Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: turkeyslayer on March 09, 2008, 01:20:00 PM
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does anybody use these instead of stands?would like some info/pro's & con's.also need a list of some different brand names,& do you have a problem shootin a longbow out them.
thanks keith
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Twenty five years ago, I bought an Anderson tree sling, and used it a bunch for many years. Not so much now, as I enjoy more comfortable perches...but I will still dig it out for "aggressive" hunting at times. I think many of the newer sling style products are somewhat of an improvement in comfort. Still, I could spend 4 hours easily with one. Some keys to success using them are having good footsteps, footholds to afford you some movement around the tree. You will not have problems shooting with them, and really, you will feel "safer" at times contorting your body for shots. They work well for those who learn to use them properly. I still use mine a lot as a safety harness, too, and it works great as a deer drag. I consider it one of the best purchases I ever made in hunting gear.
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thanks mark, i was thinking of using one mainly when im power scouting for fresh rut sign,rather than walking all the way back to the truck to get a stand,or rather than building a ground blind.i dont like to scout with my stand on my back & i am more successful hunting whitetails out of a tree.
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My Anderson tree sling rolls into a softball sized package and easily slips into a fanny pack. Also, getting into trees you would never get a stand into is a big plus. There really are many advantages at times to them. Good luck.
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I use Guido's Web below made in Leland Ms.I am a total convert to this style hunting for 3 years now.
Pro: Deer can't see you in the tree
Comfortable for all day long sitting
Lumbar support
Can Not fall out. I sleep in mine
360 degree shooting(with a little practice)
lightweight
Con: It takes a little practice to figure out how to walk around the tree and shoot
PM ..me if you need additional info about QuidosWeb. I have NO $ with this compnay just a customer
http://www.guidosoutdoors.com
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/swamprooter/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
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thanks guys,keep em coming,im learning some new things here.
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Like Mark, I have an anderson tree sling I got years ago. I also just got a tree saddle this past year at a good price used. I like both, but still use regular stands too. I use the treesling during the early season since the tree saddle I got is the one with the neoprene or if I am walking far like out west. The tree saddle is more comfortable, a little safer to set up in and turns better. I have several hang on and ladder stands set up year round in trees with good back cover and use the treesling or tree saddle when I set up that day and hunt or in trees that are more open. I can say by experience that deer (both mule and whitetail) have a harder time making you out in one then a regular stand. I've had both look at me while I was moving and either come closer and/or stop paying attention when I stopped moving. I guess they think I'm part of the tree. If you are interested in the tree saddle I suggest you check their website. One bit of advice that hasn't been said all ready, a cheap pair of gray rubber knee pads from home depot help a lot while using the tree saddle.
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I have used a Treesuit for years. I agree with Mark up there. Good steps are a must. The Guidos web looks interesting.
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Please go to the product review forum and read the one I did on the TREESUIT.
I love it.
Believe it or not I feel that being in one 6 hours plus feels better than a conventional stand cause you can stretch and find a whole bunch of positions to get into.
Also when game is approaching I can rest my bow arm over the strap and hold the position easily. Many times in a conventional treestand you can get made when you try to hold the bow out as game is approaching.
Paul
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I too have the Tree Saddle. I got it late last season, so I am just learning it though. I am really excited about it, as I like the mobility and light weight it offers.
I will most likely give up conventional stands and simply use my Tree Saddle when I am not hunting off the ground.
Dan
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i am new to trad gear & have not tried my long bow out of my tree saddle yet but alot of time in it with my compound & love it. it is one of the best hunting tools i got. very safe, set up in trees very fast you well be glad you bought it. have a great & hunt safe.
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I have the Guido's Web. I love mine. It has a comfortable seat with a spreader bar that keeps you away from the tree when seated. Good back support as well. I haven't used a conventional stand in 2 years. You do need to practice shooting out of it just as any stand. I typically use lone wolf sticks to get up the tree and have multiple steps on one strap for standing on and walking the tree.
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I don't have anyone to help me put up stands for the most part. And getting safely (at least feeling safe) in and out of a regular treestand is difficulty for me. I'm a fifty year old woman and don't want limitations. So, that being said, I really liked the treesaddle I used last year. I can prep and hunt out of a tree without any help if necessary. And I can set up pretty high if I want to.
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I also use a woodpecker drill and bolts to get up the tree (from Simmons Archery). I can hold the drill and enough bolts to get me up 18-20 feet in one hand. The treesuit is on my lowback like a fanny pack,very light.
The 3rd rope harness on the Treesuit lets me climb the tree with both hands free to drill and put the bolts in. The Berries.
Paul
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thanks guys & girls,keep em coming.
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9:00 Monday.. Keith, shouldnt you be workin?? LOL!! yea, me to.. intreasted in this thread from our talk.. Dave
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Here is a good thread that Joebuck started thats got alot of good info
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=051826
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ttt
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I use the Deluxe Tree Saddle( leather version) with Rapid Rails and 4 strap-on steps on one strap for footing around tree. Well I did until some sorry no good for nothing , mangey, nappy headed , worthless sack of monkey dung, Stole my Rails and steps. But he was nice enough to leave my hook-up strap 20' up the tree. :knothead:
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I used the tree saddle this past season and love it. I have quite a few spots ready to go so I can move around alot with just one stand. I don't have to worry about somebody spoting my stand and using it when I am not there or it not being there when I get to my stand.I also like people very rarly see the spot you are hunting and move in on you. Like sombody already said above make sure to get some knee pads!
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ttt
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TTT
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I have a Guido's Web that I use with Woodpecker bolts or LW sticks. The sticks fit right in the back of the vest. It's the most comfortable stand I've ever used but I mainly use it for gun hunting.
My problem with it for bowhunting is my confidence with being able to shoot to the right of the tree. I shoot right-handed. Once I tried to turn right to shoot a doe and it busted me before I could even draw back on her. There are too many straps and buckles that make noise when I turn and twist. I already cut off the leg straps. The upper straps don't allow for much movement. Maybe it would work better with the Tree Saddle sliding style hook-up.
I read a thread here a while back and someone mentioned another sling called a Vulture from Ken Lewis. I called him and asked for a brochure. I never received it so I called again. Still didn't get it but I'd like to at least see a picture of it. Can anybody show me what this thing looks like?
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Mike, I have been there buddy. I came from the TreeSaddle to Tree Suit to Guidos. I cut my leg straps off too. I killed 2 deer last year from the right side ( i'm right handed). What I do when I figure out the deer is going to pass for a shot on right side.....i slowly slip my right shoulder strap off.. i wear my shoulder straps loose anyway, then i twist my torso to the right and put my left knee against the tree trunk and both feet on 6 o'clock peg ( one foot on top of the other). My seat by then is riding right behind my hips and it's solid stance....
Position 2 is I see the deer coming but it can't see me. i slowly slide the tether strap to the left and i walk around the tree to the left and have my left foot on the 9o'clock and right foot 6 o'clock pegs. It's almost a dump shot then
Position 3 is that I rotate to the right to the 3o'clock peg, brace my hip against the tree and have left foot on 3 o'clock peg and right foot on 6 oclock peg
OK after this your ready for a game of Twister! seriously though I practice for several evenings in my yard 1 foot high till my wife complained the neighbors were calling and figure all this out.. good luck
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Joebuck, I was hunting the edge of a pine thicket when that doe walked in on me. It would have been impossible to get away with sliding the tree strap around.
Thanks for the tip on the shoulder strap. I'll give it more practice. I really would like to keep the Guido thing since it's so comfortable. I have to work out the bugs I guess. I don't worry about what the neighbors think when they see me hooked up to a tree. They already know I'm crazy :)
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I've had a Treesuit for years and recently bought a Tree Saddle. I have been somewhat disappointed in the Saddle, seems everything I read said it was the better of the two, but so far, the Suit is better in my book. I'm open to any suggestions......
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This system sounds great. I have a question about adding or removing clothing while 20' up.
I like to spend long days in a stand and I'm always adding or removing clothing to regulate temperature as the day wears on. Can this be done comfortably and more importantly safely while using a sling like this?
Thought I better ask some of you that have experience with them.
Trap
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I had a treesaddle with the shoulder harness style straps. It was a pain in the butt. I now have the deluxe leather model without the shoulder harness straps. You don't need them. They're just in the way. I also had a treesuit and didn't care for it. The treesaddle is more comfortable and easier to carry while strapped around your waist. The woodpecker drill and 3/8" bolts is the ticket. Kneepads are a must. Everything needed for climbing can be stored in the rear cargo pouch. Just grab it and go huntin'.
As far as changin' clothes, well, I can take off, or add a jacket, but I don't think I'd try coveralls.
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I just got the instructional DVD form Guido and have a few more questions that I was hoping some of you Guido users might be able to answer.
You mentioned cutting off the leg straps…why did you guys do that?
Can you just climb with the climbing belt, install sticks etc then hook up the tether belt once you get where you want?
It mentions crossing the tether belt for bowhunters…do you guys do that? Does it help?
Is it easy to add/subtract clothes once you get up to hunting height? Do you guys carry packs etc with this thing and if so where do you put it once you get to your hunting height?
Sorry for all the questions, I think the DVD added as many questions as it answered LOL
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What brand of strap-on steps are best when using one of these types of "stands"? Can I get by on only 3-steps to work around the tree, or is it better to have four?
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I have a Guido's Web, brand new, for sale. It works great, is very comfortable, and the quality is incredible. I just have a neck problem and can't use this type stand. I think I spent about $250 and will sell it for $200 and pay freight.
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ttt
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what size is it Matt? Trap
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John.. I cut my leg straps off so I can spin my hips in the saddle if needed. I have four steps around a tree 1 foot High in my yard. Thats how I practice. You can climb the tree and install steps or sticks. I use the climbing belt then I hook the tether atthe top. BUT most trees I hunt multiple times so I leave my Lone Wolf sticks in the tree. Then when I return another day, I get hooked up ( cross over style for bowhunter) then wrap my tether belt around the trunk and make it real big like a lineman's belt and climb up. TIP Here ( Guidos does not endorse!) But since I have no legstraps, I'll ride that saddle seat a little high to small of my back and I can spin around in my seat with loose shoulder straps to give me more freedom to shoot. I carry a fanny pack like Butch does and hang it up when I get to top. Another tip here is...2 two straps that come down from tehter strap that hold you do not drop down to hold me. I have them slightly twisted to my right so grab me...can't explain it but try it. Really gets the straps out of the way for a left handed shot
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Thanks Joe....tried sending you a PM but said your mail box is full.
Matt you got another email too
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I got a little antsy with all the muzzleloaders in the woods opening week of CO's overlapping archery/muzzie season so retreated to a big tree where I'd been hearing bugling just below. My Anderson Tree Sling was a lifesaver since I don't normally carry tree stands out elk hunting. I was able to climb the limbs and use the Sling until the muzzies settled down.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/wapiteee/Colorado200689.jpg)
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(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/wapiteee/Colorado200695.jpg)