How I Set Up in the Tree - PRO SADDLE HUNTING TIPS

[@richarddean3154]

Excellent video. I am getting outfitted this year with all the saddle hunting gear in an attempt to really lean into the mobile hunting and more quiet setups. Thank you for putting these videos together - they make the transition much more understandable.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Awesome! Good luck to you and if there’s any video topics you’d like to see as someone just getting into saddle hunting, let me know!

[@RTSchriner]

Great video - this is the kind of video that helped me when I was getting into saddle hunting!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Appreciate that brotha!!!

[@frankr7307]

thanks for the great content as always

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You bet, glad you enjoy it!

[@zanetracks6592]

I dumped the factory prussics and went with eye to eye 6mm for smoother working friction hitches. I like the felicitous hitch for attaching to my 8mm tether/rappel line, but even a simple distel hitch will adjust easier under load than the prussic.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I take it you one stick then?

[@zanetracks6592]

@@NextStepOutdoors I use a Sladder (from Greyskwerel Outdoors)

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Cool, I'll have to check that out. I'm pretty fond of just keeping it simple and using light weight climbing sticks but I like to keep a pulse on what other climbing methods are out there.

[@zanetracks6592]

@@NextStepOutdoors I used Ameristep Strap on steps for years with a Lone Wolf hang on and loved that. But wanting to go lighter, the Sladder, though not as easy as the strap ons, its much lighter and takes far less space.

[@ThatJoshuaDude]

Great video, have found all of these you put out to be super helpful. Have you ever had the need to go all the way around the tree when hunting? If so, did (or would) your backpack get in the way with that setup?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

The backpack has never gotten in the way. I've shot just about every way you can out of a saddle. If I am anticipating that there is a high probability of a weak side shot, I'll just keep my backpack lower than normal to get it out of the way completely. That is what's nice about having it on the lineman belt though. Can raise or lower it as you see fit.

[@chrisring4393]

Love all the videos! Just ordered my first saddle (Method 2) & in the process of getting everything else needed to do my first public hunting. Would you suggest getting the ropeman 1 for my tether & lineman ropes? Keep the video's coming. Would love to get your take on scent control you use prior to getting in tree as well as in the tree (ozonics?). Thanks

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I’d just get the vapor ropes from latitude and call it good. I don’t use any mechanical ascenders. The latitude ropes come with a prusik tender, which basically does the same function and allows for one hand adjustments.

[@JohnLovvorn]

Super great content… I’m 51 and have been a little leary of trying the saddle. Still in good shape and use my summit climbers but you made it look so easy! Will you please tell me your equipment items and exactly what I would need what I would need to start utilizing the saddle?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

My dad is 60 and switched from his climber 3 years ago. He hasn't looked back since. If you go to the video description, I've listed out my "saddle kit". That includes the saddle, platform, climbing method, and pack that I use often. Here is another video that gives a bit more context:kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoLWeqqFad2ApZo

[@JohnLovvorn]

Thank you sir, I appreciate it!

[@AsocPaladin0016]

I just got the bow hanger from latitude and have been playing around with it. It is super sleek and worth the money on my opinion. Beats the heck out of my old screw in hanger.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Best one I've ever used. I used to use a 3D printed one and was constantly sketched out that my $2000 bow set up would crash to the ground.

[@AsocPaladin0016]

@ I was using an old screw in that was meant for hanging tools on a garage. Half the time I couldn’t get it to bite into the tree and would have to mess with it for a half an hour.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Sounds like a sweaty process

[@AsocPaladin0016]

@ yeah, it wasn’t ideal. I had one tree where I couldn’t get it to work so I had to use my lineman belt. Not ideal.

[@AustinYost]

What your opinion on the Pnuma bino harness?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

It’s not my favorite. I prefer marsupial gear’s by a long shot.

[@AustinYost]

@@NextStepOutdoorscan you do a video on your bino bags?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

@ way I for sure can!

[@BrianJacklin-r6k]

Good video. I see you use a prusik knot on your tether. Have you ever considered something mechanical like a ropeman? Just getting into saddle hunting. Trying to decide why one may be better than the other for this. Thanks.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I have used mechanical ascenders. With Latitude's ropes, they include a prussic tender, which is basically just. a plastic piece that allows the same one hand operation. I don't see the value in spending the money or carrying around the little added bulk of the mechanical ascender for this reason.

[@BrianJacklin-r6k]

@@NextStepOutdoors Thanks. I'll have to try that. I have used ascenders on my linemans belt for a while. And I really like them. Recently though I have come across some information which talks about the need to back them up when used on a tether. That they are not really made for hands free use. That kind of adds another layer of stuff to do. Maybe the prussic and tender would be easier. And safer....

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Try it out, you can buy them online for probably $10. Low risk commitment. Can always go back to a mechanical one but I see no need for it!

[@TheBowhunter_Project]

What’s that gear strap you had?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

alnk.to/dAnRpy8

[@TheBowhunter_Project]

@ thanks man!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You bet

[@landonthomas6369]

Hey next step, I’m wanting to swap to a rope mod for my climbing sticks before my next hunting trip in a few days. I know that amsteel or dyneema is far and away the most used for rope mods, however, I was wondering if there is a type of rope that I could buy in a store near me that would work effectively and safely as a substitute until I can order amsteel?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I’m definitely not qualified to give you any advice there. I’ve stuck to using the gear straight from the manufacturer just to be safe 😅😂

[@landonthomas6369]

@ fair enough, thanks anyway!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

@ good luck and be safe 😂

[@tnm8603]

New pack from latitude?

[@NextStepOutdoors]

That one is actually from Mystery Ranch. I did see latitude launched a Ranger 33 at ATA yesterday, and that is exactly what I need. The Ranger 22 just wasn’t quite big enough for my camera gear.

[@mikedixon17]

What gear hanger is that. Thanks

[@NextStepOutdoors]

It’s linked in the description sir