Platform orientation

[Commfishmtk]

This is going to be my first year with the saddle so I am sure it’s going to take some days in the saddle to get everything dialed in but my main question is how does everyone set up to the trail or trails they are set up on? Do you set platform facing where the deer should be coming from? Like somewhat parallel to trail? I am a right handed shorter so place trail or shooting lanes from say 7-11 o’clock or do you sit perpendicular to the trail and wait for deer to pass to get a quartering away shot?

 

[heartdart]

I like to set up where there would be a high probability that a deer would not approach from the weak side. So if I'm hunting next to a lake or river, I set my platform so that the water is on my right. I also set some extra WE steps around my platform so I can walk around the tree. If I'm in an area where they could come from any direction, the extra steps help me get around the tree.

 

[LtMoe66]

This is going to be my first year with the saddle so I am sure it’s going to take some days in the saddle to get everything dialed in but my main question is how does everyone set up to the trail or trails they are set up on? Do you set platform facing where the deer should be coming from? Like somewhat parallel to trail? I am a right handed shorter so place trail or shooting lanes from say 7-11 o’clock or do you sit perpendicular to the trail and wait for deer to pass to get a quartering away shot?

Usually the best placement is slightly offset on opposite side of the tree from where the deer are coming from to give you a strong side shot ( but you know how that goes, the deer don’t seem to read the script!) This allows you to use the tree to hide behind and prepare for the shot. Good luck! Hope this helps.

 

[Texar]

Usually the best placement is slightly offset on opposite side of the tree from where the deer are coming from to give you a strong side shot ( but you know how that goes, the deer don’t seem to read the script!) This allows you to use the tree to hide behind and prepare for the shot. Good luck! Hope this helps.

This ^^^ exactly! This will be my first year saddle hunting also. One of the reasons I’ve chosen the saddle route is an answer to your question. No matter your cover options you will be able to use the tree you’re in for cover.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

I tend to think about how I orient myself in the tree with respect to the wind direction. Obviously I'm trying to setup downwind of the "area of interest" but available cover willing, I try attach my platform to the tree so the wind will be blowing from approximately my 9:00 -10:00 direction. My thought process is the same as @heartdart's in that if a deer comes from an unanticipated direction it isn't as likely to be in my difficult shot window.

 

[huntrwilliams]

Usually the best placement is slightly offset on opposite side of the tree from where the deer are coming from to give you a strong side shot ( but you know how that goes, the deer don’t seem to read the script!) This allows you to use the tree to hide behind and prepare for the shot. Good luck! Hope this helps.

For a right handed shooter, which side are you hanging your platform from your top step?

Last night I hung my platform to the left of the stick, but I feel like setting the platform on the right of the stick might be better because you can use the stick to get to the 12-1 o’clock shot possibly.


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[Commfishmtk]

For a right handed shooter, which side are you hanging your platform from your top step?

Last night I hung my platform to the left of the stick, but I feel like setting the platform on the right of the stick might be better because you can use the stick to get to the 12-1 o’clock shot possibly.


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I plan on hanging platform to the right of the top stick, for exactly this reason.

 

[LtMoe66]

For a right handed shooter, which side are you hanging your platform from your top step?

Last night I hung my platform to the left of the stick, but I feel like setting the platform on the right of the stick might be better because you can use the stick to get to the 12-1 o’clock shot possibly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That is going to be totally up to you. It has to be what makes you comfortable with your shot and where you really expect the deer to come from. It could change based on different factors. Where you place your sticks as you climb, lean of the tree, wind direction, etc. . This is when you have to really use all your information to make the best decision.

 

[boyne bowhunter]

Another recent thread on the same topic for reference:

Platform Positioning

Hey guys, Where do you set your platform? Right above your last stick? Do you have your platform off to the side from the last stick? I’m assuming the platform position wants to be right in line with the tether? Sorry for the rookie questions! Thanks!

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