elkyinzer
WKR
I am in the midst of a treestand overhaul. My stand (Summit Bushmaster) is probably 15 years old and in need of some love.
Biggest upgrade I want to make is a new suspension. I previously just had Molle shoulder straps. At first they were a huge upgrade over the factory webbing with foam pipe insulators that was my old man's idea of an upgrade. Since I put them in, I've started hunting mountain whitetails with much farther hikes. 2-3 miles with a daypack and clothes weighing in at 30+ pounds is brutal without a hip belt. This is a long overdue upgrade.
At first I tried stapping my MR NICE frame onto the stand. It carried beautifully, but I have some reservations. One, it adds weight. Obviously the treestand itself is rigid, so having a frame is unnecessarily redundant. Second, I am no scent freak, but my pack frame stinks from sweat. Third, I didn't test it with weight and was a little concerned my strapping method would hold. This method also requires me to strap/unstrap the pack. Not completely opposed to that, but would prefer a more permanent method.
Next, I had an extra set of MOLLE shoulder straps laying around and dug up my old hip belt. As part of the upgrade I am also replacing the bulky foam factory seat with a Hazmore seat, on order right now. The bulky seat was the obstacle to fitting the hip belt, so I was able to get it on there. It carries very nicely, I loaded it up with a 50 pound sandbag and it was not uncomfortable. I didn't have the load lifters attached before either, and they made a big difference.
Only thing, and a minor complaint, I could use a little more lumbar padding on the belt, and wondering how I could do that. Has anyone ever rigged a Kirafu belt to a treestand like this?
Also on the agenda:
Tore out the factory seat, have a Hazmore seat on order.
New shock cords. Going to go to a hybrid with the shock cord placement of the rapid climb stirrups (I don't like those) and keep current straps.
Replace tether, debating between lone wolf style or just going with basic paracord.
Wanting to find a spray-on rubber product to dampen noise. Mostly in areas that the climber and base clang together while setting up. Would love to hear experience with this.
Fresh coat of spray paint, going to mimic ASAT camo style.
New cables on order.
Thinking about installing a bow holder.
Let's see some of your climber mods and carrying systems.
Biggest upgrade I want to make is a new suspension. I previously just had Molle shoulder straps. At first they were a huge upgrade over the factory webbing with foam pipe insulators that was my old man's idea of an upgrade. Since I put them in, I've started hunting mountain whitetails with much farther hikes. 2-3 miles with a daypack and clothes weighing in at 30+ pounds is brutal without a hip belt. This is a long overdue upgrade.
At first I tried stapping my MR NICE frame onto the stand. It carried beautifully, but I have some reservations. One, it adds weight. Obviously the treestand itself is rigid, so having a frame is unnecessarily redundant. Second, I am no scent freak, but my pack frame stinks from sweat. Third, I didn't test it with weight and was a little concerned my strapping method would hold. This method also requires me to strap/unstrap the pack. Not completely opposed to that, but would prefer a more permanent method.
Next, I had an extra set of MOLLE shoulder straps laying around and dug up my old hip belt. As part of the upgrade I am also replacing the bulky foam factory seat with a Hazmore seat, on order right now. The bulky seat was the obstacle to fitting the hip belt, so I was able to get it on there. It carries very nicely, I loaded it up with a 50 pound sandbag and it was not uncomfortable. I didn't have the load lifters attached before either, and they made a big difference.
Only thing, and a minor complaint, I could use a little more lumbar padding on the belt, and wondering how I could do that. Has anyone ever rigged a Kirafu belt to a treestand like this?
Also on the agenda:
Tore out the factory seat, have a Hazmore seat on order.
New shock cords. Going to go to a hybrid with the shock cord placement of the rapid climb stirrups (I don't like those) and keep current straps.
Replace tether, debating between lone wolf style or just going with basic paracord.
Wanting to find a spray-on rubber product to dampen noise. Mostly in areas that the climber and base clang together while setting up. Would love to hear experience with this.
Fresh coat of spray paint, going to mimic ASAT camo style.
New cables on order.
Thinking about installing a bow holder.
Let's see some of your climber mods and carrying systems.