Practicing with out a saddle?

[Crazy4bucks]

I have a Mantis/Predator combo on order. In the meantime I want to practice with a saddle setup or similar. Has anyone modded a Hunter Saftey System harness and used it like a saddle. I’m not worried about comfort just looking to get a little hang time in to shorten the learning curve when I get my saddle.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I would recommend practicing at ground level. You can do that with a pillow case tied into a makeshift saddle if you want, or your harness. That will give you a feel for hooking in and swinging around.

 

[Plinker22]

Google "Swiss seat". Then use a 30' piece of webbing to tie the seat, with lineman loops, and practice... 1 foot from the ground.

I did this before acquiring an old Petzel Arborists harness.

Now, like you, I wait on my Mantis. The wait will be worth it.

 

[Crazy4bucks]

Ya I’m not planning any practice at height. Just want to practice positioning for shot angles and maneuvering the bow while facing the tree.

 

[20ftup]

Ya I’m not planning any practice at height. Just want to practice positioning for shot angles and maneuvering the bow while facing the tree.

Its actually a very different feel when your on a platform of some type compared to your feet being on the ground. There multiple things that can be used for a makeshift saddle an old sheet or child’s swing seat will do an then just stand on top of your climbing method if using spurs just leave them on.


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[hauscaliber]

You could purchase a sit drag and practice at ground level if you dont mind shelling out another $35

 

[Crazy4bucks]

Rigged up my HSS harness with a bridge tied into the linesman loops and shot for a while tonight. It went well and wasn’t anymore difficult than shooting from a tree stand. Really looking forward to Saddle hunting this season.

I was worried at first it may be difficult but there are definitely a lot of advantages to a saddle system over a tree stand.

My first concern was stability while shooting. Just in my short session I could see that the saddle is the most stable way to shoot from a tree.

Second I was worried about maneuvering my bow around the bridge. It was never an issue. One thing I discovered was that I could sit the bow on the bridge and with barely any effort hold it there. Im someone who always holds there bow or gun so this is a big plus for me.

A couple other advantages were not having to worry about your jacket scraping the bark on the tree or your pants rubbing against the seat of the stand. Also it will be nice to not have to worry about my back elbow hitting the tree when I draw

Hopefully this helps people who are worried about getting into there first saddle this season. A couple practice sessions with the Mantis and I know I’ll be ready for the woods.


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[hauscaliber]

Yeah a saddle also means you won't derail your bow by hitting the climber with the bottom cam attempting a behind the tree shot. Ask me how I know

 

[3 Blade Rage]

Good info here. I might have to do the same as I went all in on a Mantis without ever trying saddle hunting before. I would think you would need to be careful of your broadhead and make sure it doesn't end up near your tether but it might not be even close to it? I will find out for myself when I try it.

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[Crazy4bucks]

When transferring the bow over the tether/bridge holding the bow with the string parallel to the ground/arrow straight up seemed to work well with minimal movement.


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