Anybody gone back to mobile stands?

[Plebe]

The webbing is really heavy duty you can leave hanging by your sticks it doesn't really move unless you have high winds or roll it up and put in your pack the instructions say. It definitely works I'm really happy with it.

Might get one for my Dad then. I'd rather he have a full descent to ground if something went awry

He doesn't venture far, so the weight isn't an issue. Don't think he'd like it dangling, but rolled in a pouch would be acceptable.

 

[bowhunterchuck]

Adding a few stands to my arsenal

Both stands are 7.5 pounds. Hawke Heliums are 15 pounds ? Going to be hard to beat my ESS and ros.
Bowhunterchuck


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[BuffaloBill]

I am starting to question why I saddle hunt.
1. My saddle hunting set up weighs 4 lbs more then my .75.
2. Any tree I can hunt with my saddle I can hunt with my .75. Their are trees I can hunt with my .75 that I cannot hunt with a saddle set up.
3. I move less in a stand. Warmer in cold weather. Drier when it rains, I use a tree umbrella.
New Wolf Pack is on my list.

I not a fan of some of this guys early videos. But IMO he is spot on in this one.

Social media has kind of romanticized saddle hunting. I think it’s a big reason that it’s blown up the way it has. I think movement for me is a big issue in a saddle.
I’ve been looking at the new XOP Gamma TS. I think it would make a good system with my Helo or Vanish. Has built in pockets and straps to strap down your sticks to the stand.

 

[Plebe]

Social media has kind of romanticized saddle hunting. I think it’s a big reason that it’s blown up the way it has. I think movement for me is a big issue in a saddle.
I’ve been looking at the new XOP Gamma TS. I think it would make a good system with my Helo or Vanish. Has built in pockets and straps to strap down your sticks to the stand.

Certainly if you can't hunt effectively from a saddle you're going to feel oversold. I wonder about the others who have found significant advantages from pursuing saddle hunting though. They're just lying to themselves?

Nothing wrong with hunting from a stand. Doesn't mean saddles aren't great for those they're great for. I use both...and together.

 

[ShooterMike]

I feel safer and more secure in a saddle when taking a shot, than standing up on a platform. I like having a rope under tension that I can work off of, rather than having to standup and lean over.

That said, going forward I’ll be using a crossbow, and taking seated shots will be more feasible. For that matter I’ll be using a few ladder stands at some of the places I hunt.

For a mobile setup, I don’t think there is a better option than a saddle for shooting 360* around the tree your in. And for some trees, there’s just no way to get a climber up them, and I just don’t like lock-on stands.


Semper Fi,
Mike

 

[raisins]

Social media has kind of romanticized saddle hunting. I think it’s a big reason that it’s blown up the way it has. I think movement for me is a big issue in a saddle.
I’ve been looking at the new XOP Gamma TS. I think it would make a good system with my Helo or Vanish. Has built in pockets and straps to strap down your sticks to the stand.

unavoidable movement to get into position or avoidable movement like swinging or both?

 

[Lucky13]

I feel like I move less in a saddle. When I do move its more of a controlled slow slide from side to side. I have a 1.0, .75, and .5. Last year I grabbed my saddle and the fix 85% of the time. If you have a saddle the fits correctly and comfortable then I don't see how someone would go 100% back to mobile stands. I did a 12 hour sit last Fall in my saddle and killed a nice buck at last light... I may have been able to sit that long on my .75 but I know I would have moved around all day. I find more comfortable positions and can sit longer without moving in a saddle over a lock-on. Years ago I had a Viper.. it was comfortable but sucked hauling in and out. Plus, finding a climber friendly tree is a handicap. My point is, Maybe there is an argument of comfort sitting in a summit viper all day compared to a saddle but that's not really a fair comparison.
I fought all the social media hype regarding saddle hunting. I didn't want or think I'd like it. That came mainly from not understanding how I'd be able to shoot out of one and all the bad reviews of over half the saddles on the market but WOW was I blown away after my first hunt using one. Saddle hunting has been the biggest strategy improvement I've ever had in bowhunting. More than switching to sticks and lock-ons 15+ years ago, more than anything.

 

[BuffaloBill]

Certainly if you can't hunt effectively from a saddle you're going to feel oversold. I wonder about the others who have found significant advantages from pursuing saddle hunting though. They're just lying to themselves?

Nothing wrong with hunting from a stand. Doesn't mean saddles aren't great for those they're great for. I use both...and together.

Yeah I don’t think I’m getting rid of my saddle setup. Been there done that ha. It just seems like some people have dumped a bunch of money into saddle hunting because some influencer called it a “game changer.” It’s easy to spend time and money going down the rabbit hole just to end up back where you started because you realized it didn’t really increase the amount of meat in your freezer.

unavoidable movement to get into position or avoidable movement like swinging or both?

A little of both. I got a backband to try for this season.

 

[Plebe]

Yeah I don’t think I’m getting rid of my saddle setup. Been there done that ha. It just seems like some people have dumped a bunch of money into saddle hunting because some influencer called it a “game changer.” It’s easy to spend time and money going down the rabbit hole just to end up back where you started because you realized it didn’t really increase the amount of meat in your freezer.

No argument there.

What’s funny to me is Khunert’s LW Assassin platform was commercially rather unsuccessful. Then I watched those same platforms passing hands on classifieds for hundreds over retail…before the Youtube influencers really popularized saddlehunting. For a long time JE was the only saddlehunting personality I was aware of. I think AH did a lot for making saddlehunting viable for those who were window shopping, like me.

I almost bought a Khunert’s Assassin when they were in brick and mortar shops on a numerous occasions. I really wanted one. But I wasn’t rich, I was strong enough to haul LW climbers all over the mountains, and frankly I was a bit unsure of their harness. But when AH brought legit hunting saddles to market, I was sorely disappointed the LW platforms were no longer available. (As I remember it, those were discontinued around the same time LOK- On shut down and Timbertall). So it was some time for me before I could get everything for the saddle setup I had been wanting for some time.…and then the .5 was released

Still, on public lands, I probably have more bucks from the ground than anything else.

 

[BuffaloBill]

No argument there.

What’s funny to me is Khunert’s LW Assassin platform was commercially rather unsuccessful. Then I watched those same platforms passing hands on classifieds for hundreds over retail…before the Youtube influencers really popularized saddlehunting. For a long time JE was the only saddlehunting personality I was aware of. I think AH did a lot for making saddlehunting viable for those who were window shopping, like me.

I almost bought a Khunert’s Assassin when they were in brick and mortar shops on a numerous occasions. I really wanted one. But I wasn’t rich, I was strong enough to haul LW climbers all over the mountains, and frankly I was a bit unsure of their harness. But when AH brought legit hunting saddles to market, I was sorely disappointed the LW platforms were no longer available. (As I remember it, those were discontinued around the same time LOK- On shut down and Timbertall). So it was some time for me before I could get everything for the saddle setup I had been wanting for some time.…and then the .5 was released

Still, on public lands, I probably have more bucks from the ground than anything else.

What do you use when you sit on the ground?

 

[ImThere]

If I had climbers locked to straight trees in the woods where I wanted to hunt, sure I’d go back. Hard to beat a summit in the right conditions
I think I saddle hunt more because I can hunt where I need to instead of where I can.

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[GeoFish]

I have the old style LWCG backpack straps and waist belt on a .75.
I am looking at the new style LWCG straps with load lifters.
Do you think the upgrade is worth the change?
I know their are fancier options, but I am trying to keep it somewhat minimalist.

 

[GeoFish]

Good video to watch.
I found it interesting to see the type of trees Dan gets in. I need to get out of those TP trees.

 

[Plebe]

What do you use when you sit on the ground?

Mostly, I've leaned against trees, stood in bushes, still hunted, and went on the track. I had a fleece covered sit pad at one time that was a decent option not requiring any special plan.

I hunt less from the ground these days.

 

[Kevin2]

I went back to a mobile stand about 12 years ago. However, the saddles back then were clunky and heavy. I then went to a rock climbing harness as a way to saddle hunt using my lock ons and climbers. It wasn't as nice as the saddles of today, but it was better than the Guidos Web saddle I hunted out of years ago. I went back to full saddle hunting 3 years ago, but quickly went back to a .5 LWCG stand and using my Latitude Method 2. I just don't like leaning for long sits, and that stand allows me to sit, stand, and full saddle hunt in one day. My favorite way to hunt I've tried in 43 years of bow hunting!

I do lean with bow in hand OR bow resting on my bridge the last couple hours of a hunt OR the opening 2 hours of a morning hunt, as it is obviously more versatile while in full saddle leaning mode.

 

[Spartan]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here.

You don't have to pick one or the other. There's a strong implication when people so often say such things as "switching to x" or "going back to x".

You don't have to choose between saddle or stand. Have them both in your arsenal.

I use everything. And I pick which system I use based on the situation. Saddle, hang-on stands, ladder stands, box blinds, pop-up blinds, ghillie suits on the ground, and on and on.

To me, it's like saying you bought a new ratchet set, so now you're going to toss all of your box wrenches...because you're a ratchet man now

Different tool. Different jobs. Different pros/cons. Different results.

 

[Loopwing]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here.

You don't have to pick one or the other. There's a strong implication when people so often say such things as "switching to x" or "going back to x".

You don't have to choose between saddle or stand. Have them both in your arsenal.

I use everything. And I pick which system I use based on the situation. Saddle, hang-on stands, ladder stands, box blinds, pop-up blinds, ghillie suits on the ground, and on and on.

To me, it's like saying you bought a new ratchet set, so now you're going to toss all of your box wrenches...because you're a ratchet man now

Different tool. Different jobs. Different pros/cons. Different results.

I have been screaming this also, I have never just used a Philips head screw driver to do anything. It usually takes many different tools, and not all the tools are needed every time.

Use the stand, blind, saddle, bucket, bow, crossbow, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, or anything else legal you need to use to put the meat in the freezer.

 

[Maverick1]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here.

You don't have to pick one or the other. There's a strong implication when people so often say such things as "switching to x" or "going back to x".

You don't have to choose between saddle or stand. Have them both in your arsenal.

I use everything. And I pick which system I use based on the situation. Saddle, hang-on stands, ladder stands, box blinds, pop-up blinds, ghillie suits on the ground, and on and on.

To me, it's like saying you bought a new ratchet set, so now you're going to toss all of your box wrenches...because you're a ratchet man now

Different tool. Different jobs. Different pros/cons. Different results.

I have a treestand setup, a hybrid setup, and a saddle setup. It was a bit expensive to put three different systems together, but I like the flexibility.

 

[Kevin2]

1-Stick Hitch Climbing to various hunting saddle sets, .5 stand, 1 stick lean, OR old school lean to tree. Light-Lighter-LIGHTEST!
SRT to the same options above
Doubled Stationary Rope Technique (DSRT) to the same options
sticks and .5 Stand
Sticks to old school Millennium plush stand
NEW LWCG Crossover Climber with saddle (replaced LW Hand Climber)
Marc Anthony's The Real Deal Ghillie Suit via ground - killed a few deer recently this way, WHAT a rush!
OLD school ground hunt with just ground cover
ultimatepredatorgear.com Whitetail Deer Stalker Decoy on your bow Stalking!
Ground hunting is a rush IF you can pull it off. Just easy to get busted. GOT to be still LONG term!
MORE set ups is good AND fun!

I have a treestand setup, a hybrid setup, and a saddle setup. It was a bit expensive to put three different systems together, but I like the flexibility.

 

[GeoFish]

I have a treestand setup, a hybrid setup, and a saddle setup. It was a bit expensive to put three different systems together, but I like the flexibility.

That was my first thought too.
But the more I play with my .75 and Wolfpack. I am questioning why I need a saddle set up, big pack and EDP.
A saddle and the .75 in hybrid mode makes more sense.