This page contains a LOT of information and it is different info than what you might find from other sources. Why?
- JRB isn’t trying to sell you anything. Yes, there are recommendations and discounts, but in the end, you buy what you need from whatever reputable supplier you want, provided that it’s safe and effective.
- JRB wants you to take no chances with your safety. So please take the time to read it, watch the videos and THINK.
Terminology
There are a lot of terms used in the Saddle Hunting. You might be familiar with the basic terms, but if you hear a term that you are not familiar with, JRB has assembled a dictionary of terms for your reference:
It is also important to distinguish a climbing system from a climbing method. A system is what we use to climb a tree. A method (or technique) is how we climb the tree. Most systems only allow us to climb a tree by a single method. However, JRB has designed systems that allow us to climb a tree by multiple methods, specifically:
- DSRT (doubled stationary rope technique), a rope climbing method that JRB uses on the majority of his hunts.
- SRT (single rope technique) a rope climbing method that JRB uses in specific situations only.
- Hitch Climbing or Stick Climbing. JRB uses these methods only when he cant use DSRT or SRT, for example on a tree where a throwball cannot be used.
Consider your Priorities
Obviously, your mission is to climb a tree and hunt, but before you buy anything or decide how you are going to climb, please consider your priorities. After you do so, review your priorities with a best friend or family member. They typically care more about our safety than we do. Here are JRB’s recommended priorities:
Priority 1: Safety. Your safety is more important than ANYTHING ELSE. If something CAN go wrong with your system, it eventually will. Most hunters don’t think about it very much and just follow the crowd. Make your safety non-negotiable. Educate yourself. Safety info is not just for beginners, and so you will need to go to this page and read and watch EVERYTHING, then come back here and continue:
Priority 2. Cost, Bulk, Weight, Speed. Yes, these things are all are important, and some may be more important to you than others, but they are all in a massive tie for 2nd priority. Furthermore, we can have ALL of these things (a low lost, low bulk, light and fast method) without compromising our safety.
Priority 3: Versatility. Even we do a great job addressing all the priorities above, we don’t want to be limited in terms of the variety of trees that we can climb. For example, a straight tree with no branches in the open woods is the only kind of tree we can climb with some climbing methods. Experienced hunters like JRB will advise you that we need to hunt deer where they ARE rather than where we want them to be. Suffice it to say that we want a system that can climb basically any tree: Branches or no branches. Straight or leaning. 6 inches or 6 feet in diameter. It’s reasonable to assume we might not accomplish this priority in our first season, but let’s avoid building a system which does not allow us to accomplish this priority in the future.
The STEPS
Step 1: Make a Commitment
Before you do anything, make a commitment that you are going to invest some time and energy into learning to climb safely. Without the commitment, you might be wasting money or jeopardizing your safety. Neither is a good idea. The time commitment is important. Accidents are much more likely to occur when a hunter buys or constructs a system and starts hunting with it before learning how to use it. The best time to initiate your saddle hunting adventure is in the early spring. The worst time to start is at or near hunting season. You need time to prepare. It’s better to wait another season and be safe than rush and take chances.
Step 2: Make a Plan
Before you buy anything, do your own research on what to buy and what method or methods you want to climb with. JRB’s recommendation is to go with a flexible approach: build a system which can be used in as many climbing methods as possible. For example, many hunters dive in and think they are doing the smart thing by purchasing a kit which is packed full of everything they need, but are unaware that most kits are missing the most important safety component they need: a Lifeline. And if we have one, we can use it for rope climbing as well as rappel. Furthermore, JRB recommends buying a rope which is long enough for DSRT even though that might not be your preferred initial method of climbing. Think about it: if you buy a 60 ft rope, we can always cut off 20 feet if we decide later that we are not going to use DSRT, but we can’t put it back on.
Step 3: Buy the Essentials
What you NEED to accomplish the priorities above is likely different than what the industry is influencing you to BUY. Depending on what you already have, each climber will need to make up their own shopping list. And consider that you don’t need to buy everything at once. Consider buying your saddle first, just so that you can get used to it. JRB recommends that at minimum, you should plan on the list below. Also, see page: Shopping List.
- Saddle: Make sure you buy a high quality saddle. JRB also recommends two saddle bags: one for emergency supplies and one for our footloop. See page: Saddles
- Redundant Bridge. Our bridge is the part of our saddle which connects us to our TIE IN via a carabiner. A bridge is typically made of rope, and is connected to the left and right bridge loops. JRB recommends having 2 independent bridges for a number of reasons, including redundancy and rappel. Your saddle will already have a bridge, and if you are satisfied with it, all you need to get is a bit more accessory cord to make the 2nd (redundant) bridge (the Blakes Hitch Tensioner Bridge is recommended). If you plan on executing JRB’s Hitch Climbing or Stick Climbing methods, consider that JRB likes to be able to adjust his main bridge in the middle of a climb and with one hand. Not all bridges can do that. For all of JRB’s bridge designs, see page: Bridge
- Rope: Specifically, a static rope, rated for the application, which is long enough to act as both a “really long tether”, and a “Rappel Rope”, even if you only use it in an emergency. You can also use it as a climbing rope, even if that is not your first priority. As a minimum, JRB recommends 40 ft, enough for SRT and Rappel, but ideally 60-80 ft, allowing the creation of a Universal System, capable of DSRT. See page: Rope Note: JRB does not object to you owning a tether, but does not use one himself. Rationale: We always need an emergency path to ground. Its easy to drape the lifeline over the platform and have it ready at all times.
- Cord for tying the friction hitches which will attach you to your lifeline. (Plus a bit more if you are making a redundant bridge.) See page: Cord
- Carabiners, The number we need depends on how we climb. Minimally, we need one for each bridge plus a spare in our emergency gear bag. However, JRB recommends that Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing systems have a 2nd pair of carabiners which are left on the rope. (5 total) See page: Carabiners
- A Throwball or a Maverick Pole, or both. Throwball is used for SRT or DSRT. Pole is used in Hitch Climbing and Stick Climbing. Depending on how you want to climb, make sure you have one or both. See page: Shopping List
- JRB Garda Hitch Footloop. JRB uses it for all types of climbing, including Stick Climbing. Yes, we can stick climb without it, but having it makes tending slack easier. See page: Garda Hitch Footloop
- Our footing device. Although JRB has hunted for many years using just a branch for his feet, most hunters use a platform or stick or Ring of Steps. JRB recommends a small platform. See page: Platforms
- Retrieval cord. We should have a 25′ length of Cord which can be used for retrieval. 5mm utility cord works great. See page: Cord
- Optional stuff: Climbing Sticks or Steps. Spare Tether or Lineman’s Belt. Kneepads, backpacks, etc. That is all up to you. JRB uses none of it in most situations.
Step 4: Learn your knots
While waiting for your order, all you need is a piece of cord or rope to practice your knots. JRB has videos on all of these:
- A cinching knot for a carabiner: Poachers/Scaffold
- An anchor on a tree: Maverick Hitch or JRB Cinch
- A friction hitch: Longhorn Agile
- The Munter Friction Hitch
- Emergency Backup Friction Hitch: Hedden
Step 5: Get used to the Saddle
When you get your saddle, do NOT try to start climbing right away. While you are building your system, spend some time in your saddle with it attached to a tree at ground height so that you can get used to it. Bounce around. Get comfortable. Adjust the bridge length. If you have a platform, install it. Spend some time there. Move around. Simulate slipping one way or another. Simulate shooting one side or another. Make your saddle earn your trust. Close your eyes and picture yourself up at hunting height. Get used to the freedom. If you are not comfortable on the ground, you are not going to be comfortable in the canopy.
Step 6: Build your system
Construct your system, which might simply be a rope and 2 friction hitches.
Step 7: Learn to Rappel
You can learn to rappel without actually climbing. JRB recommends installing your redundant bridge and practicing a rappel using the Munter friction hitch from a standing position, all of 2 feet until your butt hits the ground. Then do it 2 feet higher, then 4.
Step 8: Practice Climb
Your first few climbs should be conducted in a safe setting, with a buddy or friend. Please consider wearing a helmet. How you climb is up to you. Just make sure you are tied in and managing slack.
Your first solo climbs should be in a public location or a place known by others. Make sure you have your cellphone and reception. Make sure you have put together your emergency supply kit and have it on you. Consider bringing everything that you would bring on a hunt including your weapon, just to be sure you can get everything just right.
Step 9: Hunting Climb
Make sure that your location is known by others. Make sure you have your cell phone and reception.
Step 10: Maintain and Improve
Now that you have successfully climbed, it is your responsibility to maintain, inspect and improve your system and method(s).