Troubleshooting Equipment

Saddle hunting comes with a learning curve. Learning how to use your equipment properly and how to mitigate problems is essential for your safety. While hunting, you should always use equipment that is in good condition and does not have any damaged, inoperable parts. Using secondhand equipment that is not in good condition is strongly discouraged.

The following considerations can help you troubleshoot your equipment for safe operation.

Hunting Saddle

• Regularly inspect your saddle for any rips and tears.
• Buckles should lock and unlock with ease. If buckles fail to operate, inspect for dirt or debris that may inhibit operation.
• Ensure lineman and bridge loops are intact with no rips or tears.
• Your bridge is the primary connection point and should also be inspected. Inspect the main line of the bridge and ensure it is connected. The bridge, if made from Amsteel, should have zero fibers cut or frayed; however, fuzzing can occur with this material. With rope bridges, the same considerations just mentioned should be looked at along with any flattened-out spots within the rope.
• The prusik knot attached to your bridge is your adjustment point. Ensure it is coiled tightly and secure. To test operation, move the prusik along the main line back and forth, shortening and lengthening the bridge. Add pressure to the bridge and ensure that the prusik knot holds and is not slipping along the bridge.

Climbing Sticks

• Ensure that your climbing sticks are free of any cracks or fractures in the main post, steps, and standoffs (the pieces that contact the tree).
• Make sure steps and standoffs are tightened to the main post and do not wobble. For climbing sticks that utilize a rotating standoff, ensure that bolts connecting these to the main post are tight and do not allow free spin or over-rotation of the standoff.
• Inspect your cam buckles and other attachments that secure the climbing stick to the tree. These should be free of rips, tears, and cuts.

Lineman Belt

• Inspect your lineman belt for any rips, tears, or cuts to the rope fibers and sheath (the outer layer).
• If any internal fibers are seen through the sheath, it is recommended to replace the lineman belt immediately.
• Inspect your prusik knot, which allows you to adjust the length of the lineman belt. Make sure that the prusik knot is coiled tightly and when adjusted will grab the rope without slipping when the hunter’s weight is applied.
• If you are using a mechanical device in place of the prusik knot like an ascender, inspect the device to ensure it is grabbing the rope and is free of any dirt and debris that can result in jamming.

Tether

• Inspect your tether for any rips, tears, or cuts to the rope fibers and sheath (the outer layer).
• If any internal fibers are seen through the sheath, it is recommended to replace the tether immediately.
• Inspect your prusik knot, which allows you to adjust the length of the tether. Make sure that the prusik knot is coiled tightly and when adjusted will grab the rope without slipping when the hunter’s weight is applied.
• If you are using a mechanical device in place of the prusik knot like an ascender, inspect the device to ensure it is grabbing the rope and is free of any dirt and debris that can result in jamming.

Hunting Platform

• Inspect the platform for any cracks in the platform base, platform post, the platform standoff (the point that contacts the tree), and the attachment button (the connection used with your strap to secure the platform to the tree).
• Inspect the teeth of the platform to ensure they are intact, free from cracks or fractures.
• If your platform base unfolds freely, check the tightness of the bolt that connects the base to the platform post. It should be tightened snugly but allow the base and platform post to open with minimal hand pressure.
• Inspect your cam buckles and other attachments that secure the climbing stick to the tree. These should be free of rips, tears, and cuts.