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What bothered u on your last saddle sit

PEEJAY said:
Still havent found a good way to shoot a rifle out of a saddle. I need a rest. I use an extending bow hanger for a rest but it only works in one direction and im all wonky positioned most of the time. once im lined up my body is getting tired of holding a yoga pose to shoot steady. My climber has a rail and it just works.
just ordered a longer bow hanger and i might add two together.

Also, my collection of junk to make my hunt comfortable weighs almost as much as the dang climber by now. but i am pretty darn comfy most hunts. i started packing my saddle on my pack instead of wearing it on long walks because it is killin my hips after a mile or so, or if im biking the straps worry me getting looped in a wheel. got some suspenders to see if that makes it any better while on foot.
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Suspenders make a big difference in my experiences so far.

BT
 
The thing that always frustrates me and still does is weight. I don’t know the exact weight of my gear but it must be around 30 pounds. Saddle,linesman and tether, each with ropeman, 3-4 Skeletor sticks, kill kit, rangefinder, 1 liter of water, light rain jacket, 1 medium warm layer. The saddle and ropes themselves weight a bunch. When I wear them in it is not as bad. One sticking is not for me for a couple of reasons, the main ones being that I am pushing 50, fit but overweight and not thrilled with heights. Ironically, my climber and small pack is lighter than my saddle setup but I don’t like it as much, certainly not during archery season. Now, with my climber I had to go back to the truck to get a sled to haul a deer out and with my saddle, I can pack it out…which is what I generally consider an advantage to be. On the other hand, I maybe get 1-2 deer a year on public land…and when I hunt private, I always use a sled. So…Not sure how to end this post. It is not so heavy that I cannot carry it of course, but with saddle hunting’s reputation for being light and mobile…It is not a rig that I could walk many miles in.
 
AttackMode said:
My pack. I really like the features of the K4 5000 but I've come to terms that it's not going to work how I want it too. I'm waiting for an order to arrive and I'm going to rig up some stuff to put on the K4 frame. It SHOULD make everything more streamlined.
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What are the trouble spots, if you don’t mind?
 
raisins said:
The sharp edge of the tethrd one stick dynalock cleat thingie started eating my amsteel.

Hey, Tethrd, are you unaware of the concept of chamfering? You're already saving money by having these made in China. Send me the address and I'll mail their factory $50 worth of sandpaper.
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On a serious note, I've now chamfered all my steps where the aider goes and all my cleat thingies (300 then 600 grit). If you are on the fence, I'd just do it. I didn't want to mar these up because they are so expensive and look so awesome right out of the package. But the chamfering increases their usefulness and if you are careful it just makes them look a bit antiqued like a pair of favorite blue jeans or something.
 
BlackpowderGuy (AJHS) said:
The thing that always frustrates me and still does is weight. I don’t know the exact weight of my gear but it must be around 30 pounds. Saddle,linesman and tether, each with ropeman, 3-4 Skeletor sticks, kill kit, rangefinder, 1 liter of water, light rain jacket, 1 medium warm layer. The saddle and ropes themselves weight a bunch. When I wear them in it is not as bad. One sticking is not for me for a couple of reasons, the main ones being that I am pushing 50, fit but overweight and not thrilled with heights. Ironically, my climber and small pack is lighter than my saddle setup but I don’t like it as much, certainly not during archery season. Now, with my climber I had to go back to the truck to get a sled to haul a deer out and with my saddle, I can pack it out…which is what I generally consider an advantage to be. On the other hand, I maybe get 1-2 deer a year on public land…and when I hunt private, I always use a sled. So…Not sure how to end this post. It is not so heavy that I cannot carry it of course, but with saddle hunting’s reputation for being light and mobile…It is not a rig that I could walk many miles in.
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You can go to oplux tether and linemans using trc friction hitch. I would ditch the kill kit if it is a lot and just drop your gear off and come back with it (that's what I always do....it blows my mind that anyone drags a deer while holding their bow and 30 lbs of gear on their back). I'd cut back on your water unless you have a medical issue. I carry 16 ounces to 20 ounces on all day hunts or half day when hot/walking a long way. On short winter sits, I can get by with nothing or 8 ounces. Try carrying sugar free breath mints. They keep your mouth from being dry/nasty. The trick is to drink a bunch of water on the drive to the hunt (and not caffeine). I'd go extra light on the rain jacket. If you need it in a stand, then it being quiet probably won't matter a ton (if it is for emergencies). I'd ditch any breathable nice stuff and go for an ultralight silpoly jacket (lightheart gear is what I carry). For the medium warm layer, I'd get a high loft goose down jacket (thin puffy one), warmest thing by weight and packs down to nothing and weighs nothing. Lastly, look at your pack. I purposefully carry a lighter internal frame (Mystery Ranch Scree 32) and for the way I hunt I would never carry a 5 lbs or more frame pack. I have a kill pack with a frame pack at the truck.
 
PEEJAY said:
Still havent found a good way to shoot a rifle out of a saddle. I need a rest. I use an extending bow hanger for a rest but it only works in one direction and im all wonky positioned most of the time. once im lined up my body is getting tired of holding a yoga pose to shoot steady. My climber has a rail and it just works.
just ordered a longer bow hanger and i might add two together.
Click to expand...
That's an easy 1..... I know Mr @kyler1945 has a pic of somewhere....use the tether as ur gun rest.....or work on your core strength but I know right what u mean......last season had to adjust my tether way down till I was almost horizontal, cross the bridge, and shoot the 2 to 3 o'clock as a right handed shooter.....my stomach muscles were tensing and spasming but luckily made the shot. A strong side shot the tether adds that third point of contact and help make more stable
 
Weldabeast said:
That's an easy 1..... I know Mr @kyler1945 has a pic of somewhere....use the tether as ur gun rest.....or work on your core strength but I know right what u mean......last season had to adjust my tether way down till I was almost horizontal, cross the bridge, and shoot the 2 to 3 o'clock as a right handed shooter.....my stomach muscles were tensing and spasming but luckily made the shot. A strong side shot the tether adds that third point of contact and help make more stable
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Worked on him!

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Plebe said:
What are the trouble spots, if you don’t mind?
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I dont like how narrow the interior is, side/stretch pockets seem to lose volume when main bag is full, how loud the zippers are, lack of interior pockets for organizing, I find myself dissatisfied with the horseshoe zipper and the roll top (due to how tall the bag is). I thought I could make it work but these are all things that aggravate me every hunt and it's the "weak" point of my setup/takedown so it's time for a change. I'm trying to eliminate zipper access with my new setup...just a large bag(s) that I can place my gear in and go. Quick, quiet, and efficient is what I'm after. Hopefully the new setup I'm plotting works out and I can eliminate most/all those issues. I think if I didn't have a camera arm, camera, go pro, batteries and all that mess I'd probably enjoy it a bit more....but that's an entirely different animal that I've committed too.
 
AttackMode said:
I dont like how narrow the interior is, side/stretch pockets seem to lose volume when main bag is full, how loud the zippers are, lack of interior pockets for organizing, I find myself dissatisfied with the horseshoe zipper and the roll top (due to how tall the bag is). I thought I could make it work but these are all things that aggravate me every hunt and it's the "weak" point of my setup/takedown so it's time for a change. I'm trying to eliminate zipper access with my new setup...just a large bag(s) that I can place my gear in and go. Quick, quiet, and efficient is what I'm after. Hopefully the new setup I'm plotting works out and I can eliminate most/all those issues. I think if I didn't have a camera arm, camera, go pro, batteries and all that mess I'd probably enjoy it a bit more....but that's an entirely different animal that I've committed too.
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Crib panel then?
 
AttackMode said:
Not quite, but I could go that route. Thinking Marsupial Upland Bird Bag +
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Thanks. I’m about to take the K4 plunge. Been holding off because I’m not 100% on the 2200 due to the narrowness.

Considering the crib and 3 pouches, maybe a lid. That’s not much lighter at 1lb 7oz (without dry bag) than the 1lb 10oz 2200 bag.

So it comes down to a decision on function.

Thinking the crib is more versatile. But if I decide I like my Kifaru set better, K4 frame with 2200 is probably easier to unload n classifieds.

Are the Exo hip belt pouch and lid zippers noisy?
 
Plebe said:
Thanks. I’m about to take the K4 plunge. Been holding off because I’m not 100% on the 2200 due to the narrowness.

Considering the crib and 3 pouches, maybe a lid. That’s not much lighter at 1lb 7oz (without dry bag) than the 1lb 10oz 2200 bag.

So it comes down to a decision on function.

Thinking the crib is more versatile. But if I decide I like my Kifaru set better, K4 frame with 2200 is probably easier to unload n classifieds.

Are the Exo hip belt pouch and lid zippers noisy?
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A little bit but they open/close 1 handed which is soo nice that it's almost worth it. I waxed mine and the difference was minimal but it did help some.
 
Alright here we go!!!

First hunt my Kifaru Stryker made ungodly squeaking noise the entire walk in and out. When I got to the tree I realized I musta taken my Molle Talons off my waist belt so had to climb the tree with 2 sticks in hand. My One sticks need to go together in a certain order so the double claw spacing & attachment to the stand Talons work. Flipped sticks for a good minute getting the right order when packing up.

Fixes - added stealth strip to the pack straps where they pass thru the frame loops, added Molle Talons to the waist belt, & numbered the sticks.

Two good hunts then the 4th nightmare. Climbed a large swell but split tree & daisy chain was not long enough so had to start on the smaller right trunk. At hunting height found out my platform rope attachment was not long enough spent 5mins at height figuring something out. I knew this would be a problem but figure I never saddle hunt from large trees - wrong this was the only option.

Fixes - made 2 new daisy chains one 8’ & one 7’. Also made them out of different color 7/64 so now I don’t have to look at the number on the stick I can quickly see the rope color & know my stacking order. I made another double loop platform attachment 3’ longer.

I’ve made a couple ground hunts since so can’t wait for the mishaps of that 5th hunt!!!!
 

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I am not posting this to prove how stupid I can be but it may help someone else.
Invested in a Kifaru Stryker XL with lite frame. I hated it. Seemed unbalanced, heavy and just plane hurt. Decided to give up on saddle hunting and going to a .75.
I had my EDP at the top of the pack. Also had the straps attaching the bag in the back connection points. This caused the load to shift just enough to make the pack unbalanced. Relocated the EDP down low under the Sherman pocket. Relocated the attachment straps to the front of the bag. Now i can get everything tight. This improved the load and feel but the pack still hurt after a while. Mostly pain in my hips after a mile or so.
Finally decided to get out the knife and fix it. I removed the foam from the lumbar pad and separated the hard foam from the soft foam. Reinstalled the soft foam and the pack is now comfortable. I have a herniated disc in my lower back and the lumbar pad was putting too much pressure on my back.Screenshot_20231014_144235_DuckDuckGo.jpg
 
Black Titan said:
Well, currently, this is what's bothering me.

So glad I packed a backup.


BT
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Dropped my pull up cord from the tree. Luckily I have an extra in my pack & a small treble hook in a pc of foam. Just tie on hook and retrieve the rope w/my bow. All good in the end. May not need to carry a fish hook hunting but it saved me climbing back down this time. I'll be carrying it all the time now..
 
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