The Helo is Getting me Out of the Saddle

[bodark]

Did anyone else pull the trigger on a Novix stand over Black Friday? Mine just came in yesterday and I swear this thing is going to get me out of the saddle. I have never been super happy with anything I’ve tried in the saddle world and if the opportunity presented itself I’d just as soon sit on the ground. After two seasons “dialing in” my setup and two more convincing myself it was “perfect” I’ve all but given up.

I move too much, my feet get tired. If the tree isn’t perfect I’m fighting gravity. I’m good for a few hours but I find myself just wanting to sit down. I’m tired of having a bridge across my chest to get my bow over. You can shoot 360 in the yard but real world it’s not as practical as everyone makes it seem. But most of all…I’m tired of staring at a tree all day long. My field of view without moving my body depending on tree size is 90* at best when you really think about it. My biggest blind spot is directly behind me and that’s where I am the most exposed. Deer don’t always behave like you think they should.

The most comfortable setup I found was a Kestrel saddle, 4 Novix mini sticks, and a Mission platform. I carry everything I need in a fanny pack. With the Helo I have added like 5lbs to my total weight and I am infinitely more comfortable. I’m still relatively light weight, I can still get in cover, and most of all I can sit still and see what’s in front of me.

I would encourage anyone looking to get into saddle hunting to seriously consider one of the new lock on’s as well. There is so much to offer on the market now that “going mobile” doesn’t just involve a saddle.

What has everyone’s experience been in the past 3 or 4 seasons? Those who were on the front end of this bubble where do you see yourself next season with all of these new products on the market? Will the saddle stay in your bag or is anyone else transitioning back to a lock on?

 

[Westdesign03]

Did anyone else pull the trigger on a Novix stand over Black Friday? Mine just came in yesterday and I swear this thing is going to get me out of the saddle. I have never been super happy with anything I’ve tried in the saddle world and if the opportunity presented itself I’d just as soon sit on the ground. After two seasons “dialing in” my setup and two more convincing myself it was “perfect” I’ve all but given up.

I move too much, my feet get tired. If the tree isn’t perfect I’m fighting gravity. I’m good for a few hours but I find myself just wanting to sit down. I’m tired of having a bridge across my chest to get my bow over. You can shoot 360 in the yard but real world it’s not as practical as everyone makes it seem. But most of all…I’m tired of staring at a tree all day long. My field of view without moving my body depending on tree size is 90* at best when you really think about it. My biggest blind spot is directly behind me and that’s where I am the most exposed. Deer don’t always behave like you think they should.

The most comfortable setup I found was a Kestrel saddle, 4 Novix mini sticks, and a Mission platform. I carry everything I need in a fanny pack. With the Helo I have added like 5lbs to my total weight and I am infinitely more comfortable. I’m still relatively light weight, I can still get in cover, and most of all I can sit still and see what’s in front of me.

I would encourage anyone looking to get into saddle hunting to seriously consider one of the new lock on’s as well. There is so much to offer on the market now that “going mobile” doesn’t just involve a saddle.

What has everyone’s experience been in the past 3 or 4 seasons? Those who were on the front end of this bubble where do you see yourself next season with all of these new products on the market? Will the saddle stay in your bag or is anyone else transitioning back to a lock on?

I have to admit (and hate to admit) I’m right on your heels with this one. I got my Helo mid/late summer when they just came out for the $204 deal. I have not given up on the saddle quite yet but I am still “dialing it in” too for about 2 seasons now. All the same reasons you just mentioned are exactly my thoughts as well.

I really want to love saddle hunting and I do love the idea of it and the smaller package and less weight to carry. When being real and honest with myself, I can carry in a light/small stand about as easily as a saddle kit. I can sit much more still in a stand for much longer and really love just having the view of the woods in front of me instead of a tree trunk. I don’t seem to have all the discomforts in a stand a lot of guys talk about with a hang on stand. I think the seat is more comfortable than several of my seats in my house (maybe I should get new furniture). And there is no substitution for being able to sit down and let the tension off of your body.

Though I’m not ready to completely give up saddle hunting yet, I absolutely love the Helo stand and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. I do love using the saddle in conjunction with the stand. Kind of predicting that may be the way I go moving forward. Going to give the saddle a few more tries before the end of the season and see how I feel by the end of it.

PS- I botched 2 shots in a row on 2 different does this year in the saddle. It was my first ever chance shooting a bow out of a saddle and it did not go well for me. (The other was last years gun season and I also missed that one, but not really because of the saddle specifically.) But if I was in the old faithful hang on stand, both of those does would have been a done deal no problem. Im sure I just didn’t practice enough with the saddle, even still it was a couple strikes against the saddle setup in my mind.

 

[Arkie]

Saddle will be my plan next year as well.
I’ve got a few different set ups, but 2 that I actually use.

1.) JX3 Hybrid, Squirrel Steps ROS, 3 WE Stepps with a Knaider/Swaider - No pack since I can carry extra layers and anything else I need in my hybrid AND it’s a frame pack for packing one out

2.) Aerohunter Kestrel, Squirrel Steps ROS, either my WE Stepps or my Beast Sticks, and a small-ish frame pack (Mystery Ranch Sawtooth or Kifaru Stryker)

I really had my doubts about the JX3 when I was looking into it, but after I got it and really spent some time using it, it would be hard to go back now. It’s just unbelievably comfortable and very robust. I had issues fidgeting in a traditional saddle, but the JX3 solved that. Use it in the tree, use it as a ground chair, hang at ground level so you still have cover, use it as a frame pack, etc..

I tried the high quality hang ons some and they’re nice, don’t get me wrong, but I despise having to hang a stand (even the .5 as light as it is..) because it never fails that I either hang it on a lean or in a spot that I have limbs in my way. I really prefer to be able to keep the tree between me and the deer.

That said, the Helo seems like a lot of bang for your buck. I wish I would quit hearing people refer to it as a “beginner stand”.


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[enkriss]

I hunted out of the helo then started hunting out some LWCG setup. I have hunted 1 time from the saddle in the last 8 weeks and I didn’t enjoy it….lol. I might be back in the stand full time next season.

 

[bodark]

I have to admit (and hate to admit) I’m right on your heels with this one. I got my Helo mid/late summer when they just came out for the $204 deal. I have not given up on the saddle quite yet but I am still “dialing it in” too for about 2 seasons now. All the same reasons you just mentioned are exactly my thoughts as well.

I really want to love saddle hunting and I do love the idea of it and the smaller package and less weight to carry. When being real and honest with myself, I can carry in a light/small stand about as easily as a saddle kit. I can sit much more still in a stand for much longer and really love just having the view of the woods in front of me instead of a tree trunk. I don’t seem to have all the discomforts in a stand a lot of guys talk about with a hang on stand. I think the seat is more comfortable than several of my seats in my house (maybe I should get new furniture). And there is no substitution for being able to sit down and let the tension off of your body.

Though I’m not ready to completely give up saddle hunting yet, I absolutely love the Helo stand and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. I do love using the saddle in conjunction with the stand. Kind of predicting that may be the way I go moving forward. Going to give the saddle a few more tries before the end of the season and see how I feel by the end of it.

PS- I botched 2 shots in a row on 2 different does this year in the saddle. It was my first ever chance shooting a bow out of a saddle and it did not go well for me. (The other was last years gun season and I also missed that one, but not really because of the saddle specifically.) But if I was in the old faithful hang on stand, both of those does would have been a done deal no problem. Im sure I just didn’t practice enough with the saddle, even still it was a couple strikes against the saddle setup in my mind.

I have killed a few deer with a bow out of my saddle but none have been ones that I couldn’t have killed from a lock on. At this point I feel like I have given it a fair and honest review and I just do not see a measurable difference in mobility. I would hate to add up all of the shipping I have spent buying a selling gear on this forum over the past few years only to end up right back where I started - but here I am.

 

[bodark]

Saddle will be my plan next year as well.
I’ve got a few different set ups, but 2 that I actually use.

1.) JX3 Hybrid, Squirrel Steps ROS, 3 WE Stepps with a Knaider/Swaider - No pack since I can carry extra layers and anything else I need in my hybrid AND it’s a frame pack for packing one out

2.) Aerohunter Kestrel, Squirrel Steps ROS, either my WE Stepps or my Beast Sticks, and a small-ish frame pack (Mystery Ranch Sawtooth or Kifaru Stryker)

I really had my doubts about the JX3 when I was looking into it, but after I got it and really spent some time using it, it would be hard to go back now. It’s just unbelievably comfortable and very robust. I had issues fidgeting in a traditional saddle, but the JX3 solved that. Use it in the tree, use it as a ground chair, hang at ground level so you still have cover, use it as a frame pack, etc..

I tried the high quality hang ons some and they’re nice, don’t get me wrong, but I despise having to hang a stand (even the .5 as light as it is..) because it never fails that I either hang it on a lean or in a spot that I have limbs in my way. I really prefer to be able to keep the tree between me and the deer.

That said, the Helo seems like a lot of bang for your buck. I wish I would quit hearing people refer to it as a “beginner stand”.


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Admittedly I have never tried the JX3. It is probably the only saddle hunting item that hasn’t been in my bag at one point or another. I hear good things from everyone who uses it but I’m still stuck on it…do you never feel the urge to stand up and stretch your legs. I feel like I would be trading not being able to sit for not being able to stand. I prefer standing on my platform and tend to spend most of my time doing so.

 

[Aeds151]

Im with ya, the Mantis was a torture diaper, my flex is falling apart, carrying 3 sticks and a platform is too many individual metal piece. Having my knees mashed into the tree is brutal with back pain and hip pinch. I thought the JX3 was gonna be the be all end all but its a nightmare to shoot sitting down and can only half ass shoot from like 7-12 position. 1 sticking is a giant pita to do With all the aider straps, ropes, and other misc gear to manage for rappel. With all the crap needed for JX3/1 sticking, I went full circle back to Summit Climber. With the right mods, it carry’s great, really doesnt weigh much more or at least doesnt feel like it with good waist and shoulder straps compared to jx3. I can fly up short leaf pine or various hardwood trees here and sit comfortable all day, unlike any soft saddle I have tried. I can stand and shoot without worrying about swinging around on ros or a pivoting on a metal fork making surprise noises. Even with a slightly heavier climbing system, its like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.


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[Westdesign03]

I have killed a few deer with a bow out of my saddle but none have been ones that I couldn’t have killed from a lock on. At this point I feel like I have given it a fair and honest review and I just do not see a measurable difference in mobility. I would hate to add up all of the shipping I have spent buying a selling gear on this forum over the past few years only to end up right back where I started - but here I am.

Yep. I hear ya man. Same here. Spent sooo much trying gear then selling and jn some cases, buying the same things again.. even a couple/few times. I guess you could look at it as you’re investing in your experience to find out what you like and don’t like. If you don’t go through it, you’ll just be left always wondering what if. That’s how I work anyway. Fortunately my wife also sees it that way for me most of the time too so at least I have her support on trying this stuff most of the time. Lol


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[Arkie]

Admittedly I have never tried the JX3. It is probably the only saddle hunting item that hasn’t been in my bag at one point or another. I hear good things from everyone who uses it but I’m still stuck on it…do you never feel the urge to stand up and stretch your legs. I feel like I would be trading not being able to sit for not being able to stand. I prefer standing on my platform and tend to spend most of my time doing so.

If I’m sitting for long periods of time I’ll cinch up my tether and either stand on my ROS or lean like you would in a traditional saddle.


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[Westdesign03]

Saddle will be my plan next year as well.
I’ve got a few different set ups, but 2 that I actually use.

1.) JX3 Hybrid, Squirrel Steps ROS, 3 WE Stepps with a Knaider/Swaider - No pack since I can carry extra layers and anything else I need in my hybrid AND it’s a frame pack for packing one out

2.) Aerohunter Kestrel, Squirrel Steps ROS, either my WE Stepps or my Beast Sticks, and a small-ish frame pack (Mystery Ranch Sawtooth or Kifaru Stryker)

I really had my doubts about the JX3 when I was looking into it, but after I got it and really spent some time using it, it would be hard to go back now. It’s just unbelievably comfortable and very robust. I had issues fidgeting in a traditional saddle, but the JX3 solved that. Use it in the tree, use it as a ground chair, hang at ground level so you still have cover, use it as a frame pack, etc..

I tried the high quality hang ons some and they’re nice, don’t get me wrong, but I despise having to hang a stand (even the .5 as light as it is..) because it never fails that I either hang it on a lean or in a spot that I have limbs in my way. I really prefer to be able to keep the tree between me and the deer.

That said, the Helo seems like a lot of bang for your buck. I wish I would quit hearing people refer to it as a “beginner stand”.


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Yes I really wish they would quit calling it, or any stand under $400-500+ for that matter a beginner stand. It absolutely is not a beginner stand. There’s no such thing IMO. Spending dang near a whole paycheck on a stand or any piece of hunting gear does not make you an expert with anything what so ever. Except for maybe draining your bank account. And I’m not saying the expensive stands suck either. They’re very good in fact. But not necessary what so ever to be a hunter.


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[Arkie]

Yes I really wish they would quit calling it, or any stand under $400-500+ for that matter a beginner stand. It absolutely is not a beginner stand. There’s no such thing IMO. Spending dang near a whole paycheck on a stand or any piece of hunting gear does not make you an expert with anything what so ever. Except for maybe draining your bank account. And I’m not saying the expensive stands suck either. They’re very good in fact. But not necessary what so ever to be a hunter.


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Yea, it irritates me when I hear things like that. I used a LW Assault hang on before I got into the saddle and it was a great stand. The Helo looks like an even better version of that.


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[Westdesign03]

Im with ya, the Mantis was a torture diaper, my flex is falling apart, carrying 3 sticks and a platform is too many individual metal piece. Having my knees mashed into the tree is brutal with back pain and hip pinch. I thought the JX3 was gonna be the be all end all but its a nightmare to shoot sitting down and can only half ass shoot from like 7-12 position. 1 sticking is a giant pita to do With all the aider straps, ropes, and other misc gear to manage for rappel. With all the crap needed for JX3/1 sticking, I went full circle back to Summit Climber. With the right mods, it carry’s great, really doesnt weigh much more or at least doesnt feel like it with good waist and shoulder straps compared to jx3. I can fly up short leaf pine or various hardwood trees here and sit comfortable all day, unlike any soft saddle I have tried. I can stand and shoot without worrying about swinging around on ros or a pivoting on a metal fork making surprise noises. Even with a slightly heavier climbing system, its like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.


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My experience has been the same with all the little things needed to rappel and all that. Is it really more portable/easy if you trade a pound or 2 for 5 more things to juggle and deal with in the tree and get tangled etc?

That’s amazing you went full circle back to the Summit climber. That’s almost heresy around here lol.

Speaking of weight off your shoulders, hate to say but I feel like some of the marketing out there on saddle hunting almost makes you feel like if you’re not actively into or getting into the saddle game, you’re like obsolete or something. They obviously don’t say that but sometimes it feels that way to me. Finally getting around to letting that feeling go for me has been a nice weight off my shoulders. I guess that’s been one perk to investing the money into trying and then selling if needed.


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[Bowtie747]

This was my first year in the saddle and I really enjoy it. I’ve been eyeballing a LWCG .5 so bad and I can’t stand not trying one. I’d like to use it in conjunction with my saddle. So far I don’t see myself getting out of the saddle game anytime soon. My neck is jacked up and for whatever reason I can’t sit it any hang on for more than an hour without headaches and headaches that will be there the next day. I have no clue why but this entire season the saddle has helped me with that. I think everyone is different and what fits some might not fit others. A lot of the problems people have with saddle I don’t have. I’ve sat 6-8 hours and never even started to have an issue with comfort. I personally don’t move more or see it being more movement that spinning around on a stand to get into different shots. I really like having a frame pack with me to carry a deer out in one trip. Hiking 2-3 miles in and then walking back to car, back to deer doesn’t sound like much fun to me. Also a big thing for me is the problem in my brain of if I have a stand I have to hang it. With my saddle if I chose to sit on the ground it doesn’t bother me. Definitely see myself trying a LWCG .5 or at least having one in my Arsenal. Something I feel is nothing is perfect. Trying to find the end all to me isn’t an option. There’s times where I have thought about using the base of a climber, carrying a guille suit, using a saddle, carrying a .5. With all that said I enjoy the saddle. Plan on continuing to run it the rest of this year and next year for sure.

 

[Noonespecial]

This is my 3rd year saddle hunting, I was a tree stand hunter for 30 years. Because most are in this same category you have to give it sometime and try different options. I suffered the first year with the sitdrag, Mantis and Tactisaddle but killed two nice P&Y bucks. The following year I suffered with the H2 and Treehopper Recon but also killed two nice bucks one was the biggest of my life however, at the end of the season I found myself in my local sporting goods store with a treestand back in my hands since I sold all of mine. I swore I wouldn’t go back so I started this season back in the Recon. I always use a ring of steps so I thought I would try using my predator platform in hopes to make it more comfortable and it did to an extent but found I couldn’t shoot 360. I tried the Cruzr XC size three which is a size bigger for me but figured the more surface area the saddle supports the better it should feel and finally…finally I figured it out for me. Now I can sit all day in comfort and shoot 360 on just about every tree. A saddle is like a pair of jeans you try a lot but usually have a one that fits you just perfectly and wear them all the time. You have to put a lot of time in figuring how to make it work for you. In my opinion it’s far superior than treestand hunting for many reasons. Good luck!

 

[Westdesign03]

Yea, it irritates me when I hear things like that. I used a LW Assault hang on before I got into the saddle and it was a great stand. The Helo looks like an even better version of that.


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Oh yeah. I had an assault a while ago and have regretted selling it ever since. It was a sweet stand and will always be one of the best out there IMO. I do feel like the Helo is just as good if not a hair better than the assault. It is noticeably lighter and the V bracket bites the tree just as good and the way they shaped it, it’s like it’s almost impossible to snag on things or tear up your bag or clothes if you brush up against it. Would highly recommend trying one if you’re in the market.


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[Westdesign03]

This was my first year in the saddle and I really enjoy it. I’ve been eyeballing a LWCG .5 so bad and I can’t stand not trying one. I’d like to use it in conjunction with my saddle. So far I don’t see myself getting out of the saddle game anytime soon. My neck is jacked up and for whatever reason I can’t sit it any hang on for more than an hour without headaches and headaches that will be there the next day. I have no clue why but this entire season the saddle has helped me with that. I think everyone is different and what fits some might not fit others. A lot of the problems people have with saddle I don’t have. I’ve sat 6-8 hours and never even started to have an issue with comfort. I personally don’t move more or see it being more movement that spinning around on a stand to get into different shots. I really like having a frame pack with me to carry a deer out in one trip. Hiking 2-3 miles in and then walking back to car, back to deer doesn’t sound like much fun to me. Also a big thing for me is the problem in my brain of if I have a stand I have to hang it. With my saddle if I chose to sit on the ground it doesn’t bother me. Definitely see myself trying a LWCG .5 or at least having one in my Arsenal. Something I feel is nothing is perfect. Trying to find the end all to me isn’t an option. There’s times where I have thought about using the base of a climber, carrying a guille suit, using a saddle, carrying a .5. With all that said I enjoy the saddle. Plan on continuing to run it the rest of this year and next year for sure.

Trying to find the end all is one of my biggest problems with all this and probably just need to get it out of my head. It’s not important and probably not realistic anyway.


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[Bowtie747]

Trying to find the end all is one of my biggest problems with all this and probably just need to get it out of my head. It’s not important and probably not realistic anyway.


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Ahh I think it’s fun to play. It’s all in your head, if you have enjoyed the process then it wasn’t for nothing! By in your head I mean like how you view it, positive or negative. Minus the hurt wallet, that part always kinda sucks. I did the same thing but with bows. I went insane trying to “super tune” arrows and bows. Perfect every single part of my form. Ended up being ticked off all the time and shot worse. Gave up all that crap and shot better now than I ever have. Same with scent control. I sweat like no other and gave up scent control just because it would tick me off so bad every time I put in al the effort. Then I’d sweat all my efforts away. Haven’t had the most successful deer season as far as putting a big buck down but I’ve probably learned the most of just enjoying the hunting part of it. Like you said your setup doesn’t really matter what matters is bone on the ground and a trophy that last forever. Stuff like realizing if someone walks in on your they arnt being a jerk they probably (most of the time) just didn’t know. Trying to learn not to sweat the small stuff.

 

[Jtaylor]

Stick with one thing and make it yours. I really enjoy the rush of hunting from the ground but use the saddle as a tool for a lookout. I'm notorious for banging metal on metal so that's where the saddle shines for me as opposed to a stand. I also hunt "out west" and need a dedicated pack. I haven't found a stand that will fit the bill for both a stand and a comfortable functional pack.

 

[bodark]

Trying to find the end all is one of my biggest problems with all this and probably just need to get it out of my head. It’s not important and probably not realistic anyway.


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Same dude. Same. I think I got caught up in all of that on these boards. I’m a tinkerer at heart and something about tinkering draws people to this method of hunting. This is a very gear heavy forum compared to other hunting forums out there. After 4 seasons tinkering im no better off and that was a gut check I had to come to terms with this season. At the end of the day I spent time in the woods which is all that matters but I could have spent more had I not been fooling with all the stuff that comes with a saddle.

 

[Westdesign03]

Ahh I think it’s fun to play. It’s all in your head, if you have enjoyed the process then it wasn’t for nothing! By in your head I mean like how you view it, positive or negative. Minus the hurt wallet, that part always kinda sucks. I did the same thing but with bows. I went insane trying to “super tune” arrows and bows. Perfect every single part of my form. Ended up being ticked off all the time and shot worse. Gave up all that crap and shot better now than I ever have. Same with scent control. I sweat like no other and gave up scent control just because it would tick me off so bad every time I put in al the effort. Then I’d sweat all my efforts away. Haven’t had the most successful deer season as far as putting a big buck down but I’ve probably learned the most of just enjoying the hunting part of it. Like you said your setup doesn’t really matter what matters is bone on the ground and a trophy that last forever. Stuff like realizing if someone walks in on your they arnt being a jerk they probably (most of the time) just didn’t know. Trying to learn not to sweat the small stuff.

Yep for sure. I’m getting better at all that the older I get. And yeah I do admit the journey of trying gear has been fun and continues to be fun. Honestly the gear is kind of half the fun of the whole thing for me. I just know it’s not good for my wallet and have maaanny more things to pay for that aren’t hunting related. I guess finding the exact end all setup where no gear ever changes again is the unrealistic part and probably would make it less fun anyway. More realistically I think I’m just trying to land on some foundation pieces of gear for the long haul and then tinker with the smaller stuff from there. I think the Helo is one of those pieces of gear. My Beast sticks are another. My Latitude Classic gen 1 saddle is another (as long as I’m still playing with saddle gear.) My Ridge Runner platform is likely another, but I’m on my 4th one of those now so no telling if that thing is really safe or not. Hah!


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