Update on Climbing Methods and Gear

[BowhunterXC]

I retired last year and had the entire spring and summer months to experiment with new climbing methods and gear choices.
I've posted in the past about 2TC, also tried some 1 Stick climbing...with rappelling and I changed how I transport all this stuff into the woods too.
After it was all said and done, I went back to KISS, Keep It Stupid Simple and eliminated a lot of issues.

* The 2TC method was more of a struggle, like having shackles on your ankles. It's way worse on a tree with any lean to it. No speed gain to the climbing method, but no slower either.
* The 1 Stick method was nice and rappelling was fun. However, I spent more time at the base of my tree wrapping up ropes, strings and putting stuff back together before I could walk out of the woods. Meanwhile, I'm getting sucked dry by skeeters and had to swing by the Red Cross for an extra pint of blood. J/K about the extra pint.
* I gave the SRT and the DRT methods a look on YouTube, but that puts me back to finding a tree with a crotch/limb to throw a rope over. Which in this part of the country is worse than finding a tree with no limbs for using a climber. Pass!!!

What I ended up doing:
3 Muddy Pro (original 32" sections) climbing sticks with a single aider loop on the bottom step. 18 to 20 feet is where these sticks with a single aider will get me and I'm happy with that height. These have 2 cinch straps fastened to my Trophy Ridge Mission platform and 2 rifle slings for pack straps. This unit alone only weighs 13.2#. Any accessories are carried in a small gear bag that has a carry sling, which makes for light and easy packing. My Cruzr XC saddle has 2 dump pouches. Both dump pouches were purchased off of Amazon at $23 for the pair....same quality as you get from any saddle company.

 

[Westdesign03]

Looks nice! Wondering how you deal with the bump on the bottom of that platform sticking into your back when you’re hiking with it?

I have a similar setup. 3 beast sticks with 3 step removable aider I’ll only ever use on the bottom stick. Potentially the second stick if it’s a weird tree and I can’t use it on the bottom stick.

Cannot make up my mind on a platform I’m happy with for the 2nd-3rd year in a row now. So I took the plunge on a beast stand because I also want a hang on when traditional saddle hanging doesn’t work. Planning to use that as a regular stand/hybrid setup likely more than anything else moving forward. Also want to quit bellyaching about what stand is best (in my mind) so that’s also why I went with one of the best out there (IMO).

Haven’t given up on actual saddle hunting yet so back to my platform problem. At the moment I’m planning to try a gen 1 Pursuit platform. Got a deal I couldn’t pass up at the mobile hunters expo. I like it pretty well in the yard so far. We’ll see how it goes in the woods for real eventually.

 

[MattMan81]

Looks nice! Wondering how you deal with the bump on the bottom of that platform sticking into your back when you’re hiking with it?

I have a similar setup. 3 beast sticks with 3 step removable aider I’ll only ever use on the bottom stick. Potentially the second stick if it’s a weird tree and I can’t use it on the bottom stick.

Cannot make up my mind on a platform I’m happy with for the 2nd-3rd year in a row now. So I took the plunge on a beast stand because I also want a hang on when traditional saddle hanging doesn’t work. Planning to use that as a regular stand/hybrid setup likely more than anything else moving forward. Also want to quit bellyaching about what stand is best (in my mind) so that’s also why I went with one of the best out there (IMO).

Haven’t given up on actual saddle hunting yet so back to my platform problem. At the moment I’m planning to try a gen 1 Pursuit platform. Got a deal I couldn’t pass up at the mobile hunters expo. I like it pretty well in the yard so far. We’ll see how it goes in the woods for real eventually.

I might end up something similar as well. I picked up some beast sticks. I had a 3 step ultimate aider I tried on the bottom one..it worked. I took it apart and been playing with an aider on each one. Jury is still out.
I like the one stick. But always seems to turn into a struggle. Sticks work. They are simple. I tend to over complicate things. Expecially in the woods. I think this year will either end up a DRT preset. Or climbing sticks. Not sure if the one stick is worth the risk and complications.

 

[Westdesign03]

I might end up something similar as well. I picked up some beast sticks. I had a 3 step ultimate aider I tried on the bottom one..it worked. I took it apart and been playing with an aider on each one. Jury is still out.
I like the one stick. But always seems to turn into a struggle. Sticks work. They are simple. I tend to over complicate things. Expecially in the woods. I think this year will either end up a DRT preset. Or climbing sticks. Not sure if the one stick is worth the risk and complications.

Sounds good and makes sense. I use the CGM 3 step aider and though I don’t like aiders really to begin with, I do like this one, but only for ground level. The aiders available now in my mind are good enough to justify ditching a stick and only carrying 3, which I’ve done. I had them make mine with the longer straps that can go on the top step of the first stick instead of the bottom one. I like the idea of taking the aider off so it’s not something hanging down for deer to come up and sniff. Also then you have the option to use it again if you want to. Usually I won’t do that though.

I dabbled in the one stick thing too and while the idea sounds great, I just could never get it to work well for me either. To me it was a lot more work than just using a few sticks and every tree acted completely different for me. So just moved on.

While being super minimalist and lean and mean with the latest and greatest is nice. But I’m finding a pretty solid point of diminishing returns after a while, once you get past the cool factor of some of the minimalist mobile products out there now. (Not to bash on anyone). To me it is much more worth feeling confident and safe using your chosen tree gear than trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. Also important to me is being reasonably comfortable while in it and actually feeling confident taking a shot on an animal. Of course I am just as tempted as the next guy when something new hits the market. But for the past year or so been very much trying to keep my eye on that ball and choosing gear that checks those boxes and then stick with it.

 

[BowhunterXC]

While being super minimalist and lean and mean with the latest and greatest is nice. But I’m finding a pretty solid point of diminishing returns after a while, once you get past the cool factor of some of the minimalist mobile products out there now. (Not to bash on anyone). To me it is much more worth feeling confident and safe using your chosen tree gear than trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. Also important to me is being reasonably comfortable while in it and actually feeling confident taking a shot on an animal. Of course I am just as tempted as the next guy when something new hits the market. But for the past year or so been very much trying to keep my eye on that ball and choosing gear that checks those boxes and then stick with it.

You've said a lot here, sir. There are many choices and the differences between what's "cool" and what works are quite often completely different. It came down to deciding what was the most simple and most comfortable, for me. I cut as much weight as I could, without sacrificing comfort while being there and at the same time, having what I needed for the hunt and not wishing I had brought this or that with me.

 

[BowhunterXC]

Looks nice! Wondering how you deal with the bump on the bottom of that platform sticking into your back when you’re hiking with it?

I made this modification in the late season while wearing heavier clothes, but you're correct sir, it does gouge me in the back.
I cut a pool noodle in half and put a cinch strap on it, so it can be removed and stored away, once I'm on location.

 

[BowhunterXC]

Here's what it all looks like, going into the woods. These photos are before the pool noodle modification.

 

[phatkaw]

For me one-sticking is soo freakin' easy there is no chance I'll carry more than one!

I really enjoyed getting good at 2TC. It's easy too and very LIGHT.

 

[Westdesign03]

You've said a lot here, sir. There are many choices and the differences between what's "cool" and what works are quite often completely different. It came down to deciding what was the most simple and most comfortable, for me. I cut as much weight as I could, without sacrificing comfort while being there and at the same time, having what I needed for the hunt and not wishing I had brought this or that with me.

Thanks lol. Yep that’s pretty much my thoughts too at the end of the day. Still always a work in progress to not be swayed by the marketing as best I can.

 

[Westdesign03]

Here's what it all looks like, going into the woods. These photos are before the pool noodle modification.
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Looking good! Awesome that you hunt with a recurve too. (Trad bows are starting to peak my interest more and more as time goes on).

When I had the Mission, what I did to overcome the bump was take a closed cell foam pad like you would get in the Walmart hunting section and cut a square hole out of it that the bump would fit in to. The pad I used also had a buckling web strap on it. So I would just buckle it to the platform. That acted as a full backpad for the platform, got rid of the bump, and then at the tree I could strap that pad to the tree and use it as my knee rest. Thought it worked pretty well at the time. Always a fan of multi use items.

 

[rutjr]

I retired last year and had the entire spring and summer months to experiment with new climbing methods and gear choices.
I've posted in the past about 2TC, also tried some 1 Stick climbing...with rappelling and I changed how I transport all this stuff into the woods too.
After it was all said and done, I went back to KISS, Keep It Stupid Simple and eliminated a lot of issues.

* The 2TC method was more of a struggle, like having shackles on your ankles. It's way worse on a tree with any lean to it. No speed gain to the climbing method, but no slower either.
* The 1 Stick method was nice and rappelling was fun. However, I spent more time at the base of my tree wrapping up ropes, strings and putting stuff back together before I could walk out of the woods. Meanwhile, I'm getting sucked dry by skeeters and had to swing by the Red Cross for an extra pint of blood. J/K about the extra pint.
* I gave the SRT and the DRT methods a look on YouTube, but that puts me back to finding a tree with a crotch/limb to throw a rope over. Which in this part of the country is worse than finding a tree with no limbs for using a climber. Pass!!!

What I ended up doing:
3 Muddy Pro (original 32" sections) climbing sticks with a single aider loop on the bottom step. 18 to 20 feet is where these sticks with a single aider will get me and I'm happy with that height. These have 2 cinch straps fastened to my Trophy Ridge Mission platform and 2 rifle slings for pack straps. This unit alone only weighs 13.2#. Any accessories are carried in a small gear bag that has a carry sling, which makes for light and easy packing. My Cruzr XC saddle has 2 dump pouches. Both dump pouches were purchased off of Amazon at $23 for the pair....same quality as you get from any saddle company.
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I know what you mean. I tried a lot of stuff but I fell back to my climber.

 

[Westdesign03]

I know what you mean. I tried a lot of stuff but I fell back to my climber.

What climber you use?

 

[GeoFish]

We both came to the same conclusion. After chasing the lightest climbing method, I am going back to 3 long sticks with a versa aider or 3 Apex steps.

 

[ww874]

I was kinda in the same position. I also retired a few years ago and as I finished up last season I decided to explore this saddle hunting thing. I did so for two reasons, mobility and safety. At first I really wasn't sure I wanted to move away from my Summit vipers because I liked them so much. I have one set up for comfort with lots of cushions and sitting all day is a joy. I other is stripped down to 20 pounds and transports a lot easier but walking through brush with either is still a major headache. And as for safety, a bad habit I started 30 years ago was I never wore any kind of safety harness while in them. I always felt safe being surrounded by the frame of the stand even though in my younger days I did forget to attach the bottom to the top a few times and found myself bear hugging the tree in the dark to get down. Being young and stupid I never thought I'd actually get hurt using those stands.
So after last season my trip down this rabbit hole of saddle hunting began. I first bought a Cruzr saddle, 4 novix mini sticks with wire aiders, a mission platform and the trophyline backpack they fit into. I was really impressed how compact and light the system was. Since I had never used a hang on treestand, climbing sticks were something totally new for me. Immediately I realized I hated all the buckle straps so I bought amsteel daisy chain rope mods. They worked great. I practised climbing with them and started to become comfortable hanging from a rope in a tree. I liked the setup but as I continued learning one stick climbing caught my eye. That led me to the one stick thing ie. rappel rope, madrock device, more carabiners, three step aider an OOAL slick rick one stick and everything else that goes along with 1 sticking. Having tried both methods I definitely like the one stick much better. My biggest issue is rope management and the more I practised the better I'm getting with it. My setup is so lightweight and fun to use. I've practised shooting from height and sitting a bit but the real test for me is gonna be putting in the hours this season. I guess I don't expect sitting in a saddle to be as comfortable as my summit climber but I'm hoping it's not bad and what I've gained in mobility and safety makes it worthwhile. If not they'll be a fire sale in the classifieds next year.
I really appreciate the information and guidance I've gotten from this website and the people on it. It's a great resource and I'd just want to say thanks to everyone for helping me continue to learn about saddle hunting.

 

[rutjr]

What climber you use?

I use the seat of a Summit Openshot.

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