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Hello! New with questions.

nature tamer

nature tamer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2016
Messages
225
I am a virgin to saddle hunting. Never did it before but watched a bunch of videos and read alot of forum discussions. Like the idea of minimalist hunt as i hunt a lot of public and like going hard to reach areas. Currently use a lone wolf climber. Dont like loc on due to weight. I am interested in buying a used aero hunter. Thing is i see so many guys modifying theres and makeing their own saddle. My question is should i buy the aero hunter or make my own or buy a different brand? Or buy a modified one from one of you seasoned guys who already worked the bugs out of the stock saddle. I dont mind tinkering with things, Actually i love doing it but i already have a ton of projects.
Thanks, Tyler.
 
Welcome Tyler. Saddles can be personal, hence the reason many do different mods. I would look at the sit-drag threads on here before I shelled out big money on a NewTribe saddle. :cool:
 
Welcome to the site Tyler!

The New Tribe Aero Hunter is a great product out of the box. The only real modifications I have done to mine are upgraded my tree tether to a kong duck ascender, upgraded the lineman's belt to a ropeman 1 ascender, and modified the bridge to be a fixed 24" length. I have also added some camo form to certain areas to help quiet it down and added a dump pouch for my tether/linemans ropes. Like I said, it is a great product that IMO could use just some minor improvements. I would recommend this product to anyone looking to get into saddle hunting with a safe reliable saddle out of the box.

Most of the modifications you see are not necessary but are some of us minimalists looking to shave even ounces at times. If you compare carrying an aero hunter to a climber you are making a huge jump in weight savings right there. I don't even really think of my saddle as weight because it is like a piece of clothing to me. Remember that if you decide to go the custom/modification route that the entire safety factor is on you and you need to make sure whatever you are using is safe on your own.

Edit to add: There are many people using the sit and drag, and this is a very cheap option, but I want to point out that the sit and drag is only approved for use as a seat while you are on the ground.

Welcome to saddle hunting! :D
 
Ok thank you. I think im going to look for a used aero hunter and try that out.
 
Welcome to the madness! Saddle hunting is THE BEST way to hunt; period...at least that's what we believe!

RedSquirrel makes some good points. Safety and common sense is key.
 
nature tamer said:
Ok thank you. I think im going to look for a used aero hunter and try that out.
Click to expand...

You know, my first year of saddle hunting was from a "T" shaped piece of plywood with 10kN accesory chord clipped into lanyard with a prusik and a carabiner. Now I'm using a used tree trimmers saddle that I got for $150. Maybe next year after I pay off my appliances for my new house I'll drop some dimes for a NT. But by far I was more comfortable on the plywood I just didn't feel safe rope climbing with it. So if you're using sticks that's always an option.
 
I was the same way and researched for years. It was something I couldn't turn away from. The benefits of a saddle kept haunting me. But so did the negative comments on forums. I finally realized that saddle hunting is something that you want to make happen. There will be a learning process to go through and everyone has different comfort levels. Toughing it out through the learning process wasn't gonna be an issue for me. When I want something, there is no stopping me. Comfort level was an issue and when the Evo came out with all the adjustments, I knew I had something I could work with to find a position I liked. The evo made the jump to a saddle a possibility. Now that I have it fine tuned and know what I like, a minimalist saddle may be a project this summer.
 
nature tamer said:
I am a virgin to saddle hunting. Never did it before but watched a bunch of videos and read alot of forum discussions. Like the idea of minimalist hunt as i hunt a lot of public and like going hard to reach areas. Currently use a lone wolf climber. Dont like loc on due to weight. I am interested in buying a used aero hunter. Thing is i see so many guys modifying theres and makeing their own saddle. My question is should i buy the aero hunter or make my own or buy a different brand? Or buy a modified one from one of you seasoned guys who already worked the bugs out of the stock saddle. I dont mind tinkering with things, Actually i love doing it but i already have a ton of projects.
Thanks, Tyler.
Click to expand...
I have one for sale if you're interested


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thank you swampsnyper. Sounds like we have same personality. I think im going to buy one when i find one for a good deal. I have a whole year to buy one.
 
Just a bit of advice, if you plan on hunting in a saddle next season buy one months before season. I didn't practice out of mind nearly enough and learned multipe lessons in season because of it. It is by far the best way to hunt from a tree in my opinion but it takes lots of practice to get there!
 
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