Last season was my first-time saddle hunting. I went with the Silent Approach Steps and Ring of Steps. I wanted to go with the platform method, but the lead time for ordering and expense was prohibitive. After using this system, I have no desire for getting a platform as the Ring of Steps was solid and allowed me to easily maneuver around the tree. I carry the steps in two bags and the ring of steps in a third bag, all on a single strap across my shoulder. As I empty one bag I slide over my shoulder and slide the next bag up and in front. The whole system is very efficient and lightweight, plus I was carrying in no metal to clink or clank. You definitely need to practice from the ground up, including hauling up your bow and organizing everything in the tree. It's important you read the directions that come with the steps and watch their videos to get the most out of the system. Looking forward to using the system next year. By the way, I'm 70 years old, so saddle hunting is not necessarily age prohibitive.
Thank you sir , I may use your testimonial on our site if you dont mind . I really appreciate your sharing ! I am very happy to hear of you success with our system. Once the proper technique is learned I himestly feel it is the easiest option going ! Thanks again , God Bless , and good luck this season !
@@BullmanOutdoors Go ahead and use it. Another point I want to make is that I live in Alaska and have been hunting in northern Wisconsin with my brothers for the past 35 years. I used to have to store several hang-on stands and sticks with one of my brothers, not anymore. My saddle harness and Bullman system travel with me on the plane, have stand will travel, it's great.
Awesome, your situation confirms my concerns with some of the other methods I’ve been contemplating. I’m switching from always using a climber in an area with mainly straight pines to hunting areas with primarily squiggly oaks with lots of curves and limbs...so the saddle was a no-brainer. My only hitch has been the right climbing system, and my biggest concerns are compactness because I stalk a lot and of course no metal on metal noise. Thank you for you comment, again it has confirmed to me that this is my best option going forward, and I can’t wait to get practicing with it!
I just ordered. I cannot wait to add this to my mobile setup! My only issue with tethrd platform was I couldn't step around the tree. These are going to be great for setting up quietly in bedding areas early season next year
You definitely want to sit with your knees into the tree for a good bit of the time. Knee pads or something else. I put my ROS bag in front of my knees.
Hey Shawn, you're selling me on the Silent Approach steps and ring of steps. I am thinking hard on going this route as I get into saddle hunting for the weight benefit. Thanks and new sub from Nor Mn.
@@BullmanOutdoors Hello sir and thanks for the follow up. 1) I decided to upgrade my old steel lock-on stand w/ an XOP Vanish Evolution for the price point, familiarity with stands, and not wanting to invest in a saddle until I can try one. I attached a molle waist belt which really displaces weight to the hips. 2) I wanted the ability to convert my stand into a meat pack as I do a lot of solo hunting a good ways in. 3) I purchased the Hawk Helium 3 Pack climbing sticks because of the stability, ease of use, and the duo steps to work off. I also do a lot of cold weather hunting here in Nor Mn, temps in the teens, and liked the idea of just having 3 straps instead of 6 or 10 to work with coming off a frigid sit after the cold sets in. I put a lot of thought and research into my set and it was a hard choice, but I really like how my system fits together and works for me. I still love your concept and maybe one day if I try the saddle approach... Thanks and take care.
If you use the HD ratchet it can pretty well eliminate the issue from side pressure. The only instance where side pressure could still be an issue with a tight ratchet is with deep barked trees. This allows the steps to settle into the deep crevacies ... these types of trees will cause issues with most steps/ platforms however. Overall... i would say there is very little issue with a tight ratchet. There are alot of guys also using the ocb with success.
Last season was my first-time saddle hunting. I went with the Silent Approach Steps and Ring of Steps. I wanted to go with the platform method, but the lead time for ordering and expense was prohibitive. After using this system, I have no desire for getting a platform as the Ring of Steps was solid and allowed me to easily maneuver around the tree. I carry the steps in two bags and the ring of steps in a third bag, all on a single strap across my shoulder. As I empty one bag I slide over my shoulder and slide the next bag up and in front. The whole system is very efficient and lightweight, plus I was carrying in no metal to clink or clank. You definitely need to practice from the ground up, including hauling up your bow and organizing everything in the tree. It's important you read the directions that come with the steps and watch their videos to get the most out of the system. Looking forward to using the system next year. By the way, I'm 70 years old, so saddle hunting is not necessarily age prohibitive.
Thank you sir , I may use your testimonial on our site if you dont mind . I really appreciate your sharing ! I am very happy to hear of you success with our system. Once the proper technique is learned I himestly feel it is the easiest option going ! Thanks again , God Bless , and good luck this season !
@@BullmanOutdoors Go ahead and use it. Another point I want to make is that I live in Alaska and have been hunting in northern Wisconsin with my brothers for the past 35 years. I used to have to store several hang-on stands and sticks with one of my brothers, not anymore. My saddle harness and Bullman system travel with me on the plane, have stand will travel, it's great.
Awesome, your situation confirms my concerns with some of the other methods I’ve been contemplating.
I’m switching from always using a climber in an area with mainly straight pines to hunting areas with primarily squiggly oaks with lots of curves and limbs...so the saddle was a no-brainer. My only hitch has been the right climbing system, and my biggest concerns are compactness because I stalk a lot and of course no metal on metal noise.
Thank you for you comment, again it has confirmed to me that this is my best option going forward, and I can’t wait to get practicing with it!
I just ordered. I cannot wait to add this to my mobile setup! My only issue with tethrd platform was I couldn't step around the tree. These are going to be great for setting up quietly in bedding areas early season next year
Hey thanks ! apologies on the delayed response ! Hope its going well ! Good Luck this season.
I was curious if
knee pads would be useless as your knees are now on the sides of the tree vs. straight into it like with a platform
You definitely want to sit with your knees into the tree for a good bit of the time. Knee pads or something else. I put my ROS bag in front of my knees.
Hey Shawn, you're selling me on the Silent Approach steps and ring of steps. I am thinking hard on going this route as I get into saddle hunting for the weight benefit. Thanks and new sub from Nor Mn.
Hey thanks ! I missed this comment somehow .... good luck !
What did you end up going with?
@@BullmanOutdoors Hello sir and thanks for the follow up. 1) I decided to upgrade my old steel lock-on stand w/ an XOP Vanish Evolution for the price point, familiarity with stands, and not wanting to invest in a saddle until I can try one. I attached a molle waist belt which really displaces weight to the hips. 2) I wanted the ability to convert my stand into a meat pack as I do a lot of solo hunting a good ways in. 3) I purchased the Hawk Helium 3 Pack climbing sticks because of the stability, ease of use, and the duo steps to work off. I also do a lot of cold weather hunting here in Nor Mn, temps in the teens, and liked the idea of just having 3 straps instead of 6 or 10 to work with coming off a frigid sit after the cold sets in. I put a lot of thought and research into my set and it was a hard choice, but I really like how my system fits together and works for me. I still love your concept and maybe one day if I try the saddle approach...
Thanks and take care.
@@whitetailpoet4243 Soinds like you def thought it through, and are all set ! Good luck to you !
@@BullmanOutdoors thanks and you too.
Do you have a problem with the ring of steps twisting under your foot as you apply side pressure maneuvering around the tree? Thanks.
If you use the HD ratchet it can pretty well eliminate the issue from side pressure. The only instance where side pressure could still be an issue with a tight ratchet is with deep barked trees. This allows the steps to settle into the deep crevacies ... these types of trees will cause issues with most steps/ platforms however. Overall... i would say there is very little issue with a tight ratchet. There are alot of guys also using the ocb with success.
What saddle is that u have on in this video?
Probably one I made myself.