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So, why?

L

lpv77

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
418
Did you all go the route of the saddle? Myself, I always like to try something new. I also hate lugging 30-40# on my back.
I don't particularly hunt very far. My farthest stand is about a mile. There I have a hang on. I did prep other trees this year for saddle use. I just hope I can pull off an all day sit in it.
I am also a tinkerer like most of you.
 
I started using a saddle for the stealth. In my area theft is a major problem and unfortunately ANYTHING left in the woods seems to be fair game for other so called "hunters" to use or take. So being less conspicuous to others really appealed to me. Carrying less weight and the ability to hunt almost any tree is also a plus.
 
I started hunting late in life around 30 (43 now) and hadn't had a deer within bow range in about my first 3-4 seasons out of a climber stand. I forget what turned me on to the saddle....All I know is the very first hunt in my tree saddle, I took my first deer. Smooth sailing ever since

Remembering hiding behind the tree from that little buck and his girlfriends "well I guess Ill just lean out here and draw" makes me laugh
(first time shooting out of it too :blush:)

it was eye opening though. Ive stopped trying to convince my lifelong hunter friends...they are too set in their ways
 
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I am new to the saddle this year. I have been hunting from a climber for 15 years. I am sick of hunting for trees. Been playing with my new Kestrel and love it so far. My first hunt out of it will be this Sunday. I have been waiting for the saddle to hunt this spot because there is not a tree that I can get into with out the saddle. I will keep you posted
 
What first drew me to the saddle was the ability to get into almost any tree or location. I live in the South Jersey Pines and the number of straight trees without a ton of branches could be counted on one hand. The second being able to set up multiple locations and take the saddle with you when you left. After losing a couple of stands and other equipment I hated leaving anything in the woods. Finally the lightweight and ability to hike in without having 20 plus pounds of steel hanging off my back hitting every branch and stick on the way to my stand location. The more I hunt from the saddle the more reasons I find to like it.

Like sb220 many of my hunting buddies refuse to even try it and have every excuse in the book why not too. Only my buddy Mike K was open-minded enough to give it a try and he is hooked like I am. To me, it has a ton of advantages and almost no disadvantages compared to traditional stands. I enjoy hunting from a saddle way more than any other stand I have ever owned. For me, the saddle took the work out of tree stand hunting and put the fun back in.

Roger,
 
I am currently sidelined from saddle hunting due to shoulder and hand issues but my primary motivation has been to reduce weight, bulk & noise. The places I currently hunt are first come first served and one of them dictates on a daily basis what areas can be hunted. This usually means going in blind, and as I hunt, scouting for sign that warrants climbing a tree. So a lighter, quieter & more compact system is desirable because of the mobility required.
 
You guys talk of the weight difference, but weight is completely dependent on your climbing methods. Saddle hunting is typically just as heavy as lighter climber or lock-on options. Saddles just open up more climbing options because they are basically a climbing harness.

My days of carrying 5 sticks sucked...they seemed heavier and more uncomfortable carrying than my summit climber. But I did it for the benefit of stealth and "any tree" option I had with the saddle

Saddlehunter has really brought a wealth of knowledge as far as climbing options. This forum and its members have changed my game for sure
 
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  • More tree selection flexibility
  • lighter to pack
  • cheaper than buying multiple quality hangons
  • safer than hangons (I fell out of a hangon and that was the last time I've been in one)
  • more fun sitting in than hangons
  • like being part of a minority hunting style
  • saddlehunter.com

There is a major downside though. I have no treestands on my properties, as such it's very difficult to invite someone to come bowhunting with me on the fly
 
There are SOOOOOOOOOOOO many reasons to switch. I'll pick my top 3.

1. Cost - There's no need to buy multiple Saddles. You only need one. I suppose you could carry your tree stand in and out with you every hunt, but that's a royal PITA.

2. Weight - The lightest Lone Wolf stand is 11 lbs. Then you need to add a Safety harness. That's another 2-5 pounds. Your Tree stand is about 15 lbs. The Kestrel completely setup is about 5 lbs. That's a 60% weight savings. Add in 2-3 lbs for your platform and you're still at about 50% weight savings (7-8 lbs).

3. Fun - I dare someone new to try a saddle for 3 hunts and see if the don't have fun hanging there and moving around. It's waaaaaaay more fun than a traditional stand.

I could go on an on about stealth, noise, hiding from the deer, etc. But that's enough for now.
 
sb220 said:
You guys talk of the weight difference, but weight is completely dependent on your climbing methods. Saddle hunting is typically just as heavy as lighter climber or lock-on options. Saddles just open up more climbing options because they are basically a climbing harness.
Click to expand...
Not true at all and a common misconception. Let's assume climbing method for a saddle hunter and a hang on tree stand guy is the same, so both are using the same method.
Kestrel complete system 3.5 lbs platform 2.5 lbs total weight 6lbs
Lone wolf hang on 8lbs, safety harness 1.5 lbs, safety harness teather 1 lb and linemans belt .5 lbs total weight 11lbs

Not even a comparison, every one always forgets safety harness lineman belt and tree strap when comparing.

Thanks,
Boswell
 
SB220 that all depends on what your using and if your stands sites are preset or not. If you set them up ahead of time you are only walking in with a bow, saddle, and pack. Also I don’t think you can sneak or maneuver through the cover as easily or quietly with a metal climber or hang on stand as you can a saddle.

Given the option I’d take a saddle and some climbing sticks over a hang on and a set of sticks or climber any day. With all that metal it is almost impossible to not make any noise! I have found saddle hunting ultra light compared to my old stands and equipment.

Roger,
 
Ok I'll be honest. When I was youngER I had an issue with needing to adventure a bit further into whatever woods I was hunting than was legal. I was completely convinced that the deer were bigger on the other side of the barb wire fence so it was there that my boot tracks could be found most of the time. I did my share of running hiding and running from landowners and or lease holders. In 1997 or 98 I was at a hunting expo in Atlanta and discovered the tree saddle. I used it religiously with cheap screw in steps. My goal was to be able to hit the ground running if I saw anyone coming through the woods and not risk losing a climber. Very shortly thereafter I bought a pair of tree spurs and was able to ditch the screw in steps. A saddle hunting trespassing monster was born. Though I still hunt with the same exact setup today, I would be highly uncomfortable on the wrong side of the barb wire fence ever again.
 
I'm
Boudreaux said:
Not true at all and a common misconception. Let's assume climbing method for a saddle hunter and a hang on tree stand guy is the same, so both are using the same method.
Kestrel complete system 3.5 lbs platform 2.5 lbs total weight 6lbs
Lone wolf hang on 8lbs, safety harness 1.5 lbs, safety harness teather 1 lb and linemans belt .5 lbs total weight 11lbs

Not even a comparison, every one always forgets safety harness lineman belt and tree strap when comparing.

Thanks,
Boswell
Click to expand...
nah I'm not forgetting

I'm talking about the 15+ pounds of sticks I used to carry. If you want to talk about weight reduction, its all about climbing methods.

Yeah you can compare a lock on like that because they require similar climbing methods. Bet I can find a climber lighter than 20 pounds though.

point is its not a plug and play light weight method. You can make it very light though with trial and error. Telling a new guy to the scene that its light but hes still hauling in 20+ pounds in saddle and sticks....hes like wth. Time to get creative
 
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SB220 but what would you rather go through heavy cover with a metal climber, hang on or a saddle? Also by using a climber you severely restrict the number of trees that you are able to get in and hunt from even if it weighs under 20 pounds. Those like me who have preset stand locations have only their saddle to carry in with them.

Roger,
 
I started saddle hunting out of a need for a smaller tree stand. I was in college, in a dorm room that was about 18' x 18' with another bow hunter. Add in 2 Desk, beds, mini fridges, clothes and school stuff, there wasn't much room left for tree stands. I didn't want to leave it in the bed of my truck. So I set out and found saddles, specifically the trophyline, I could carry into my dorm room in a back pack. Then I began to see all the HUGE benifits of saddle hunting and wonder why very few people used them. So I started the thread over on AT, it has snowballed from there. That was 12 years ago.....

Thanks,
Boswell
 
Stykbow1 said:
SB220 but what would you rather go through heavy cover with a metal climber, hang on or a saddle? Also by using a climber you severely restrict the number of trees that you are able to get in and hunt from even if it weighs under 20 pounds. Those like me who have preset stand locations have only their saddle to carry in with them.

Roger,
Click to expand...
yeah I know. Ill never hunt out of anything other than a saddle again.

I'm just saying telling some new guy to the saddle universe that its lightweight completely depends on other factors. Like saying a lock on is light weight as long as you preset your trees and leave your lock on pre hung.

When I started out..I said to myself hell, this isn't light (sticks). Ive seen other guys post the same thing when in their "why I sold mine" confessions.
I have no stake in whether this saddle thing catches on...Ill probably have more success the less it does. I still want to help other guys, but I'm not trying to "sell" them on it. This is what I experienced.
 
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