Gonna give saddle hunting a try this year

[dlist777]

I'm always trying to change things up for variety and to find more efficient set ups.  I'm going to try hunting out of a saddle this year.  I've been playing around with different set ups and climbing methods.  I'm mainly interested in a saddle for its mobility, the cover of setting up facing a tree, and the flexibility in shooting 360 degrees.  I'm going to use the Kestrel Flex as my saddle along with a podium platform.  LW sticks with a moveable aider is going to be my climbing system for new spots and I'm pre-setting sticks on private land.  

Here is a video that closely resembles my planned set up:  https://www.bowhunter.com/editorial/tree-saddle-demo-climb-with-aider-use/361465  . 

The only differences are I don't mess with ozonics and my aider cinches around the foot and hooks into loops set on each stick via a caribeaner so (imho) less chance of dropping it.  I'm using 3 of the 32 inch sticks rather than 4 of the shorties like this guy does.  Also, I'm using the podium platform (rather than the predator) with some steps set up on the strap so I can walk around the tree.

Here is a good video explaining how to shoot out of a saddle:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE9QMEuB2y0

If you're interested, join saddle hunter and check out  you tube videos by G2 outdoors.  I still have my Millenium M60u to use with my sticks if saddle hunting doesn't work out.  I'll post up a review after season and let you know how it worked out for me.  

Edited June 17, 2019 by dlist777

[nmc02]

It looks neat, but only advantages I see are the gear is a little lighter. It looks like it takes a long time to get set up and coming down the tree in dark would be challenging. With all the innovative, lightweight climbers....why a saddle? I am ignorant in regards to this method and may be completely wrong. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!!

[dlist777]

9 minutes ago, nmc02 said:

It looks neat, but only advantages I see are the gear is a little lighter. It looks like it takes a long time to get set up and coming down the tree in dark would be challenging. With all the innovative, lightweight climbers....why a saddle? I am ignorant in regards to this method and may be completely wrong. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!!

I think the advantages vs. a climber are (1) versatility (you can go around branches; don't need a telephone poll tree)...more comparable to a run-and-gun hang on set; (2) concealment, I feel like you have less chance of being picked out because you can put the tree between you and deer although I really won't know this for sure until I use it for a season (3) 360 shooting.  

The main con is probably comfort.  I can sit for 12 hours in my TreeWalker climber stands; getting comfortable in the saddle takes a lot of tinkering.  

I'm not selling my climber or run-and-gun hang on yet....

[nmc02]

Keep us posted... interested to hear your results 

[hammer4reel]

I hunted out of a saddle for Many years when younger .

Used a lot less equipment than your showing. 

You may think your going to shoot 360 but they are not going to let you move around the tree without detection .

Once planted you only can shoot about 90 degrees. 

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Just using a light hang  on with sticks gives you a lot more mobility .

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[dlist777]

20 minutes ago, hammer4reel said:

I hunted out of a saddle for Many years when younger .

Used a lot less equipment than your showing. 

You may think your going to shoot 360 but they are not going to let you move around the tree without detection .

Once planted you only can shoot about 90 degrees. 

.

Just using a light hang  on with sticks gives you a lot more mobility .

. 

I guess we'll see.  Maybe things have changed since you did it.  You definitely don't need to move "around the tree" to shoot 360 w/ a platform.  Watch G2's video (2nd link above). If I find I can only shoot 90 degrees, I'll definitely switch back to a hang on.  

[hunterbob1]

20 minutes ago, hammer4reel said:

I hunted out of a saddle for Many years when younger

I looked for a tree I could climb,with a nice crotch.

Can't believe I sat there 8 hours and MY saddle didn't hurt

[Whitetail31]

You will love saddle hunting. I am on my second season in a saddle opens up so many more options.  Check our saddle hunter.com

[dlist777]

6 minutes ago, Whitetail31 said:

You will love saddle hunting. I am on my second season in a saddle opens up so many more options.  Check our saddle hunter.com

I joined.  It's a great site with tons of guys who have done really extensive YouTube videos for beginners.  Do you do it with just a bow?  Or gun too?  

[NJ Predator]

Looks like too much work. I mean it's good I suppose from going from tree to tree but it seems a little too long to set up as well. Either way, good luck with it this year.

[thefirstndsecond]

Not for me no way.

I like my climber and ladder stands.

 

Good luck.

[hammer4reel]

5 hours ago, dlist777 said:

I guess we'll see.  Maybe things have changed since you did it.  You definitely don't need to move "around the tree" to shoot 360 w/ a platform.  Watch G2's video (2nd link above). If I find I can only shoot 90 degrees, I'll definitely switch back to a hang on.  

watch the video and use the tree as 1200 , as if set up to use the tree as cover.

You cant shoot from 12 to 5 at all because the saddle is in the way,

to shoot from 5 to 8 you have to spin totally around having the saddle twist around you when using a platform.

from 8 to 11 you have comfortable draw and shot opportunity.

so in order to shoot those other spots you have to move around the tree.

the G2 video shows you that very well. 

saddle hunting is not new. guys have been doing it for decades.

many versions of its use without a platform.

he even talks about wringing the tree in his video. we used to do that to swing around the tree to allow more shot opportunities, gave you a spot to reset your feet.

have done it using a linemans saddle , tree saddle ( was an arborist for almost a decade) and actually liked the Anderson sling best as it was the most comfortable.

Todays saddles are even more comfortable, but they are also way bulkier.

you can do just about everything he is doing with the bulky saddle  with a rock climbing harness, and IMO it would be more out of the way while on that small platform for ease of more shot choice..

 

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Edited June 17, 2019 by hammer4reel

[Lunatic]

I don’t see how a set of climbing sticks and a good hang on could not accomplish what you are after, with much more comfort and much easier 360 shot capability, but I do admire your chase of something new and I can’t wait for your final report

good luck 

Edited June 17, 2019 by Lunatic

[Whitetail31]

I hunt both gun and bow.  The only time I use a stand is if its really really cold and I need my iwom.  It’s by far the best way to hunt.

[The Field Archer]

I ordered a Kite saddle, also trying it. I used to use climbing spurs on private in the late 80's, didn't use a saddle back then.