Thanks for the great tutorial Greg. I have just ordered my Mantis Saddle and I am completely torn on the way I want to climb. I have looked at the SRT, DRT, and using the Wild Edge steps with a knaider and swaider. Your video definitely pushes me more toward this system. It does not look too hard with a little practice. I am on private land in a club and want to get back in the woods away from the other guys that constantly go to our permanent stands. I think the saddle technique will be the ticket!
I am in the exact situation as you but on public land instead. Did you end up going with the wild edge steps or another method? Any tips after last season?
Great video! My ascender is on the way and I plan to practice a lot this off-season. I procrastinated this past season and never felt comfortable using my wild edge steps with my knaider and swaider when it was time to hunt. I have gotten much better at tying the step on quickly and I don't think you can beat the weight to height ratio and packability of the WE steps! Really excited for 2020 opening day; no more climbing stand!
Nice video, I subscribed. I’m currently using my knaider/ swaider set up with two rubber coated metal hooks (similar to the ones on ratchet straps). It’s the same concept for your typical knaider because of the hands free removal while ascending. By swapping my swaider carabiner for a hook, I remove the hassle of having to unclip a carabiner each step. I’ve been looking into purchasing the “Perch” and I love the WE Steps, great product and video 👍
Nice im going to make my own swaider and you just gave me a great idea on where to get my hooks lol. Gonna be cutting up some old ratchet straps. Seems like the hook will bu much quieter and hands free
True fact about mechanical ascenders, but: A) They actually are rated by an organization that has been rating climbing gear for 60 years; B) Fall rated gear, could in the worst case be falls of 300+ feet (twice the length of available rope). Nothing you are doing with the ascender is even particularly dynamic, as with say the bouncing that can occur rope climbing. So to bring up some nonsense of their not being fall rated, relative to tree stand gear, is over the top. The 4 KN meters for a Rope Man Ascender is 3000 foot pounds. By the way, that horror show of a 300+ foot fall on a cliff would load around 8.8kN. So 4kN is still pretty burly. However, tying them off is still a reasonable practice in case they ungripped, and gave you a bit of a jolt.
Now should i get the 8 steps instead of the 5 so i can have a few extra steps incase i decide i wanna ditch the swaider and just run the naider? The bag is flexible so i could always fold it if i take 3 or 4 steps out?
Definitely a very accurate video of getting up a tree with a minimalist approach. The Knaider/Swaider set up is super intuitive. Sometimes I have the knaider though too close to the top of my rubber boots though. Still works but does concern me. I completely agree about going up a leaning tree on the upside. If I'm going deep in the woods this is definitely the way to go. One thing I'm still sorting out is the role of a backpack. For run and gun, I find a backpack is heavy and usually overloaded and for sure is in the way on shots from a saddle. How would you hang a backpack if you would up a tree? I'm thinking for things like binoculars, extra clothing, food and what not a backpack is still needed up a tree.
There are instances when a backpack becomes a necessary evil … such as when you want to self-film, or there's going to be extreme temperature fluctuations necessitating layer changes and/or additional outer layers like jackets, etc. There's a couple things you can do then... if screw-in bow hooks are allowed, that's a quick and easy solution. If not, affixing a Wild Edge Stepp off to the side can be a great place to hang a pack from -- and serve as an extra step if you need to walk yourself around the tree for a top shot or the like. Others choose to use a hammock strap like this www.amazon.com/Foxelli-Hammock-Straps-XL-No-Stretch/dp/B078M4CXWQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hammock+strap&qid=1572140899&sr=8-1 , running it through itself (girth hitching) and using the loops to clip carabiners into and then hanging your gear from them.
this is some really cool stuff. Ive been looking for more cost effective, easy in easy out type hunting methods. Imma have to invest in a knaider swaider.
I have been using WE Stepps for my climbing method w a hang-on for a couple years now. I just got my first saddle and am excited to give that a try. I have a Tethrd Platform but am interested in the WE Perch. Did you find you had to reset the Perch Stepp a couple times over a sit?
I love my Wild Edge steps and will be practicing in the off season with the knaider/swaider. Do you keep them on while you hunt? If so, would they be in the way of knee pads? Thanks in advance!
Yes, I keep them on while I hunt; no need to fumble around trying to take them off or put them on at hunting height. I put my left knee pad over the top of my swaider (left side) and I loosen the strap that holds the knaider up at knee level slightly and allow it to fall down to ankle level when putting on my right knee pad. Then, when I'm ready to get down all I have to do is pull it back up and cinch it down, but I'm not having to pull it out of a pack and worry about dropping it or anything like that.
Any advice for making the WE stepp and perch silent when I use the combo it sounds like a car wreck when I move around and seems to pop loose in the stepp
Yeah super easy. I used the soft side of industrial strength Velcro in the area of contact where the perch contact the stepp. Industrial because its thicker and has stronger adhesive. Make sure your stepp is super tight by camming it over with the stepp attached.
Not sure what's making noise on yours... you could literally stand right beside me and not hear me move around on any of my Perch/Stepp combos... as far as it wanting to pop loose, when you cam over the Stepp with the Perch in it, get it where it's popping back up on you... use your weight to step onto it and seat it into place. Make sure you're tethered in before doing so, but this is how I set mine on every single hunt -- including extremely soft-barked aspens in Colorado elk hunting. My standoffs never budge once I set it in place this way.
Thank you! I agree lineman s belt doesnt look safe on your way up - should probably connect on your tether from the beginning and move it up as you ascend. Dont think it would add much time but would be much safer. Where do you buy your knaider and swaider?
It would be almost impossible to climb with this technique and slide a tether up or down with you... I choose to use the three-point climbing suggestion by keeping both hands and one foot on something at all times. My knaider/swaider combo set was made by Jacob Kraft.
Great demo I plan on getting some steps this offseason and make my own aiders could someone tell me the diameter of the cross bar on the steps so I can make my naider hook. Thanks
Super easy! I just don a headlamp before my descent and it illuminates everything I look at! (Full disclosure: For years and years, I was a flashlight guy, and this technique necessitated becoming a headlamp guy.)
@@plank3000 I return to my vehicle for my game cart and knife... dead weight moves SO much easier with wheels and ball bearings than it does being drug with pure friction! ;)
Why is every saddle climbing video on CZcams a perfectly straight tree with no branches? If those are the trees you hunt why not just get a Lone Wolf hand climber and be up that tree in 30 seconds?
I rather just get an " all in one " carry backpack, and carry my bow or gun on it while I'm walking if it's a far distance; (crap the stupid Sattle system - to much fkin work lol ) get to my two man stand, hook it up, pull it up...ready to hunt!
@onelove seriously? No, I clicked on it see what it's about and give it a look at with an open mind. And then after end of the video, I gave it my final conclusion and opinion. Im 29 years old, been hunting for almost 21 years ever since I could pick up a gun. Hunting for so long, on every day basis, I think I can make a expertise opinion on what works for me and whats functional ealistic for me. Saddle bag is to much if a hastle, rather put up a tree stand and be done with it! I don't wanna wake up every morning to have to go to hastle, put straps and all this other stuff on and having to work myself up in the tree and worrying about safety issues. Simple is better - end of story! If ya bit having luck with the spot in a tree stand,... The take small chair and find spot on the ground - and shoot a deer that way. I've killed 60% on the ground, no fancy gear, no fancy blind, no stand, and none of that sent \ deer urine crap. Just good old school fashion hunting, way my grandfather passed on to me. But hey, what works for me, may not be for someone else; power to the hunter. But simple is way to go and is about honing in you skill and bettering yourself as a hunter. Hope you all had good luck this year!
@@cowdy293 that's fine if you are on private land. I hunt public land for bow season usually and rather not leave gear out their and let people know where I'm hunting and use my stuff. After practicing it not that bad setting up and taking down every hunt. I like using my climber for the most part but my hang on and sticks setup isn't much slower. More gear yes but is what it is.
12:49 perfect example of why to have your tether nice and high before you step up
Almost gave me a heart attack.
I guess it's pretty off topic but do anyone know a good site to stream newly released tv shows online ?
@Dariel Mathias i watch on Flixzone. Just search on google for it :)
@Dariel Mathias try flixzone. You can find it by googling =)
Thanks for the great tutorial Greg. I have just ordered my Mantis Saddle and I am completely torn on the way I want to climb. I have looked at the SRT, DRT, and using the Wild Edge steps with a knaider and swaider. Your video definitely pushes me more toward this system. It does not look too hard with a little practice. I am on private land in a club and want to get back in the woods away from the other guys that constantly go to our permanent stands. I think the saddle technique will be the ticket!
I am in the exact situation as you but on public land instead. Did you end up going with the wild edge steps or another method? Any tips after last season?
Great video!! Awesome step by step for someone like me who is trying out the wild edge steps
Love this video and your system in a word Awesome! thanks for sharing and good hunting!
Great video! My ascender is on the way and I plan to practice a lot this off-season. I procrastinated this past season and never felt comfortable using my wild edge steps with my knaider and swaider when it was time to hunt. I have gotten much better at tying the step on quickly and I don't think you can beat the weight to height ratio and packability of the WE steps! Really excited for 2020 opening day; no more climbing stand!
Nice video, I subscribed. I’m currently using my knaider/ swaider set up with two rubber coated metal hooks (similar to the ones on ratchet straps). It’s the same concept for your typical knaider because of the hands free removal while ascending. By swapping my swaider carabiner for a hook, I remove the hassle of having to unclip a carabiner each step. I’ve been looking into purchasing the “Perch” and I love the WE Steps, great product and video 👍
Thanks!
Nice im going to make my own swaider and you just gave me a great idea on where to get my hooks lol. Gonna be cutting up some old ratchet straps. Seems like the hook will bu much quieter and hands free
True fact about mechanical ascenders, but:
A) They actually are rated by an organization that has been rating climbing gear for 60 years;
B) Fall rated gear, could in the worst case be falls of 300+ feet (twice the length of available rope). Nothing you are doing with the ascender is even particularly dynamic, as with say the bouncing that can occur rope climbing. So to bring up some nonsense of their not being fall rated, relative to tree stand gear, is over the top. The 4 KN meters for a Rope Man Ascender is 3000 foot pounds. By the way, that horror show of a 300+ foot fall on a cliff would load around 8.8kN. So 4kN is still pretty burly.
However, tying them off is still a reasonable practice in case they ungripped, and gave you a bit of a jolt.
Now should i get the 8 steps instead of the 5 so i can have a few extra steps incase i decide i wanna ditch the swaider and just run the naider? The bag is flexible so i could always fold it if i take 3 or 4 steps out?
Definitely a very accurate video of getting up a tree with a minimalist approach. The Knaider/Swaider set up is super intuitive. Sometimes I have the knaider though too close to the top of my rubber boots though. Still works but does concern me. I completely agree about going up a leaning tree on the upside. If I'm going deep in the woods this is definitely the way to go. One thing I'm still sorting out is the role of a backpack. For run and gun, I find a backpack is heavy and usually overloaded and for sure is in the way on shots from a saddle. How would you hang a backpack if you would up a tree? I'm thinking for things like binoculars, extra clothing, food and what not a backpack is still needed up a tree.
There are instances when a backpack becomes a necessary evil … such as when you want to self-film, or there's going to be extreme temperature fluctuations necessitating layer changes and/or additional outer layers like jackets, etc. There's a couple things you can do then... if screw-in bow hooks are allowed, that's a quick and easy solution. If not, affixing a Wild Edge Stepp off to the side can be a great place to hang a pack from -- and serve as an extra step if you need to walk yourself around the tree for a top shot or the like. Others choose to use a hammock strap like this www.amazon.com/Foxelli-Hammock-Straps-XL-No-Stretch/dp/B078M4CXWQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=hammock+strap&qid=1572140899&sr=8-1 , running it through itself (girth hitching) and using the loops to clip carabiners into and then hanging your gear from them.
HYS Strap from tethrdnation.com/product-category/accessories/ - > just ordered mine to have minimal tree damage but be able to hang a LOT of stuff! ;)
Thanks for the class on tree saddles
this is some really cool stuff. Ive been looking for more cost effective, easy in easy out type hunting methods. Imma have to invest in a knaider swaider.
Thanks!!
Thank you Kenny Powers
Soon as I read this bro.... that voice is spot on
By the way Awsome video, too me not a better way too climb its a no brainer thank you
I have been using WE Stepps for my climbing method w a hang-on for a couple years now. I just got my first saddle and am excited to give that a try. I have a Tethrd Platform but am interested in the WE Perch. Did you find you had to reset the Perch Stepp a couple times over a sit?
Great video. Unfortunately can’t seem to purchase the steps on their website. All sold out.
Looking for the steps online but can't find them. Have they stopped making them?
That clip coming loose is on par with getting in the stand and dropping your #### release!
I love my Wild Edge steps and will be practicing in the off season with the knaider/swaider. Do you keep them on while you hunt? If so, would they be in the way of knee pads? Thanks in advance!
Yes, I keep them on while I hunt; no need to fumble around trying to take them off or put them on at hunting height. I put my left knee pad over the top of my swaider (left side) and I loosen the strap that holds the knaider up at knee level slightly and allow it to fall down to ankle level when putting on my right knee pad. Then, when I'm ready to get down all I have to do is pull it back up and cinch it down, but I'm not having to pull it out of a pack and worry about dropping it or anything like that.
Love the steps!! But let's see these demos with Joe-Average-Guy Hunter doing this when it's 15 degrees out..
Last week it was 11 degrees out... nothing changed to my method.
Those look like widows makers lol
Where do you buy the "knaider/swaider" and Perch
The Perch can be purchased at www.wildedgeinc.com. Knaider & swaiders can be bought here: doublesteps.com/product/jc-knaider-swaider/
Any advice for making the WE stepp and perch silent when I use the combo it sounds like a car wreck when I move around and seems to pop loose in the stepp
Yeah super easy. I used the soft side of industrial strength Velcro in the area of contact where the perch contact the stepp. Industrial because its thicker and has stronger adhesive. Make sure your stepp is super tight by camming it over with the stepp attached.
Not sure what's making noise on yours... you could literally stand right beside me and not hear me move around on any of my Perch/Stepp combos... as far as it wanting to pop loose, when you cam over the Stepp with the Perch in it, get it where it's popping back up on you... use your weight to step onto it and seat it into place. Make sure you're tethered in before doing so, but this is how I set mine on every single hunt -- including extremely soft-barked aspens in Colorado elk hunting. My standoffs never budge once I set it in place this way.
Knaider and swaiders are great but I perfur baconator 😆
Thank you! I agree lineman s belt doesnt look safe on your way up - should probably connect on your tether from the beginning and move it up as you ascend. Dont think it would add much time but would be much safer. Where do you buy your knaider and swaider?
It would be almost impossible to climb with this technique and slide a tether up or down with you... I choose to use the three-point climbing suggestion by keeping both hands and one foot on something at all times. My knaider/swaider combo set was made by Jacob Kraft.
@@wildedgeinc.4021 Thank you!
Nice video! Thanks!
Appreciate it!
Great demo I plan on getting some steps this offseason and make my own aiders could someone tell me the diameter of the cross bar on the steps so I can make my naider hook. Thanks
Most guys just use a Lone Wolf E-Z hang hook when constructing their knaider: www.lonewolfhuntingproducts.com/shop/Products/E-Z-Hang-Hook__EHH.aspx
I ordered the Nader swader hope my order is right, it was 30 dollars, billed for 57 for some reason
Where did you order this at?
Backwoods naider swaider
I like the pants, can you tell me what brand/Camo pattern they are?
Predator Fall Gray
Tough on your feet with the small platform
Were can i buy the Nader swaders
Doublesteps (EWO) sells them
How is it coming down in the dark?
Super easy! I just don a headlamp before my descent and it illuminates everything I look at! (Full disclosure: For years and years, I was a flashlight guy, and this technique necessitated becoming a headlamp guy.)
What do you after you kill a deer?
Not sure what would be different. Wait a little, come down the tree and pack up your gear, find the deer, field dress and drag it to the car.
sawtoothscream 1 that’s what I want to know, I’ve never hunted but I want to. You just drag it? Isn’t that shit heavy?
@@plank3000 I return to my vehicle for my game cart and knife... dead weight moves SO much easier with wheels and ball bearings than it does being drug with pure friction! ;)
Why is every saddle climbing video on CZcams a perfectly straight tree with no branches? If those are the trees you hunt why not just get a Lone Wolf hand climber and be up that tree in 30 seconds?
I rather just get an " all in one " carry backpack, and carry my bow or gun on it while I'm walking if it's a far distance; (crap the stupid Sattle system - to much fkin work lol ) get to my two man stand, hook it up, pull it up...ready to hunt!
@onelove seriously? No, I clicked on it see what it's about and give it a look at with an open mind. And then after end of the video, I gave it my final conclusion and opinion. Im 29 years old, been hunting for almost 21 years ever since I could pick up a gun. Hunting for so long, on every day basis, I think I can make a expertise opinion on what works for me and whats functional
ealistic for me. Saddle bag is to much if a hastle, rather put up a tree stand and be done with it! I don't wanna wake up every morning to have to go to hastle, put straps and all this other stuff on and having to work myself up in the tree and worrying about safety issues. Simple is better - end of story! If ya bit having luck with the spot in a tree stand,... The take small chair and find spot on the ground - and shoot a deer that way. I've killed 60% on the ground, no fancy gear, no fancy blind, no stand, and none of that sent \ deer urine crap. Just good old school fashion hunting, way my grandfather passed on to me. But hey, what works for me, may not be for someone else; power to the hunter. But simple is way to go and is about honing in you skill and bettering yourself as a hunter. Hope you all had good luck this year!
@@cowdy293 that's fine if you are on private land. I hunt public land for bow season usually and rather not leave gear out their and let people know where I'm hunting and use my stuff. After practicing it not that bad setting up and taking down every hunt. I like using my climber for the most part but my hang on and sticks setup isn't much slower. More gear yes but is what it is.