Im sure yall already know but its the sticks that are killing your weight on the saddle setup. Im using 3 WE steps with a 5 step aider to get over 20' for 4lbs. The sticks are way easier to use and you typically have 2 ppl going up the sticks....and 2 ppl splitting the load. So sticks are prly the best for yall. Cant wait to see more saddle stuff from you guys.

I'm still ole school, 62 yrs.old and still using a Summit Bushmaster climbing stand (16lbs) plus still climbing the Pennsylvania and West Virginia hills

Good points on the nicer saddle packs and hip belts on the stands. They add weight on paper but carry the load so much better they're generally well worth the tradeoff.

Ted, you are the man. Taking all the ribbing and still be right in the middle of the mix! You're my HERO.

Gear quality and experience definitely has improved over the years. I'm right there with you through the progression.

Love seeing the progression. There's no wrong way to do it! Just get out there!

I go back to the old Baker and Amacker stands. Heavy for sure! Saddle hunting for weight and mobility is what I've gone to as well. Good video guys!

I just switched to an X-stand set-up that weights in a 20 lbs. for stand and sticks. Huge difference it makes for a hang and hunt! Good content guys.

Love my XOP Air Raid and Hawk Helium XL both set up with the XOP Treestand Transport System climbed into by my Hawk Helium Sticks all dolled up with Stealth Strips and modified with the Wolf versa button and rope....all of this absolutely b/c of you guys and changing the way I hunt. Keep it up.

I am from Washington state and bow hunt black tail deer and elk. I use a summit treestand and am going to swap to a saddle. I think that will be a better setup. You guys are great. Thanks for this video.

I still use an old Summit climbing stand. It works but it’s time to upgrade. Good vid!

I loved those Big Dog stands for 30 bucks. It was a touch creaky, but I usually hung mine in a big old cedar and would leave it on public land from September 1 through Jan 15. Never lost one, and I do know that it was used by others from time to time. I was fine with that since it was on public land. Almost 8 years later I'm still using those stands, but now they are on private land. I have replaced the straps at least twice on all of them. My mobile setup is an XOP with three Lone Wolf sticks. Still using the cheap nylon backpack straps. It is awesome when I need to change locations frequently.

I'm using an old Loc-on Limit stand which is around 9lbs or so (no longer made) and 4 lone wolf climbing sticks! Works great for me!!

I use a Lone Wolf climber stand and a Muddy camera arm. My total setup is probably around 23 - 25 LBS. I also use the military ruck sack straps and kidney belt. That makes the pack in much more comfortable. I can get up the trees pretty quickly and usually don't have much difficulty finding a tall straight tree with no branches in the big public woods of PA.

I just got what you now call your old set up and I love it

HTP BABY. Love it, appreciate y’all’s time

I just converted one of those cheap Menards hang on stands to a portable. I stripped down the footrest, armrest, shooting bar, and attached some old backpack straps far a17 pound set-up. It works, and I am enjoying it, but I will be upgrading to a lightweight system next season. I am leaning toward a saddle to fit my style of hunting. Thanks for all your great videos.

Love my saddle with my DIY climbing aid. All my stuff weighs in at 9.5 lbs, including backpack, rangefinder and all accessories, minus bow. I'll be proud to let y'all in on what I got if I could get a contact to one of y'all so I could send pictures and stuff.

Millenium tree stands don't get enough exposure. Light and comfortable.

4 wild edge stepps, Perch and Kestrel Flex will be my setup this year. Last year I used the regular Kestrel and ring of steps along with the 4 wild edge stepps.

XOP Vanish with 3 Hawk Helium Sticks, and the same backpack straps as Ted, plus a nice hip belt. My setup might be close to 30#s once all my gear (harness, ropes, etc) is added on, but the hip belt makes it more than manageable. A lot of people simply look at weight, but one of the main things that factors in is compactness, which many of your setups are. The ability to weave through thick brush without catching on everything is extremely important.

I'm loving my beast sticks and tethrd mantis with predator platform. Game changer for me!

Eventually it boils down to personal preference. You can go lighter trying to be more comfortable, but you can reach a point where you're not comfortable trying to be comfortable, if you understand what I mean. You always have to give up something to get something.

I use the cheap menards stands on my private deer property for fixed stands but I love xop for my mobile set up on public and you should check out their strap for carrying your stand it comes with the waist belt super comfortable

Thanks for history on your mobile, setups, I have quite a few of the Menards stands, usually a fixed stand hunter, I am going to try and put 1 mobile setup for this fall, always wandering the thousands of acres around my home area, and many times wished I had a stand on my back, especially during the rut when you find that place thats on fire.

My set up is Lone Wolf Assault II with 3 lone wolf 3 step sticks with ropes replacing the straps. Have a saddle for funky trees. I am 53 and am pleased as pie with this set up. All sticks have stealth strips.

Xop vanish xt,3 Xop sticks with aider on bottom stick and I'm using a hawk hunt hard camera arm and base all that comes in roughly around 23lbs

Great video guys!!! I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my LWCG stand and sticks!!!

Millennium M7 Microlight with 2 or 3 Hawk sticks with aiders has me right around the 20lb mark. I'm interested in switching to a saddle but the cost is a prohibiting factor for now. The stand has the military surplus hip and shoulder straps too, that really changes the felt weight of the setup.

Now I’m curious to actually weigh my setup! I run an XOP Vanish with XOP sticks that I’ve cut down to 2 steppers from 3. I use the seat flipped up to carry my pack and am still messing with ways to attach the sticks. It works! Did 90% run and gun sets last fall and had a blast.

Been using lone wolf alpha II with 4 lone wolf sticks and an extra old random two step stick last few years. Took the frame off my Kuiu back pack last year and DIY'd it to my stand and it worked miracles for my shoulders! going to try a saddle this year to make it even lighter.

Going with a Custom made Saddle and 3 Rapid Rails this season for my Hang and Hunt set up.

I’m switching to a Tethrd mantis saddle, predator platform and 3 hawk helium sticks with beast button rope mod and bottom stick single step aider this year. Patiently waiting for the saddle and platform to arrive to start tuning the setup.

Great video. I'd like to see ya'll do one on your favorite long distance travel-hunt vehicle.

I have a lot of straight trees in VA so I use the Summit Mini-Viper. With a backpack harness, and accessories its about 21 lbs. My saddle and 4 stacked sticks are about 15 lbs. I use this for longer hikes or I opt for the guille suit for ultimate light weight if I ground hunt. I also have a Lone Wolf Assault 2 w/backpack harness and 4 stacked sticks at 23 lbs. I also carry 3 Cranford folding steps that I may use as my first three steps if I need a few more feet. I went with the Stacked sticks because of the 1-piece design, lightweight and wide foot steps.

I use the lone wolf assualt ll and beast sticks. Absolutely love it!!

Great stuff guys my wife just asked “are you watching mash?” I’m like no THP, she’s like oh it sounded like mash! Summit viper climber back pack straps on the back with camera gear and food and water etc. my brother let me have 3 lone wolf alphas but I need sticks I have some sticks from sportsmans guide but ahhhh, Super cool episode men!🦌

Amazing how technology has improved in a short period of time. I still have some old Loc On stands from the early ‘90s. Lol

Millennium M 100 hang on tree stand. Four lone wolf climbing sticks. Hoyt carbon matrix bow. REI purchased shoulder straps. One safety rope. Up the tree and set up in less than 15 minutes.

The weight and also the profile change is what is big for me. I have used a LW climber for at least 20 years and it is a cumbersome stand with the belts sticking out the top. So the weight with WE steps at a lb a piece and a small platform is big in saving that large platform and it's weight.

Awesome video I'm from mn and I've been hauling a full backpack ladder stand and sometimes carrying it up to a mile and it weighs about 60lbs it sucks so this video is very helpful thanks guys keep up the good work

Currently using an Aero Hunter Kestrel Flex saddle, Tethrd Predator platform, 3 Modified Hawk Helium Sticks with 5 step aider carried in a Mystery Ranch Pop Up 28.

I love this video. Brings back fond memories. I switched ( mostly ) to the saddle towards the end of the season last year. I like to move a lot, stay mobile stay aggressive. I hunt the thick stuff and I don't want to carry a lot of heavy gear. As i have said manytimes I hunt / film alone. So I carry everything. Im 58 now and people dont like me. Hey would Ted be able to film for me? Lol

Been with the lone wolf assault II climber. I know it limits the trees, but with the right amount of scouting its served my purpose and its light, quick and quiet. Nice video guys, counting the days till deer season! 🤪

I've been using the Hawk Helium stand and sticks with a fourth arrow camera arm. All loaded down on my Kifaru 22 mag pack. Works really REALLY well. BUT, all said and done I'll bet I'm around 35-40lbs

That indecent exposure joke had me rolling!

I'm using a lone wolf assault II with 4 lone wolf sticks, mollie straps and kidney belt. 👍 I also have the blood sport hanging in the garage I think I used that once 🤔

Thank you. Can’t wait to get my saddle

I carry a summit goliath with the hawk camera arm plus a backpack that has all my deer essentials in it. A drag strap, first aid kit, extra jacket, mask and gloves, small hatchet for clipping limbs, etc. All in all it's probably about 30 to 32 pounds. Its definitely heavy on a long walk but when you're 6'4" 370 like me it's the best option I got!!

4 Hawk Helium sticks with bottom section aider and Millennium M7 micro stand.

Great video. I just started with a saddle this year. Tetherd phantom with four Hawk helium sticks. Seems to be working well for me so far.

In the state forests in Ohio I'm still going with my loggy bayou climber stand ive had since high school. It's an antique, but I love it.

That buck at your home farm was a goodern. Love the grass roots good old days type of hunt every once in a while. We’ve seen zip, Arron’s old man, Greg and his brother, Jake’s family swamp, gotta get zachs fam involved and then throw together an episode of family hunts. Like you each split off home and film a family hunt, make an episode combining each families hunt. Spit balling over here lol

I used the lone wolf assault and their climber for years. I just ordered the new lone wolf custom stand and am still waiting on it. For packing, I use the game planner pack setup which I believe is now owned by XOP. That is a great system you guys should check out for packing stands in!

Last year I switched to x stand, x1 stand. I think it weighs 11 pounds. It works great. I guess you have a few less options as far as where you can use it but the land I use it on in Illinois is a 2 mile hike to where the deer are so it's worth it. Also if you can pack light I use a cabelas camo fanny pack instead of a back pack. I can still draw my bow if I walk up on something heading in.

Climbing spikes, M7 lock on, and a hiking backpack is the way to go. I pack in with my bow 13lbs depending if I carry water in the camel pack or not

I use an XOP hand climber with a pack frame attached that has thick shoulder straps and a kidney belt. Plenty of straight trees to choose from here.

I use the old $30 stands in certain spots where i can prep trees so i don’t need sticks or screw in steps, and i use a lone wolf climber that I set next to set stands when I have my son with me. If I’m by myself I use my lone wolf climber exclusively and leave the set stands alone.

Lone Wolf Assault with 4 LW sticks. I use the tree stand transporter by Game Plan Gear to transport my stand and sticks. The bow bat also by GPG carries everything else I need. I believe the stand and sticks weigh 19 1/2 pounds. Fifteen years ago I was killing myself with 38 pounds of weight and that was just the stand and sticks. I really enjoy my current setup.

I use a Lone Wolf Assult, then added a Molly waist belt and shoulder harness. For steps I built my own because I didn't like what was one the market at the time. My stand and climbing sticks weighs 25 lbs and I can get over 20 ft up.

If you guys haven't tried the JX3 hunting hybrid saddle your missing out. I am a guide and die hard bow hunter and this thing changed my life.

I typically setup 5 different good rut stands well before season using either $30 menards stands or a more comfy stand if it's a spot I plan on doing all day sits in. I stay out of those spots until good rut days so they don't get much pressure in those spots until the time is right. For being mobile before and during that time, I use the xstand? climber from menards and have it setup in a way so I can be super quiet and scent free getting it in, setting up, down and onto my back, and then back out. That is a fairly cheap stand and is possibly the lightest climber you can buy. That and my backpack I clip onto the stand I do not even notice on my back. It works great for a normal length hunt but the only downfall is trying to spend too much time in it you definitely lose comfort. But that's where my pre-hung spots come into play. Late season I spend more time in portable ground blinds because it's too cold in Michigan late season to be up in a tree most days. No matter how warm you dress, you won't make it more than an hour in a tree on some days before you're having to head down and then you're just doing more damage to your chances. Might as well sacrifice your vantage point to be able to stay out long enough to kill something anyways. Can't kill them until their close anyways bowhunting.

I use Millennuim ultralight with with Cranford folding steps.. works good but I have found out that with carrying camera gear it’s better for me to carry everything on a light aluminum frame pack! Thinking about maybe getting a saddle tho. Also Forth Arrow has some nice light weight camera arms that work well with these lightweight but quality cameras

Thanks for the mention! Great video!

I'm so excited for bow season!

Excellent video/information THP!!! Thanks!!!

Love the content. I'm switching up my set up this year to a XOP Vanish and 3 Lone Wolf sticks. I was using a Hawk Mega Combat with 4 of their Ranger sticks, that weighed 39.5lbs. I should be cutting my weight in half... CAN'T WAIT.

M7 microlight with Same surplus straps as Arron, Muddy pro sticks\camera

Just switched from Lonewolf alpha 2 to Aerohunter Kestrel Saddle. Using 4 lone wolf sticks with rope mods but experimenting with Single Rope System (SRS). Just like you all just been progressing towards lighter and mobile. Awesome job guys love the videos!

Hello... at 4:00 you identify the stand as the Lone Wolf Assault 2... But it's actually the original Assualt (Assault 1). It weighs in at 8.5 pounds minus the seat cushion and strap. The Assault 2 weighs in at 11.5 pounds complete (2 straps and cushion).

Just ordered summit rsx eagle and some hawk helium sticks For public ground . im excited to start trying it out this summer .

You need to look into the out on a limb camera base. Fits your muddy camera arm weighs less, packs 100 times better, and will adjust to any angle.

Treehoper drill 10 grade 8 bolts...about a pound,plus a saddle ligest set up I have found an nothing bulky to carry if u want a lock on stand..try to find a loc on wind walker..think it is 6 pounds..my two set ups

I’m really excited to give the saddle a try next year

I use a climber a lot, going in blind killed that for me last season as I went to multiple spots that wouldn’t accommodate my stand. I will be going to a hang on set up this season

great video guys. currently running an assault 2 with 4 LW sticks on a tree stand transport system from game plan gear. hoping to have a tethrd mantis by fall

I know you mentioned the new lone wolf stand coming out but another very light stand is the millennium m7 microlite it weighs only 8.5 pounds. Only used it once last fall so I cant say too much about it

Great group of kids.Love the content

If you can find an old army ruck sack frame they work the best in my opinion. They have the lumbar support with the kidney strap which really really helps to distribute the weight. I prefer the older style with the metal frame it fits my body better then the newer plastic frames. You can find them at most surplus stores relatively cheap.

Super curious on all your different bow setups and arrow designs and how much effort and interest y’all put into your hunting rigs

I like the millenium m7 with the versa button mod with 3 lone wolf sticks and the bottom one has a rope aider, slick light fast and def more comfortable then my lone wolf assault 2.

Velvet hunts are less than 2 months away. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going to try saddle hunting next year...at 51 probably not the best time to try it but I’ve gone from summit climbers to lone wolf with sticks..hunted Wisconsin for the first time this past season and walking through the marshy sections that were partially frozen was a test. Wished everyday I had a saddle. We’ll see how it works next year. Love your videos (I’m from PA) keep up the good work.

I hunt some of the same places you guys do I’ve noticed in your videos, I run a millennium m7 ultra light with 4 lone wolf sticks. I saw in one of your videos the guy in the yellow shirt that walked up on you... we call him Mountain Dew... he packs in a 2 liter and walks all over that spot drinking it. He’s been there for several years now. We just go a little bit farther and then we won’t see him til the pack out.

Trying a saddle set up this year, got LW sticks, and a set of Hawks, see what I like better.

I lash my stand to my back pack. been doing this for years. It makes carrying very easy.

Tried the saddle setup. Going back 2 a lone wolf assault. Quicker, simplier, platform seat and bow holder all in one. With one strap 2 hang. Way less movement.

I went with the phantom saddle, tethrd platform and beast sticks with Amsteel daisy Chain mods That took another couple pounds off Pack it to a MR pop up 18 Man that’s a slick set up

Great video guys. Can yall do one hanging a stand from the ground up? I am going to try to do more hang and hunts this year.

Lone Wolf Alpha II, four LW sticks, molle straps plus kidney belt, lone wolf extension straps for big trees. Harness with Muddy lineman belt going up, clip into tree strap at height; always connected, no lifeline needed. First year running it, gotta figure out how to carry that plus Fanny pack. Hmm...

I’m running the millennium m7 with the millennium aluminum sticks.

I'm 54 still using my Summit Viper. Definitely looking for a light lock on n some sticks. Too many good spots passed up because there was no place for a climber... If I was younger the saddle n aiders sounds great....just not that agile anymore and patient 🤔🤔🤣🤣

Thanks guys for all your hard work and dedication, packing all that crap in just to put out awesome footage but I wouldn't 😆

Just a note on how the weights are not truly acturate in my opinion. No one ever includes the treestand harness, linesman belt, etc in their treestand weights. But then they include the saddle and ropes in the saddle weight. My treestand harness and gear weighed significantly more than my saddle with all it's ropes. Can really quick add another 4-5 lbs to the treestand overall weight. Great video guys!

Great video. Can you guys make a video on the cameras yall use to film hunts? You guys have me interested in filming myself.

I use a very old trail hawk climber with no pullup bar so a true tree hugger here! If its straight and i can reach around it for the most part i can climb it. Its under 20 lbs just wish they still made them!

I would love to hear y'alls take on the wild edge steps.

I'm using the Lonewolf Assault II with Lonewolf sticks right now. I'd like to switch to either Dan's sticks or the new LWCG sticks soon though

I use a millennium m60 with 3 hawk helium sticks. Seems to work good and stays quiet.

2 tethered climbing. 2 ropes, saddle, and a platform all in a backpack.