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Had my first real hunting sits with a saddle this weekend...

G

gricky

New Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2019
Messages
20
Honestly, I'm blown away.

The level of versatility in the tree is incredible. And the comfort is great. Little discomfort here and there but I found the key is every now and then make a few adjustments to change pressure points. I'm using a large mantis and finally figured out how to get my butt comfortable.

Looking forward to the next weekend and hopefully putting something down!
 
I also had my first “real” sit this weekend. I have been practicing climbing methods and shooting out of my Mantis since I received it in Feb, but have never spent more then maybe 1/2 hour hanging. I sat for 4 hours Saturday morning, and can honestly say once I truly dialed in adjustments, I have NEVER been as comfortable as I was on that sit. I hated to leave, but had a commitment. Anyhow, I was legitimately blown away at the versatility and level of comfort I experienced. The game has changed, and I can’t wait to get back at it tomorrow eve.


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This is my 3rd season in a saddle. I read that some guys can’t get comfortable, but if you can get dialed in it’s great. I had my first sit of the season this weekend featuring my first saddle nap of the year - kneepads against the tree, cross my arms on the bridge, head against the arms and lights out.
 
This was my first weekend to hunt from a saddle as well. I had about 12 hours of total saddle time over 3 days and could not be more pleased with this method. I agree it does take some fiddling with to get to your optimal comfort but was never uncomfortable to the point that I was thinking I had to get down. It helped that I was able to take a doe about an hour into my first sit. My confidence was boosted tremendously after seeing how easy it was to execute the shot on a live target out of the saddle.
 
So...as another first timer what adjustments did you all make that seemed to help you settle in? I’m planning on my first sit happening this Saturday.
 
Honestly, getting that tether height is crucial. For me, no higher than eye level makes a huge difference. The other thing is making sure the saddle is low enough below my belt. I started to really get a nice cupping.

When I got a little pinch, all I did was deweight slightly, and adjust the safe down a bit. Here and there change the height of my prusik minimally.
 
I am still working things out after 5 or 6 sits this season. Some have been as comfortable as my climber. Others have been just shy of miserable. It is just a learning process. I can already say I would not have had a shot on the first archery kill had it not been for the saddle. I am hooked!
 
Did you fellas have a problem with moving to much? I noticed on my first sit, and most of the sits after, I was probably having to much fun swinging around like an orangutan and was likely picked out by deer way before I saw them. This could be a problem.
 
Bach55 said:
So...as another first timer what adjustments did you all make that seemed to help you settle in? I’m planning on my first sit happening this Saturday.
Click to expand...
Ive had 4 real sits in the saddle, other than practicing shooting, and am blown away at how comfortable I can get. The adjustments that helped me were to tighten up the micro fit adjusters and loosen the belt and leg straps.
 
Dropping my tether to around eye level helped me the most. I leaned most of the time but did sit on and off just to alleviate some pressure off my feet. I also found that placing a step on the sides and just above my platform and switching my weight on and off with one knee up against the tree every now and then helped. I've had back issues for a while and can't stay in one position for long periods in any stand so switching up my feet and from leaning to sitting felt great.
 
Always cool hearing first experiences hunting in a saddle. My first time getting all dialed in was truly an awakening to what I have been missing all these years. I can’t imagine ever going back to hang on stands full time again.
 
Pulling the micro fit adjusters all the way tight while practicing in the yard seemed to be a light bulb moment for me. Felt it cupping more for sure.

I’ll be using a ROS. Not sure how to “sit” with them. Does anyone just fall into it and straddle the tree?
 
always89y said:
Did you fellas have a problem with moving to much? I noticed on my first sit, and most of the sits after, I was probably having to much fun swinging around like an orangutan and was likely picked out by deer way before I saw them. This could be a problem.
Click to expand...

I move a lot whether in a tree stand or saddle. The other day I had all kinds of noises around me, squirrels, and armadillo, something else making footsteps I couldn’t see, and I was swinging around looking all over the woods when 2 deer blew at me from the thicket and ran off, they had been heading in to the oaks I was hunting and I blew my chance at a doe.


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