Stinger-Hunter
Member
After more than 18 years of hunting, I switched to saddle hunting (so far exclusively).
I have hunted on the most dangerous man-made treestands in Minnesota, used a Summit treestand for several years in 3 states, built wooden ladders from surrounding trees using a chainsaw, drill, and screws, I've hunted out of expensive ladder stands, and I've hunted on the ground (a lot).. needless to say, this is not my first Rodeo.
Saddlehunting (last year) was a mind-blower. " WHAT?!! " Is what I said. "How did I miss this?" Seriously, I had no idea how it was possible that I missed this trend. Well, most of the places I frequented online were "traditional" forums. Even if I had seen "saddle hunter" online, I likely would have responded, "I don't ride horses... next!" After watching all the usual suspects in every video I could consume, I bought in and couldn't wait for the 2019 hunting season.
To be cautious, I practiced with 2 sticks and my Tethrd Mantis. It turns out that I'm a slow learner. I almost died because I put the Ropeman 1 backwards on my rope and was trying to pull the end of the rope into me instead of out away from me (don't ask - it was not my finest moment )
I fixed that minor mistake that almost killed me... and finally figured it out. My first attempt at saddle hunting during the season was Oct 4th and it was a disaster. This failed attempt resulted in 90 minutes of frustration, swearing, and sweating, so I hunted next to a deadfall tree for 30 minutes when a hunter, apparently 150 yards away, cursed me out and walked to a different area. He and his son must have been watching me struggle to get up the tree. I don't typically understand sign language, but there was no mistakin' what he was saying to me.
After the 2nd and 3rd time, I was markedly better. Still not comfortable, but better and slightly faster at getting up the tree. A 1 1/2-year-old 8-point buck walked right past me in a spot I never would have been able to set up with my summit treestand and a ladder would have telegraphed my position. I am an excellent shot with a bow and arrow, even with old bows (I shot a PSE Nova for 5 years and could hit 50 yards without a hitch.. I was shooting a Matthews that was dead-on-balls accurate). I missed the shot.. 15 yards - pitiful. Pitiful!!!
The next day I set up on a tree near a scrape. Here he comes again! That same 8-pointer walked straight in after I put out some Tinks 69 on a drag rag. Boom!!! Missed him again (I don't miss!). The year before, I hit a doe at 40 yards quartering to me with my Hoyt, one blade sliced the heart, she walked 30 yards and died. I don't miss!! But the point is that I was able to be mobile and get in trees that were impossible before. Now I need to practice shooting out of a saddle.
Perhaps it was being nervous seeing the deer for so long and watching him walk right to me (normally it happens so fast, I don't get a chance to be nervous).
Last night, I was in a tree so small I would have never thought possible before - but with saddle hunting and sticks, it is possible.
In all I've seen likely 5X more deer since saddle hunting than before.
On the to-do list for 2019-2020:
1. practice shooting out of a saddle more
2. begin testing the saddle to have more confidence (still seems odd to put all my weight on it)
3. get a better set of sticks. I like the look of the Hawk Heliums.. they seem sturdy.
4. travel lighter, set up trees before-hand so less weight walking in
5. get set up 30 min before shooting light instead of 30 min after sunrise... "hello!!!"
6. stay at a local hotel/motel instead of driving in the morning of... The 2-hour drive is killing me.
Peace brothers!!
I have hunted on the most dangerous man-made treestands in Minnesota, used a Summit treestand for several years in 3 states, built wooden ladders from surrounding trees using a chainsaw, drill, and screws, I've hunted out of expensive ladder stands, and I've hunted on the ground (a lot).. needless to say, this is not my first Rodeo.
Saddlehunting (last year) was a mind-blower. " WHAT?!! " Is what I said. "How did I miss this?" Seriously, I had no idea how it was possible that I missed this trend. Well, most of the places I frequented online were "traditional" forums. Even if I had seen "saddle hunter" online, I likely would have responded, "I don't ride horses... next!" After watching all the usual suspects in every video I could consume, I bought in and couldn't wait for the 2019 hunting season.
To be cautious, I practiced with 2 sticks and my Tethrd Mantis. It turns out that I'm a slow learner. I almost died because I put the Ropeman 1 backwards on my rope and was trying to pull the end of the rope into me instead of out away from me (don't ask - it was not my finest moment )
I fixed that minor mistake that almost killed me... and finally figured it out. My first attempt at saddle hunting during the season was Oct 4th and it was a disaster. This failed attempt resulted in 90 minutes of frustration, swearing, and sweating, so I hunted next to a deadfall tree for 30 minutes when a hunter, apparently 150 yards away, cursed me out and walked to a different area. He and his son must have been watching me struggle to get up the tree. I don't typically understand sign language, but there was no mistakin' what he was saying to me.
After the 2nd and 3rd time, I was markedly better. Still not comfortable, but better and slightly faster at getting up the tree. A 1 1/2-year-old 8-point buck walked right past me in a spot I never would have been able to set up with my summit treestand and a ladder would have telegraphed my position. I am an excellent shot with a bow and arrow, even with old bows (I shot a PSE Nova for 5 years and could hit 50 yards without a hitch.. I was shooting a Matthews that was dead-on-balls accurate). I missed the shot.. 15 yards - pitiful. Pitiful!!!
The next day I set up on a tree near a scrape. Here he comes again! That same 8-pointer walked straight in after I put out some Tinks 69 on a drag rag. Boom!!! Missed him again (I don't miss!). The year before, I hit a doe at 40 yards quartering to me with my Hoyt, one blade sliced the heart, she walked 30 yards and died. I don't miss!! But the point is that I was able to be mobile and get in trees that were impossible before. Now I need to practice shooting out of a saddle.
Perhaps it was being nervous seeing the deer for so long and watching him walk right to me (normally it happens so fast, I don't get a chance to be nervous).
Last night, I was in a tree so small I would have never thought possible before - but with saddle hunting and sticks, it is possible.
In all I've seen likely 5X more deer since saddle hunting than before.
On the to-do list for 2019-2020:
1. practice shooting out of a saddle more
2. begin testing the saddle to have more confidence (still seems odd to put all my weight on it)
3. get a better set of sticks. I like the look of the Hawk Heliums.. they seem sturdy.
4. travel lighter, set up trees before-hand so less weight walking in
5. get set up 30 min before shooting light instead of 30 min after sunrise... "hello!!!"
6. stay at a local hotel/motel instead of driving in the morning of... The 2-hour drive is killing me.
Peace brothers!!
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