Why saddle over hang on

[rutjr]

First it's fun, I enjoy sitting in the saddle. Mobility, it's so easy to pack up and move. Lastly you can hide in the tree using the tree for cover. I think treestands stick out.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

All these are excellent reasons to choose a saddle over a hang on. I agree with all of them. For me weight and bulk was a barrier to hunting overall, not just hunting deep and far. I needed to remove as many barriers to getting out on a hunt that I could.

I'll add one more reason though that I think is most compelling. While it is always a thrill to see and harvest deer, it was a whole new level for me this year when that simple 2.5 year old Doe walked right by the tree I was hiding behind (saddle benefit) and I drop shot her at 15 yards while dangling in the air.

Simply awesome.

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[fbwguy]

My reason was to make my hunting easier. It had become harder to hike into the deep woods with climbers or loc-ons. At 50 years old, i was ready for a change. With saddle hunting I could walk further, lighter, with much less noise and not feel like I ran a marathon when got to hunting height. I found it much more comfortable and so much safer than what I'd been accustomed to doing for years. So began a life changing event, I decided that with my new hunting lifestyle, I would get healthy. This hunting season I'm 56 lbs lighter, thanks to Keto. I cut my gear weight and my body weight by approximately by 75 lbs. That has made such a significant change in my hunting,as well as every day living. This might sound stupid or silly, but if I didn't discover saddle hunting, I don't think I would have changed by lifestyle. I truly think it's added potential years to my hunting and definitely to my well being.

 

[DaveT1963]

My reason was to make my hunting easier. It had become harder to hike into the deep woods with climbers or loc-ons. At 50 years old, i was ready for a change. With saddle hunting I could walk further, lighter, with much less noise and not feel like I ran a marathon when got to hunting height. I found it much more comfortable and so much safer than what I'd been accustomed to doing for years. So began a life changing event, I decided that with my new hunting lifestyle, I would get healthy. This hunting season I'm 56 lbs lighter, thanks to Keto. I cut my gear weight and my body weight by approximately by 75 lbs. That has made such a significant change in my hunting,as well as every day living. This might sound stupid or silly, but if I didn't discover saddle hunting, I don't think I would have changed by lifestyle. I truly think it's added potential years to my hunting and definitely to my well being.

Congrats on the weight loss - I lost close to 40 and I know what you mean this season was fun and I did far more then in seasons past - Finding KETO and losing that weight was the best decision I made in 2017 - crap best decision I made this decade.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

My main reason initially was safety. For some reason, the last several years, I've been having a hard time staying awake during those all-day sits, especially on a warm, sunny day. I would fall asleep to the point of snoring, dreaming and drooling. I would be out cold. I figured it would just be a matter of time until I fell off the platform. Even though I wore a harness, the thought of even as little as a 12 inch fall got me realizing I either needed to ground hunt or get a saddle.
Since I got my rig perfected, I've found a lot of other reasons why I wouldn't go back to a hang-on. I shoot traditional bows so my effective, ethical shooting range tops out at about 19 yards. Finding a tree that works within my shooting parameters can be a real challenge. Seems like the tree in the right spot always has an issue like leaning the wrong way or some other problem. There are a lot more tree possibilities in the woods with a saddle.
Another key benefit to me is my spots are much less obvious to other hunters. I hide from hunters as much as I hide from deer.

 

[DanielB89]

IT all boils down to one thing to me... weight. I almost cut my total weight in half. What I used to carry in every would be stand (#13) plus 4 sticks (#12), extra clothes (roughly #10 with bag) and filming supplies (#8). Now I've knocked #10 off my stand and almost #5 pound off my climbing sticks.

 

[skell]

Maneuverability
Adaptability
Lightweight
Comfortable
Packability
Efficient
Safe
Quiet
Fun

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I would add one to this...

Stability

I would say I was never 100% comfortable on a hang-on. Even with my harness. May be mental, but the 3rd point of contact (bridge/tether) being tight has made a big difference in my comfort level and how stable I feel maneuvering for a shot.

 

[SH4896]

I would add one to this...

Stability

I would say I was never 100% comfortable on a hang-on. Even with my harness. May be mental, but the 3rd point of contact (bridge/tether) being tight has made a big difference in my comfort level and how stable I feel maneuvering for a shot.

This and what was said before "vertigo". I have never felt comfortable in an open front hangon or climber. Its actually hard for me to even stand up, much less move to make a shot. Im literally scared sh@*less up there, body just freezes up when I look out and theres nothing in front of me. First time in a saddle, didnt feel any anxiety, total freedom. It make such a huge difference to be facing the tree, for me at least. I was really surprised when i first climbed up, its awesome.

 

[Apex7]

Maneuverability
Adaptability
Lightweight
Comfortable
Packability
Efficient
Safe
Quiet
Fun


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Couldn't have stated it any better.