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Oldest saddle hunter

Who is the oldest saddle hunter here?

  • Over 50

    Votes: 19 46.3%

  • Over 60

    Votes: 13 31.7%

  • Over 70

    Votes: 9 22.0%
  • Total voters
    41
Fl Canopy Stalker said:
Was that the Evo or the OG aerohunter?
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I'm pretty sure its an EVO. It says EVO on the tag, "Evolution" on the attached paperwork. What's the difference between them, I'm not sure I'm familiar with the OG Aerohunter.

Okay, I feel some "Geezer reminiscing" coming on . . . BACK IN MY DAY . . . :tearsofjoy:

I had been trying to buy a used Trophyline for about 2 years online but they always got bidded up out of what I was willing to spend (it still amazes me what those old Trophylines were going for back then). I somehow stumbled across Aerohunter selling a brand new commercial saddle hunting kit and bought it. They couldn't have been making hunting saddles long at that point, I'd have seen them.

Interestingly there was a business card in the paperwork for some online forum called "Saddlehunter.com". That's what lead me here. Like most I lurked for quite a while, almost 2 years, and learned a ton from the guys here before I finally signed up (member #688 :tearsofjoy: ). I'd had some bad experiences with folks on some other hunting style forums and didn't need that hassle in my life. However, once I signed up I was amazed at how friendly and actually helpful the guys here were. It didn't matter how stupid the question or idea I posed was they always took time to share their thoughts and explain fully. I learned a lot in those days and, to be honest, I'm still learning a lot these days.

Bottom line, that business card lead me here and I want to once again thank @redsquirrel for providing this place and implementing the policies that help keep this forum friendly in spite of challenges from its growth ( I can't do this enough :hearteyes:). Honestly I struggled mightily in those first couple of years and I don't know if I would have stuck with it without the input I received here.

Okay, that's enough reminiscing . . . on to the regularly scheduled geezer check in. :tearsofjoy:

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Ok @Horn, here’s more pics. of the Advantage Outdoors saddle: look at the buckle!!! I forgot you used to have to wrap the waist buckle around you twice then buckle it. There was even hip pinch eliminator pads that came with it. I never needed them. I arrowed a few deer with it. My cousin who bought one with me st the same outdoor show climbed up an old dead elm with it because it was easier to screw the steps in!!!! He arrowed a forky with it that same evening. What a death trap!!! It actually was pretty comfortable.
 

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woodsdog2 said:
Ok @Horn, here’s more pics. of the Advantage Outdoors saddle: look at the buckle!!! I forgot you used to have to wrap the waist buckle around you twice then buckle it. There was even hip pinch eliminator pads that came with it. I never needed them. I arrowed a few deer with it. My cousin who bought one with me st the same outdoor show climbed up an old dead elm with it because it was easier to screw the steps in!!!! He arrowed a forky with it that same evening. What a death trap!!! It actually was pretty comfortable.
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That's pretty cool! Thanks for showing it off!
 
1canvas said:
For the last couple of years researching saddles I was surprised of all of the older hunters that were using saddle, I always thought it was a young hunters game, that is what inspired me to give it a try.
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I would have guessed so too. Maybe we just hear more from us older guys becuase we have more of a mentor or father figure image of ourselves than the kids.

Maybe you should add a button for those under 50 just for the heck of it.
 
I had several sets in the 60's thru the 80's on coal mine ground that everyone hunted. I used a preset hay rope to climb to height because everyone used your blinds if you had steps or a ladder. My platform was a limb and my seat was a board suspended by more hay rope, like a swing seat, When I went from 125 pounds to 180 in the early 80's I could no longer safely climb the hay ropes and had to resort to ladder stands, hang-ons, and ground blinds. I bought an Aerohunter Flex in 2020 and happily started the saddle game. I have to move to the ground when it gets into the 20's due to old age and circulation issues. Sure wish we had had saddles when I began bow hunting in 1965.
 
I will be 63 this hunting season. I have been hunting using a rope since 1979, that was the year I was working for The Davey Tree company at the age of 17. I worked that summer and learned how climb to prune trees. I used an arborist saddle at work, but it was too heavy and noisy for hunting. Back then there was no internet to learn about making a hunting saddle, so I learned to tie a double Bolan on a bight and used that. I used this set for many years until saddles came into vogue. I have to say saddles are much more comfortable that's for sure.
 
1canvas said:
I was curious as to who is the oldest saddle hunter here and how long have you been saddle hunting? I remember many years ago there were saddle hunters before saddle hunting became popular.
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I’ll be turning 77 May 6. Been saddle hunting for three years. When I first started I could not do more than a 14 inch step comfortably. I have an artificial right knee and it was a little limiting. But now, after a lot of practice and workouts I can do 18 inches with no problem. I tried one sticking but it’s just not for me. I use sticks or Bullman steps and don’t go much more than ten feet. But I love it.
 
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