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.

 

[switchback270]

Go for it. It will take a little to get used to but I think you’ll be glad you made the switch in no time.

Very safe option as well being connected with the linesman rope from the ground, while climbing, and the tether at hunting height. If you’re up high and feel nervous you could always leave the linesman rope loosely hooked up while the tether bears all the weight (I do this sometimes for a little piece of mind).

I would highly recommend getting a platform as well.

 

[The_Squatting_Coon]

I hunted from a saddle for 2 seasons and it just wasn’t for me. My hangon set up is lighter than all the crap I carried for the saddle, and the idea of hunting from any tree just didn’t seem to be realistic for me. I can get my hangon in more trees and tucked up into limbs more than I could with my saddle. I tried 3 different saddles as well and I never could get comfortable with any of them. It’s definitely not superior over a hangon, nor is a hangon superior over than saddle. But, if you can afford it I’d suggest giving it a shot!

 

[Robw79]

Have always used my LW climber and love it but sometimes end up hunting a tree when it’s a sweet spot. Picked up latitude set up with a platform and really like it. Have only used it last season but will be using it more than my climber. Nice to have a seat to sit on in the climber but being able to use the saddle in any tree is tough to beat. Especially being able to get a 360 view while hunting. Long sits is when it would be nice to sit down but rotating between leaning back and hanging from rope next to tree isn’t bad. Overall I believe I’ll be using my saddle set up way more. Only grabbed climber couple times last year instead of saddle

 

[Nine Banger]

I like being able to hunt a different tree every night.

I use a rifle, it's offhand supported shooting.

The first couple times are awkward but you pick up little tricks or see tweaks for next time when you're waiting. You also develop muscle memory as you do it more often.

I used Tethrd.

My sons are little and I've tied them off with me on a second tether. Good times.

 

[Billy Goat]

It might or might not fit your hunting style.

Private land, where you can have stands set before season, its probably not too valuable.

If you need to set a stand every time you go hunting, it can be easier.

Find one that fits you well, can be more comfortable than most stands. However they are like boots, what fits me and I find comfortable might not work for you.


If you hunt public, don't have straight trees around, hunt different spots frequently for wind or whatever, might find them pretty useful.

I started with an Anderson years ago, they aren't made anymore, but I think someone is remaking them now. Its basic, not too comfortable, really light. Anything else is going to be more a body type fit preference.

 

[rcb2000]

I like being able to hunt a different tree every night.

I use a rifle, it's offhand supported shooting.

The first couple times are awkward but you pick up little tricks or see tweaks for next time when you're waiting. You also develop muscle memory as you do it more often.

I used Tethrd.

My sons are little and I've tied them off with me on a second tether. Good times.


View attachment 1093823

I have to ask,
1. Is that rope tied to your rifle to hang it in the tree, or a shooting rest?
2. Why the bino post clipped to your harness in a tree stand?
3. That tether angle is wild, what height are you setting your tether when you are standing on the platform?

 

[JPeters218]

I just started using one almost full time last year. Mostly private land whitetail hunting. I’d probably say 50% of the time I was out I was right by a ladder stand. But deer get used those and kind of skirt them. Or there’s just a heavily used trail that the ladder stand isn’t ideal for. The saddle allowed me to fine tune those spots and see more deer.

I even ended up bringing it on my elk hunt this year (we pack in with horses), but there’s a ridge with a bunch of blowdown that we just post up on , and you’re always trying to climb up a little higher to see. I shot my elk from it when there’s no chance I would’ve seen it from the ground

As for getting comfortable, start a foot off the ground, and practice shooting your bow from it. Use your all your ropes and you’ll find pretty quickly it’s pretty safe. And if there’s a certain position you don’t feel comfortable shooting in yet, just don’t do it. Set up so that scenario is the least likely, and if something does happen to come in that way, then oh well.

It does take some practice climbing. Do not expect to be fast. So start well before season and just climb trees in your yard.

I’ve got the XOP Mondo saddle, it’s fine. Only one I’ve used. XOP invader platform, I don’t have any complaints about. And I use the black carbon sticks. They work well but they’re quite loud if you bump them on a tree.

The saddle thing is kind of a rabbit hole. Once you try it you’ll start finding things you want to tweak or add, but it’s a very useful tool. Some days the wind is just wrong for your other stands, and you can go pick a new tree for the day


Side note, I got my wife into hunting this last year, but the areas we have double ladder stands aren’t great anymore. So I actually brought her into one of the good single ladder stands and I set up my saddle and platform right there on the side of the same tree, and she actually shot her first deer like that

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The upfront costs are very high, but it can be effective. I am comfortable with knots and ropes and enjoy the jrb tree climbing methods, but if I didn't I'm not sure I would saddle hunt at all. Started with a 1 stick and that was the sketchiest thing I've done as an adult.

 

[Nine Banger]

I have to ask,
1. Is that rope tied to your rifle to hang it in the tree, or a shooting rest?

Hoist line.

2. Why the bino post clipped to your harness in a tree stand?

It's either there or clipped in tripod, always.

3. That tether angle is wild, what height are you setting your tether when you are standing on the platform?

A comfortable height.

I'm probably slouching for the photo.

 

[CJ_BG]

I've hunted climbers, ladder stands, hang ons, box blinds, ground blinds, brush blinds, and just sitting on the ground.

Saddle is my favorite for most of what I do. Hiding behind the tree, getting dang near anywhere you want, and doing it for about 6lbs of rope and saddle has been liberating. There's no safety concern if done properly as you're always tethered in, and a good saddle is as comfortable as most hang ons I've tried.

I would look into the alternative climbing methods, that's really what sets the saddle hunting apart from a hang on. 2 tether, JRB style (with the different variations), one sticking, and SRT, one of those is probably gonna do what you want.

It all looks very complicated but it's really not. There will be a learning curve where you figure out what actually works for you, compared to what you thought you wanted. By year 2/3 you're gonna be set though.