Mark from MA
NES Member
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- Jun 4, 2008
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I'm not trying to be a dick here and say what I have is the best. What I'm trying to do is save someone a little time that is starting out, or whatever into lightweight treestand hunting.
Its been a bit of journey but I've finally think I've gotten to where I want to be and this setup is light enough for my old ass to pack in and use comfortably.
I tried the saddle thing....its not for me. Can't get used to hunting face towards the tree. And there are shots from a platform that you can't make from a saddle. However, along the way I found the saddle to be the best, lightest, easiest to put on, and most useful safety harness out there, and say I have some weird shot that I can't make from a platform, I can go lean out or sit in the saddle and maybe I can make it.
So even though I still use a stand, I need less of one because sometimes I'm just using the platform because I can saddle sit. Hands and legs free and set my stand or sticks as I go up if I want. Or I can just use the linemans as I go up. When Im at height in the stand I just set the saddle rope like a safety harness. The stand I use though when sitting is very comfortable and I can sit for hours without moving., unlike one of those little saddle platforms.
On to the stand.....Ive tried many ......XOP, a few others, but the lightest friendliest to put up is the Millenium M-7 Ultralight. I bought from Midway on a sale last year 169 dollars. It does not have a large platform, but is 8 pounds to pack. The hanging bracket is nice because you can just hang the bracket then put the stand up into it. I didn't like the rachet setup, and was real leary of having to unscrew a screw while setting up, because I would of course drop it 20 feet down, so I changed it very easily to a Lone Wolf strap with a Petzl Quickdraw. You can see this mod on Utube. If your worried about side loading the caribiner use a metal screw in link, but it will add weight. I also add a bottom strap so the bottom won't kick out, as I do saddle sit off this stand on the edges sometimes just to be able to move around.
The steps....Ive tried many. Im not a one sticker....if that's for you......its the lightest way to get up a tree. But doing that type of ropework, and handwork in the dark is not for me. I use 3-4 steps. The lone wolf style are pretty good, but when they came out with the Tetherd Skeletors I found I really like them, and packing up WITH the straps (or ropes) on them, that are silent, lighter and easy to pack up. Not having to carry straps up the tree.......and they are not that expensive and 2# a piece, and I didn't have to change a thing. They are also double sided which is more comfortable for me than the one sided lone wolf sticks. I got them off season with a 15% off deal for 165.
So all said and done for a little over 300 dollars, without my pack, the setup for stand and sticks to get up the tree complete is just over 16 pounds. The skeletors fit right into one of the rungs on the stand 2 per side total of 4, and the straps that I use to put the stand on the tree, hold them perfectly without any other straps or bungies. I have a Cabela large fanny pack with shoulder straps that I clip onto with some XOP connector straps, and feel I can carry that thing for miles, and it doesn't hit anything or get in the way, or stick way out off my back and weigh 30 pounds like my climber.
Anyway, I used this setup a lot last year, it won't be for everyone but if one of the ideas helps....it may save you lightweight guys some time and money......
For those that are able........the lightest tree hunting method by far......with the least equipment......... is one sticking, with a saddle. I just found that's definately not for me.
Its been a bit of journey but I've finally think I've gotten to where I want to be and this setup is light enough for my old ass to pack in and use comfortably.
I tried the saddle thing....its not for me. Can't get used to hunting face towards the tree. And there are shots from a platform that you can't make from a saddle. However, along the way I found the saddle to be the best, lightest, easiest to put on, and most useful safety harness out there, and say I have some weird shot that I can't make from a platform, I can go lean out or sit in the saddle and maybe I can make it.
So even though I still use a stand, I need less of one because sometimes I'm just using the platform because I can saddle sit. Hands and legs free and set my stand or sticks as I go up if I want. Or I can just use the linemans as I go up. When Im at height in the stand I just set the saddle rope like a safety harness. The stand I use though when sitting is very comfortable and I can sit for hours without moving., unlike one of those little saddle platforms.
On to the stand.....Ive tried many ......XOP, a few others, but the lightest friendliest to put up is the Millenium M-7 Ultralight. I bought from Midway on a sale last year 169 dollars. It does not have a large platform, but is 8 pounds to pack. The hanging bracket is nice because you can just hang the bracket then put the stand up into it. I didn't like the rachet setup, and was real leary of having to unscrew a screw while setting up, because I would of course drop it 20 feet down, so I changed it very easily to a Lone Wolf strap with a Petzl Quickdraw. You can see this mod on Utube. If your worried about side loading the caribiner use a metal screw in link, but it will add weight. I also add a bottom strap so the bottom won't kick out, as I do saddle sit off this stand on the edges sometimes just to be able to move around.
The steps....Ive tried many. Im not a one sticker....if that's for you......its the lightest way to get up a tree. But doing that type of ropework, and handwork in the dark is not for me. I use 3-4 steps. The lone wolf style are pretty good, but when they came out with the Tetherd Skeletors I found I really like them, and packing up WITH the straps (or ropes) on them, that are silent, lighter and easy to pack up. Not having to carry straps up the tree.......and they are not that expensive and 2# a piece, and I didn't have to change a thing. They are also double sided which is more comfortable for me than the one sided lone wolf sticks. I got them off season with a 15% off deal for 165.
So all said and done for a little over 300 dollars, without my pack, the setup for stand and sticks to get up the tree complete is just over 16 pounds. The skeletors fit right into one of the rungs on the stand 2 per side total of 4, and the straps that I use to put the stand on the tree, hold them perfectly without any other straps or bungies. I have a Cabela large fanny pack with shoulder straps that I clip onto with some XOP connector straps, and feel I can carry that thing for miles, and it doesn't hit anything or get in the way, or stick way out off my back and weigh 30 pounds like my climber.
Anyway, I used this setup a lot last year, it won't be for everyone but if one of the ideas helps....it may save you lightweight guys some time and money......
For those that are able........the lightest tree hunting method by far......with the least equipment......... is one sticking, with a saddle. I just found that's definately not for me.
![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
