Saddle Hunting

[CJ_BG]

All of y’all are saying all the reasons I really wanted to do it. There’s no doubt it would improve my hunting.

I’m 6 foot five and 230 pounds, so I tell everyone it’s just that I am too big. It’s really that I’m just too afraid of heights.

Not sure if it'll help you but I was/am terrified of heights. Queasy stomach, woozy head, the nine yards. The only time I'm okay with them, is tied in to a tree. I can hand almost perpendicular to a tree in my saddle and be alright. Took some time to get used to that feeling but you really are very secure if done properly

 

[Green-Up]

All of y’all are saying all the reasons I really wanted to do it. There’s no doubt it would improve my hunting.

I’m 6 foot five and 230 pounds, so I tell everyone it’s just that I am too big. It’s really that I’m just too afraid of heights.

You don't have to get 20' high to be successful(hotly debated topic of course). Find a setup with good cover and you'd be surprised what you can get away with at only 8-10' up.

That will help build confidence in your system without overloading your fear in the event that you feel the need to get higher.

 

[omicron1792]

Ha. Not the OP, don’t want to hijack his thread. Hope all this info helps.

I tried it for several years. Just never was comfortable. Good thing is it’s my private farm I hunt most of the time. I have 8 shooting houses and now up to 5 ladder stands. I’ll continue to add ladder stands so should be good.

 

[Beendare]

I’m older, 6’3” 240 and cant sit a saddle for more than a couple hours. The pinch is uncomfortable. That seems to be the case for many like me but the younger guys with a wirey build seem to like them

 

[Green-Up]

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?

My $0.02...

My first recommendation for a specific saddle is anything from Custom Gear Modifications - they make upper tier stuff in their small home shop, with %99 U.S. sourced materials and their pricing is the most reasonable in relation to the quality you're getting.

Saddle prices are a bit crazy in general - I think liability/insurance drives a lot of that, nonetheless - if you don't know someone locally that has one you could try out, then your best bet, in my opinion, is to get something that will be easy to sell if you were to decide it's not for you.

With that, you're mostly looking at pricier options. In my opinion, if you go the cheap route, you're much less likely to end up with something that you can get comfortable in - each saddle fits different body types differently though, so it's not impossible.

On that note, my recommendations would be a CGM, as noted earlier, Cruzr XC, Latitude Method 3, or Ape Canyon Wood deluxe.

In general, I'd also suggest to steer away from standard single panel designs, and look for either a 2 panel design, or a single panel that's pleated.

 

[ArcherAdam]

Jmo--I would ask myself whaf type of country do you hunt in? If big woods/tall timber, I you can still do it however a climber will get you the height you need.

If you hunt areas that do not have great visibility due to ground cover, trees that a climber will not work in, etc--saddle hunting shines.

Since nearly all my hunting now is the latter, I sold my climber and hang ons.

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[kylegreulich]

Complete game changer for me, switched over about 4 years ago and will never go back to anything else. There are certain applications where a hang on could be better, but at least for me not many.

Carry 3 sticks, bottom one has a two step aider, other 2 have a single step. I can get up to 17ish feet if I stretch it. But I find myself setting up a lot lower intentionally, shot my buck this year out of a Y in a tree maybe 12 feet up. Sticks and platform weigh somewhere around 5 lbs total, have gone to lightweight ropes. That was the selling point for me as a mostly public land guy who has to move around a lot.

There’s a ton of good used stuff out there these days, grab a saddle and a cheap Amazon platform and put it on a tree in the yard just a couple feet off the ground and try it out. If it doesn’t work out you can flip that stuff for what you paid for it or close.

 

[bushwhacker1975]

Thanks y'all love the feedback i love how you can ask any question on here and people are beyond helpful!!

 

[nomadicbohunk]

I have two. One for early season and one for winter when I have 50 layers on.

I really don't think they are as comfortable as a stand. I'm not a huge fan, but use them occasionally. I also find it harder to get a good rest if I'm rifle hunting. I did a lot of research before I bought for what was the most comfortable too. I think I have CRÜZR Archons.

I don't regret getting one at all. If you have private land where you put giant heavy stands in semi permanently, it makes installing them about 500x safer. One example is that I put a 20 foot ladder stand in last year solo with mine. Getting it up into the tree was hard, but once that was done it was easy to strap down.

I will say this. Some people are like "It's your body shape" for if they're not comfortable. Or it's not adjusted right. I can loose and gain weight like it's no big deal. A couple winters ago I broke my arm super bad and gained like 60lbs that stayed on as I couldn't do anything normal for about a year with my arm. Going from 160 to 220 did not make either saddle fit better or more comfortable with any of the adjustments. I'm 6ft. So I don't think they are comfortable to a 40 year old in the range from are you in high school skinny to pretty fat.

I use one if I have to, but it's only here and there about every other year.

 

[Coyote Commander]

I always thought they looked uncomfortable.

I finally tried one two years ago.

It was one of those “I wish I’d have done this sooner” moments.

Real game changer for where I hunt.

And now that I have a system down that works for me I’d rather do a long sit in my saddle than in a hang on stand.

 

[mtnbound]

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?

I really like them over fixed stands, but you will be carrying more gear than you would when climbing into one.

The cost can add up pretty quickly for everything, but if you are hanging multiple fixed stands, it can add up as well. The biggest thing with saddle hunting is to practice safe climbing and returning to the ground, as those are the spots where accidents are most likely to occur. I use either a one-stick method or Bullman's steps for climbing, and I also use Bullman's Ring of Steps for a platform. If I am one-stick climbing, then I rappel back down with a Petzl GriGri.

The flexibility a tree saddle offers is great, but it takes some time to get it all figured out.

 

[Carlisle]

I tried it and either can’t get comfortable or find myself moving around too much. I never felt unsafe. I always go back to a Summit climber.


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[Jdeck09]

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?

I've been saddle hunting for about five years now, and I really like it, especially for public land. It lets me get into smaller trees and harder-to-reach spots much more quietly than carrying a big stand on my back.


I've never had any close calls, but I also take my time setting up and always make safety a priority. Looking back, I have no regrets about making the switch.


I bought some land a few years ago, so I don't saddle hunt as much anymore unless I'm chasing a new pattern or hunting somewhere different.


I think saddle hunting definitely has its place. Whether it's the right choice really depends on the terrain, your budget, and whether you're hunting public or private land.

 

[Nine Banger]

I've had close calls in just a few trips up in self-climbers before I moved on from those.

No close calls in any trips up in a saddle with a lot more climbs under the belt. The first big step takes some getting used to, but like others are saying, you don't have to push the envelope on spacing or height to be successful.

Being able to climb 8-10" trees is great.

 

[BoogerCounty]

I am also nervous at heights. Climbing in a saddle actually made me feel safer. In a tree-stand, the step over from the sticks to the stand was always nerve-wracking (I had a stand cable break and jolt me down a few feet in fall of 2023). But I find that I always can keep tension on either my linesman belt or tether the entire time when climbing in a saddle. That tension gives me a sense of safety.

Of course I tested at ground height for a few weeks before building the courage to climb up any higher.

 

[HighCountryHill33]

I was stubborn as a mule about using lock-ons and climbers. I have an artificial hip and femur rod from my days in the military and swore it wouldn't work for me or would be uncomfortable. I rolled the dice 3 years ago, switched to a Latitude Method 2 and can honestly say that it has been amazing. I don't think there is a tree that I cannot hunt out of. It has allowed me to expand my hunting when I'm on public ground and I don't have to worry about lugging 45 lbs of stuff into the woods. I've never been more mobile or felt more safe in a tree and the things are so comfortable that the hardest part (pre-daylight) is staying awake. I would recommend them to anyone. If you're physically able to climb a ladder stand, you can hunt from a saddle with sticks. Feel free to hit me up with any questions or concerns. Its worth it.

 

[Ringbill27]

I’ve been saddle hunting for a couple seasons now and like it for what it is. Sneak in to weird places and get in the tree. All day sits are hard my hips but not bad.

I’ve found that hunting with a AR in the saddle is the way. I tend to collapse to the shortest setting. Making it easier to swing the rifle around. That not CVA scout for the “hobbit” rifles would be sweet too.

https://www.scheels.com/p/xop-fullrut-mobile-hunting-system/9675-XOP-FULLRUT-M

This is the kit I bought and it works fine for me. I ditched the strap for the sticks and use 5/16 accessory rope to tether them to the tree.

Amazon.com

Also picking a couple Ropeman Ascenders for the tether and the line mans rope.

Amazon.com

Still prefer to use a ladder stand but saddles are great for exploring and trying spots you’ve always been curious about.

Pro tip ( not really) I prefer 7-9” diameter trees.

 

[Robobiss]

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

Are there children’s saddles that they are using?

I’ve been a strictly saddle guy for like 5 years, even on my own property. And I’ve long thought that the saddle would be the easiest way to get little kids in trees. Dad can climb up and just yard the little ones up into the tree via climbing rope. Or hang sticks close enough and “belay” them up the tree via climbing rope so they don’t fall.

My oldest is only two, so I am a little ways out from having to actually put pen to paper and figure it out. But if there is a children’s saddle (or rock climbing harness) that works for the purpose I am all ears for the future.

 

[Green-Up]

Are there children’s saddles that they are using?

I’ve been a strictly saddle guy for like 5 years, even on my own property. And I’ve long thought that the saddle would be the easiest way to get little kids in trees. Dad can climb up and just yard the little ones up into the tree via climbing rope. Or hang sticks close enough and “belay” them up the tree via climbing rope so they don’t fall.

My oldest is only two, so I am a little ways out from having to actually put pen to paper and figure it out. But if there is a children’s saddle (or rock climbing harness) that works for the purpose I am all ears for the future.

The Pygmy Rattler Youth Saddle | Custom Gear Modifica

The Pygmy Rattler is an extra small version of our Sidewinder Saddle. Made with the same quality materials and craftsmanship as all of our saddles, the saddle downsized for the petite person, or for youth supervised by adults.Comes with:SuspendersRear connection point for adult positive control...

www.customgearmodifications.com

 

[Nine Banger]

Are there children’s saddles that they are using?

I instruct them to stand 10' away from the tree and chill until I get set up solo.

Then I go back down and check their rig (harness and fall arrestor) and then belay them as they climb on their own.

I give them the platform and their own tether and I stand on the last stick.