Hello from Texas

[ecfire1967]

I live in the DFW area but hunt in Oklahoma. I met a guy at my local archery shop who hunts from a saddle and swears by it. I'm seriously looking into this. My only concern is the comfort to hunt 3-4 hours in it. I like the idea of being able to move easily to get a shot. And to be right next to the tree. Any info to make this work better for me will be appreciated.


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[redsquirrel]

Welcome to the site!

You have to put the time into developing a system that you are comfortable with and that works for you. Everything you want is very possible. There are many of us who hunt all day in our saddles. There is lots of info on the site to get you started and feel free to ask any questions. You might not like it for your first few tries. You need to stick with it and allow your mind and body to adjust to something new that is unlike any way you have ever hunted before.

 

[ecfire1967]

Welcome to the site!

You have to put the time into developing a system that you are comfortable with and that works for you. Everything you want is very possible. There are many of us who hunt all day in our saddles. There is lots of info on the site to get you started and feel free to ask any questions. You might not like it for your first few tries. You need to stick with it and allow your mind and body to adjust to something new that is unlike any way you have ever hunted before.

Thank you for your input. I'm a technical rescue specialist with Fort Worth for department. I've been trained to the tech level. I'm very comfortable with ropes and harnesses etc. that being said the one thing I know in life is what I don't know. I've never hunted one of the systems and I'm looking forward to developing something that suits me. I'll talk to the gentleman who was 6'6" in height and weighs 250 pounds. He said that's the only way that he will hunt from now on. He said he never gets busted while on stand.


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[DwadeCham]

Thank you for your input. I'm a technical rescue specialist with Fort Worth for department. I've been trained to the tech level. I'm very comfortable with ropes and harnesses etc. that being said the one thing I know in life is what I don't know. I've never hunted one of the systems and I'm looking forward to developing something that suits me. I'll talk to the gentleman who was 6'6" in height and weighs 250 pounds. He said that's the only way that he will hunt from now on. He said he never gets busted while on stand.


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I may not be the one you're talking about but I meet those dimensions!

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[ecfire1967]

I may not be the one you're talking about but I meet those dimensions!

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How does the tree saddle work for you? I have a full body rescue harness that I shot out of this afternoon in my backyard. It was awkward but I know it was different than a tree saddle


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[DwadeCham]

How does the tree saddle work for you? I have a full body rescue harness that I shot out of this afternoon in my backyard. It was awkward but I know it was different than a tree saddle


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It works awesome. This was my first year hunting out of a saddle. I had multiple deer within 5-10 yards of me. And I took a 10 point with a rifle and a deer with a bow which was my first.

I have an Aero Hunter. I hear the Guido's Web is great for guys our size but I don't want the bulk of it. The aero hunter is really comfy if you get it all dialed in. I honestly didn't do enough of it this past off season. I use three climbing sticks and I have aiders on the bottom two. I can get pretty close to thirty feet with that. I am looking at a method of climbing with one aider for the next season and rapelling down.

I am happy to answer any questions and G2, Ernie, and Red Squirrel are pretty much responsible for my successful transition to this style of hunting.

I won't be going back. If you are my size, which I am assuming you are, it is quite liberating. I hated tree stands. They were so limiting due to my size. I can move around the tree and I am not crammed into a stand with restricted space to move. It has really been awesome. My only concern was safety and I have never felt unsafe. You will be miles ahead of me there because of your job. I had some limited rock climbing and rapelling experience but not a lot.

Let me know any way I can help.

Wade



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[huck72412]

Just find yourself a leather Trophyline tree saddle. That's all you need!!!!

 

[IkemanTX]

I live in the DFW area but hunt in Oklahoma. I met a guy at my local archery shop who hunts from a saddle and swears by it. I'm seriously looking into this. My only concern is the comfort to hunt 3-4 hours in it. I like the idea of being able to move easily to get a shot. And to be right next to the tree. Any info to make this work better for me will be appreciated.


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If you are in the DFW area, and got pointed to this site, I'm betting it was @Scoutman who made the recommendation. I think he and I are the only two on here from DFW. I am in my second season of using a saddle.
EDIT: I missed the physical description of the guy, that's not Scoutman. Cool to know that there's more saddle users close by.

My first season was a homemade saddle made from two Molle waist belts

And this next season will be primarily out of my new modified Sit and Drag.

The Sit and Drag won't be quite as comfortable as my original saddle, and definitely not as comfortable as a commercial one (guido's web, trophyline, aero hunter, etc...)
But, it should easily do multi hour sits once I get it dialed in. I did a couple all day sits in my original Molle saddle this past season and found it much more comfortable than a stand.


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[ecfire1967]

It works awesome. This was my first year hunting out of a saddle. I had multiple deer within 5-10 yards of me. And I took a 10 point with a rifle and a deer with a bow which was my first.

I have an Aero Hunter. I hear the Guido's Web is great for guys our size but I don't want the bulk of it. The aero hunter is really comfy if you get it all dialed in. I honestly didn't do enough of it this past off season. I use three climbing sticks and I have aiders on the bottom two. I can get pretty close to thirty feet with that. I am looking at a method of climbing with one aider for the next season and rapelling down.

I am happy to answer any questions and G2, Ernie, and Red Squirrel are pretty much responsible for my successful transition to this style of hunting.

I won't be going back. If you are my size, which I am assuming you are, it is quite liberating. I hated tree stands. They were so limiting due to my size. I can move around the tree and I am not crammed into a stand with restricted space to move. It has really been awesome. My only concern was safety and I have never felt unsafe. You will be miles ahead of me there because of your job. I had some limited rock climbing and rapelling experience but not a lot.

Let me know any way I can help.

Wade



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I'm 6'1" 200 lbs. I figured if a guy your size was comfortable it would work for me. Thanks for the info. Good stuff


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[MCDM]

Welcome to the site! As Red initially pointed too due to the individuality of this style of hunting each individual has to put some time in to develop their system. Since you have skill with ropes etc. you already have a good foundation. Try to search the site as alot of guys are using some modified equipment however if your looking for a great starter system to get an introduction or a feel for this look into a newtribe evolution or guidos web. If the price deters you look into the classfieds here and on ebay for a trophyline tree saddle or anderson sling. On another note I would say don't look at the cost and if you do compare it to a high end climber. The cost of a starter system could run around $400 but alot less if you go some of the routes some of us have taken. The tradeoffs outweigh it all i.e. Portability, weight, options of areas to hunt, and of course mobility in the tree. Welcome again!!!