Saddle Hunting - Who knew

[IslandStorm62]

Okay, I can chime in on this, as someone who tried out saddle hunting for the first time last year....

Get good stuff round 1, then practice the hanging steps, climbing, shooting. I could have saved a lot of time and had a lot more practice with what I ended up using if I had done that. I did still get a few sets hung in late archery, and it works. It's actually fun and comfy once you get it dialed in.

Don't let the naysayers get ya down!

Feel free to PM me, too.

Thanks Spur, Good Advice.
     I am not necessarily going to go cheap, but at the same time I am not buying the Cadillac of Saddles.  If I can find good used equipment, then I'll go that route, but I am not willing to waste months sorting through classifieds.  In any case, I haven't been to the casino all last year so, just reallocating the expenses 

Thanks again and safe hunting.

[ribka]

I have always been curious how it is to actually shoot from one.

I used a tree saddle bowhunting in the 80's and 90's in conjunction with screw in tree steps .  It took some getting used too and not the best to shoot from. Not the same mobility shooting like a portable platform stand. And sitting more than a few hours was not comfortable. My butt would go numb. I never got above 12 to 13 feet. Getting in and out was not the safest. I shot a few deer out of it.  It was good sneaking near bedding areas for a quick silent elevated hunting set up.

I think a good light weight portable stand like a lone wolf much better and safer. Definitely better for young skinny  guys .

[vandeman17]

I have always been curious how it is to actually shoot from one.

I used a tree saddle bowhunting in the 80's and 90's in conjunction with screw in tree steps .  It took some getting used too and not the best to shoot from. Not the same mobility shooting like a portable platform stand. And sitting more than a few hours was not comfortable. My butt would go numb. I never got above 12 to 13 feet. Getting in and out was not the safest. I shot a few deer out of it.  It was good sneaking near bedding areas for a quick silent elevated hunting set up.

I think a good light weight portable stand like a lone wolf much better and safer. Definitely better for young skinny  guys .

I agree on the portable stand and I prefer lean not skinny 

[IslandStorm62]

I have always been curious how it is to actually shoot from one.

I used a tree saddle bowhunting in the 80's and 90's in conjunction with screw in tree steps . 
I think a good light weight portable stand like a lone wolf much better and safer. Definitely better for young skinny  guys .

Videos make it look simple, might be there have been much improvements since the 80s  At least, I would hope so.

[KFhunter]

This vid convinced me, 360 degrees shooting.

High dollar option here.  North of 5 bills.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

I got myself the Tethrd Phantom saddle set up for a xmas gift to me.  Never done saddle hunting but I wanted a more mobile, lightweight set up that I could hunt two or three trees a day.  I haven't gotten the gear out of the box yet because I'm waiting to buy some climbing sticks and possibly a climbing aider (strap style-super light) All in all the total weight shouldn't exceed 12lbs or so, and the saddle is always around the waist while walking/hiking. 
As a  bowhunter I watched some of the Hunting Public youtube vids and saw how they changed locations on a dime to get close to bedding or trails the morning of, never having hunted there before these guys got on top of nice bucks. 

Next season will be my first season in this rig and if I remember, I'll give feedback on this style of hunting.  I got the Tethrd platform to stay comfortable too.  I know it seems like lots of money but less than my out of state deer tag in Idaho last season + fuel costs and far less than Idaho NR elk/deer two seasons ago.  That's how I can justify the money part.  My wife never understands this type of justification.   

[KFhunter]

I used to climb trees logging, high stumping and some arborist work.

Thinking about climbing spurs, but after seeing the vid I think the platform is necessary.  Thinking hook on the spurs, zip up the tree, hang the platform, tether in, take off spurs and hang up, hunt

Put on spurs, take off platform, climb down, onto next tree.

I don't like screw in steps, and ladder sticks suck to pack




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[IslandStorm62]

I tried a set of spurs back around 1990.  They weren't mine but I needed to get up a tall pine to get a rope around it in order to help guide its fall.  The spurs were not very comfortable.  Never tried climbing sticks.  They do look easy.  I am thinking Hawks Helium. I would like the mini 20", since they appear easier to transport, but the distance between steps is 18".  I think the 30" step has a 13 1/5" distance between steps (got the measurements from Hunting Farmer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69mgUN6l-iI

So being vertically challenged, I have to go with the bigger Hawks Helium, to get a smaller step  go figure.

[NiteHawk]

I hunt with a saddle and have modified my gear with the intention of being as light as possible. Here's this list:

1) Saddle - I have a Tethrd mantis.

2) Tether/Rope - If I have a tree that I am planning to use multiple times I will use about a 25ft tether. This allows me to rappel down at the end of a hunt. I leave it in the tree for quick climbing next time. For run and gun I'll use about a 10ft tether which eliminates the rappelling option but eliminates the weight of 15ft of rope.

3) Climbing Method - I use two aiders. First one will get me up about 6 feet. The second will get me up another 6 feet. After placing the second I hang using the saddle and detach the aider and reset it up higher until I am at hunting height. If i'm trying to be light I will only bring one aider and it will take me longer to climb.

4) Platform - I use strap on tree steps. I use one at 0 degrees and another at 180 degrees on the tree. This provides plenty of options to place your feet. https://northwoodsoutlet.com/product/primal-hunting-strap-on-v-tree-step-6pk/

5) Climbing Gear - Petzl Grigri to attach to the tether. This acts as a very easy to use prusik knot and locks in place when hanging. This is the tool that I use to rappel when using my long tether. I do use a ropeman 1 to adjust the bridge but this isn't really necessary. I always bring an extra carabiner or two.

Saddles are a great lightweight hunting tool. You can modify your set up quite a bit for you type of preferred climbing and hunting tactic.