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Which side of a leaning tree to climb and hunt when saddle hunting?

ae10

ae10

New Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2021
Messages
4
Hey guys, new to this, and just started tinkering. Which side of a slightly leaning tree is do you guys find easier to climb & same question for the platform to hunt? Lean in or away?

My aiders are kinda tough to get into when the tree leans away, yet always easier climbing?


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I like the high side. I was taught that from an old job of climbing electric poles. From experience climbing climbing the low side isn’t much fun. I also feel like low side unless you’re on the very bottom of the low side you’ll notice good ole gravity. Sometimes a tree tells you where you have to climb it but I prefer the high side.
With aiders it does make it more difficult as well. You’ll have to swing your aider off the tree and slid your foot in. Then swing it back so you’re still stepping toe to tree. Hard to explain.
 
Bowtie747 said:
I like the high side. I was taught that from an old job of climbing electric poles. From experience climbing climbing the low side isn’t much fun. I also feel like low side unless you’re on the very bottom of the low side you’ll notice good ole gravity. Sometimes a tree tells you where you have to climb it but I prefer the high side.
With aiders it does make it more difficult as well. You’ll have to swing your aider off the tree and slid your foot in. Then swing it back so you’re still stepping toe to tree. Hard to explain.
Click to expand...

Yep that all makes perfect sense. Find straight trees lol!


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I climb and hunt on the low side. If u hunt on the high side u can swing unexpectedly sometime when maneuvering for a shot....on the low side ur kinda in a fixed spot but can maneuver with ur hips or if it leans out far enough just sit and spin....obviously look for better alternative and even think outside the box a little and see if u can tuck in to a little cover somewhere and tether to a tree standing on the ground
 
One sticking I prefer to climb on the high side if I can. That way I'm not hanging off the tree as I advance my tether. As far as sitting in a leaning tree I find the situation generally dictates whether I'm on the low or high side. If I'm choosing to climb a leaner its because its the best, or only, option available for that setup. Whether I'm on the low or high side depends entirely on which side my strong side shot should be facing for the setup. High side is doable but low side is better for me.
 
Weldabeast said:
I climb and hunt on the low side. If u hunt on the high side u can swing unexpectedly sometime when maneuvering for a shot....on the low side ur kinda in a fixed spot but can maneuver with ur hips or if it leans out far enough just sit and spin....obviously look for better alternative and even think outside the box a little and see if u can tuck in to a little cover somewhere and tether to a tree standing on the ground
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but why would you saddle hunt standing on the ground? Seems to me, you might as well just stand there.
 
I climb on the high side. Otherwise it feels like gravity is trying to pull you off the tree. Spiderman wouldn't care but I ain't Spiderman!
 
Weldabeast said:
The woods here allow it also.... Places that lose leaves it's maybe not the smartest idea?...I just find most deer sign where there aren't any climbable trees but sitting on the ground or a bucket hurts my back.
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One time I went out this season I forgot my throwball and line, so I ditched all my saddle gear in the truck and went in with just my bow. I ended up sitting in some deadfall as cover just off a well worn trail.

That was the day that I decided that even if I can't climb, I'm still bringing my tether and saddle so I can at least sit in more comfort than sitting on a log. Or the ground. Or a bucket.
 
WannaBMonkey said:
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but why would you saddle hunt standing on the ground? Seems to me, you might as well just stand there.
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Sometimes you don’t have the shooting lanes from an elevated position or the right tree. So you’re in essence bucket hunting from the ground but you get better back support and you’re not on the wet ground. I’ve seen guys that change trees and move a lot, often use their saddle as a ground level seat. There were some guys on St Vincent’s island that were stalk hunting but took their Hawk saddles to use to take breaks and rest throughout the day similar to how guys used to use a sit drag to sit in lol
 
boyne bowhunter said:
One sticking I prefer to climb on the high side if I can. That way I'm not hanging off the tree as I advance my tether. As far as sitting in a leaning tree I find the situation generally dictates whether I'm on the low or high side. If I'm choosing to climb a leaner its because its the best, or only, option available for that setup. Whether I'm on the low or high side depends entirely on which side my strong side shot should be facing for the setup. High side is doable but low side is better for me.
Click to expand...

Well said and this is my method as well. High side is usually easier especially one sticking.


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As a lineman we were always taught to climb on the high side of a pole so that’s what I do when I look at tree I don’t worry about height so much as where I want to be on the tree plan my route up the tree and get after it
 
if the tree is angled to the left, then i climb the right side (gravity pulls you to tree) and hang from the left side (gravity pulls you away from tree)

if you hunt any other side than the left, then if you hang, then the tether and gravity will try to pull you to the left...so you have to stand like a regular tree stand....i've violated this and swung pretty violently
 
I have a hammock seat, but wow! Never thought of using my saddle at ground level. I bet I can hang from it quicker, have better maneuverability and I already know I can shoot a bow from it. Can’t shoot a bow from the hammock seat I don’t think……but I never tried.
 
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