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Anybody ground hunt out of their saddle?

BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)

Active Member
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Sep 20, 2022
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I know this sounds a little nuts, but has anyone used their saddle, attached to a tree, but from the ground? I am often very uncomfortable hunting from the ground...I cannot really sit on the ground itself...too uncomfortable, and most of the ground hunting seats I have tried are either bulky, heavy or uncomfortable. It occured to me though that I could use my saddle and tether...no platform, or maybe with the platform...still put the tree between me and the deer and...you get the idea. I'd probably put myself in a full ghillie suit. Anybody tried this?
 

Rutman

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SH Member
Dec 11, 2021
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NW Georgia
This can definitely work…like you said, as long as your still and keep the tree between you and the deer it should work great.


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MattMan81

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SH Member
Jan 13, 2020
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The Mitten
Carl from tether on a podcast mentioned he will sit barley on his knees and use his saddle to keep the weight off. I haven't tried it yet. But on my list of things to check on. Just food for thought.
 

BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)

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Sep 20, 2022
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I'm going to try this...I know the elevation thing is a real benefit, but I can imagine this being pretty effective.
 

Halfstep

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2023
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I do a fair amount of ground bow hunting. I use a Millenium tree seat a lot and it works well. I also use a folding stool. This will be my first year saddle hunting but I will give the saddle a try from the ground. I believe it will work just fine. Also, the ASAT 3D leafy suit works wonders for ground hunting.
 

archer4life

New Member
Dec 21, 2019
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I’ve done it multiple times using either a cedar tree or large oak that provided plenty of cover between me and the deer. I prefer it over a folding chair as far as comfort goes with my back. My son killed two does last year in one sit from the ground using his saddle.
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NimbleTimbo

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Dec 10, 2021
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Manheim, PA
I haven't in archery season yet but do quite a bit in the mountains during gun or ML season. It can work great for giving you a solid rest, it keeps a tree between you and the deer, and on some slopes where you would be sliding down the hill if you were to lean against a tree. If there is a lot of understory, it keeps you up above it higher than most seats will. I usually just do feet on the ground but will sometimes use a platform to keep my feet quiet off the leaves, or if in steep terrain. With a back band it's a winning set up
 

BlackpowderGuy (AJHS)

Active Member
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Sep 20, 2022
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I haven't in archery season yet but do quite a bit in the mountains during gun or ML season. It can work great for giving you a solid rest, it keeps a tree between you and the deer, and on some slopes where you would be sliding down the hill if you were to lean against a tree. If there is a lot of understory, it keeps you up above it higher than most seats will. I usually just do feet on the ground but will sometimes use a platform to keep my feet quiet off the leaves, or if in steep terrain. With a back band it's a winning set up
I was thinking of bringing the platform...
 

jtw0057

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Feb 24, 2021
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Shot a buck last year doing exactly that. Lots of cover on the ground and not so much in the trees where I was at. The thp guys sit on there platforms like a chair sometimes when they can’t get up in a tree.


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brydan

Well-Known Member
Oct 15, 2015
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I’ve gun hunted from the ground with a Guidos Web quite a few times. Never with a regular saddle though.
 

Weldabeast

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SH Member
May 23, 2019
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Northeast Florida
Those are some of my favorite type setups.....I'm lazy if Im allowed to be.hahaha

If ur terrain/vegetation allows for it, tethering in right off the ground or 2 or 3 foot high has allowed me to have some very exciting hunts. Make sure u got good cover, rake all the leaves away, and ur hunting.....that's usually how I take breaks or eat lunch when I'm out there walking around too.
 

Jammintree

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SH Member
Jan 5, 2021
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At least where I hunt, there are plenty of circumstances that make being in a saddle close
To the ground a perfectly good way to go. If I’m concealed and have some good shooting lanes and I’m in a place where I’m likely to get shot opportunities at deer, I’m content.
 

boyne bowhunter

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Aug 17, 2016
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NW Michigan
Yep, its great for run and gun. If I get a response I can setup quick behind the tree, make subtle adjustments if the bird circles in and best of all my sightline is a couple of feet higher. It's especially useful when turkey hunting with the bow because I can hide a lot of my draw motion behind the tree I'm tethered to.
 

woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jun 28, 2019
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I've used my platform as a seat multiple times when I couldn't find anywhere I wanted to climb but still wanted to stop for a while. It let me sit with my head above the brush level so I could see.
I’ve done this as well!!! It’s a great vantage point compared to just standing on the ground and much more comfortable!!!