2019 off to a good start

weekender21

weekender21

Well-Known Member
Although not my first deer hunt of the year, it is my first one that put meat in the freezer. I shot this buck and a doe over the weekend. The Axis rut is on in Hawaii.

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Congrats 21 ! Can y'all hunt axis year round in Hawaii ? What else besides pigs can you hunt ?
 
Yes, we can hunt them all year. No deer on my island though, it’s a 30 minute flight for me. We have hogs and goats here on Oahu. I usually make it over to hunt deer 4-5 times a year.


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Thanks for the reply. I thought I remembered the goats but wasn't sure. Those axis are some of the best eating on the planet, in fact I'm going to get a doe here in about a month. I try not to ever run out, since I don't hunt pronghorn anymore.
 
Drycreek said:
Thanks for the reply. I thought I remembered the goats but wasn't sure. Those axis are some of the best eating on the planet, in fact I'm going to get a doe here in about a month. I try not to ever run out, since I don't hunt pronghorn anymore.
Click to expand...

Same here, we live on venison and mostly Axis right now. Best venison I’ve every had.


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A shot a hog from my saddle a few months ago but this is my first tree saddle deer. Run and gun using the SRT method. I'm really digging this ultra lightweight method for hunting where-ever whenever.

You can't make a 40 pound doe look big :)

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Which Island do you hunt on?

I just came back from a visit to Kauai and was surprised to find they had quite a bit of hunting opportunities there, once I talked to the Right Guy. Most said they only had Pigs and Chickens, but this guy was a Hunter and he told me of Blacktail Deer, Wild Goats, Pheasant, Chukar, and of course pigs. He did mention he went to one of the other islands for the Axis Deer.

In any case, Wonderful Country and on Kauai some of the best I've ever seen, simply Beautiful.
 
Congrats! How light is your SRT system? Repelling out of a tree sounds awesome but trying to get the rope down doesn't sound fun to me.
 
Gator said:
Congrats! How light is your SRT system? Repelling out of a tree sounds awesome but trying to get the rope down doesn't sound fun to me.
Click to expand...

Getting the rope down is the easiest part. I use an overhand with a bite for the loop on my rappel line. Prior to descending I place a small carabiner with paracord behind the knot. One firm pull easily removes the rope.

The system is crazy light. 40’ of 9mm rope, ascender, short bridge, friction hitch and ATC belay device...2 pounds maybe? I’ll weigh it tonight.


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Last edited:
weekender21 said:
Getting the rope down is the easiest part. I use an overhand with a bite for the loop on my rappel line. Prior to descending I place a small carabiner with paracord behind the knot. One firm pull easily removes the rope.

The system is crazy light. 40’ of 9mm rope, ascender, short bridge, friction hitch and ATC belay device...2 pounds maybe? I’ll weight it tonight.


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Click to expand...

Awesome thanks. I'm starting to catch this bug....How are you going up? Hand ascender and foot loop? We don't have a lot of trees with low limbs so that's my drawback with this method (I know you can go around the trunk and then place a hand step or something once up and leave a pull rope but those seem less than desirable I guess.. Still trying to figure out how I want to climb (reading the saddle hunter forum definitely offers up a lot of options for sure)
 
Weekender...Congrats on what must be a whole lot of fun chasing Axis deer on the islands! As for the saddle hunting, I've got that on the birthday list for my sons. Pretty sure they will be all over that style of hunting. I'll be sticking to ladder stands. Piggy backing of what Gator asked, how do you climb the tree? We have quite a few stick ladders and my thought was my sons could set several sticks where they want them and then use the micro platform from stick to stick. Looking at the Mantis tree saddle.
 
Gator said:
Awesome thanks. I'm starting to catch this bug....How are you going up? Hand ascender and foot loop? We don't have a lot of trees with low limbs so that's my drawback with this method (I know you can go around the trunk and then place a hand step or something once up and leave a pull rope but those seem less than desirable I guess.. Still trying to figure out how I want to climb (reading the saddle hunter forum definitely offers up a lot of options for sure)
Click to expand...

I used a left hand ascender connected to a webbing foot loop, a webbing short bridge, and a Madrock Safeguard Belay device for ascending the tree.

I also use climbing sticks, hand drill and bolts and would certainly not rule out a tree stand ladder for pre sets.


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Last edited:
Triple C said:
Weekender...Congrats on what must be a whole lot of fun chasing Axis deer on the islands! As for the saddle hunting, I've got that on the birthday list for my sons. Pretty sure they will be all over that style of hunting. I'll be sticking to ladder stands. Piggy backing of what Gator asked, how do you climb the tree? We have quite a few stick ladders and my thought was my sons could set several sticks where they want them and then use the micro platform from stick to stick. Looking at the Mantis tree saddle.
Click to expand...

Probably answered your other question above. I have a Mantis. It’s great but the only saddle I’ve hunted with.


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Better explanation of how I’m retrieving my rope after rappelling down. This picture was taken by me from the ground after pulling the rope down with my 25’ section of paracord. I actually use a rated carabiner for this only because it provides a backup in a pinch.

f1a68371728e8a6dfcb91ebbe5beb28a.jpg



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weekender21 said:
I used a left hand ascender connected to a webbing foot loop, a webbing short bridge, and a Madrock Safeguard Belay device for ascending the tree.

The also use climbing sticks, hand drill and bolts and would certainly not rule out a tree stand ladder for pre sets.
Click to expand...
That method looks so easy and also FUN.
Yeah, I've been reading and watching videos on all these various methods along with the knaider/snaider with WE Stepps and all of those variations. I think I'm leaning towards hawk heliums to start with, then I may cut them down later and try to use some type of aider. But again, I'm very interested in the SRT or double rope version, not a scary thought to start doing with no climbing experience (not that I'm not going to try it at some point....)
 
SRT is much safer than sticks, you’re connected to the tree 100% of the climb. Lineman’s belt and sticks can facilitate a fall quite easily. And sticks are heavy. Not dogging them as I use both methods.

Take a class or find someone local to give you a few pointers if you’re really interested in SRT.


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Gator said:
Congrats! How light is your SRT system? Repelling out of a tree sounds awesome but trying to get the rope down doesn't sound fun to me.
Click to expand...

I ran the numbers. I'm headed into the woods with 2.87 pounds if I have a pre set paracord loop in a tree. Add my 14 oz throw bag and line for a run and gun scenario. The 2.87 pounds includes some optional items as well. Basically the weight of one climbing stick but safer with many more options for tree selection. Essentially unlimited for pre sets and only limited to trees with branches near or slightly above hunting height for run and gun.

SRT (2.58 lbs):
40' Sterling 9mm HPT-1.7 lb
Petzl ascender .36 lb
Petzl foot tape .14 lb
Madrock Safeguard .34 lb
1" webbing loop connection for ascender .04lb

Optional (.29 lbs):
redirect, oval carabiner .13 lb
ATC .14 lb
friction hitch .02 lb
 
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