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How long to get comfortable

Bratch

Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2022
Messages
41
I’m planning to move to a saddle for hunting next season. I have bought my sticks but still don’t have the actual saddle or accessories yet, I’m planning to buy them in the next couple months. I’m in good shape but have no climbing experience.

I’m planning on practicing climbing and shooting to get ready for October 1.

I know this is highly variable but how long did it take for you guys to get comfortable with the climbing and equipment? I know it’s highly variable for everyone but I’m looking for some ideas to start planning on when I need to order my saddle to start practicing. I have no idea if I should plan on 6 months or 6 weeks to get used to hanging from a tree.
 
For me, "comfort" had 2 parts-getting comfortable with climbing trees & using my equipment, then finding a saddle that I could sit in for anywhere from 4-5 hrs to all day.

Here's what I did. First, I bought a climbing harness from amazon-not near as expensive as a saddle, & it got me climbing with my system sooner, allowed me to familiarize myself with tethers/lineman's ropes, carabiners, knots, etc. Plus, I needed one anyways to use for trimming up some trees I have on my 1 little acre. I also now use it to hang my trail cameras high in places where they might get stolen. I bought this one:


Then, since no one I know uses saddles, I started ordering saddles to try by hanging from the main beam in my basement. That way I could test them out & return them in new condition within the return period if I didn't like the way that they fit me. I posted reviews on each saddle that I tried on this forum. It didn't take me long to decide if the saddle would work for me-normally 20 min to a half hour over a couple of days would be enough. I tested 5 saddles total, & ended up with 3 that I like & use.

Finally, I continue to practice climbing year round. That keeps me "in the groove," with my equipment, gives me great exercise, and encourages me to think about potential improvements to my system. Hope this helps!
 
I took me about two weeks to get (or find) "comfortable" and a summer to be comfortable and competent. This is going to vary for everyone, so take any recommendations with reservations. The biggest hurdle may be learning to FULLY trust your equipment!
 
I found it easy to get comfortable with climbing. But it took lots of practice to develop an efficient and effective system that i was confident implementing stealthily in the dark of pre dawn.
 
Minutes for me to get comfortable. I have developed a fear ( or disliking ) of heights for some reason after the last couple yrs and the saddle was the perfect remedy. But I still need to hone my shooting skills. This summer I will be spending significant time practicing ALL angles of shots/scenarios. Cant wait for next season. All I been thinking about since being tagged out, especially since there is no ice to Pike spear yet.
 
Five years ago I fell out of a tree setting up a stick ladder. When I got to the top of the ladder and threw the ratchet strap around the tree the strap came undone in my hands and I fell backwards, I grabbed the top stick and it broke because the strap wasn't holding it to the tree. I fell twenty feet.
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You can see the broken ladder.

I didn't break anything but It took about six months for the pain in my body to go away. I started to look for ways to stay attached to the tree while climbing and came across @g2 outdoors on YouTube and I saw the light!
Compared to the way I used to climb the saddle is the cat's behind.

I was comfortable the day I got my Kestrel. Once you realize you are attached to the tree at all times there's nothing to be nervous about. I did have five saddles and they are all comfortable to me. The Kestrel and Kite are my favorites. I did sell a Mantis.

Welcome to the site and good luck.
 
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More comfortable than sitting in a treestand from day one. I will say it took a bit to find the right saddle, which seems to vary for body types, sit or lean, maybe climbing methods
 
More comfortable than sitting in a treestand from day one. I will say it took a bit to find the right saddle, which seems to vary for body types, sit or lean, maybe climbing methods

I’ll second this and add that all factors determine which saddles fit best and climbing methods are a very important factor. I often climb using a rope and found a few of the popular saddles to be VERY uncomfortable during the ascent.
 
There is comfortable in climbing the tree & there is being comfortable sitting in the saddle. Then there is being comfortable shooting from the saddle.

I have archery hunted from trees off & on for roughly 40 years now. This was my first year using a saddle. Each saddle hunter may do things somewhat different. Different climbing methods & the trees we climb may vary dramatically. So what applies to my experience may or may not be similar to your experience.

When we leave the ground for a tree stand hunt or saddle hunting we are taking on a additional responsibility for maintaining safety. Simply not a choice to take lightly & I am sure this true, of the OP as well. Good question.

For me, I have only been up a tree, with the saddle 10 times or so now. Seven of those ten times were actually hunting. Had two shot opportunity's inside of 20 yards. Filled my tag on roughly the 7th time up a tree out hunting. Each outing every aspect became more natural, each time out.

Expect more of a learning curve next season, That is I expect everything to feel more natural next season progresses, as well.

Id recommend practicing as much as you can I practice shooting from the saddle as well. The more you put in to it the more you are likely to get out of the experience like anything. Youtube videos were quite beneficial for me.

Wish you well.
 
I’ve saddle hunted for 2 seasons now and pretty much have it down enough I can be comfortable for long sits……in my cheap Hawk saddle. I’ve made a lot of changes and improvements along the way.
trusting an amsteel bridge was a hurdle but trusting is a big part of it. Hang low to start and see how far you move in every direction….try to fall out of it
 
Come to the light, the JX3 tree saddle light..............
Don't be afraid, you will sit from dark to dark very comfortably, no fidgeting, be able to snooze when you want, no dreaded hip pinch, no back aches, you can shoot 360° around the tree with any weapon, bow or gun, no weak side shot.
No platform required, only a ROS, no sore feet, no knee pads required, no sore knees, no tired legs from leaning as you can sit all day, built in pack frame for carrying all your needs. No getting into “saddle shape” as your Lazy Boy at home does it for you. Buy once, cry once.
Come to the light, the JX3 light...........
 
I was JC3 lonnnnnnnnnnngggggg before JX3 came to be..........
 
Each saddle has a different sweet spot. It take a while to find the perfect set up. Once you do it’s pretty awesome
 
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