Climb any tree with only 5lbs of gear.

In this video I show you folks how I've been hunting in trees this season. I have almost exclusively been hunting this way this year and it is my go to mobile hunting set up for public land run and gun type hunts. It really only weights about 5lbs, and its super quick and quiet. I reference another youtubers video this is the link to that video . . .
• DIY Hunting Saddle - ...
DIY sportsman is the one that I first saw this type of saddle set up, the climbing method is similar to a few other folks. Its my favorite way to hunt from a tree. Comment below with questions or even suggestions for ways to improve it.

[@dougrogillio2223]

2:39 Dude!! That WAS really quick! Pretty sweet setup is right. Now that I have seen this method of climbing, coupled with my Phantom Harness (to be purchased), I believe it will be my go-to method. Very simple. Thank you for posting!

[@tree_monkey3120xp]

Thanks for the tip I have been trying to think of something lighter than a platform and that will do it!! Being a residential tree business owner that climbs I have access to sweet ropes that will work quite nicely!!! Stay safe and good luck on you up coming season!!

[@LouieB4]

Looks handy. New ways to save weight and be mobile is always nice. Plenty of times I have gotten set up and wanted to move, but the thought of task kept me where I was.

[@HuntingCreatures]

I love this setup. I love the 5lbs deal as well. I'm up for the challenge and need to give it a try.

[@shawnmasters2751]

Very well thought out I've made i lot of tree stands when i was younger good job my friend

[@StarlightEater]

This looks kickass for someone tryin to hunt on a budget 👍

[@timmaxim2120]

I've been searching for years to find the lightest way to hike in the deer woods and get safely and easily in and out of just about any tree....this is it! Tried it out today for the first time and absolutely love it.

[@RedMistr1]

Cheap, light weight, and works! I like it!

[@johnsimpson8198]

Awesome setup man, I need to look into this, love it!

[@lunarrn]

This is my kind of thinking. Thanks for sharing.

[@Dom44519]

This seems to be the most versatile, effective, and cheapest method to tree climbing/hunting that I have seen. I’ve done lots of research to graduate from ground blind hunting to get up into the trees, but everything seemed so expensive what with the sticks, stand, harness, and rope. With this setup, I spent a grand total of 40 dollars (minus the sit drag as it doesn’t bother me too much to sit with just the harness). Plus it seems to be great for public land hunting since you don’t have to worry about anything getting stolen, it is super light to carry out even deep in the woods, and doesn’t take much work to get up there quietly. Thanks for sharing this I will definitely be using this method as well as sharing it around as a lot of people I told about it so far said how innovative it is.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

thanks!! Its definitely my go to method. Its light enough that if I get out of the tree after a morning sit and I want to scout I just carry all my gear with me when exploring whereas in the past I wouldn't have scouted as much because of all the extra weight draining me.

[@charlesleblanc6638]

This video sparked an idea for making a small platform with a stick like was used, or a board which should be more comfortable then a couple tree steps which I use now. Thanks

[@shaunparker2929]

This is definitely a cool setup. And looks really easy. My concern is your only attached to the tree by one rope. I think you should have a lineman line around the tree. And have that attached to the rick climbing harness, you can transition to the saddle only once your in position. Just a thought. Great ingenuity and setup thanks for the post.

[@mymorristribe]

Very useful when weight is an issue. Thanks!

[@microphoneaddict]

FYI, rock climbers deal with it because they are climbing the rock, not hanging from the rope. The harness is just used to carry gear and catch them if they fall. If you check out arborists saddles you will see the construction is different. This is cool though, I like that the setup is so simple!

[@troy4219]

Good job, I like it...👍

[@Reeser00]

I’m going to have to try the board trick. I tried this with just rope and climbing harness and it was a butt kicker. I could only sit in a climbing harness for a couple hours. Getting ready to try the sit drag! Nice video.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Yea definitely try a sit drag increases comfort tremendously. I don’t even know how you did a few hours with just a harness

[@mikeclement5383]

This is pure gold. I made my saddle for cheap as shit. I'll be saddle hunting for under $150 next year.

[@Picard80]

Thank you for sharing! Provides opportunities for different options

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

definitely another tool in the toolbag

[@wassawbound2926]

Wish I'd seen this before buying that expensive saddle and sticks. I had a climbing harness already.

[@robdixon2259]

Great looking system! The only safety change I would make is attach the lower foot rope to you or rope that goes around the tree. That way if it happens to fall of feet and is loose it could slide down tree, where you couldn’t reach it.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I’ve often thought of that even a little paracord bit would work

[@b1004u]

Not necessary. It's on a hitch around the tree. Go out there and experiment. The hitch has so much friction that even on a telephone pole with no bark it would catch. With bark, it's not going anywhere!

[@juanantonioespinosa8816]

Excellent idea. Thank you for sharing. This is what I´m going to try this year. Two things, though: -Wouldn´t it be less noisy wraping an old cotton cloth arround the piece of wood?... I think i´ll try. -Don´t you know any good pattern to cut and create a saddle sit from a thik canvas or a leader?. Nice video. Thank you.

[@fatalfromabove8943]

Not going to lie, that's some rechecking at its best!

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Chad's Adventures rechecking?

[@b1004u]

BTW, I've seen people add a small "belt" sewn into the sit drag so it doesn't sag down like that

[@korykirkland8157]

This is gold.

[@thomas9565]

At 5 am in the dark, looks like a piece of cake. Lol

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Lol definitely not for everyone. But I hunted 80% mornings last season. Zero issues

[@thomas9565]

I climb trees for a living, you should look into a climb line and you can leave a piece of 550 cord at all your sets to pull it through. Quicker, just as light and easier. A couple guys have a video of it. Blake’s hitch.

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

@@thomas9565 zigzag and foot ascender - off to the races!

[@rjstewart]

@@thomas9565 I went out with my throw line and climbing gear and found a fantastic spot to set up. Small clearing. Game trail going right through it. Not far from where I'm 90% sure they are bedding (they were there last year). Problem was it was all pine trees with either small dead limbs or no limbs anywhere that I could throw a rope to! This method would have been awesome!

[@rjstewart]

Dave Ryan so my current method is single stick with a 30’ tether. The stick becomes my platform with a ring of steps and the 30’ tether mitigates issues with dropping the stick (which happened to me once from side pressure). At the end of the night I rappel down and either take it down or come back in the morning and SRT back up.

[@mattheindselman3517]

Great minimalist idea. Could you extend your tether with a longer rope and repel down? You'd need a lineman's belt while rigging the rope or attach a second point to rig to your repel line. if you attach a string to your tether loop you can pull it down when you get to the ground (you could use the same string that you pull your bow up with). I would think that would save a lot of time and effort on the way down. Plus one on the belt in your sit drag, then you can get your harness line slack out- I would think it would be much safer.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

You could, but if you’re gonna use a long rope like that you might as well climb that way too. Search SRT or DRT climbing methods on KZbin and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

[@rjstewart]

So climbing SRT/DRT by throwing a rope over is an option but I do the 30’ tether and rappel with whatever climbing method. I got stuck for a bit once when I was sitting in my saddle and my stick dropped off from side pressure. With a 30’ tether you can slide down on your prusik and fix the stick, then either climb back up the stick or use an SRT method like another prusik and foot sling to get back up.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

I like it!

[@TheMegaman55555]

Thanks for posting this video. It has inspired me to saddle hunt this upcoming season. Do you think using a few ameristeps or 2 or 3 Cranford EZ steps would give you more stability making the off or bad side shots (versus just the wood board)?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I’m running out of time but I was planning to experiment a little before the season. I think the answer is probably yes. Seems like a lot of guys turn around and throw the tether over their shoulder and hang backwards for the weak side shots. I can’t do that work this setup

[@clayton203]

Would you think that some sort of light paracord mayb attached to your saddle loose would b beneficial just in cast that teather that is attached to the board mite slip out of your hands and a small chance of it going to bottom of tree,,a small chance but a chance worth noting

[@justpassinthrough7]

I am going to have to try this but I will attach a line from the line to the tether to the gurth hitch on the step.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

probably not a terrible idea, I've never once had an issue with the rope sliding down. Could happen though, better safe than sorry

[@larryd3403]

good setup. if your sit drag or prusik knot was to fail, you would take a 5-6ft+ fall on your rock climbing harness. in rock climbing thats a whipper, shorten the rope to your harness and you good

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

negative, only a 2-3 inch drop would occur if the prusik or the sit drag fails

[@kennethrogers1129]

Probably the best 2TC method

[@martywood3734]

Really sweet climbing method I was wondering what kind of knot that is above the place for your feet I’m definitely going to do this just getting the details thanks in advance

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

It’s a figure 8 on both ends

[@b1004u]

Great video. Love the simplicity (coming from a guy who is both a rock climber and arborist). I'd love to learn more about how you use the 2x lumber at your feet as the pedestal. Can you do a video of the different shot angles with that set up? Does the fact that it moves help or hinder?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

So I'm going to make a video about how its made and how I use it, not until last week has it lost me an opportunity. I went to lean out for a shot on a doe and it kicked out from under me. My toe caught the tree so my body didn't move but it made a loud noise and she bolted through the shot window. So i'm going to add some amsteel and wrap it around the tree attaching it to both ends of the wood to keep it stationary. Also its funny you mention the belt, I just got the webbing and buckles to make a belt for the sit drag for that very reason!

[@b1004u]

@@InstinctiveAdventures can't wait for the video. If you're able to do all the shooting positions, seems like the perfect set up. Especially with the Amsteel sling. Thanks!

[@14medlak]

@@InstinctiveAdventures could also take some aluminum angle and cut teeth into it the length of the board to give the board some bite on the tree

[@kennethrogers1129]

Awesome, and if you wore a saddle you wouldn’t have to pull up that buttsling....just move the tether, I’m thinking a safety cord to the foot step to your harness/saddle would go good just in case your dropped the bottom tethered footstep... already have everything I need for this system except the board for my feet, wow, why didn’t I think of this simple and safe system!!! And if you want you could rappell down if you didn’t mind carrying a 30 ft rope...I heard the board clinking on the tree, maybe use a padded board to deaden that sound

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Wearing the Merlin by Aerohunter now and yes is makes a huge difference.

[@indianapublicland7429]

Lol have fun !!

[@thomashector9455]

How does the Wood board to in the noise department when you move around? Also what about swinging around the tree for an odd shot. Do you find you need to move the girth hitch around or can you lean pretty good without the foot tether moving on you?

[@14medlak]

Wood board could be deadened with stealth strips or camo tape.

[@shibby211]

No homo, but I love listening to you talk. Great video, amazing set up! The gun shots in the background add character. Anything anybody can think of to replace that noisy piece of wood?

[@ryanhildebrandt7066]

Heavy 2inch hose

[@kennethrogers1129]

Yeah, a well padded whatever, pvc pipe maybe, or 2-3 in wooden rod, or foot loops or rope or webbing.....

[@matts5799]

Can you do a close up video of how you made the bottom piece?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I will try and do that maybe on Instagram just a short video. I’m out of town but I will try and get that up when I get back home.

[@jayc6747]

Good video 👍 give me some mods ideas

[@jasrobsny]

I think a heavy schedule PVC pipe with the rope through would make a good foot hold.

[@kennethrogers1129]

Yeah, and pipe insulation or some kind of padding

[@samzahaykevitz1840]

Would a strap be better than the rope for this? It seems the strap would less likely roll down the tree as you put weight on it. It also seems like a strap would weigh less too.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I personally don't like straps, they would work too. I don't have issues with ropes rolling anywhere, but thats because I'm using good quality climbing rope

[@erickramer4580]

If anything it looks like a nice leg workout..

[@jamesravencraft8741]

Hey Instinctive Adventures what kind of climbing harness is in your video? Thanks!

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I answered your comment on the other video, but for anyone else reading this if you go to this video-kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3vFmYJ4bqxmqLdh you’ll find a complete gear list in the description. Happy hunting.

[@josephmcabee1567]

Just wondering how long to make the board for your feet?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Depends on how big your feet are, mine is about a foot and a half I think

[@atubeviewer4942]

Is this still the way you climb? If not, what is and whats the best way you've found so far?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

It is not. I climb SRT now and I’ll be making a video about it soon.

[@profpat70]

Can't imagine going through all that every hunt!

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

It’s a lot, definitely not for everyone. But it works for me.

[@djstl100]

I tryed all that rope and carabiners shit..its rediculous at 5 am trying to get in a tree..these guys are playing with themselves..

[@jakefryer3071]

No kidding. Looks like a pain in the ass. I'll keep my sticks and hang on lol

[@brianmoore3659]

Looks like a lot of work, but cool glad it works for you

[@masongt6546]

I'm a dumb kid so I use my hammock straps instead of wood and rope... I'm just doing this because it's fun to climb trees and have no harnesses 😂

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

My 2TC is a little over 3 lbs, and i can rappel with it,

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

you must be one sticking. I actually SRT now exclusively. I'll make more climbing videos when things warm up some this off season

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

@@InstinctiveAdventures negative. I 2TC. The tree is the only stick required.

[@davidschwartz2398]

It might be alot quieter if you use 2 Wild Edge Stepps instead of using the lumber to stand on.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

David Schwartz I don’t know about quieter. It doesn’t get much quieter than wood on wood. I’m going to mess around with possibly using a platform next season though for stability reasons

[@davidschwartz2398]

Wild Edge just came out with a platform that mounts to their Stepp called the "Perch". Worth looking into.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

David Schwartz I know I’ve been checking out. I think I need something slightly bigger. I want to be able to turn around and shoot on my off side. I missed a pretty good opportunity this season because a buck came in on my bad side

[@newkingjames1757]

@@InstinctiveAdventures You can shoot weak side with a wild edge step even without the perch.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Might just have to tinker with it some. Trying to keep things as light as possible

[@shofarox4037]

What's the size of the rope are you using in mm ?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

When I first started saddle hunting the whole idea made me nervous so I went bigger with everything. The rope on the video is 11mm blue water assault line. Now this season Im going to use SRT with 9mm sterling HTP but strongly considering 8mm oplux. These ropes are so strong

[@shofarox4037]

Really...? I don't know how many in kN support those specifically but 9 and 8 mm are usually to be used in double use DRT... 10 mm it's the least to be used SRT. Personally I consider that DRT it's better than SRT ALWAYS... just for the way that all knots function in rope to rope an rope to tree. Even in transversal to hang a hammok to do tree camping. PD: And polyester it's THE sort of plastic to be used, for being stronger for friction and it's even cheaper. Hi Martin from Argentina by the way.

[@andrewhubert7868]

You have any issues shooting to your right?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Ohhh yea definitely. There is 15 degrees where I basically cannot shoot without sliding the girth hitch around the tree. I’m still climbing using this method but I’m using a scout solo platform when I get to height to eliminate that problem.

[@andrewhubert7868]

@@InstinctiveAdventures Yeah, I was testing the idea in my backyard. I have a big Magnolia tree and a little cretten myrtle. I like the idea. But like what your'redoing, I'll probably spring for a platform. I'm just cheap.

[@joescott2922]

So what happens if you’re up 25 feet and you have to suddenly take a shit ?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Dude it’s almost identical to the level of panic that occurs when you’re 24ft up in a climber when that sensation occurs lmao. Two options take the 10ish mins to climb down or go from the tree, hasn’t happened yet thankfully

[@joescott2922]

Could wear a kilt

[@donovanstockton44]

That's some dang Yankee and what not ingenuity! Looks super lite. So are you saying go with the Tethrd/Mantis if going with a manufactured tree saddle? I ordered a Kestrel but it seems a lot of KZbin guys prefer the Mantis; the saddlehunter newsgroup guys prefer the Kestrel. I figure the KZbin guys are getting paid to endorse the Mantis. Were you doing your video near a firing range?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Donovan Stockton haha haha no I just live in the sticks, I filmed this on a Sunday afternoon I guess someone got the itch to shoot a little. I meant to say kestrel or tethered system, I didn’t notice I double mentioned the same company twice till I was editing. Either is a solid option. I don’t know if the tethered guys are doing a social media push or if everyone’s talking about them because they’re new. The Aero guys have been at it for a while and make a solid product as well so I think you made a good choice.

[@krownofthorns]

I’m currently building my own version of this... (as in, his exact setup, and calling it original.)

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

lol the only part that is original to me is the climbing method.

[@sooshunt]

So you reinvented the wheel,and now it's square?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Lol I’m not even sure what this means

[@seanbarrett657]

As far as rating goes im sure you're good but just going to say working load and tensile strength are different. A free fall on your rope is roughly equivalent to 10x your weight. This is your tensile strength. IE: if your rope is rated for 5000lb your working load is 500lb

[@scottnock5241]

Get some ladder sticks.. way quieter too.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

way heavier, 2.5lbs a stick for lone wolf sticks vs my 4.53lbs as a whole.

[@guloguloguy]

IMHO: YOUR LEG LOOPS, SEEM QUITE "SMALL/NARROW" WHICH INCREASES THE PRESSURE AGAINST ONE'S LEGS, CAUSING RESTRICTION OF BLOOD FLOW, AND NERVES. I REALLY LIKE/PREFER MY "BUCKINGHAM "BLACK WIDOW" LINEMAN'S BELT/HARNESS. [FYI: I ONLY USE IT FOR OCCASIONAL TREE TRIMMING, NOT FOR SUPER LONG DURATION, (i.e. HUNTING/PHOTOGRAPHY-GAME STALKING, OR "MOUNTAIN/CLIFF CLIMBING]. IMHO: TO ME, IT APPEARS THAT YOUR "SADDLE/SIT-SLING" IS ALL THAT IS HOLDING YOU, AND WHEN YOU STAND UP, TAKING YOUR WEIGHT OUT OF IT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT FALLS DOWN, BELOW WAIST LEVEL, AND AT THAT MOMENT, COULD CAUSE AN AWKWARD, TO SEVERE, FAILURE, IF YOU "FALL BACKWARDS, AND TUMBLE OUT OF THAT SLING!!!..... SOMETHING DOESN'T LOOK SAFE HERE!!!..... : O ALSO: IMHO: ...TO HELP PROTECT THE TREE BARK, I WOULD ATTACH A FEW WRAPS OF "INNER TUBE", OR A SECTION OF OLD BIKE TIRE, AROUND THE MIDDLE PORTION OF YOUR WOODEN FOOT BRACE. THAT MIGHT ALSO REDUCE THE "NOISE" COMING OFF OF THIS EQUIPMENT.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

The saddle is not all that is holding me. The rock harness is my safety catch. They are two seperate pieces. I'm creating another video here soon though. The saddle portion of my set up has been improved dramatically. I have a waist strap now that holds the sit drag in place.

[@JDye-youtube]

Man, you like a monkey! Great presentation skills, I could listen to you talk all day.

[@mikekupetsky6879]

I cannot understand who in the world would want to deal with all this climbing apparatus in addition to their bow and all that stuff I want to walk to a predetermined location get in my tree stand and hunt

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Some of us don’t have that luxury my friend. My closest spot to the parking lot is a mile, deepest is 3.5. It’s illegal to leave stands on public land in MD so this is what I deal with. Way better than carrying in 15 additional pounds with sticks and a hang on to hang and hunt that day or worse yet 20lbs with a climber. Too much for me

[@mikekupetsky6879]

@@InstinctiveAdventures I feel bad for you man. I guess I've been lucky living in the same area for most of my life I have almost an unlimited amount of private ground that I've hunted since I was 10 years old. It really is nice having that

[@rjstewart]

mike kupetsky I’m in the same boat as many saddle hunters. I can however leave a stand out in the woods but I have to take my stakes and lock it down and remove it in January.

[@djstl100]

Carabiners clanging..ropes tangling, flashlights a flashing...all at 5 am trying to get in a tree..no thanks..tryed it,went back to hang on stands.even a heavy climber stand leave at base of tree over night.

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Lol it’s not for everyone, it’s not legal for us to leave anything overnight.

[@rjstewart]

I’ve left a self climber at the base of a tree overnight too. I’m lucky my local county forest allows you to leave stands.

[@maxbiaggi2691]

Is it a gun shot at 4:16..

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Yep I live in the sticks and someone across the valley was having all kinds of fun lol

[@thekingatlarge]

You’re not wearing your harness correctly. It should be above the hips. It’s more comfortable that way.

[@30minutesLess]

Tree spikes laynard 5 lbs but way faster

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I wish I could use spikes or spurs, I hunt all public so those tools are a no go.

[@Tj-pk1qk]

so basically what you’re saying is it takes you about 20 minutes just to get two feet up the tree

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

Nope I went ground to 25ft set up with camera gear in about 20 mins for yesterday’s morning hunt. All in the dark

[@stanwagner7569]

Way too much trouble too much noise

[@TheThorgoesinya]

Hmmmm?

[@michealhawkins8813]

If you fall to either side your gonna get scratched all to hell, and a good chance you will be hanging up side down with just that climbing belt. Hunters die every year from falling and just hanging in the safety harness

[@rjstewart]

Micheal Hawkins I tried this and kept having it shoot out right or left from under me during the climb.

[@tigertoravajchannel4228]

To much noise

[@johnthomason2773]

If I can kill 6 deer on public land with my loud climbing stand banging against my back. This is surely quiet enough

[@glenevans3288]

NOPE. NOT FOR ME.

[@michiganwoodsman2199]

Lol....smh

[@pantera3336]

Too noisy

[@b1004u]

Any other material that might be quiter than wood at your feet, but still light, cheap, and rigid? Or add felt to the wood?

[@InstinctiveAdventures]

I thought about trying a piece of steel, but that would obviously weight a bit more. I just climbed the tree on sunday with three does under the tree so it must not be too bad

[@rjstewart]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing but using a piece of rubber or foam from something like a pool noodle or floor mat and wrapping it around the middle of the bar where it hits the tree and then covering that with some tape. As I write this I'm thinking a layer of camo duct tape and then maybe some of that grippy tape wrapped around the whole length to or spaced out to create additional traction.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

HOW STUPID ! I NOT GOING TO GO MUCH HIGHER BECAUSE IT'S GETTING DARK ? NO YOU'RE NOT GOING ANY HIGHER BECAUSE EVEN YOU KNOW HOW STUPID THIS IS AND YOU DON'T WANT TO GET YOUR ASS IN A BIND.