Tree saddles, lighted nocks and Blackhorn 209

[stubborn1VT]

Since Buckmaster mentioned it, and Crappyice requested it, I thought I would start a thread on these things.  I am interested in tree saddles, should use lighted nocks, and have considered switching to Blackhorn 209.

Does anyone use a rock climbing harness instead of a "hunting" harness?  I can see how it is versatile, but I wonder if it's comfortable.  Is the cost of gear considerable?

I tried lighted nocks with my compound and they were a PITA.  My shoulder now has me wielding a crossbow.  What do folks use for lighted nocks on crossbow bolts?  Is one brand better than another?  Should this be in a separate thread in the Crossbow section?

I shoot an older CVA Kodiak, and I'm not sure they make a dedicated breech plug for Blackhorn.  Is a Blackhorn specific breech plug necessary?  Can you really just drill the old one out?  Should I take advice about explosive propellants from people on the internet?  For the little bit of shooting I do each year with a muzzleloader, is it worth the switch?  What makes this powder one of the greatest advances in hunting history?

Discuss.

[Jeremy K]

That gun might not be able to handle the increased breech pressure from blackhorn . 

[turkeyfeathers]

Shooting nocturnals with compound bow. It’s positive reinforcement to see where you hit and retrieve arrow then being able to check blood. I see no negatives behind them. 
 

[crappyice]

What a gentleman!!!

I use none of the three-love my climber and hated lighted nocs....i am easily distracted by shiny things and found that i would not follow through when shooting lighted nocs



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hock3y24]

Check out woodys lighted knocks on Facebook, 10 times better than nockturnals and $20 for 5. They work in my xbow.

[BowmanMike]

I didn't need a special breech plug when i switched. However,i did have to learn to pack the powder tight before putting my saboted bullet in to get good results. The blackhorn dors keep the muzzleloader much cleaner between shots and also for the big clean after using it. 

I went to lighted nocks this year because i wasn't able to follow my arrow well enough. They should give you no issue with a well tuned bow. That being said,i had to open my d loop a little because of the bigger nock diameter. That was all though. 

[BowmanMike]

Also about tree saddles,they are supposed to be very comfortable. Some designs work better for some people than others,and i think they make an additional strap now too for more back support. You can take a nap with that on. This is not firsthand information as i don't own one yet,but hopefully soon.

I am tired of lugging my summit climber around and to hunt for the right tree. 

Climbing sticks and a tree saddle will be my choice for the future.

[Jeremy K]

12 minutes ago, BowmanMike said:

I didn't need a special breech plug when i switched. However,i did have to learn to pack the powder tight before putting my saboted bullet in to get good results. The blackhorn dors keep the muzzleloader much cleaner between shots and also for the big clean after using it. 

I went to lighted nocks this year because i wasn't able to follow my arrow well enough. They should give you no issue with a well tuned bow. That being said,i had to open my d loop a little because of the bigger nock diameter. That was all though. 

You don't have to but its recommended to shoot with a shorter flame channel .  

[The_Real_TCIII]

I use a rock climbing harness and love it, never going back to conventional harness. I don’t like weight on the back of my arrow so i haven’t tried lighted nocks but I love when video hunts have them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Robhuntandfish]

Love lighted nocks.  Have them on compound and xbow.  Xbow has capture nocks so had to order spec for those. Haven't seen a difference in flight using them at all.  

[stubborn1VT]

Wish I had lighted nock when I shot my buck, if only to help me find the bolt afterwards.  I had to pace over the field the next day in order to literally trip over it.

 

[stubborn1VT]

55 minutes ago, crappyice said:

What a gentleman!!!

I use none of the three-love my climber and hated lighted nocs....i am easily distracted by shiny things and found that i would not follow through when shooting lighted nocs



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You did "humbly request".  It was the least I could do.

[stubborn1VT]

I am intrigued by the idea of saddle hunting.  3 or 4 sticks with "aiders" and teeny platform and you can hunt most anywhere.  Instead of needing a stand for every wind direction, you could just adjust.  Of course this is all, in theory for me.  I have no experience, and hated to lug my climber.  Seemed like no matter what, I would sweat carrying it in and getting set up.  Took a lot of the fun out of hunting for me.  Give me a ladder stand or a nice set of climbing sticks any time.  

Out of the 3, lighted nocks seems like the easiest change.  I may look into a rock climbing harness, a DIY platform and some good sticks for next year.  That way I could practice.  

I had a friend that used a Summit Open Shot climber, and he had dozens of trees trimmed out for it.  I think it would be neat to do something similar with the saddle.

[The_Real_TCIII]

I am intrigued by the idea of saddle hunting.  3 or 4 sticks with "aiders" and teeny platform and you can hunt most anywhere.  Instead of needing a stand for every wind direction, you could just adjust.  Of course this is all, in theory for me.  I have no experience, and hated to lug my climber.  Seemed like no matter what, I would sweat carrying it in and getting set up.  Took a lot of the fun out of hunting for me.  Give me a ladder stand or a nice set of climbing sticks any time.  
Out of the 3, lighted nocks seems like the easiest change.  I may look into a rock climbing harness, a DIY platform and some good sticks for next year.  That way I could practice.  
I had a friend that used a Summit Open Shot climber, and he had dozens of trees trimmed out for it.  I think it would be neat to do something similar with the saddle.

Check out John Eberharts books he preps dozens of trees for saddle hunting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Steuben Jerry]

1 hour ago, Robhuntandfish said:

Xbow has capture nocks

Parker?

[grampy]

Glory Nocks!!! For bow and crossbow! So easy to use! And once adjusted shoot great. I love em! Made a thread on them in the bow section.

I too am becoming intrigued with the saddle for hunting. Will follow this thread, as well as do some research. Rebel Darling offered me a demo. Think I'll take him up on that offer. Thanks Mike!

And sorry I have no experience with the Blackhorn 209. I shoot an old TC Thunderhawk Shadow inline. It uses the #11 musket caps. Probably should upgrade, but it shoots so nice. And I only use it maybe once a year.

Edited October 23, 2019 by grampy

[Fletch]

I use Ignitor lighted nocks. Love them and can’t believe how much easier it is to see your shot and find your arrow!


The saddle is interesting but seems like a pita. Watched the video of the makers using it and said 15-20 minutes to get set up. I’m set up in my climber in under 10. Seems like the ropes would get in the way.

And wow are they pricey!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hock3y24]

If any of you saddle hunters are in the Binghamton area i really want to try one on and see how it feels before i buy. Im interested for sure. 

[Hunter007]

I have hunting books from the 1980s with mention of the tree saddle idea they been around a long time and there is a reason they never got popular.  It's not really the most ideal or comfortable way to hunt .

You have a tree and ropes in your face don't think that's  going to be uncomfortable after a few hours  and get in the way .

Many people buy those use it once or twice and never use it again .    Its definitely not for everyone.

 

Edited October 23, 2019 by Hunter007

[Jeremy K]

There is zero chance that a saddle set up is faster then my climber. 

[Robhuntandfish]

8 hours ago, Steuben Jerry said:

Parker?

yup.  Sucks they went out of business - i love my xbow!   bought 3 packs of bolts while they were going out of business to last me.  Guessing you have one too?

[BowmanMike]

I want something lighter than my climber..But prices for climbing sticks and a tree saddle are definitely not low.

[Rebel Darling]

Straight up on the saddle from my experience using one this year.  The following is based on use:

- It's more comfortable.  Not a debatable subject for me.  I am so much more confident and comfortable while in the saddle.  I have gotten some shut-eye time in, and don't have to worry about falling over.

- It's definitely safer for me.  I never liked wondering if my foot movement while repositioning for a shot was going to put me in trouble.  I'm totally focused on the shot now, with fluid movement.  I am always attached to the tree, even if it's an un-prepped tree I just walked up on.

- I have a wider range of trees available to climb.  I'm done looking for the perfect, straight tree when I need to be in the slanted tree with branches 15 yards off the trail.

- It's been a more quiet setup.  Especially if I'm wearing it in, there's virtually no setup time.  Attach sticks to tree, and bow to drop rope, then climb.  I'm already climbing up the tree when I still would have been unpacking my climber.  I currently have a single accessory pouch.  In that pouch I have my: 1 - lineman's belt.  2 - tree tether.  3 - gear strap.  4 - coiled drop rope.  It requires some planning on how to position them so that they are ready in order of use, but that took 2 minutes to organize.  My drop rope when uncoiled is attached to a molle loop on the belt.  If I get a second accessory pouch, I'm probably leaving the backpack behind.  The fellas from The Hunting Public figured out that they can carry everything they need in their turkey vest.

- I have a greater range of shots, and never have to worry about my draw arm hitting the tree behind me.  The tree being in front is a plus, not a negative for me.  I don't have to turn and reach for any gear; it's all right in front of me, and I have used the tree as cover while reaching for my grunt tube and bow.

A COUPLE DOWNSIDES

- The price of my outfit is a definite downside.  I went with Tethrd.  But...  I'm getting most of that back when I sell my LW climber.  You don't need to buy their lineman's rope, and you can fashion your own saddles and platforms.  There's a very active DIY community around saddles with forums, youtube videos, etc.

- My climbing sticks are a bit of a pain to carry.  I have the LW sticks, and am thinking about cutting them down, and drilling holes in the tubes (again from the DIY community) to lighten them up and make them more compact.  I hunt public and private, so I'd like one option that can be used on both without boring into the trees.

Looking forward to showing @grampy the setup, and getting his view on it.

-----------

I should use lighted nocks.  I was reminded of that during my doe kill (from the saddle) a couple weeks ago.

I haven't hunted w/ a muzzy yet.  I do own one, so, when I'm ready, I'll look at the Blackhorn...

 

 

Edited October 23, 2019 by Rebel Darling
Grammar

[crappyice]

I too watched part of a video last night. Like anything I am sure when you try it and get comfortable it will be just that...comfortable. I am intimidated by the rope work and leaning away from the tree. Hell, I lose every other Christmas tree from the roof of the car due to poor knots and enjoy a quick snooze with a tree as a backrest.
To each their own.
Can you also climb with just those spike that lumberjacks use as opposed to sticks or screws?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Steuben Jerry]

1 hour ago, Robhuntandfish said:

yup.  Sucks they went out of business - i love my xbow!   bought 3 packs of bolts while they were going out of business to last me.  Guessing you have one too?

Yes, tornado f4. I love it too. I’ve got about 20 bolts, an extra pack of red hot broad heads and 2 packs of lighted nocks, and a pack of capture nocks. I treat em like gold, lol. I haven’t really searched but somebody must be supporting them aftermarket-wise.