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Post by squirrelgravy on Sept 15, 2022 15:02:39 GMT -5
I hunt a lot of HNF. I switched to a saddle this year due to the mobility and light weight (14 pounds including the platform and 4 climbing sticks).
In previous years I've used a Summit climber or Hawk Helium hang-on. Both of these worked. They are a bit bulky to carry around when you include your pack and bow/rifle. I'm planning to sell the climber. Whatever setup you buy, I recommend upgrading the shoulder straps for more comfortable ones.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Aug 30, 2022 17:42:34 GMT -5
Sign me up. Any team.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Aug 16, 2022 12:30:44 GMT -5
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Post by squirrelgravy on Jul 18, 2022 17:19:29 GMT -5
I just tested my neighbor's Tethrd Phantom Elite Saddle with the XL Predator platform. I am 6'5" 270lbs and don't really like heights at all and found it to be a great experience. It really surprised me how secure and comfortable it was! The 360 degree shooting possibilities are great too. I think I am going to order the same setup for another option for myself for this hunting season. I would suggest getting the recliner attachment as well if your test setup didn't already include it.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Jul 15, 2022 7:17:34 GMT -5
I have been very interested in saddle hunting for the last couple years. I haven't taken the leap yet. I'm just not sure about all of the accessories that I would have to carry and set up or take down in the dark. I have been using my trusty API Grand Slam Supreme for 20 years. It's aluminum, but with everything else, it's still a good load to carry in/out. How much does a decent saddle hunting setup weigh My phantom saddle, accessories, predator platform and four hawk helium steps weighs 16 pounds. But 9 of those pounds are the steps. Eventually I may upgrade the steps to shave some weight.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Jul 13, 2022 18:37:54 GMT -5
Tethrd products were on sale a few weeks ago so I finally jumped in head first and got the platform, phantom saddle and various accessories. I already had the hawk helium steps. I've only practiced in the yard, but it is extremely lightweight and comfortable. I had a friend buy his saddle last year and swore he wouldn't use a stand anymore after using the saddle.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Jul 12, 2022 16:59:15 GMT -5
I've done a half dozen or more skulls the last few years. Removing all the flesh, fat, etc., low boil and pressure wash is by far the best method for me.
After I get all skull down to just the bone, I make a yogurt-like consistency paste of volume 40 hydrogen peroxide and whitening powder and coat the skull with this paste. You can get in a beauty supply shop or Amazon. Wrap the skull in plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out. Check in a few days and reapply if the skull isn't white enough for you.
After that, wash it all off and apply mop and glo to the skull for a shine if you like. Whitebone creations on youtube is pretty good, but he is dedicated to making a bunch, where as I can take more time.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Jun 23, 2022 15:11:52 GMT -5
I've been thinking about a saddle for awhile now since I hunt public lands frequently. Finally ordered mine as Tethrd is having an online sale right now. They're not cheap though: tethrdnation.com/shop/
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 19, 2021 18:39:59 GMT -5
So close tonight. About sunset a buck and 2 does came off their bed about 125 yards away from the ladder stand I was in. I never could get him clear while they were just feeding broadside. Ending up running out of daylight.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 17, 2021 16:02:07 GMT -5
Finished the European mount I did on the buck I got a deadhead permit for earlier this season. Hopefully this link works: 2021 European Mount imgur.com/a/Sj26fsa
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 17, 2021 11:41:22 GMT -5
The property I hunt on by my house was sold. New owners gave permission for remainder of this year, but no promises for next year. So siting in a stand here for potentially the last hunt. Anything with antlers is in trouble. Nice 8 came by mid-afternoon a few days ago. Go out with a bang I hope. Well at least you have a year to find a new place close by. Maybe they will let you hunt, but probably will not be the same. If you find a new place maybe then have two places. You never know what next in life. My oldest would appreciate the pun. Thankfully I have 1,000's of HNF acreage around, it was just nice to literally walk here from my house with my youngest. Didn't see anything but a squirrel sitting on the stand so I went to check cameras. While checking one I had a doe and fawn come through and bed not 40 yards from me. It started to rain so I had to spook them walking out. Going to grind and package my doe from last weekend.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 17, 2021 7:53:54 GMT -5
The property I hunt on by my house was sold. New owners gave permission for remainder of this year, but no promises for next year. So siting in a stand here for potentially the last hunt. Anything with antlers is in trouble. Nice 8 came by mid-afternoon a few days ago.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 13, 2021 8:21:44 GMT -5
Add another doe to team 5 please.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Dec 12, 2021 13:11:03 GMT -5
I made a 2 mile loop on HNF yesterday in the wind. Found a nice white oak area, fairly open. I hiked in this morning with a stand and steps intending to sit there all day. Some turkeys were right were I wanted to set up so I was hiding behind a beech tree in a creek bottom. I saw movement uphill 110 yards away and it was a few does feeding. Slid off my pack and stand and stood there about 10 minutes before I could shoot.
She dropped right there and I drug her down to the creek. Got her quartered and packed and slowly headed back. It was 900 yards away, 100 yard elevation gain according to onX and I had to go back for the stand so it took awhile. Finally home and have her on ice. Still hope to get a buck later this week, but haven't been seeing them.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 27, 2021 10:51:26 GMT -5
Me and 2 other guys found the trail and tracked another 500 yards according to onX. By the end we were just finding pin sized specks of blood. The buck left HNF and we think went across a private field that is broken into three owners. Couldn't find any blood on the blacktop to confirm. I was able to look with binoculars hoping to see him in the field but no luck. Unfortunately have given up. The total distance was about 1,000 yards before we lost him.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 26, 2021 18:59:59 GMT -5
Ugh, shot a buck on HNF and tracked about 500 yards to a bed. No blood when he left the bed. Think just a single lung. Looking awhile longer, but coming back out in the morning it appears. Dang, that’s rough. Fingers crossed for ya. How long did you wait after the shot ? After 15 minutes I saw him take off out of the brush and go onto private land. It took about and hour to make contact with the landowner. Tracked across private, back to HNF where I found the last bed. Coming out early morning with a friend to resume looking. Not a wallhanger, but still hate to lose him.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 26, 2021 18:22:24 GMT -5
Ugh, shot a buck on HNF and tracked about 500 yards to a bed. No blood when he left the bed. Think just a single lung. Looking awhile longer, but coming back out in the morning it appears.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 26, 2021 7:03:48 GMT -5
My lifeline knot is froze solid to the main rope. Climbed up carefully but hopefully can work it free after a while.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 23, 2021 18:21:05 GMT -5
I sat all day today and saw 1 spike walking in and another one about 1145 and that was it.
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Post by squirrelgravy on Nov 20, 2021 9:10:38 GMT -5
Hunting HNF today. I have heard 7 shots from the same ridgetop.
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