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Post by deerhunter23 on Dec 2, 2019 20:12:45 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? Right there with ya buddy.
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Post by medic22 on Dec 2, 2019 20:16:32 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? It depends on your situation. For me, I hunt public land so my walks can be long, I also hunt a property that is mostly dwarf woods and crp. My entire set up to get up a tree weighs 10 pounds. I can climb faster and quieter than I can with a climber, and I can typically climb some pretty funky trees that a climber or a lock on wouldnt be suitable for, I can also climb smaller trees. More than once this year I climbed a tree that had 3 or more trunks and tucked up between them, I dont think its possible to find better cover than that.
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Post by 36fan on Dec 2, 2019 20:28:55 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? I like the idea of only having only having to buy one tree saddle, instead of a bunch of individual stands. But, my kids are young and it won't work to take them hunting with me.
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Post by welder on Dec 2, 2019 21:11:58 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? It depends on your situation. For me, I hunt public land so my walks can be long, I also hunt a property that is mostly dwarf woods and crp. My entire set up to get up a tree weighs 10 pounds. I can climb faster and quieter than I can with a climber, and I can typically climb some pretty funky trees that a climber or a lock on wouldnt be suitable for, I can also climb smaller trees. More than once this year I climbed a tree that had 3 or more trunks and tucked up between them, I dont think its possible to find better cover than that. Could you possibly post pictures? This is very interesting to me.
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Post by swilk on Dec 2, 2019 21:35:51 GMT -5
If there is a tree, where I want to hunt, that offers good cover and that I can get a loc on in I will choose the loc on. But, there are areas on my farm that those couple of criteria are not met. A saddle allows me to hunt trees I otherwise would not be able to.
That's on private ground.
On public ground, or other areas that guys hunt in a more run and gun style, there is nothing more versatile or easily carried than a saddle.
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Post by swilk on Dec 2, 2019 21:42:29 GMT -5
I can also "walk" around a tree making shooting in any direction a possibility. The black strap is a backband to add to the comfort and is easily dropped down and out of my way when it's time to shoot. You can lean. You can sit. Both are pretty comfortable...the weight is distributed between your feed, butt and back.
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Post by swetz on Dec 2, 2019 23:21:06 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? I like the idea of only having only having to buy one tree saddle, instead of a bunch of individual stands. But, my kids are young and it won't work to take them hunting with me. I'm not trying to convince you to use a saddle or anything, but I've seen a few guys use a tree saddle on the opposite side of a tree with their kid in a ladder stand. I haven't tried it, but they said it worked pretty well since they were facing the same direction and they could coach their kid.
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Post by swetz on Dec 2, 2019 23:35:21 GMT -5
I find this whole thread very interesting, I have never given any thought to saddle hunting. Is it really better than a climber? By no means am I being disrespectful, what are the pros and cons of this? So compared to a climber, you can use sticks and some other climbing methods to get in trees that a climber won't work in. You can also save some significant weight using a saddle even with sticks. Some of the big pros are mobility, ability to shoot a wider area around the tree, and you can sort of hide behind the tree as the deer come in. You can also just buy one saddle rather than multiple stands. Cons are learning curve and the amount of practice required. To be safe and efficient, you need to have your system down. I hunt private land, but I don't have an ATV or anything so it's a lot of work for me to drag out and setup a ladder stand. I'm pretty happy with my setup, but have a few other things I want to try.
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Post by (Not Ronald) Reagan on Dec 3, 2019 8:17:30 GMT -5
swilk do you use a platform? I can’t tell in the pics. For me, its just knowing that I have a shot on a deer from pretty much any angle and the whole time I’ve got the tree as cover. The vertical critical thing though is that over the summer I was playing around in the Tethrd mantis with a couple pro staff guys. While I was I had a seizure in the saddle... I never fell out of anything of that nature, it kept me balanced and I stayed upright. If I was in a tree stand without a harness, I’d probably be dead. If I was in one with a harness, there’s a chance that I would suffocate to death from hanging the way that you do for too long. You can’t fall out of them which is really the best and most amazing part IMO
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Post by swilk on Dec 3, 2019 9:57:42 GMT -5
I have the predator platform but in that picture i was using 4 bolts around the tree.... not sure which way I prefer yet.
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Post by (Not Ronald) Reagan on Dec 3, 2019 11:48:37 GMT -5
I have the predator platform but in that picture i was using 4 bolts around the tree.... not sure which way I prefer yet. I’ll have to do that with one of my trees and see how it goes
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Post by welder on Dec 3, 2019 12:38:15 GMT -5
I can also "walk" around a tree making shooting in any direction a possibility. The black strap is a backband to add to the comfort and is easily dropped down and out of my way when it's time to shoot. You can lean. You can sit. Both are pretty comfortable...the weight is distributed between your feed, butt and back. Do your feet get tired?
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Post by swilk on Dec 3, 2019 12:57:41 GMT -5
Of course ... but no more so than standing in a treestand. You can "sit" in the saddle at any time and take mostly all the pressure off of your feet too.
I will say a person doesnt want to stand like this in tennis shoes or boots without proper support ... the surface you are standing on is not that big and in the wrong kind of shoes will create pressure points in a hurry.
I plan on tweaking more and more before next year .... this style of hunting has merit for me and I think with a little work it can be made to be more comfortable than most treestands.
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Post by (Not Ronald) Reagan on Dec 3, 2019 13:18:05 GMT -5
welder knee pads are also a great idea for a while to lean up against a tree, but it’s whatever works for you. Just takes time to figure it out
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Post by swilk on Dec 3, 2019 14:32:04 GMT -5
I prefer a skinny tree so my knees easily slide on each side without the need for knee pads...
Ymmv.
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jh47
Junior Member
Posts: 48
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Post by jh47 on Dec 3, 2019 15:19:41 GMT -5
People use several different methods for their platform at hunting height. You can search for options on Youtube if you want to see some. Lots of videos out there. I ran across a guy on Facebook that makes a 3"x12" step that will replace the top stop of several climbing sticks. I ordered one for my Muddy pro sticks. It helps a lot and it eliminates one more item such as a platform that I have to carry. Here's a video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ctXbVEgzsYou may have to copy and paste it in your browser.
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Post by 36fan on Dec 5, 2019 9:19:48 GMT -5
I like the idea of only having only having to buy one tree saddle, instead of a bunch of individual stands. But, my kids are young and it won't work to take them hunting with me. I'm not trying to convince you to use a saddle or anything, but I've seen a few guys use a tree saddle on the opposite side of a tree with their kid in a ladder stand. I haven't tried it, but they said it worked pretty well since they were facing the same direction and they could coach their kid. I have thought about that. I've got a couple of stands where I put a hang on next to a single seat ladder stand.
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Post by jman46151 on Apr 17, 2020 13:43:58 GMT -5
I picked up a Aerohunter Flex a few weeks ago and am currently waiting on my Predator platform to be delivered. Can't wait to try it out.
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Post by parkerbow on Apr 17, 2020 15:50:27 GMT -5
I just ordered an H2 saddle and a triad bridge. I will be using the one stick method this year and the will be rappelling back down the tree when I remove my one stick. Very light and efficient for long treks on public and very mobile and safe.
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Post by jman46151 on Apr 17, 2020 15:59:05 GMT -5
I just ordered an H2 saddle and a triad bridge. I will be using the one stick method this year and the will be rappelling back down the tree when I remove my one stick. Very light and efficient for long treks on public and very mobile and safe. I'm just starting out with this thing but it seems like the one stick method is a lot more work to actually climb? Personally I would rather carry the extra weight of sticks than having to work hard to get to hunting height.
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