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For saddle hunting on our lease where I can get the deer with an atv, I bought a Tidewe bag that has a meat shelf an internal frame. I wear my saddle in and the sticks and platform go on the meat shelf. The bag has multiple compartments for all the essentials and multiple strap options for attaching cold weather gear when needed.

I use a mystery ranch popup 38 if I’m saddle hunting on public land where it’s more likely I’d be packing the meat out.

Whatever bag you end up choosing, it takes some trial and error to figure best way to get it organized for carrying your gear and what you like and dislike about it, once in the tree.

Bought a pair of Dan’s hip boots 4 years and they’re still going strong. Got tired of lacrosse not holding up after a couple seasons and my feet freezing in cold weather. Roomier boot and the cordura has held up well through briars

Drove home to Louisiana from Georgia today. Saw 16 caravans today on our way back. Mostly 3 car caravans. Amazing how they don’t seem to ever get stopped by troopers.

Bought my 8 yr old daughter a Bear Legit RTH package. Got it on sale for under $400 brand new last year and it has tons of adjustment for draw length and draw weight.

I wear whatever I find on sale or receive as gifts. I have some guy Harvey hooded shirts from Walmart, some no name brand shirts from Amazon, and a handful of Columbias. I’ve definitely turned into a long pants and long shirt guy when fishing over the past few years.

1st saddle setup (used for a season)
-Trophyline Saddle
-Three 3 step Heliums
-Made top step platform
-Attached to Magellan backpack with Gear Ties

2nd saddle setup (used a couple seasons)
-Tethrd Phantom Saddle
-Amazon Molle Pouches
-Three 2 step Heliums (cut down to 24”) with aiders and daisy chain straps
-Tethrd Predator XL platform with cinch strap
-Carried on Mystery Ranch backpack(plenty straps) not the best access in tree.

Current saddle setup
-Tethrd Phantom Saddle
-Amazon Molle Pouches
-Three Latitude Sticks with amsteel double aiders
-Tethrd Predator XL or lighter XOP platform with amsteel guy USA attachment.
-Mystery Ranch backpack for long hike ins or Tidewe bag with meat shelf for closer hunts

I make all my ropes from Muddy Safety Lines(30 ft rope that comes with multiple Prussiks). They go on sale for $20 a few times a year and can make multiple linemans and tether ropes from it. They are also flexible enough to coil up in a small pouch.

I love the versatility and mobility of the saddle setup. There are an endless supply of vendors and gadgets in the saddle world now. Try as many as you can before deciding, but just know it’s a huge rabbit hole.

Ascension Parish
29 deg
Saddle over well used trail
Elite E35
Gold Tip XT300 with pro series Grim Reaper

Shot a nice 8 yesterday, where he ended up was loaded with sign. Moved a camera and overnight had 3 good bucks come through.

So far have seen a bunch of deer and a lot chasing. Just need another big one in bow range.

Congrats to your son. Heck of a deer. That mount is gonna have a lot of character. I’d love to see the one that put the arse whipping on him.

CoreLokt 180gr round nose soft point was my bullet of choice for a long time. Plenty deer shot with them, and never lost one that I hit. Bullet would mushroom completely and the deer usually wouldn’t be far. Re sighted the gun in with 165gr ELDX for elk in Colorado. Shot a buck with it last year here and it blew apart. Deer fell where it stood but the opposite shoulder was unusable. I’d prefer the soft points for deer.

I have the eberlestock recon and really like it. I like the forward opening lids for the bino and rangefinder pouches. It is also modular so they offer additional bags/mounts.