Revisiting Saddle Hunting/One Sticking (and a Deal Alert!)

[adam_p]

I've had an on-again, off-again experience with saddle hunting the last couple of years. Legdog let me use his Tethrd Phantom setup, Predator platform and Shikar sticks. I also modified a Shikar Mini into a one stick (with double steps on top and bottom and a Shaeffer cam cleat to replace the versa button.) Honestly, I've mostly used the saddle in lieu of my safety harness while hunting existing, pre-set stands around the lease, using the tether (or existing life line) to lean on occasion.)

After the season I've recommitted to practicing with the one stick. (I want to do a public midwest whitetail hunt next fall.) I've climbed various trees around the house pretty much every day for the last few weeks, and I did my first "successful" one stick climb (while hunting) at our Blanco lease last weekend. (I actually climbed up one trunk before realizing there were branches in the way of my shot, so I had to rappel down and climb a different trunk of the same tree. So I guess you could say I had TWO one sticking climbs! ) I didn't get anything, but I did have a dozen axis walk within 50-60 yards. I've committed to practicing with my setup during the "off season" and hunting axis/hogs with it this spring and summer in an effort to get more efficient and comfortable with the setup.

As I've used it more, I think a two panel saddle will be more comfortable and better suited to longer sits. I was planning to wait awhile and do more research, but yesterday I saw that Latitude is having a 20% off sitewide sale (deal alert!) and 30% off their Method 2 saddle ($209.) This seems to be a fairly popular saddle option based on the youtube rabbit holes I've found myself in over the last couple of years.

Any of you more experience saddle hunters have thoughts on single panel vs two panel and, specifically, with the Method 2? Any reasons to avoid it?

I have a method 2, I rarely pull the 2 panels apart but I'm also rarely hanging in the tree, I mostly just lean. The method 2 is super comfortable. I added suspenders to mine and it makes walking in while wearing the saddle much better.

[Michael]

Michael,

Like you, I mostly use it when invited somewhere, annual trip to Rocksprings and someday want to try my luck in the National Forrest just to see if I can be successful there. At the lease I manage I have some hang on presets and Krivoman for those rainy days and grandkids.

I believe he does the most in depth review of multiple saddles than anyone else I found. I purchased the hip pinch eliminator and that helps a bunch, there are tons of gadgets out there for saddle hunting and more on the way I would bet. I will say it did take a little getting used to repelling with the madrock, been looking into the Trango Vergo thinking it may be smoother to operate. The other thing I keep trying to figure out is the best way to back up the madrock, you know the saying one in none and two is one.

I've seen the hip pinch eliminator. It may get added to the already expanding list of wish list gadgets. My problem is I already carry a bunch of camera "gadgets," so I have to find oz elsewhere to cut! LOL!

I found that my Madrock seemed a little "jumpy" when I was trying to rappel down after hunting a few hours last Saturday. I started getting concerned that maybe I had installed it wrong because I hadn't really experienced that when doing quick setups at home. On Sunday, I stumbled across a video that addressed that exact issue.

After sitting (hunting) for an extended period, the rope below the Madrock (that doesn't have any tension on it) decompresses back to normal size, while the rope in and above the MR that has tension is compressed. That means that for the initial descent, the decompressed part of the rope has to pass through the Madrock. He suggested pulling up several inches on the rope first, and then initiate the descent.

Madrock (and GriGri) specifically state not to put an autoblock below the device. I have seen a couple of videos using a friction hitch above the Madrock and secured to the Lineman loop (or secondary bridge). When ascending, the Madrock acts as a tender for the hitch.

[sling shot]

That video makes a lot of sense, will have to try that method. I like how this guy in the link below just ties the knot while ascending, seems quick and simple. I will probably practice with the Cornell hitch that Madhunts showed this off season.

https://youtu.be/5-OFGHSYibg

[adam_p]

I've seen the hip pinch eliminator. It may get added to the already expanding list of wish list gadgets. My problem is I already carry a bunch of camera "gadgets," so I have to find oz elsewhere to cut! LOL!

I found that my Madrock seemed a little "jumpy" when I was trying to rappel down after hunting a few hours last Saturday. I started getting concerned that maybe I had installed it wrong because I hadn't really experienced that when doing quick setups at home. On Sunday, I stumbled across a video that addressed that exact issue.

After sitting (hunting) for an extended period, the rope below the Madrock (that doesn't have any tension on it) decompresses back to normal size, while the rope in and above the MR that has tension is compressed. That means that for the initial descent, the decompressed part of the rope has to pass through the Madrock. He suggested pulling up several inches on the rope first, and then initiate the descent.

Madrock (and GriGri) specifically state not to put an autoblock below the device. I have seen a couple of videos using a friction hitch above the Madrock and secured to the Lineman loop (or secondary bridge). When ascending, the Madrock acts as a tender for the hitch.

I have a hip pinch eliminator and have used it once. It gets in the way of my bino harness. I just shorten my bridge some and it helps with the hip pinch.

[Michael]

I’ve been using cruzr xc for a few seasons exclusively. You couldn’t give me a single panel. Latitude makes great products! I have only been around a few of their components. But all are well build!

as far as one sticking goes, it’s just not for me or practical that I see. I’m light years faster with multiple sticks, 9000% less monkey BUISNESS to climb for the cost of almost zero weight saved once you figure in all the extra repell rope you need. As far as coming down. Yes it’s faster but I still do it in the dark with never a light in so little time I just don’t see the point ( my opinion)

I was seriously considering a Cruzr (based in large part on several of your previous posts on the topic! 👍) In fact, had Legdog not let me use his Phantom two years ago, I probably would have pulled the trigger on the XC a couple of seasons ago.

[Michael]

I have a method 2, I rarely pull the 2 panels apart but I'm also rarely hanging in the tree, I mostly just lean. The method 2 is super comfortable. I added suspenders to mine and it makes walking in while wearing the saddle much better.

Awesome! Thanks for the input. Did you have problems with the saddle sagging before you added suspenders? Not to get personal, but are you a big guy?

[adam_p]

Awesome! Thanks for the input. Did you have problems with the saddle sagging before you added suspenders? Not to get personal, but are you a big guy?

It would fall down some when walking but it wasn't terrible. I did it without the suspenders for a couple years. Always seemed to be worse on the walk out after the hunt for some reason. Yes, big guy. 6'1" 275.

[Low Fence]

I solved the sag issue I was having. I’m 5’9” 190 with a butt like a bullfrog.

the crotch straps are the problem with all of them! And we all tighten them to hold them up when in reality it’s pulling them down by force. I buckled mine behind me and don’t even use them at all…. Ever. Might as well cut em off. Saddle stays on perfectly on long walks and never a problem in the woods. Best thing I did this season

[Arrowsmith]

Thanks Mike! I watched your video on the Orion (nice job!) and it looks really well made. The only potential drawbacks I can see (without actually seeing it in person) is that it seems like an amsteel bridge would slide more smoothly than a rope, and the cordura material would seemingly be hotter (in early season) than the mesh panels and open areas between panels on the Method 2. Also, do you know the weights of the Orion and Transformer?

My Phantom had an amsteel bridge. The rope bridge slides just as easily as the amsteel. You are right on mobility. I have 7 tree stands on our farm. I have hunted in over 20 different trees with the saddle on our farm and probably over 30 trees on other properties that I hunt. I couldn't find a weight on the Orion or Transformer. Shoot Jamie an email and he will get the weights to you. He is awesome to deal with.

BTW. I use the Trango Virgo backed up with a Knut hitch or Michoacon hitch for repel. I also keep a figure 8 in my saddle for a backup. Like I mentioned above. I don't one stick, but I always tie in a 8mm Resc Tech lifeline once I get tethered in on my my platform. With the lifeline I can climb down or repel down, but the most important thing is that I am connected to my lifeline either way. If I am coming back to the same set for my next hunt I clip into to my self tending hitch on the lifeline and climb up advancing the hitch with each step.

https://www.overwatchoutdoors.net/

[Michael]

I solved the sag issue I was having. I’m 5’9” 190 with a butt like a bullfrog.

the crotch straps are the problem with all of them! And we all tighten them to hold them up when in reality it’s pulling them down by force. I buckled mine behind me and don’t even use them at all…. Ever. Might as well cut em off. Saddle stays on perfectly on long walks and never a problem in the woods. Best thing I did this season

Makes sense. And the M2 has removable crotch straps, so that would easily solve that issue.

[Michael]

Been saddle hunting for three seasons as well, I am using the Buzzard Roost two panel with an open bridge saddle, using the ultimate one stick from EWO with an added aider, Tethrd roll up pouch for repel rope with a madrock device. When not one sticking I remove the roll up pouch add another dump bag and use 4 Tethrd Skeletor sticks with added DIY aiders from the Amsteel guy and a Trophy line mission platform also. I like the saddle hunting options way more than traditional tree stands.

Do you like the Ultimate One stick? I think I'm going to hold off on buying a "premium" one stick until Hunt Arsenal's Solo Stick is available (supposedly in June), but I'm considering buying a Monarch Platform from OOAL to put on my Shikar Mini until then.

For the experienced saddle hunters, are you mostly a leaner or sitter? I'm trying to decide if it makes more sense to get the angled platform or the straight. I don't have knee pads, so I haven't spent much of my (already limited) time sitting.

[DedDuk]

Get knee pads. Dont limit yourself. Most platforms have a bolt in them that will allow you to adjust the angle. My cruiser has an angled end. Its nice to have the option of flat or angled. I don't see the need for one stick, personally. A full set of sticks is only a couple pounds more. I hunt public mostly. After the evening hunt, I usually leave my stuff up and hunt the same spot in the morning. A lot less noise this way.

[sling shot]

Do you like the Ultimate One stick? I think I'm going to hold off on buying a "premium" one stick until Hunt Arsenal's Solo Stick is available (supposedly in June), but I'm considering buying a Monarch Platform from OOAL to put on my Shikar Mini until then.

For the experienced saddle hunters, are you mostly a leaner or sitter? I'm trying to decide if it makes more sense to get the angled platform or the straight. I don't have knee pads, so I haven't spent much of my (already limited) time sitting.

Yes, I have the Ultimate One Stick from EWO which has the angled small platform front for on the move hunting. Skeletors and Mission Platform (flat but adjustable with screw) pick of Skeletors with aiders and stealth strips.

[sling shot]

Here is the video for the aiders.

https://youtu.be/FIgwK9zWb6k

[Michael]

Get knee pads. Dont limit yourself. Most platforms have a bolt in them that will allow you to adjust the angle. My cruiser has an angled end. Its nice to have the option of flat or angled.

Good point. I have a set of 4 Shikar Sticks and a Predator Platform (adjustable), so I certainly have the ability to multi-stick and stand/lean. I definitely need to get knee pads. Any suggestions on brands, or are they all pretty similar?

I don't see the need for one stick, personally. A full set of sticks is only a couple pounds more.

Keeping with the "don't limit yourself" theme, I want to be able to have the option of one-sticking. There is a much larger learning curve, but with enough practice I think I can get reasonably efficient with it. I'm forcing myself to one stick climb during the "off season" to see just how efficient I can get.

My four Shikar sticks weigh 9.2 lbs. (with cam buckle straps, so I have room to shave some weight there), while my modified Shikar Mini with Amsteel rope and OOAL 3 step aider is 1.88 lbs, so there's currently a 7.32 lb difference in sticks. Of course, I HAVE to carry my rappel rope setup, which adds 1.96 lbs (including QL, Madrock and Carabiner), but I would likely carry the rappel rope whether multi or one sticking, so I consider that a wash (for now.)

I also currently need the Predator Platform (3.38 lbs) with either option. However, adding the Monarch Platform to the Shikar Mini adds 0.85 lbs (net), but would allow me to ditch the Predator Platform, if needed. Combined with the stick difference, that's a 9.85 lb. weight difference (7.89 lbs. if I eliminate the rappel rope assembly from the multi-stick.)

That's pretty significant.