Branches at Hunting Height

[bj139]

I have found that it is easier to SRT on the side the tree is leaning toward. I don't go higher than where I can see below the leaf canopy. If I can't see it, I can't shoot it.

 

[DB4x4]

I shot a doe out of a tree this past Saturday that can only be hunted effectively with a saddle. I set up near the top where a bunch of gnarly limbs branch out. It has good back cover but is wide open on the front side. A climber won't climb it, and a hangon on the front side would stick out like a sore thumb.


This is where I set up on the back side ^


My view around the strong side of the tree ^


Deer's eye view ^

Worked like a charm...

 

[PaTrout1]

Depends on what side of the lean your on.

Leaners just scare me. I can see it going 2 ways. Either your on the down side and struggle reaching your foothold or on the up side and lose your foothold and flip around to the down side. Am I missing something?

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[PaTrout1]

I cussed a leaner to no end a couple weeks back, that thing whooped me good

This is the kinda tree I like when rifle hunting....

Built in platform...nice

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[bj139]

Leaners just scare me. I can see it going 2 ways. Either your on the down side and struggle reaching your foothold or on the up side and lose your foothold and flip around to the down side. Am I missing something?

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You have experienced the fun of climbing leaners. I don't think I have seen a straight tree. They are hard to find now.

 

[mattsteg]

Leaners just scare me. I can see it going 2 ways. Either your on the down side and struggle reaching your foothold or on the up side and lose your foothold and flip around to the down side. Am I missing something?

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You can play with your tether length (short) and positioning to give yourself some "centering force". Hunt the high side and/or one of the sides, with your tether positioned to pull you high side. either a platform or a half ROS.

You're not gonna walk around a leaner with a long tether, but in my experience for moderate leaners you can pick and choose the part to hunt and set up your system to keep you from swinging low.

 

[fbwguy]

Leaners just scare me. I can see it going 2 ways. Either your on the down side and struggle reaching your foothold or on the up side and lose your foothold and flip around to the down side. Am I missing something?

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Your not missing anything, leaners need platforms!

 

[sworrior]

I like branches at feet level, I feel like if the deer are close I have better cover. Usually if I can find a telephone tree nearly I try and put a tree with a ton of braches between me and their expected line of sight (would rather climb a tree with no branches if I can).

 

[Kowi Anukasha]

The most appealing thing about saddle hunting to me has been the ability to make any tree work that has a vertical or some resemblance of vertical section close to the height I need to be to hunt. I've spent many years chasing furry critters with pointy sticks from a tree. Honestly the frustration of finding that perfect pinch point, inside bend of a creek or what ever land feature that put deer in a position that was favorable but was unhuntable because of a leaning tree. This has kept more than its share of mature bucks safe from my wall. Being creative with getting a stand in a crooked or leaning tree is a skill I've acquired the saddle just makes it easier and opens up more possibilities when I find that perfect killing spot.