Appreciate the nice words! Good luck in your new venture!

So glad to hear it! Thanks for taking the time to comment! Good luck this season!

Thanks! Feel free to surf around our channel a bit; we've got lots more saddle-hunting content, and a ton more to come this year!

You'll love it buddy... it's just SO rock solid, and having the room to stand up and turn to your off-side and shoot like you're on a treestand is just the best of both worlds -- and it's not THAT much heavier to be able to achieve all that.

I've been alternating using both the last couple weeks, after hunting primarily just out of the Mission most of the year. The Predator XL packs better on the way in and out, but the Mission offers so much more ONCE you're at hunting height. For me... remember, personal hunting styles will always dictate preferences. :) Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

Good luck!! Be sure to subscribe as we’ve got lots more coming down the pipe as well as some good tech tips for bowhunters soon.

Thanks so much!! I kept thinking "Man, this is getting long..." but there's just no way to not to do each one justice and include that many platforms and have it any shorter -- and I really wanted this to be a video where people could really see honest comparisons of almost everything against each other in one take.

Appreciate the kind words! 👍

FLOYD LENZ awesome buddy! Welcome aboard! We’re in New Hampshire right now seeing if a big bear wants to star in one of our videos, lol. When we get back we’ll be moving into deer hunting, and we’re already looking forward to trapping season again!

Michael Hobbs Thanks a ton!

Appreciate that!

Thanks Jim!

I believe the strap squeaked against the bark; I’d have to go back and watch the video. My son and I are both hunting off two Predator XLs as I type this and I just had two mature does directly below me. It doesn’t make a peep.

If the tree isn’t too large and you have an extra Stepp, it works really well to put one on each side of the tree.

@@StaggsintheWild could always replace the rope to get around thick trees, but rarely are trees that thick at hunting height. Really can't beat a $10 platform (and I do agree. Two next to each other make an even better platform)

I would highly recommend surfing around our channel... there's lots of cool stuff here, LOL! Here ya go! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o759eMKBvtmrgKs.html

@@StaggsintheWild Ha! Ask and thou shalt receive, lol ... thanks for the link and for doing all your vids, I've watched several of them. They've been very helpful to me over the past few months. The only item I have left to purchase is a platform. I used my buddy's Predator before I had my own saddle, but I found it uncomfortably small. But I was also using his saddle, which I know wasn't right for me, either. I do know that the resale on this stuff is very good, so I won't be out too much if I decide to sell whatever I buy. Of course I'd like to just get the right one to start. Thanks again for your good work and also for the quick response to my question! Have a great day :)

Bending at the waist is imperative to keeping that proper “T” form when in a traditional treestand; saddle hunting actually helps you maintain that form far more consistently in your upper body, as leaning out against the tether just naturally puts you in that position. I wish KZfaq would let me post a pic in the comments, but I don’t think I can. Search my name on Facebook (Greg Staggs) if you’re on it and look at my profile pic and you’ll see what I mean.

Stay tuned ... 😉

@@StaggsintheWild looking forward to it

Yeah, back when I used the Perch a lot of times I carried a bag of five Stepps with me... I climb with a knaider & swaider, so four Stepps gets me to 20'... often times, I don't need to be that high due to the canopy of leaves being too thick, or there's enough cover at a lower height, or I just feel I'm good enough at a lower height. In those instances where I'm only using three Stepps to get to hunting height, I'll take my extra one (remember, you need one to place the Perch in...) and affix it to the left of the Perch about a foot away on the same level; that way, if I need to walk around the tree for a top shot or to maneuver into some weird, distorted position, I could. Hope that helps. :)

Honestly, mine wasn’t near that bad or I would have likely called it out in the video. We actually have two Predator XLs and both are pretty nice in those categories; I swapped my original Predator for another XL after making this video. I’d reach out to Tethrd’s customer service if I was unhappy and see if they’d be willing to trade you out.

The main reason I didn’t include it is back when I filmed this it was something Matt was only making by request and not really offering as a production model. About the time I released the video he started selling it on his website.

@@StaggsintheWild thank you for your response.

I missed your question at the end about providing input on the RR XL vs the Mission ... keep in mind, I’ve only seen pics of the RR XL and not had one in my hands - but it appears all the extra room is built into the length of the platform and not the width. IMO, that’s not where the gains are best realized with these XL platforms. Having a longer but same-width platform, essentially, doesn’t do me as much good as having one thats larger all over dimension-wise. It’s really nice to be able to spread your feet wider, turn completely around more easily and just generally have more room width-wise.

@@StaggsintheWild thx, I am thinking same thing, but no experience yet with turning around. I’ll find out in about 3 weeks. By then, both platforms should be in. Thx

LOL... very good eye!! It was something that was silly and I usually don't do, and it was no big deal -- but it will make you catch your breath, LOL! The end of my webbing bridge is sewn around my bridge loops... when I don't have pressure on my bridge, it's free to slide down to the bottom of that big loop, right? When I put pressure on it by leaning my weight back, it wants to slide UP to the center of that bridge loop... that's normal. What happened was it slipped over the stitching that was holding it back and keeping it from naturally sliding up and over -- so it "jumped", if you will, about an inch or two until it centered itself. Usually I just make sure my bridge is not resting at the bottom and settled on that stitching before applying my weight to it; in this case, I was preoccupied with all my thoughts about the platforms I was reviewing and it didn't cross my mind until it happened. Hopefully that makes sense. :)

Ok, yea that makes sense. Thanks for the response. Trying to get all the knowledge i can before i give it a try. & I definitely know that feeling. When i used to work on roofs sometimes u step your heel back off a piece of plywood laying on the roof. We used to call it the half inch heart attack. LOL Thanks again!!

Then people wouldn’t have had to watch the video 😜😂

And thank you.

I actually have a video on JUST the Seeker here on the channel now …. Here’s what I tell people about that everything I’ve used up to this point: the Mission may still be my favorite just due to the massive amount of footroom and all the options it gives you. But … if I were forced to only choose one platform for everything? I’d probably go with the Seeker due to its better packability and the fact it’s adjustability allows it to be utilized in almost every tree you will encounter.

Thanks so much, and I’ll definitely check out that video as well. I’m seriously thinking about trying saddle hunting next year and figuring out the shopping list now. The Cruzr saddle is for sure, and I like the Seeker platform based on everything I’ve seen. Sticks are a whole other deal…

I didn't catch myself... did I say that often? LOL... it's hard to make a video talking about the same concepts over and over and not repeat yourself. :) Thanks for watching, and hope you're having an awesome hunting season!

Welcome aboard! You should find lots of helpful videos on our channel … and if you want to take the plunge, there’s one showing everting I walk into the woods with as a sub-9 lb hunter (minus only my bow).

@@StaggsintheWild Currently looking at & considering an XOP-XTREME platform. Attempting to avoid any purchase regrets as I go, looking at backing up my bridge line in my Hawk helium saddle already, realizing my life will depend upon it, already planning on repelling back down, rather than the slower climb down method, if I hunt private, & can leave my equipment out. Looking for a safe 60 ft climbing/repelling rope, I can build for my main safety line. My Hoyt carbon spider 30, will work perfectly for this! Also looking at replacing my current bow retrieval line, with a retractable retrieval line, tired of it getting tangled all over everything. Watching & learning as much as I possibly can, from those others, who’ve shared their experience! I have no problem going 50+ feet up a tree, as long as I’m secured! I once fell 8 feet, landing flat on my back, & bounced, the impact was so hard, knocking the wind out of me. (I was caught in an ice storm, & was attempting to evacuate my semi permanent 16’ stand platform, when my hand slipped off the icy steps of the ladder on my way down). My attempt at re-acquiring the rung failed with a miss, & as I was tipping back “falling”, in a split second, I thought, if I can push off with my feet, I can at least have a chance to land on my feet! Nope!! They slipped too!!!😖😳 Now I’m headed towards the ground, horizontally!!!!!😖😖💩💩💩💥 As I lay there, realizing I’m still alive, & can feel all My extremities, I felt something poking me in the ribs. I reached over, & realized it was the stump of a small 3” diameter tree I had chopped off with my hatchet, still sticking up 3 to 4”, while clearing the area for the stand! 😲 It just wasn’t my time!!!! Lessons learned!!!!!!! I’ve also experienced a screw in step, snapping off, & left me hanging with one hand on a stand chain, looking down at all the others sticking out, just waiting to gut me, if I were to fall through them! So many close calls!!!!!!! I’m looking at going after what was a tall long tined typical 10 point buck last year on my trail cam, & nobody knows of him being harvested in that area last year, so he should be a 12 point or 6X6 this year!!!!🤗

Never have done that, but close … our 12” sticks have a platform on top and aiders … the stick is essentially just a place to put a top and hold an aider. 😊

Trophyline Mission is probably the most solid platform ever made thus far, and it offers footroom galore... enough to stand up on and easily turn for any weak-side shot. If I were going to go for a smaller-sized platform these days, I'd go with the Cruzr Seeker... very similar size, but that angle on the front just puts it over the top.

It wasn’t out back then when this video was made, but here you go kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eteSpaVlxq3eg2w.html

www.amazon.com/dp/B01N1V8Z7I/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=staggsinthewi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=ea02a6c826b9cd195fea6ea3bd9fd201&creativeASIN=B01N1V8Z7I

Staggs in the Wild are you using a top man with it?

@@tylermyers3135 I'm assuming spellcheck changed Ropeman on you... I use a Kong Duck, which is specifically rated to handle 8MM ropes; Ropeman1s are not. Ropeman2s have received a lot of critical feedback that the teeth are so aggressive that they tear up the sheathing of most ropes. Here is the Amazon link to the Kong Duck: www.amazon.com/dp/B00U2TIQUK/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=staggsinthewi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=15f59de1a1097bf83bcb0ce5551575b0&creativeASIN=B00U2TIQUK

www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-treadfast-gore-tex-waterproof-hunting-boots-for-men

Most of the places I hunt screwing a lag bolt into a tree would be prohibited... plus I really see no need as that OCB gets it beyond rock solid; I mean, there's literally ZERO movement with it.

Staggs in the Wild I was thinking of purchasing more than one and use it in conjunction with grade 8 bolts as a ring of steps. I was toying with the idea to lag them (on private) and just climb up ready to go. It is easy enough to use the ocb though. I have one on order. I think I’ll pre set the bolts and just set up the scout each time. Looks awesome. I prefer a ring of steps so this looks like the best of both worlds. And 1.5 lbs!!

Staggs in the Wild thanks for the review video!!

A little birdie told me "Stay tuned..." ;)

@@StaggsintheWild I am tuned, can't wait to see what is upcoming. Maybe shed a little weight and fix the hump and I am all over it!

Kgsoloman5000 appreciate the comments and your insight!

In this video I’m using a one-off Matthew Tompkins saddle built custom for me. I’ve since sold that saddle and he’s already shipped me a brand-new saddle with his latest and greatest innovations ... pretty excited to get it and put it through its paces. Matthew markets his saddles under the brand name TX5 if you didn’t know ... look for a big review of it on this channel soon.

I am using the Trophyline Mission once I figured out how to deal with the hump... see my follow-up video to my review on this channel called "Making the Trophyline Mission Magnificient"

Staggs in the Wild : thanks. Was curious. Will def check it out

I hunt out of Matthew Tompkins saddles ... he has a company called TX5. If you're on Facebook, just type in TX5 Custom Gear in the search bar. Good luck this season!

I wasn't taking the time to make sure my bridge was centered in my bridge loop because I had things on my mind I wanted to talk about ... So as I was standing there, the slack allowed the bridge to fall down to the bottom of the loop. Well, that bridge loop is doubled over for extra strength right there -- every saddle manufacturer does that. It also has a bit of fabric sewn on around where it's doubled up, which creates a bit of an "edge" where the fabric stops. With my bridge loop sliding down BELOW that edge, it would "jump" forward a bit as it pulled over that edge. No big deal, but it will make you catch your breath when it happens... Usually when I'm hunting, I just make sure my bridge is centered in my saddle bridge loops before leaning back and applying pressure... but I was multitasking, and you know what women say about guys trying to multitask: we can't. :)

Just realized that they are in, just not separate from the description. I feel dumb now.

From left to right: Wild Edge Perch, Out On A Limb Preset Solo (Scout), Tethrd Predator, Out On A Limb Ridge Runner, Tethrd Predator XL, Trophyline Mission & Lone Wolf Custom Gear Ambush

sammy suicide Lol. No problem buddy.

Kinda makes you wonder if there’s going to be a slight resurgence in DIY platforms again ...

That’d be one heckuva long title! 😂

It was before they launched that platform. There is a separate video dedicated to it on my channel, however.

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q6milJaDsd-reWw.html

It was probably just the bark of that particular tree; my son used it extensively last year and it wasn’t an issue.

Exactly what I was talking about in calling it a "hybrid setup"... you get the ability to turn all the way around like you're on a treestand, but with the ability to lean back into the saddle and walk around the tree if necessary. I'm really enjoying hunting off the Mission this year!

Osborn Outdoors agreed!!

Hey Cooter, I just posted them all for you on SH.com

@@StaggsintheWild TKS

Not at all! ... It’s funny: when I work a trade show or something and show them to people unfamiliar with saddles, one of the first questions about them is if they’re comfortable. I always laugh and say “If they weren’t comfortable, I wouldn’t be hunting out of one!”

😂

Lol! Actually thinking about making a video on that topic. 😁