Peterk1234
Well-Known Member
The good ole days thread has me thinking. We are closing in on hunting season everywhere and it looks like a lot of people are just about to give saddle hunting a go.
I am a new saddle hunter. I do not have a hunting season under my belt yet. However, I have been learning, testing, modifying, and most importantly, practicing a lot. I thought it may help if a newbie shared some experiences. I think I started in February or March when there was still snow on the ground.
I found that most of my research focused on climbing method. I was interested in saddle hunting because I needed mobility. Well, the biggest part of the mobility question is how the heck do you get up the tree. Most people that have a really good system (and cannot drill holes into trees) supplement their system with some sort of an aider. For me it is the swaider/knaider (but I am biased) coupled with Wild Edge Steps. Aiders add a level of risk. When used properly, they are rock solid, as good as the primary climbing system. However, it takes practice. You need to get out there and climb before the season starts. That straight tree in your yard, you know, the one you are so familiar with that you know ever piece of bark on it, does not count. I used my system all Spring and Summer while scouting. I can tell you from experience, it is a different ball game the minute you climb an unfamiliar tree, alone, in the woods, for the first time. Branches, angles and other obstructions all come into play. You have to be able to totally trust your system. Also, practice does not mean climbing up six feet then coming down. You need to go to climbing height, and then some. Close your eyes, practice in the dark, and most important, practice with all your gear. Wear your pack, all your clothes and those big bulky boots.
Climb safe. No high risk moves with these aiders. Kickout is a real risk. Abrupt moves, or not being properly weighted, increase the risk significantly. Saddle hunting has taught me the obvious importance and safety of being tied in. It is part of the system while hanging but not when you climb. Theoretically, I linemans belt slows you down a bit, especially when branches come into play, but man do they work well. Additionally, I found that they add so much stability when climbing and also reduce the pressure on my legs when going up and down. And, I basically do not use my arms at all to help me up or down. The arms can just be used for stability and as additional anchor/safety points. Which leads me to another point...............
Three points of contact at all times. One foot and two hands or two feet and one hand always on something secure. It is better than a tether
Get some hang time in the saddle. Actually, get a lot of hang time in the saddle. Start at near ground level. Figure out what is comfortable for you. Mess with bridge lengths, tether lengths and how far to lean. Maybe you just like to sit; that's okay as well. Move around the tree. Figure out how tether length affects your mobility. Do it on different diameter trees. Big trees will significantly impact your movement around the tree. Commit to an hour or so at least once you think you have your perfect position. Even that is not long enough, but it will help.
Now go to full height. This is a game changer. I have no fear of heights and even I was like, "whoa, that is a bit weird". Hanging out there on a string at twenty five feet is very different than doing it at two feet. Once you think you are comfortable, go into the woods. Now try it on a tree you have never climbed before. Are you still comfortable? You won't be.
Practice shooting. Do it often. Try every position. You have to figure out weight distribution, where to put feet, hips or knees against the tree. Don't go hunting thinking this is the easy part. Nothing like having a nice buck come up on you, then you rotate to position, have no clue what you are doing and end up swinging around the tree. Which reminds me........ try some trees that are not perfectly straight. I will just leave that one here for everyone to ponder.
Finally, practice like you are going hunting. What are you wearing from the truck? What will you put on at the tree? Where are you hanging your sticks or steps as you climb? Where are other things being clipped or stored? How will you hang your bow and other stuff? Set it all up. Is any of the stuff in your way when you try to shoot?
I am sure there are a bunch of things I am forgetting. I just wanted to put it out there that it is not as simple as a climber. It has taken me several months to become familiar with everything and get to the point where I know I can go out in the dark and get set up quickly and safely. I easily have over a 100 climbs under my belt at this juncture, and I have yet to draw on an animal. I am a slow learner. Pete
I am a new saddle hunter. I do not have a hunting season under my belt yet. However, I have been learning, testing, modifying, and most importantly, practicing a lot. I thought it may help if a newbie shared some experiences. I think I started in February or March when there was still snow on the ground.
I found that most of my research focused on climbing method. I was interested in saddle hunting because I needed mobility. Well, the biggest part of the mobility question is how the heck do you get up the tree. Most people that have a really good system (and cannot drill holes into trees) supplement their system with some sort of an aider. For me it is the swaider/knaider (but I am biased) coupled with Wild Edge Steps. Aiders add a level of risk. When used properly, they are rock solid, as good as the primary climbing system. However, it takes practice. You need to get out there and climb before the season starts. That straight tree in your yard, you know, the one you are so familiar with that you know ever piece of bark on it, does not count. I used my system all Spring and Summer while scouting. I can tell you from experience, it is a different ball game the minute you climb an unfamiliar tree, alone, in the woods, for the first time. Branches, angles and other obstructions all come into play. You have to be able to totally trust your system. Also, practice does not mean climbing up six feet then coming down. You need to go to climbing height, and then some. Close your eyes, practice in the dark, and most important, practice with all your gear. Wear your pack, all your clothes and those big bulky boots.
Climb safe. No high risk moves with these aiders. Kickout is a real risk. Abrupt moves, or not being properly weighted, increase the risk significantly. Saddle hunting has taught me the obvious importance and safety of being tied in. It is part of the system while hanging but not when you climb. Theoretically, I linemans belt slows you down a bit, especially when branches come into play, but man do they work well. Additionally, I found that they add so much stability when climbing and also reduce the pressure on my legs when going up and down. And, I basically do not use my arms at all to help me up or down. The arms can just be used for stability and as additional anchor/safety points. Which leads me to another point...............
Three points of contact at all times. One foot and two hands or two feet and one hand always on something secure. It is better than a tether
Get some hang time in the saddle. Actually, get a lot of hang time in the saddle. Start at near ground level. Figure out what is comfortable for you. Mess with bridge lengths, tether lengths and how far to lean. Maybe you just like to sit; that's okay as well. Move around the tree. Figure out how tether length affects your mobility. Do it on different diameter trees. Big trees will significantly impact your movement around the tree. Commit to an hour or so at least once you think you have your perfect position. Even that is not long enough, but it will help.
Now go to full height. This is a game changer. I have no fear of heights and even I was like, "whoa, that is a bit weird". Hanging out there on a string at twenty five feet is very different than doing it at two feet. Once you think you are comfortable, go into the woods. Now try it on a tree you have never climbed before. Are you still comfortable? You won't be.
Practice shooting. Do it often. Try every position. You have to figure out weight distribution, where to put feet, hips or knees against the tree. Don't go hunting thinking this is the easy part. Nothing like having a nice buck come up on you, then you rotate to position, have no clue what you are doing and end up swinging around the tree. Which reminds me........ try some trees that are not perfectly straight. I will just leave that one here for everyone to ponder.
Finally, practice like you are going hunting. What are you wearing from the truck? What will you put on at the tree? Where are you hanging your sticks or steps as you climb? Where are other things being clipped or stored? How will you hang your bow and other stuff? Set it all up. Is any of the stuff in your way when you try to shoot?
I am sure there are a bunch of things I am forgetting. I just wanted to put it out there that it is not as simple as a climber. It has taken me several months to become familiar with everything and get to the point where I know I can go out in the dark and get set up quickly and safely. I easily have over a 100 climbs under my belt at this juncture, and I have yet to draw on an animal. I am a slow learner. Pete
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