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Saddle Hunting 101 - The Saddle Hunter Podcast

@Cajunshooter I guess Imight go through that much trouble to set up if I really thought I was going to shoot a nice buck from that tree. When I’m hunting a run ang gun situation I don’t do much trimming. When you originally posted it sounded like hunting from a saddle in general was taking a significant amount of time to setup. You obviously couldn’t have hunted that tree from a climber. How long do you think it would have taken you to setup that tree with a hang on tree stand? Sounds like you picked a booger of a tree in a hopefully awesome location and made it work. I could see that taking a while.

That premise was purely assumed. I've made no comparison hunting out of anything else. You could not have set anything else up in this tree. You simply would not set up a hangon on a young 5 inch diameter tree. Also this tree was right on the very edge of a 15 foot deep creek, so you couldn't even set up a lean to and face the right direction. I could have chosen other trees but then I wouldn't have had the multiple shot direction I has with this one.

I have chosen to hunt with a saddle because of the versatility it gives me, not because it's easier or quicker to set up. I literally have thousands of choices in spots to hunt now. I could never pre-prepare for that.



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I know what you mean about possible places to preset. On private land I hunt here I can do presets but on public deer get bumped around so much along with food sources changing that last weeks scouting trip may not mean much by this weekend. If you hunt a property long enough and get to know it there will always be places that just continue to draw deer year after year. Those are worth presets.
 
Podcasts are great. But I think a video follow up to what you talk about is even better. For those of us still learning a video showing you setting up your method using the climbing terms shows us what your actually talking about.

As both red and G2 know I've texted them questions to help me get rolling in this. I think a really good price minded set up is what is lacking for newbies like me.

From the outside looking in saddle hunting can seem overwhelming. Talk about simplifying it with a basic list of what you need and why.

Yea, and not the video where you video yourself. Have someone video from another tree while the saddle hunter speaks aND demonstrates what, how, why when.
This could simplify for others to try.
Also do a video on the different saddles and their adjustments and the +\- about each.
 
I know what you mean about possible places to preset. On private land I hunt here I can do presets but on public deer get bumped around so much along with food sources changing that last weeks scouting trip may not mean much by this weekend. If you hunt a property long enough and get to know it there will always be places that just continue to draw deer year after year. Those are worth presets.

I do hunt private that only myself and my two boys and FIL hunt. I have blinds and strapons set up in quite a few places but once we start hunting the deer, especially the mature bucks change their patterns.


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Here are some.

You hike a long ways in and realize you lost your tether. If you turn back to find it immediately you'll more than likely blow the hunt. What do you do?

You climb the tree get tethered in and drop your linemens belt after you unhook it. How do you safely unhook your tether?

What's the maximum and minimum size tree you'd recommend?

You go hunting and your wife texts "when will you be in?" what's your response?
 
My thought on this would be to do a panel discussion with guys who do different systems and have them talk about what they are using and why and what it cost to get going. This could be a GW, TL, Aero saddle panel discussion and then a second panel discussion on climbing methods different guys use - pros and cons how each prioritized weight vs speed vs stealth etc. and I would do an interview with one of the new Saddlehunters on their search process how they got here and how it has gone so far. Maybe a post season check in to see what they learned first season in - topics like getting comfortable, practicing, hunting stories (hopefully a harvest story) and how their strategy changed because of the saddle and so on.....


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Great podcast fellas! Just listened to it and excited to see this thing flourish like I know it will.

Maybe a small segment with someone that knows how to stitch/ thread inject. I have no issues with making accessories but don't trust myself with stitching webbing that with support my weight. Some help in knowing how to create load bearing stitches would be awesome.


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After thinking about this more for the new guys I think you should do a series of short podcasts. No bs session in them straight to the point and just a few minutes each. I would do these for safety, emergency situations, how to check knots, ropes and straps ex. That way for new guys they don't have to try to remember which pod cast the info was in.

There's an educational learning curve to all of this. I'm new to it this year and as a guy that had no experience with rock climbing or arborist harnesses the forum can appear overwhelming. From the outside looking in safety is a big concern.

Another topic that would be good is to get a company like newtribe and wildedge both in the same podcast and talk about offering a complete ready to hunt system to get started in.
 
I would ask how do you guys set up your bow in the tree and also your pack. I feel with bow and pack on tree, I cannot walk around the tree very well. My tree attachment always hits bow. and my legs hit pack if I go the other way. Please help with this. thanks.
 
I would ask how do you guys set up your bow in the tree and also your pack. I feel with bow and pack on tree, I cannot walk around the tree very well. My tree attachment always hits bow. and my legs hit pack if I go the other way. Please help with this. thanks.

JPetir I just hang everything on a strap with hooks wrapped around the tree at about eye level. Maybe you're not hanging far enough away from the tree? When I stand up my head is probably about 2 feet away from the trunk of the tree. In other words I'm leaning back away from the tree at maybe a 30 degree angle.


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maybe I just need to put bow closer to the tree instead of a longer bow hanger. I just like not having to worry about moving bow much to shoot. I understand you are away from tree but if I try to go around tree, the tether will hit the bow or the bow gets in the way, maybe im putting bow to high.
 
Not sure if it was mentioned,but tree prep l. Ie. Platform orientation, limb or don't limb certain locations. I set up some trees in the winter and am hunting one now. Beng a novice. I did not set it up properly. I limited myself due to excessive limbs on the tree and didn't trim lanes properly.
 
We're are about to record episode 2 of The Saddle Hunter Podcast. We'll be talking about the basics of Saddle Hunting and trying to answer as many questions as possible that new Saddle Hunters might have.

We need your help.

Please post here your questions, and things you believe should be addressed in a Saddle Hunting 101 episode! THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS!

Thanks in advance.
With your years of experience please address the most mobile climbing tools as well as platforms for public land and, pre setting locations, is it worth the risk of getting your stuff stolen? Thanks for doing the podcast looking forward to it.
 
Maybe this is a silly series of questions...

What is the overall point of doing the podcasts? What are your goals in doing them?

Although your specific target audience may change depending on the topic of the day, who is your general audience?

I spend most of my time during the week trying to figure out the most effective way to communicate a point to people who may or may not know they need to understand it, or want to. knowing the answer to those two questions will help give some feedback on how to structure and topics to cover.

If the end game is exposure (for any number of reasons), you should be filming the podcast recording sessions. They may tie in nicely later with video follow ups on specific topics...
 
Also,

I think interviewing members here for 10-15 minutes to discuss their specific hunting styles/techniques would be a nice addition. I learn a lot from other folks telling me what they do, not what I should do.
 
@kyler1945

What is the overall point of doing the podcasts? To help the Saddle Nation get better at our craft and to recruit new members.
What are your goals in doing them? The goal is to entertain and educate people about Saddle Hunting.
Although your specific target audience may change depending on the topic of the day, who is your general audience? Hunters that use a tree saddle, or are considering using one.
If the end game is exposure (for any number of reasons), you should be filming the podcast recording sessions. They may tie in nicely later with video follow ups on specific topics. Completely agree. We'll get there.
 
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