hitches

Here is the link for the safety / static rope that I purchased from Amazon.
 
That rope seems subpar to me. You will lose a good bit of strength once you tie your knots.

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Read #1 from your first post.
I'm not being a jerk but I wouldn't gamble life and or limbs trying to save a few bucks on rope.
Stay safe!
 
Never, Never go cheap on gear that is made to keep your alive. This is like being trapped in a building on fire with the cheapest fire extinguisher
 
Ok, as far as the rope goes, I agree. However It was something my wife purchased for me. I wasn't being cheap on the rope. I do plan on getting some
Sterling HTP static rope to use later on. This rope is just for testing purposes. Now as far as the rope I'm using now. It is still rated to 3300 LBS. It will hold my weight so im not that worried about it right now. But thanks for your concerns It is well noted Right now I'm just tying to work out what Im doing so far. Besides I know several people who use this for tethers as well. I will not be using this for rappelling down. I suspect The heat will be an issue. With a figure 8 knot I will loose 20% of the working strength and with a simple over hand knot I will loose 30-35% of the strength. So again I'm not that worried for testing things out and I wont be but at most 2 feet off the ground. My new rope was ordered, I'm waiting on 60 ft to get here in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
 
REI also sells 11mm static rope by the foot. The color leaves something to be desired as it it mostly white. However, it is pretty strong.

I took a photo of the specs the salesperson pulled up on their phone a while ago when I was asking about it.
8276f231d040c05e2a9cb08c8858bf76.jpg


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REI also sells 11mm static rope by the foot. The color leaves something to be desired as it it mostly white. However, it is pretty strong.

I took a photo of the specs the salesperson pulled up on their phone a while ago when I was asking about it.
8276f231d040c05e2a9cb08c8858bf76.jpg


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For?

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Sorry, wrong for, for/how much per foot?

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Sorry, wrong for, for/how much per foot?

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According to their website $0.95/foot. As an aside, this actually shows a higher strength rating than what the guy pulled up on his phone.


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STEP 1.JPGStep 2.JPGOk, so here is the step I am going to try climbing with. It measures 7 3/4 inches long and the base is 11 inches wide. I will also be using either a 3 or 4 step aider. I'm also thinking of using this as a run and gun platform like the solo scout, after a few more modifications are done. I plan on welding up a full platform on the top of the step. And yes I know my welds are ugly. I'm a little rusty at welding Since I no longer do custom exhaust work. I think it will look better once I grind the weld down some. Then I'll paint it up. It should work just fine. Not sure of the weight yet. I'm sure the lower stand-off weighs just as much as the actual step since it's 1/4 inch angle iron. I did it this way because of the angle it produces when on the tree. The angle produced is between 28 to 33 degrees depending on the size of the tree its on. The bolt is where the versa button will go.
 
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