Saddle Hunting

[bushwhacker1975]

Ok everyone want to hear opinions on saddle hunting. It looks interesting but i'm a tree stand guy and little bit nervous high up. I've looked at some options online looking to maybe get two one for me one for my son but also don't want to spend a ton. Any suggestions?

 

[omicron1792]

Man. I went down the rabbit hole. I, like you, am a little nervous up in trees.

For me it ended up a no go. For people that climb easily it’s a game changer. For me and not feeling comfortable, it made the whole experience uncomfortable for me.

 

[bushwhacker1975]

that's what makes me nervous

 

[LookinforDirt]

The first time I leaned back on the tree tether at height felt like a leap of faith. Same went for getting into different shooting positions. But 15 minutes of messing around and I was comfortable. My two suggestions, one is obvious.

Practice (obvious one). First a foot off the ground to get use to the saddle, bridge, tether, and mounting and leaning on the platform. Then practice using two sticks with your lineman’s belt. Two because your not to far off the ground with two sticks but can practice transitioning from the top stick to the platform. The most likely time to fall is this transition from onto or off the platform. I am tied in with the tether and lineman’s belt for this step getting on or off the platform. Practice getting the platform strapped down sturdy and stable.

Be deliberate. Every single step of the process be deliberate and focused on what you’re doing every time you climb. It will become second nature with repetition but still be focused.

I guess a third thing I would suggest is ease into putting tension on the tether. Don’t take the lineman’s belt off until you confirmed tether tension and hold.

Enough practice at low heights may alleviate (most of) the concern once 20 feet up. How much just depends on your tolerance for it.

These days tree stand platforms are getting pretty darn mobile in their own right. If the saddle thing just seems to much maybe look at ultra mobile tree stands. I’m thinking about adding one to the arsenal. But I really like how a saddle allows you to hide behind the tree, shoot while standing (without transitioning from sitting), and more shooting positions (though the amount of movement needed makes some positions difficult to get into).

 

[bushwhacker1975]

The first time I leaned back on the tree tether at height felt like a leap of faith. Same went for getting into different shooting positions. But 15 minutes of messing around and I was comfortable. My two suggestions, one is obvious.

Practice (obvious one). First a foot off the ground to get use to the saddle, bridge, tether, and mounting and leaning on the platform. Then practice using two sticks with your lineman’s belt. Two because your not to far off the ground with two sticks but can practice transitioning from the top stick to the platform. The most likely time to fall is this transition from onto or off the platform. I am tied in with the tether and lineman’s belt for this step getting on or off the platform. Practice getting the platform strapped down sturdy and stable.

Be deliberate. Every single step of the process be deliberate and focused on what you’re doing every time you climb. It will become second nature with repetition but still be focused.

I guess a third thing I would suggest is ease into putting tension on the tether. Don’t take the lineman’s belt off until you confirmed tether tension and hold.

Enough practice at low heights may alleviate (most of) the concern once 20 feet up. How much just depends on your tolerance for it.

These days tree stand platforms are getting pretty darn mobile in their own right. If the saddle thing just seems to much maybe look at ultra mobile tree stands. I’m thinking about adding one to the arsenal. But I really like how a saddle allows you to hide behind the tree, shoot while standing (without transitioning from sitting), and more shooting positions (though the amount of movement needed makes some positions difficult to get into).

I've only used ladder stands and that's what makes me extra cautious about them. I really want to use a saddle to hide because where i am does are super cautious and i find the ladder stsnds out. Ultra mobile tree stand do you mean like a climber sorry i'm old i've only used ladder stands and the saddle idea was brought up by a freind lol.

 

[omicron1792]

Tried that too. You can put the adapter on a lot of trees. Climb and just snap the lock on in place.

I found that worse. Trying to climb and snap a lock on in place was awful.

I just don’t have the climbing gene.

 

[WCB]

I see no benefit unless you go super lightweight/minimalist. no extra platforms and b.s that are basically a stand anyways. Even then get some super light sticks and a small light hang on stand and I can get into any tree (actually more) than a saddle can.

 

[Okie-hunter]

I like to have options. If I know exactly what tree I’m going to hunt out of and know it’s good to go with a hang-on I’ll carry in a hang on if it’s not too far of a walk. If I don’t know what tree I’m hunting out of or the tree doesn’t work great for a hang-on I’ll pack my saddle setup in.
In my experience, saddles are not as comfortable as a hang-on but they are more versatile & lighter weight.
I’ve killed 4 mature bucks out of a saddle in the last 3 seasons & can honestly say 1 of those absolutely would not have gotten killed without a saddle as there wasn’t a single tree you could get a hang-on in in the area. 2 of them were taken out of trees you could get a hang on in but would be leaning one way or another pretty hard. 1 was out of a tree perfect for a hang-on but just over 1.5 miles from the road so opted for the saddle.

 

[LookinforDirt]

I've only used ladder stands and that's what makes me extra cautious about them. I really want to use a saddle to hide because where i am does are super cautious and i find the ladder stsnds out. Ultra mobile tree stand do you mean like a climber sorry i'm old i've only used ladder stands and the saddle idea was brought up by a freind lol.

I hear you. By late season here deer are definitely looking up into the trees. Something like this, 5.3lbs. Many companies make them though. A traditional style tree stand but small and light weight.

https://xopoutdoors.com/collections/hang-on-treestands/products/superflyhybrid

But in the end not much different than a saddle as far as the climbing and height concerns. You still need climbing sticks and ropes. You just sit on a seat (like you are used to) vs hang from a rope in a saddle. But if the goal is to shield yourself using the tree that is saddle duty.