d_rek
Well-Known Member
So another bow opener came and went for me in Michigan (unsuccessful, if you must know).
While i'm still getting familiar with my saddle (just bought it this past sunday), I must say I acclimated quickly to the entire concept. Since it was initially presented to me in Eberhart's Hunting Pressured Whitetails I have been very keen to own a saddle, ruing the day that I would not longer have to lug my climber into the woods, or sit on those god awful tree stand metal seats.
So when I saw one for sale, at a price I couldn't pass on, I picked it up. Now i've been fortunate enough to get in a few hours of shooting practice from ground level with my saddle, but I haven't been able to get high in a tree yet. Still, it was good to identify the different shooting positions and understand just how important form is when your feet aren't squarely planted on a flat surface. Regardless, within a few short hours I was comfortable shooting broadheads out to 35 yrds inside of my saddle, confident I could make a killing shot.
Now today being bow opener, and since it was the first time i've been able to take it off in a few years, I had to get out in the woods no matter what. Well, I ended up lugging my climber out there (summit viper classic) at 5:30 am this morning because the property I hunted didn't have any servicable hang on tree stands. I regretted almost every step of hauling that thing out there. About 100yrds from my vehicle, between the weight of my climber, daypack, and bow, I had already broken out into a heavy sweat. By the time I got to my tree i was damn near drenched. Regardless, I had already committed myself to hunting for the day, so I proceeded to setup my climber and scale the tree I had marked.
Now, my climber is plenty comfy and secure. And once I was up in the tree I was fine. But man, that long hike (probably 800-900 yard, maybe more) from my vehicle to the tree was dreadful. And I was damp with sweat all morning, and a bit chilly. The rest of my hunt was uneventful. I saw one deer after first light, although it was too far out at 60 yards, moving through some brush for me to do anything about. And then the call of nature hit. Well, being in a climber I had to scale back down, a 5 minute ordeal, and secure it. Well I ended up leaving it out in the woods (private land, and i surely hope anyone wouldn't think about trespassing on this particular piece of property), much relived that I only had to haul my bow and pack in.
But you better believe I wasn't wishing I had my sling and a set of climbing sticks the entire time I was out there! Or better yet, was able to come and prep a tree with pegs! But it is what it is.
I've since ordered a set of Lone Wolf climbing sticks (floor models going for $150 on ebay, $20 shipping - still way cheaper than buying new and having them shipped - but unfortunately it looks like the seller got hip and raised the price upto $189.99). So now I have options. And I have much, much more mobility. I'm very excited about the rest of the season with my saddle and sticks. Words cannot express how relived I am to only have to haul less than half the weight I was previously hauling around with my climber, bow, and daypack!
Anyway, i'd love to hear why everyone else bought their saddle. I'd imagine mobility is going to be a primary theme. Let's hear it!
regards,
d_rek
While i'm still getting familiar with my saddle (just bought it this past sunday), I must say I acclimated quickly to the entire concept. Since it was initially presented to me in Eberhart's Hunting Pressured Whitetails I have been very keen to own a saddle, ruing the day that I would not longer have to lug my climber into the woods, or sit on those god awful tree stand metal seats.
So when I saw one for sale, at a price I couldn't pass on, I picked it up. Now i've been fortunate enough to get in a few hours of shooting practice from ground level with my saddle, but I haven't been able to get high in a tree yet. Still, it was good to identify the different shooting positions and understand just how important form is when your feet aren't squarely planted on a flat surface. Regardless, within a few short hours I was comfortable shooting broadheads out to 35 yrds inside of my saddle, confident I could make a killing shot.
Now today being bow opener, and since it was the first time i've been able to take it off in a few years, I had to get out in the woods no matter what. Well, I ended up lugging my climber out there (summit viper classic) at 5:30 am this morning because the property I hunted didn't have any servicable hang on tree stands. I regretted almost every step of hauling that thing out there. About 100yrds from my vehicle, between the weight of my climber, daypack, and bow, I had already broken out into a heavy sweat. By the time I got to my tree i was damn near drenched. Regardless, I had already committed myself to hunting for the day, so I proceeded to setup my climber and scale the tree I had marked.
Now, my climber is plenty comfy and secure. And once I was up in the tree I was fine. But man, that long hike (probably 800-900 yard, maybe more) from my vehicle to the tree was dreadful. And I was damp with sweat all morning, and a bit chilly. The rest of my hunt was uneventful. I saw one deer after first light, although it was too far out at 60 yards, moving through some brush for me to do anything about. And then the call of nature hit. Well, being in a climber I had to scale back down, a 5 minute ordeal, and secure it. Well I ended up leaving it out in the woods (private land, and i surely hope anyone wouldn't think about trespassing on this particular piece of property), much relived that I only had to haul my bow and pack in.
But you better believe I wasn't wishing I had my sling and a set of climbing sticks the entire time I was out there! Or better yet, was able to come and prep a tree with pegs! But it is what it is.
I've since ordered a set of Lone Wolf climbing sticks (floor models going for $150 on ebay, $20 shipping - still way cheaper than buying new and having them shipped - but unfortunately it looks like the seller got hip and raised the price upto $189.99). So now I have options. And I have much, much more mobility. I'm very excited about the rest of the season with my saddle and sticks. Words cannot express how relived I am to only have to haul less than half the weight I was previously hauling around with my climber, bow, and daypack!
Anyway, i'd love to hear why everyone else bought their saddle. I'd imagine mobility is going to be a primary theme. Let's hear it!
regards,
d_rek