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Stand versus saddle

Three pages in, but link for anyone else that wants to see it.

 
I started to use an old TL tree saddle about 20 years ago with 3 LW sticks.It had it's place but really didn't save much weight and I could never lean all day so I continued to use a LW hand climber as my primary mobile set up the majority of the time.Today,the innovations in every aspect of the saddle industry has tipped the odds in the saddle's favor.Today,I can carry less than 6lbs total and be up a tree in less time,with less noise and less effort than using a climber and certainly less than hanging a stand and several sticks.Once up there,I can actually be more comfortable with today's saddles.The saddle industry is far more innovative than the tree stand industry and that's why saddles are taking off.
 
I like using my saddles. For me it's the only way I like to hunt whitetail. But I've been hunting out of a saddle for quite awhile and I'm comfortable with it. If it not your cup of tea that's fine. Everyone has a different way they hunt be it saddles, treestands or on the ground. There is not right way or wrong way just as long as we all hunt.
 
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I use a saddle exclusively, but I'm not an evangelist for them. Back when I used to frequent a non saddle specific hunting forum, I would give my experiences if someone specifically asked about saddles. However, whenever someone starts with the it's too complicated, looks uncomfortable\unsafe, I'll keep my climber thanks, etc., I genuinely don't care.

Whether any individual other hunter chooses a saddle or not has no effect on me. The only macro level impact would be whether there is enough overall demand for vendors to offer suitable products that I may want to buy.

The saddle works for me and where I hunt. If someone wants to do something different that works for them, live and let live.

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no different than polatitions bashing each other.rather than premoting there selves...when you are that good of a hunter you dont have to behave like a shill...but we all make misteakes.maybe he had a few drinks when he came up with the idea.like me when i make a post like this.i mean i also forget my climbing gear when im drunk and still climb anyway
 
Deerkins said:
It’s called business. The saddle company guys are going to bash the stand guys and the the stand guys are going to bash the saddle guys.
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I don't see the saddle companies bashing the treestand companies and I really don't see treestand companies bashing saddle companies. I just know that you could have hunted out of the tree he killed his buck out of with a saddle.
 
Robert loper said:
I dont think anyone was really bashing Dan.
Dan is just marketing a brand that is selling products. Theres nothing wrong with that
The point is Dan has told me himself he has never tried a saddle and never will so it was a bit bias to judge saddles like he did.
Then one of his own staff members is in the video. Do you really think he can be honest with his boss sitting there?
He hesitates alot when Dan asks him few questions. They are all good guys and very knowledgeable but thet are selling products.
Ive been saddle hunting off and on since 2007. Doesnt matter what you really use to get on deer it really depends on the tree.
No trimming at all here so its more difficult.
saddles or stands have no bearing on getting on high pressured deer. they are tools.
To me knowing the deer and how they use a certain area especially when pressured is what needs to be known.
The tools hide you that’s about it.
Guys lets not let this post get into a bunch of fanboy arguments.
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Did you read the majority of my post????? Most of it was exactly what the thread is about, utilizing stands or saddles. Its like you took my first sentence and rushed to an opinion about my post. I think we both agree, both can be great tools for the hunter. I'm certainly no fanboy of anyone either, just trying to advocate for both methods as they both have utility in the woods. Me personally, I would rather hunt from a saddle and believe saddle hunting presents me with substantially more options over the continuum of my hunts for the season.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Did you read the majority of my post????? Most of it was exactly what the thread is about, utilizing stands or saddles. Its like you took my first sentence and rushed to an opinion about my post. I think we both agree, both can be great tools for the hunter. I'm certainly no fanboy of anyone either, just trying to advocate for both methods as they both have utility in the woods. Me personally, I would rather hunt from a saddle and believe saddle hunting presents me with substantially more options over the continuum of my hunts for the season.
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I did not mean my response like i think you took it. I was kinda agreeing with you but
I also took the time to try to keep the post in a good debate kind of post not a continuous back and forth bashing like alot of them really get to be.
i apoligize if you took my wording the wrong way it was not my intention my friend.
 
Apex7 said:
I don't see the saddle companies bashing the treestand companies and I really don't see treestand companies bashing saddle companies. I just know that you could have hunted out of the tree he killed his buck out of with a saddle.
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I do on different platform and i see it a ton.
they both bash each other.
 
I started out with steel climber. That only lasted a year because the thing was just to heavy. Moved to a lwhc and loved that thing. Hunted for over ten years with it. But as my level of hunting progressed I realized that limbless tree with the pine behind it( or wherever the background cover was)was not always where I needed to be. So decided to buy some sticks and a hang on.( Both lw sticks and hang on)Tried those out in the off season and felt like it was to heavy and to much hassle trying to wrestle the stand up. That is when the saddle caught my interest. At 2 lbs. versus the 11lbs. Hang on I could get back to the weight of my climber or maybe less. 95% of my hunting last year was in the saddle and no issues being comfortable. The few times I hunted my bros private land in pre set hang on I felt limited. Wished I would have wore my saddle to hang out and gain a little more view or shot opportunities. I almost sold my climber but couldn't do it even though I never took it once last year. Bottom line. Everyone has there reasons for a saddle or stand. Whatever is your preference I support. As long as you're enjoying the outdoors it's a win.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
 
Robert loper said:
I did not mean my response like i think you took it. I was kinda agreeing with you but
I also took the time to try to keep the post in a good debate kind of post not a continuous back and forth bashing like alot of them really get to be.
i apoligize if you took my wording the wrong way it was not my intention my friend.
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No worries, I understand. Thanks for the clarification. I really don't engage in any other forums so I guess I was unaware that hunters are arguing with each other on what elevated systems they choose to kill deer. When we divide instead of lift up we're all sunk. Thanks for the clarification!! That's what I like so much about this site. Everyone is mostly positive and supportive. "Do unto others" kind of thing. That's important we stay that way. Thanks again for the clarification.
 
IMO people are very sensitive these days to anything opposite of what they like or believe in. Its ok if others choose a different route than what you personally use. We as hunters shouldn't argue but come together. If I use a .308 in rifle season but I see someone else using a 300 Win Mag who cares. It does the same thing and can get the job done. Its just opinions of others, no reason to get worked up by it. I personally don't care how others hunt elevated. As long as they are safe and are having fun then good for them!
 
I'm not a fanboy pop....Fanman, fanMan!

So what if I hunt in a John E diaper. I didn't even cry when I got my Cereal Killer tattoo.

Chuck Adams is the greatest bowhunter ever!
 
I was a first year saddle hunter last year. I hunted from my saddle every hunt. Did I get busted last year in my saddle? Yes. Have I gotten busted out of a climber or lock-on? Yes. Usually when I get busted its movement sometimes because I'm backlit. I thought Dan was wrong on several of the points he tried to make and I thought a bit overzealous trying to make them. That doesn't mean I won't watch him again and I'm sure I'll still learn things from him. Most of us have been guilty of thinking that how we do things is the best or only way or been guilty of being a brand fan. Just go to the heavy arrow build or mechanical verse cut on contact thread! Will I ever be in a stand again instead of a saddle? Absolutely when "I" think its a better option.
 
I use saddle, lock on. I can tell you what I don’t use and that a climber. But other than I use what ever works for the day.
 
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