Private land saddle use??

[Foosty]

I hunt private land, but switched to the saddle for stealth and safety. I feel safer knowing I'm ALREADY hanging from my "safety harness", and not worried about my balance and falling. I'm left with more opportunity to focus on my shot.

 

[mtsrunner]

100% private land. 100% saddle. I absolutely shoot better from my saddle and I’ve hunted from saddles for so long now that it just feels right.

 

[indianaboy]

Really appreciate the replies. I am pretty sure I will be giving it a try.

 

[swilk]

I own my property and just bought a saddle to get into those spots where there just isn't a suitable tree for a loc-on....I have several pre set locations with stands and don't plan on going exclusively to the saddle but time will tell on that.

It's just another tool in the toolbox...

 

[swilk]

I plan on doing pre sets with the saddle too and using a single predator platform I carry in with me. In addition to the predator I'm going to set 3 bolts, one on each side of the tree and one in back, that should give easy 360* access around the tree.

 

[weekender21]

Is anyone running saddle that only hunts private. I get it’s a lightweight option for public but if had a choice to be able to set stands and leave them or a saddle which one is preferred.

I use a saddle on private. I cant think of a reason to buy and hunt from a stand unless I'm taking young kids. Hard to beat a double latter or ground blind for that. When my kids grow into the smallest commercially available saddle, they'll be in one too.

 

[slonstdy]

The saddle also expands your selection of "huntable" trees. Too thin, too wide, too many branches, too many obstructions too much lean are all negated with saddle use.

 

[ericabbott]

Agree with all the comments about hunting out of a saddle being more comfortable than a “stand” whether it’s ladder/hangon/climber. Don’t forget about the ability to shoot 360 degrees around the tree, hide behind the trunk, and the mobility even on small properties. I have a lot of presets on the private land I hunt, and really appreciate being able to zip up the tree and not having to bring my WE stepps. I also feel that I shoot better out of a saddle since my hips are supported.

 

[MFD205]

No more stands, ever for me. All land I hunt is either personally owned, lease, or permission given. Say no to stand!

 

[TacticalRedneck]

100% private in 3 states.
I prefer pre sets, meaning bolts and diy mini stands.
Occasionally, I will still hang a conventional lok on style stand, but I still use a saddle.

I don’t mean to hijack the thread but could you explain your setup (bolts and diy mini stands)? I just bought a saddle and im thinking this route for climbing and platforms. Thanks

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I don’t mean to hijack the thread but could you explain your setup (bolts and diy mini stands)? I just bought a saddle and im thinking this route for climbing and platforms. Thanks

Are you familiar with bolt use? There is a ton of info in threads on saddlehunter. I believe one is titled "Bolts revistited"...or some similar title. In short, I use cordless drill for presets, and I carry a Treehopper hand drill for run and gun type hunts. A dozen or less bolts get me to hunting height.
My diy platforms are a version of an old proven design. I know the original plywood version has been around for at least 40 years. The originals used a rope to attach to the tree...basically a cam over system with platform support on the underside of the rig.
My version is made of catwalk grate that was used in industrial applications.
Chain or strap can be used for attachment. I like chain.
The stand isn't light, but its weatherproof, rodent proof, and can be padlocked to the tree. For presets, I don't mind the weight. For run and gun, I like my Predators.
Heres a pic of my diy. I do tie a short "jumper" line from the support rod up to the platform so the support can never slip and "trap door" the stand.
These are rock solid on the tree.


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[dlist777]

100pct private. Got tired of fixed position stands. Often I found they were in the wrong place but I felt tied to them because of all the effort I put into getting them set up.

This yr, I'm. 100pct mobile and 100pct saddle. I also gave up using cameras. Got my best archery buck already. I dont think Ill go back.

 

[PaTrout1]

Thats a big lease for around here. We had 8 paying members for 600 acres but one guy always hunted with his wife so really had 9 plus a lot of guests so it was fairly heavily pressured. Fortunately is was very thick 5+ years after being logged so it felt bigger than it was and allowed myself and another guy that was also a mobile hunter to exploit the little hard to get to nooks and crannies around the property.

We were pretty liberal with guests too. But with that much land it was pretty easy. The bad part of it was it was all big timber so it was really hard to hunt. Couldn't really pattern anything. Cant tell u how many big bucks I had on camera regularly during the summer only to have them become ghosts come the rut.

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[EricS]

I use a saddle on private all the time. My presets consist of stick ladders, screw in steps, and bolts. I hunt as a guest at one place. I get put in a ladder stand then I just set my ros about 2’ above the seat and climb up.
There are a few bonuses for using your saddle on private
You stay in saddle shape hunting from a saddle for every sit will make adjustments and setting up seem automatic.
No one ever sits in your stand when you’re not there.
If you kill a deer from a treestand it doesn’t count in the contest.

 

[10essee]

I use both. I’m part of a 15 member 4500 acre lease with a ton of club stands. I tend to hunt the boxes over greens come powder burning time and my saddle for bow hunting my own section or if I’m going to hunt the swamp edges so I can move with the sign. A hot acorn tree and a saddle equals backstrap.

 

[Exhumis]

Is anyone running saddle that only hunts private. I get it’s a lightweight option for public but if had a choice to be able to set stands and leave them or a saddle which one is preferred.

I hunt private only, and multiple properties at that and that's one of the primary reasons I switched to saddle hunting. I had 6 stands with sticks, got sick it having to put them up/take them down, move them, trim, etc. The saddle gives me soooo much more flexibility. Of course I still hunt pre set trees but sometimes I'll see another spot I want and I can just saddle it, not stare longingly wishing I hung a stand there. Also I hunt farms and sometimes the cattle mess up my hunt so I can just move to another spot, can't do that with stands. Sure, you can with a mobile platform like a lone wolf but that's a pita in my opinion and loud. My properties have vortexes and the wind can shift without warning, it's nice to be able to pack up in 10 minutes, move to another slot and set back up.

 

[Steve Plemmons]

I'm using mine on private. I like to be able to move around and not having to buy any more treestands feels really good. I have a few trees preset with screw ins or stick ladder.

 

[fbwguy]

I use mine on private as well as public. Quiet, stealthy as well as concealment. Why would I choose any other option

 

[Nutterbuster]

I actually sold my saddle because I will only be hunting private land for the foreseeable future. Just so much easier to pre-hang sets on private land. IMHO having private land available discounts a lot of the advantages of a saddle for a large part unless it’s a huge tract of land


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I disagree strongly. I can set 16 or so grade 8 bolts as a ROS and to climb on in a few minutes. That's a permanent stand for as long as I want to hunt that location. A good ladder stand runs about $100-$150. For that amount of money I'm bolts, I can set a LOT of trees on my lease.

When I wanna hunt them, I just strap my saddle in, grab my bow, and walk in and climb up.

Setting the spot up is cheaper and easier, and it's equally quick, quiet, and convenient to hunt. Plus, you have the safety advantage of being tied in with no slack in your system. Don't forget 360° movement too.

 

[Steve Plemmons]

I use mine on private as well as public. Quiet, stealthy as well as concealment. Why would I choose any other option

Great point, so much quieter than my climber!