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Another New Saddle Hunter

Publiclandowner

Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2022
Messages
89
Location
Nebraska
Hey guys I’m a little slow getting myself introduced. I’m Javan (good luck pronouncing that right) but I go by J. My passion is archery hunting whitetail, dating back to my earliest memories with my father out in the woods. I am from Nebraska and I only hunt public.

Hunting public ground it really helps being mobile, as I am sure you all know. Anyway, my father showed me a video of some guys saddle hunting about a year ago and after this past season hunting out of stands (1 doe, 1 buck, 1 coyote, 2 turkeys) I knew I needed to get into a saddle to maximize my time and efforts.

I am currently gathering gear and reading all the forums and watching all the YouTube vids I can find on saddle hunting/tips/gear. I will be in a saddle start of season next September Lord willing. I look forward to gaining knowledge and insight from the guys that know best, the ones doing it.
 
Welcome from East Ky, your in the right place to learn saddle hunting, there is a ton of knowledge on this board. I will give some advice though, I suggest when you pick a climbing method that you stick with it until you’ve mastered it before moving to the next one. Just an opinion though! Good luck and God Bless!
 
Welcome from Mississippi! I second the advice Seekbigger gave and will go one step further. Take a hard look at the trees you have to work with in Nebraska. Are there a lot of straight, limbless trees or are there gnarly, limb covered trees? How high do you generally need to go? This will have a lot to do with your satisfaction early on and save you some aggravation.

Also, if you can attend a local saddle meet up or find someone near you who is willing to meet up and show you several saddles that would be a big help.
 
Welcome from Virginia Beach! This is probably one of the most user friendly sites for soaking up all things saddle hunting. You are joining in at a great time as all the new guys start gearing up for next year and quite a few old guys start selling their current gear in order to chase the next bright, shiny object, so you might find some deals on great gear. Every question will get asked and answered multiple times, but I think one of the best things about this site over others is the searchable threads. You can literally go back and read the evolution of saddle hunting. All you have to be willing to do is read and you can get up to speed really fast. Good Luck!
 
Are there a lot of straight, limbless trees or are there gnarly, limb covered trees? How high do you generally need to go? This will have a lot to do with your satisfaction early on and save you some aggravation.
I’ll have a lot of tall straight cotton woods to hunt, mostly about 15’ ideally. I’ll go higher if the terrain dictates. So hopefully transition goes smooth. I’ll be practicing on some trees Olin my yard to get comfortable and efficient before next season.
 
I ha
You can literally go back and read the evolution of saddle hunting. All you have to be willing to do is read and you can get up to speed really fast. Good Luck!
I love being able to do just that. Been reading for weeks and have just scratched the surface.
 
Welcome from New Jersey. As already stated. The hole is deep. Very deep! Like you, I watched all the reviews and anything saddle related on YouTube. I wanted to buy once and cry once. I have now cried 7 times in 2 seasons. I’m chasing the perfect saddle and at this point, though there are plenty I haven’t tried yet, I doubt there is a perfect saddle yet. Out of all 7 there was always something I loved. In the end I need #1 comfort and #2 functionality (ex. good for 1sticking and wearing in with heavy pouches.
IMO you want to try to figure out your climbing method first. I prefer 2 panels for 1sticking but I still have and use a single panel so it’s not a black and white rule for me. Any method of steps or sticks you can do with any saddle. Good luck.
 
Welcome from FL! I have yet to try out my saddle in a hunt but I'm sure much like myself you will find yourself going into a rabbit whole surfing through all the great information on this forum.
 
I’ll have a lot of tall straight cotton woods to hunt, mostly about 15’ ideally. I’ll go higher if the terrain dictates. So hopefully transition goes smooth. I’ll be practicing on some trees Olin my yard to get comfortable and efficient before next season.
What climbing methods have you tried so far in your precious hunting? Have you used climbing sticks?
 
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