Tree Stand vs Tree Saddle Debate - First Purchase

[Allegheny Tom]

X2...
While I climber may not work in every situation, it will in most. It simplifies things due to the fact that it's a way to climb the tree and hunt from. You can get really creative with climbers, as I have mine, making it into a frame, someone makes a kit to make it into a deer cart and you can even totes a saddle along to be used as a platform.
I think it will boil down to what your style of hunting is, what you goals are, how much weight you're willing to put up with and so on. That said you can become quite successful in a climber even though they arent the "next big thing" anymore!

Hell, if your interested in a climber, I even have an extra summit open shot that you and I can figure how to get it up to the great white north as cheaply as possible!

Simple is not always good.
I know you and you are are serious guy and you require adequate stand sites to ensure an enjoyable hunt. Relying on a climber to allow a hunter to find and choose a tree that will put them in a spot that is reasonable for all the criteria a bow hunter needs is a huge challenge... finding that adequate, single tree that works can be the biggest challenge of the entire hunt.

For a new guy to hunting, or even a new guy to tree stand hunting, being in the right tree is more important than being in the "easy" tree. I know, from many seasons, that the easy tree can really suck when the deer are moving pats it 15 yards too far for a shot.

And you are not correct that a climber will work "in most" situations. You are a serious whitetail guy, do you really believe that? We just spent 2 full days in Iowa walking in patches (that are so good, that nobody in their right mind would walk away from) and seeing hundreds of trees that are TOTALLY unclimbable with a climber. Not trees that are just not quite perfect, I'm talking about a patch (that really HAS to be hunted) that could not be hunted, at all, if a guy used a climber.

Isn't one of the huge selling points of this entire site, the fact that saddles allow us to hunt almost anywhere? Our whole deal is all about getting away from climber crap.

 

[elk yinzer]

Well opinions are like butt holes

I wouldn't teach someone to drive in a Ferrari. No one is being a heretic against the almighty saddle gods by saying a climber is a good starter kit.

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

Simple is not always good.
I know you and you are are serious guy and you require adequate stand sites to ensure an enjoyable hunt. Relying on a climber to allow a hunter to find and choose a tree that will put them in a spot that is reasonable for all the criteria a bow hunter needs is a huge challenge... finding that adequate, single tree that works can be the biggest challenge of the entire hunt.

For a new guy to hunting, or even a new guy to tree stand hunting, being in the right tree is more important than being in the "easy" tree. I know, from many seasons, that the easy tree can really suck when the deer are moving pats it 15 yards too far for a shot.

And you are not correct that a climber will work "in most" situations. You are a serious whitetail guy, do you really believe that? We just spent 2 full days in Iowa walking in patches (that are so good, that nobody in their right mind would walk away from) and seeing hundreds of trees that are TOTALLY unclimbable with a climber. Not trees that are just not quite perfect, I'm talking about a patch (that really HAS to be hunted) that could not be hunted, at all, if a guy used a climber.

Isn't one of the huge selling points of this entire site, the fact that saddles allow us to hunt almost anywhere? Our whole deal is all about getting away from climber crap.

Well sure, in a perfect world a hunter needs to have exactly what is needed to get the job done, no matter the situation. That said, we cant look at it one sided, the saddle hunter side. I'm a hunter, period, I'll use what ever I have to in order get where I need to be, and still use my climber, albeit very seldom, it's still a useful tool. There are places, as you said Iowa, that it would not work for a climber, however, as a hunter first, I'm am giving my opinion on a way to start getting into elevated hunting, for very cheap. As we all know cheap rarely means the best or lightest, or most capable gear, but a climber can get you hunting elevated cheaply, simply, and with relatively little practice. Now, I dont know this fella, nor what type of habitat he'll be in, but I didnt see his posts say anything about hunting Iowa places like that, he did say hes on a budget. Having 3 kids myself, I can relate, saddle hunting is not cheap, but i dont think it should be. I'm just giving my opinion based on my experience with climbers, having killed a pile of deer using them in some pretty wonky situations, and some nasty places, from hawaii to texas and North Carolina and many other places. Would I recommend a saddle over a climber, no question, but everyone's situation is different.

 

[ThePennsylvanian]

Simple is not always good.
I know you and you are are serious guy and you require adequate stand sites to ensure an enjoyable hunt. Relying on a climber to allow a hunter to find and choose a tree that will put them in a spot that is reasonable for all the criteria a bow hunter needs is a huge challenge... finding that adequate, single tree that works can be the biggest challenge of the entire hunt.

For a new guy to hunting, or even a new guy to tree stand hunting, being in the right tree is more important than being in the "easy" tree. I know, from many seasons, that the easy tree can really suck when the deer are moving pats it 15 yards too far for a shot.

And you are not correct that a climber will work "in most" situations. You are a serious whitetail guy, do you really believe that? We just spent 2 full days in Iowa walking in patches (that are so good, that nobody in their right mind would walk away from) and seeing hundreds of trees that are TOTALLY unclimbable with a climber. Not trees that are just not quite perfect, I'm talking about a patch (that really HAS to be hunted) that could not be hunted, at all, if a guy used a climber.

Isn't one of the huge selling points of this entire site, the fact that saddles allow us to hunt almost anywhere? Our whole deal is all about getting away from climber crap.

I get that this is the saddle hunter forum, but personally I felt that our deal here was about being a hunter, is it not? I mean, we are just talking about the tools we use to hunt....

I love the passion you have for saddles! It is not the only way to kill a deer in a tree though! Shoot in texas I used a notched 2x8 to sit in the crotch of a mesquite tree before...

 

[slonstdy]

Here's my thoughts and I'm playing devil's advocate but to answer question 1:

Purchase option 1: Buying higher end tree steps is a big expense and weight penalty for the few minutes of use they get. So you want to hump in a stand and hope it's there when you return to hunt again? What happens when it's gone... ruined hunt that day and more $$ to replace the stand.

Purchase option 2: Again hump in a stand and now hump it out each day? How often do you hunt? A few times a season or almost everyday? That answer should come into play in your decision.

Purchase option 3: My pick.

Ever hear the expression "Buy once, cry once"? If hunting is your thing then spend now for a decent saddle, new or used and get comfortable with it. Even a rch and sitdrag is infinitely better than dealing with any type of treestand. A saddle will allow you to hunt trees that are "un-huntable" with conventional treestands and also give you the option of hiking into more remote areas with minimal effort and energy expenditure.

Question 2: Yes you can use the pos harness that comes with a treestand and attach a linemans belt to it to climb with sticks, I did it like that for many years.

Question 3: Yes but again that Assault tickles 12 lbs so you're not reaping the full advantage of a saddle setup if using a treestand. I'm not sure how well the stand will take to side pressure, especially since there will be a lot of leverage involved or how much the platform cables would interfere with your foot placement. Also, you should pair the rch with a sitdrag, the rch supplies the safety and the sitdrag the comfort.

No matter what you decide I'm willing to bet you will change it up as you experiment and find what works best for you. In the end use whatever you feel comfortable and safe with, there is no "right"answer anyone here can give you.

Best of luck to you and welcome to the rabbit hole of hunting...

 

[Weldabeast]

I dont care what people choose to hunt from...I just relate my personal experience and a climber made me end up hunting lazy/easy. I wouldn't want to lug it around and it was always getting caught up in stuff. I wouldn't walk as far because of this and I would pick trees that were easy to climb.. not necessity where I needed tp be. I would make compromises and then half the time I wouldn't be able to get where I want because of some knot or branch I didnt see in the dark.
I was looking at the mini xstand climber but ended up with a cheapo steel hang on and built some sticks and that opened up more options.
I would probably still be using that hang on if it weren't for my back issues....the saddle is the only option for me personally based of my individual needs but there are plenty of other good options.
If the original poster does end up with a climber I would recommend looking into a better tree harness...the 1s they supply suck. I had a muddy and really liked it till finally between sweat and pine sap it got yucky and upgraded to a tree spider and it's very nice also.

It's been a minute since I looked at stands but last I remember the millennium m7 was the lightest if I remember correctly

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I get that this is the saddle hunter forum, but personally I felt that our deal here was about being a hunter, is it not? I mean, we are just talking about the tools we use to hunt....

I love the passion you have for saddles! It is not the only way to kill a deer in a tree though! Shoot in texas I used a notched 2x8 to sit in the crotch of a mesquite tree before...

I love discussion, and I love the differences in opinion. Discussions and opinions are what makes things better. It's why we have ladders, hang ons, climbers and saddles of all shapes and forms.
My examples of Iowa were just examples of why a climber can't be depended upon. I could have compared it to places I hunt in Ohio, and even in my yard in Pa. Climbers are notorious for being unusable in way too many situations. They just cannot be relied upon to get into the trees that are the reality of a certain location.
Unless a hunter has some physical limitation that prohibits him from a saddle, I would never advise they begin their process of introduction to tree hunting with a climber. I believe it's a recipe for frustration because they can either not find a climb able tree, or if they do find a tree, the tree is not in the proper location. A tree even 5 yards wrong can lead to missed opportunities or the taking of unethical shots.
Can a climber work? Certainly.
Is a climber even on the same planet as a saddle or a hang on? Not even close. So why start out with gear that will sooner or later be inadequate?
The only reason why Im passionate about saddles is because they allow me to hunt where the deer tell me I need to be.
A climber only tells me where I can climb.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Well opinions are like butt holes

I wouldn't teach someone to drive in a Ferrari. No one is being a heretic against the almighty saddle gods by saying a climber is a good starter kit.

Yep, and some butts got roids, some are constipated, some got the runs, and some work just fine. All butt holes are not created equal.
Saddles are the closest thing to a better way. They certainly ain't a Ferrari. They could more be compared to an AWD SUV. The SUV can do more, in a variety of complex situations, than the sports car will ever do.
If my 16 year old needs to learn to drive, I'm putting him in the safest, most versatile piece of equipment. Saddles are the SUV.

 

[Homebrew454]

I started off with hang on tree stands. I then moved to climbers for the comfort aspect. I then progressed to saddles but I wish I would have bought one back when Cabela's had the Trophyline almost 20 years ago. I so wanted to but was cheap with my money.

Where I hunt a climber can be used almost in every spot. I really wanted to like them but the noise and weight are what kept me from using them all over.

I due think the saddle is the best tool in the box but I still have my climber and all of my portable stands yet. I really need to have a garage sale to get rid of them.

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[wdarby]

One factor for me was comfort in the tree at height. I used a cheap Summit climber the first couple years bow hunting (this is my fifth year even though I'm pushing 50), and felt very secure because of the wrap around, even when I fell asleep . I switched to a lone wolf sticks and Assault the last couple years because I wanted something quieter and lighter. I've never had issues, but definitely got nervous a couple times standing at 20+' with the wind howling.
This year I decided to switch to a saddle because I want something with less setup time at the base of the tree (lighter is another bonus). I also really like the constant, positive connection with the tree (especially in pitch black). I've hung upside down several times in my saddle, and am more confident than I was in the hang-on.

I wish I was a headlight on a north-bound train

 

[huntrwilliams]

I did a comparison of the best set ups I have had for each of the three main hunting systems this morning and got actual weights to compare Apples to Apples. Not saying this is the same for everyone, but here are the actual weight when comparing what you need to be hunting from a tree, just the nessesities. This however is only one aspect of this type of decision and like others have stated, each tool can be used in different situations. Use what is best for you.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I did a comparison of the best set ups I have had for each of the three main hunting systems this morning and got actual weights to compare Apples to Apples. Not saying this is the same for everyone, but here are the actual weight when comparing what you need to be hunting from a tree, just the nessesities. This however is only one aspect of this type of decision and like others have stated, each tool can be used in different situations. Use what is best for you.

View attachment 29612

One stick and rappel or spikes and you drop some more weight.

 

[huntrwilliams]

Oh yeah for sure, this is just an easy comparison. Simple set up that anyone starting out could use.

A lot of people don’t factor in the safety equipment needed when comparing tree stands to saddles. For
Me I’m basically swapping the same weight of harness for the saddle and you’re left actually comparing the platform to the stand.

Food for thought for people trying to decide.


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[Nutterbuster]

@Doug2020, after reviewing what you listed as the decisions you're considering, I have a few questions. Mainly, why are you looking at hunting elevated? Have you always hunted on the ground? Have you found success locating and setting up on deer? Have you had problems executing the draw and shot cycle on the ground? What's the amount you're comfortable spending?

I ask because elevated hunting does solve some problems. It also introduces a lot of problems, and solving those problems costs money and time.

 

[BenG]

1. Out of your options I'd probably start with number 2. Scrap number 1 for sure. If your woods was conducive to climbing tree stands I would echo that it'd be the simplest method to start elevated hunting. Not only that but hanging and hunting every time out whether it be a saddle or hang-on wears me down and takes a lot more time than a climber. With only one option I don't think I'd want to do that every time out, course you could always throw in some ground hunts if you got burned out. Which brings me to my next point, start with one now but definitely try them all at some point. I use a climber, hang-on, saddle, and ground hunt every year and once you do them all you'll see which one best lends itself to different situations.

The reason I wouldn't start with a saddle is because it takes both time and money to get your system honed in. It's an awesome tool, but this is something I would recommend easing into. I know it CAN be done on the cheap, but ask just about anyone on here, it just doesn't happen that way. If you already end up with a rock harness, maybe pick up a sit drag if you can swing it just to start getting your feet wet this year.

2. I'd recommend getting decent harness and tether no matter what you go with. A rock harness is great, but you'll most likely have to mod lineman loops somehow, which there are several ways but none are going to be as nice as having the lineman loops on a saddle IMO.

3. Yes you could absolutely use a rock harness and hang on. It's actually the most versatile option in my opinion. You wouldn't use it to sit in the rock harness but you could stand and face the tree and lean back some and swing around for a shot if need be.

4. I don't know.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

1. Out of your options I'd probably start with number 2. Scrap number 1 for sure. If your woods was conducive to climbing tree stands I would echo that it'd be the simplest method to start elevated hunting. Not only that but hanging and hunting every time out whether it be a saddle or hang-on wears me down and takes a lot more time than a climber. With only one option I don't think I'd want to do that every time out, course you could always throw in some ground hunts if you got burned out. Which brings me to my next point, start with one now but definitely try them all at some point. I use a climber, hang-on, saddle, and ground hunt every year and once you do them all you'll see which one best lends itself to different situations.

The reason I wouldn't start with a saddle is because it takes both time and money to get your system honed in. It's an awesome tool, but this is something I would recommend easing into. I know it CAN be done on the cheap, but ask just about anyone on here, it just doesn't happen that way. If you already end up with a rock harness, maybe pick up a sit drag if you can swing it just to start getting your feet wet this year.

2. I'd recommend getting decent harness and tether no matter what you go with. A rock harness is great, but you'll most likely have to mod lineman loops somehow, which there are several ways but none are going to be as nice as having the lineman loops on a saddle IMO.

3. Yes you could absolutely use a rock harness and hang on. It's actually the most versatile option in my opinion. You wouldn't use it to sit in the rock harness but you could stand and face the tree and lean back some and swing around for a shot if need be.

4. I don't know.

I am a new hunter. Six years. Five years saddle hunting. No easing in. Fixed stands, then a climber and now 5 years saddle hunting. The hardest part to learn about hunting are all the regulations, and then how to kill a deer, how to gut a deer, how to process the meat. Saddle hunting was relatively easy IMO, thanks mostly to this site. Practice low for a few weeks and then you will be off to the races.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I am a new hunter. Six years. Five years saddle hunting. No easing in. Fixed stands, then a climber and now 5 years saddle hunting. The hardest part to learn about hunting are all the regulations, and then how to kill a deer, how to gut a deer, how to process the meat. Saddle hunting was relatively easy IMO, thanks mostly to this site. Practice low for a few weeks and then you will be off to the races.

Times have certainly changed. 10 years ago, the choices in gear were much fewer than today. We have a ton of options now. It used to be basically a climber, or a hang-on with sticks or screw-ins for getting up the tree. Even within those simple choices were few fewer options. The competition in the gear industry today has created a wealth of improved choices. And the internet has created huge amounts of info on where to find stuff and how to use it. This forum is a prime example of how someone with relatively little experience can learn tactics and techniques in a very short time.
IMO, unless a guy is not willing to do a little research there is no need to take "baby steps" these days. There is really no need to go backwards with this stuff. We've all heard the phrase "buy once, cry once", well, that line was made for buying outdoor gear.

 

[Vtbow]

There are lots of variables at play. I have owned many saddles, and many treestands. 3 seasons ago I sold all my treestands except one and hunted exclusively saddles. I sold my last one last year and wished I didnt at the end of the season. I now have a few stands and 2 saddles. They all have their places in my opinion. I have both climbers and hang ons.

A few things to keep in mind:

1)Where will you hunt, what does it look like? I have area on the farm I could take my LW hand climber and climb 95% of the trees to 20+ feet. I have other areas I couldnt climb 90% of them.

2) is it really weight or bilk you are worried about? I"ve decided a few extra pounds doesnt bother me, but bulk drives me nutz

3) How comfortable are at heights and working with your hands at heights? hanging steps, drilling holes, etc. takes a little more coordinatino and comfort than using a climber, just moving your tree strap up every time.

4) WEATHER WEATHER WEATHER. Not sure where in canada you are, but I live in Vermont. IT gets butt cold...really Freaking cold, wet, snowy windy, and icy...during the season. I dont have a ton of time to hunt right now, so if its a day I have scheduled to hunt, I hunt. NO WAY I am hanging in my tree saddle most of those days, or drillling holes to climb. Either presets and a hang on, ahem...an ladderstand on my property. The only saddle I"ve been able to sit in that kind of weather is a guidos, and thats a beast of its own.

5) Time. How much time do you want to spend playing with gear the first year and how much time do you want to spend hunting? If you join the saddle game, I guarantee you will spend a ton of time playing wtih your gear(not a bad thing)

6) how "Far out" do you hunt, really. Do you hike an hour plus before sitting? have you been a ground hunter-walk and stalk your entire life? will you be able to even sit still in a tree for 6 hours straigh or will you great miseably bored? keep that in mind...if you want to move around and "maybe go up a tree" a saddle like a recon and a handfull of steps has a huge advantage.

People here are from different states, hunt differently because of game population, type of land, climate, other hunter competition, are "trophy hunters" v. Food Hunters. My suggestion is choose what will make you get the most time in the "tree" in all circumatances you expect yourself hunting. Dont get caught up in the "Game Changing" saddle fad. ITs an AWESOME tool, but in the end, we're all jsut tryint to kill animals the best we can in the environment we hunt in.

If whatever you buy gets you out elevated and gives you more opportunity and advantages, you're doing good.....Oh yeah, HAVE FUN!

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Yes. Have fun.
In 2016 I got an EVO practiced for an hour and used it the next day. 2019. I forgot to attach my pull down rope before rappelling. Left the rope. Bought a hand ascender watched some videos and went back the next night and did an SRT hunt.
I don’t recommend all that but it was no problem. But it sure added to the fun part. And the noise and no deer part.
Maybe a not 100% great idea. But it was fun


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[ImThere]

all i see is cans of worms multiple cans, many, many worms
and one very deep rabbit hole