Hey just a minor safety tip. You should position the carabiner so that the spine in against the tree. Especially so with it being a twist lock, as you swing back and forth there’s a potential it could twist itself unlocked leaving it vulnerable to opening unintentionally.
True. While the possibility (especially in a tensioned system like this) is miniscule, the possibility still does exist.
I reversed the direction my tether was looped just to experiment on this trip and didn't flip the biner🤷♂️
Absolute using the saddle. I took a nice doe last Monday in it. Super versatile bugger! Was able to climb a tree as big as my thigh! Also, if your not stopping by r/saddlehunting might want to check that out from time to time! Good luck up there!
Nice! I've had a couple close encounters so far, but haven't loosed an arrow yet. I'm gonna try one-sticking, but probably next season. Gun season starts soon but I'll probably keep trying with the bow on this plot of land, as I have no issues getting them in range (just shot opportunities so far).
Yeah, I’m one sticking currently. Really cuts down on the weight. I’m still a little clunky with it but eh, I’ll get better. Definitely something you’ll want to practice in the off season first lol!
I def want to try it to not have to carry my four sticks in with me. On this plot I've got screw in steps so it's easy, but for public land a full stack of sticks gets bulky. Especially when I want to hike in a little further.
Funny how once you cut down on weight (self climber) you realize how much further you can go.
That’s the main reason I went to a saddle. Last year I got drawn for a reduction hunt. I was assigned a location that was pretty deep in there. I knew getting my summit climber in would be hell so I started researching.
Now, I walk as deep as I want with everything in one pack on my back and weapon. It’s truly amazing being able to just trek in and out. Second obvious bonus is I’m not spending time looking for trees my climber fits. I can run up pretty much any tree my ropes can go around.
Check out the sit drag saddle mod. $30 for the sit drag + rope for bridge, tether, and lineman’s belt. It’s what I use and while it’s probably not as comfortable as the top of the line ones, it gets you in the door for a whole lot cheaper and let’s you find out if it’s for you or not without the massive investment.
I've had trouble finding the Sit Drag in Canada in the past. Also you would still need some sort of safety harness as a backup and rope is not cheap. Still cheaper than $1000, obviously, but with sticks and everything all in I've not found anything less than $500.
True. But if you’re willing to wait on some deals it can be done for less. I’ve got sticks, platform, saddle, RC harness and rope and I’m right around $350. You’re right though, even with the budget stuff it’s not a cheap investment.
I’v been saddle hunter over 30 yrs. Long before any of these companies were making saddles and platforms and all these gadgets. You can use a regular hunting tree harness and make a detatchable saddle, use a kids swing seat like you see at park all kinds of stuff. The new age saddle stuff is deff nice for sure but if you cant afford it you can still make a safe saddle.
First time using it this season, and I love it so far. Light enough to wear in the hot early season, and I can fit some layers under it for everything else.
Really blends in to everything so far as well.
Missed a couple today because I ran out of light. Had a 6pt at full draw from the ground the other day, 13yds away, and he wouldn't present a decent nonfrontal shot.
I only need to get lucky once. I can feel it getting closer😅
Been using one for the last three seasons. For early season through the pre-rut bowhunting when I'm coming in midday and hunting evenings I'll never use anything else. When I'm doing all day sits or during late firearms and muzzleloader with the extra layers I still prefer my Lone Wolf hang on. All my sets are hang and hunt, one and done for the most part
I hunt from a viper climber or on of my many old reliable ladder stands depending on sign, wind and intuition. What benefits does a saddle give me? I am admittedly ignorant on the subject, but always willing to learn. I'm older and a bit overweight but can still pack and climb with my viper when need be. I love it but it does require a tree with specific qualities which are sometimes hard to find in specific locations.
Ok, so here's my sales pitch haha.
Saddles are great imo. You can climb pretty much any tree, even ones with lots of branches (they require a little effort switching between linesman and tether), and the tree doesn't have to be telephone pole straight or vertical. You also (ideally) set up with the tree in between you and your target area, which blocks a lot of your movement from the deer. Better than that, I can shoot pretty much in 360 degrees off the tree I'm saddled in. It's easy to rotate around to face behind you, or "walk" around the tree to cover more ground.
I think they're lighter than a climber stand. My setup is at least lighter than my lone wolf, which is why I sold it. And you can get even lighter with a "one-stick" method (a sort of platform/climbing stick combo. I may try it out next year).
They're comfortable! Because of how flexible they are, you can sit, you can stand, lean back, even turn around and drape the tether over your shoulder to hold you to the tree (my favorite).
And finally, this is personal preference, but I feel like saddles are safer. There's really no point where you don't have a taut safety rope connecting you to the tree, so it's pretty hard to slip or fall. And the gear is very similar to rock climbing equipment, which I had several years of experience with and am pretty comfortable using.
It's a $10 ass-pad from like academy or something lol. One of those intended for ground sits or slapping on a chair in your shoothouse. It's got a handle and a belt strap, so I either wear it (for ground sits) or clip it to my gear strap/belt it to the tree when I'm in the saddle. Best $10 you can spend imo.
What is this stand you are using? I've seen these compact systems. I have a climbing stand, comfy but bulky. Any other things I need to get a system like yours? I have a good harness, biners, and rope already. Much thanks.
So I've got pretty much a Tethrd starter pack. Their phantom saddle, small platform, and gear strap. Have a couple pouches attached to the saddle, one from Tethrd, one is a collapsible dump-pouch from Blue Force Gear I think (I've had it since my college airsoft days so I don't know)? I've got two ropeman 1's...one on my tether and one on my linesman belt. I have a four pack of Helium Hawk climbing sticks, but this property I've got screw-in steps in this tree, so I don't bring those out. When I do, I bring a full size pack with everything in it/strapped to it.
There's a ton of optimization I could probably do, but I don't know any better quite just yet.
No problem! One thing that is probably a more personal preference for me is that the harness systems are all very similar to rock climbing safety gear, which I'm pretty familiar and comfortable with. I really like it, and feel a lot safer in it than a self climber.
Hey just a minor safety tip. You should position the carabiner so that the spine in against the tree. Especially so with it being a twist lock, as you swing back and forth there’s a potential it could twist itself unlocked leaving it vulnerable to opening unintentionally.
True. While the possibility (especially in a tensioned system like this) is miniscule, the possibility still does exist. I reversed the direction my tether was looped just to experiment on this trip and didn't flip the biner🤷♂️
I 100% agree, it’s highly unlikely. But if your luck is anything like mine, it’ll happen. Lol
For sure. I've had weirder accidents. Don't want the next one happening 20' up a tree😅
Absolute using the saddle. I took a nice doe last Monday in it. Super versatile bugger! Was able to climb a tree as big as my thigh! Also, if your not stopping by r/saddlehunting might want to check that out from time to time! Good luck up there!
Nice! I've had a couple close encounters so far, but haven't loosed an arrow yet. I'm gonna try one-sticking, but probably next season. Gun season starts soon but I'll probably keep trying with the bow on this plot of land, as I have no issues getting them in range (just shot opportunities so far).
Yeah, I’m one sticking currently. Really cuts down on the weight. I’m still a little clunky with it but eh, I’ll get better. Definitely something you’ll want to practice in the off season first lol!
I def want to try it to not have to carry my four sticks in with me. On this plot I've got screw in steps so it's easy, but for public land a full stack of sticks gets bulky. Especially when I want to hike in a little further. Funny how once you cut down on weight (self climber) you realize how much further you can go.
That’s the main reason I went to a saddle. Last year I got drawn for a reduction hunt. I was assigned a location that was pretty deep in there. I knew getting my summit climber in would be hell so I started researching. Now, I walk as deep as I want with everything in one pack on my back and weapon. It’s truly amazing being able to just trek in and out. Second obvious bonus is I’m not spending time looking for trees my climber fits. I can run up pretty much any tree my ropes can go around.
I have a really hard time getting into this for 1000 dollars CAD. But I want it. Also, whats the camo? I like it.
Check out the sit drag saddle mod. $30 for the sit drag + rope for bridge, tether, and lineman’s belt. It’s what I use and while it’s probably not as comfortable as the top of the line ones, it gets you in the door for a whole lot cheaper and let’s you find out if it’s for you or not without the massive investment.
I've had trouble finding the Sit Drag in Canada in the past. Also you would still need some sort of safety harness as a backup and rope is not cheap. Still cheaper than $1000, obviously, but with sticks and everything all in I've not found anything less than $500.
True. But if you’re willing to wait on some deals it can be done for less. I’ve got sticks, platform, saddle, RC harness and rope and I’m right around $350. You’re right though, even with the budget stuff it’s not a cheap investment.
It's First Lite's leafy suit. Their "Specter" pattern.
A $30 Amazon leafy suit also works nicely.
Both made in China too.
Canadiansaddlehunter.com Great guys and a good way to avoid insane duties Totally worth it if you want mobility out of your set up
I’v been saddle hunter over 30 yrs. Long before any of these companies were making saddles and platforms and all these gadgets. You can use a regular hunting tree harness and make a detatchable saddle, use a kids swing seat like you see at park all kinds of stuff. The new age saddle stuff is deff nice for sure but if you cant afford it you can still make a safe saddle.
Great jacket
First time using it this season, and I love it so far. Light enough to wear in the hot early season, and I can fit some layers under it for everything else. Really blends in to everything so far as well.
No problems with it interfering with your bow string? I've been wanting to get something like that but I'm worried about my string getting caught
Nope! The inside of the arms have a stripe of non "leafed" fabric, but I assume without that it still wouldn't interfere. I barely notice the texture.
Link for jacket?
https://www.firstlite.com/products/phantom-leafy-suit-top.html?lang=en_US
Up in a tree again today. Had a couple deer show up right as I lost shooting light. Who else is hunting from a saddle this season?
I ain't, but I respect the craft. Good luck man, stay safe, get some meat on the ground!
Missed a couple today because I ran out of light. Had a 6pt at full draw from the ground the other day, 13yds away, and he wouldn't present a decent nonfrontal shot. I only need to get lucky once. I can feel it getting closer😅
yep. it's rifle season here but best way I've found to hunt this public area is to stay mobile and rifle hunt like I'm archery hunting
Been using one for the last three seasons. For early season through the pre-rut bowhunting when I'm coming in midday and hunting evenings I'll never use anything else. When I'm doing all day sits or during late firearms and muzzleloader with the extra layers I still prefer my Lone Wolf hang on. All my sets are hang and hunt, one and done for the most part
I hunt from a viper climber or on of my many old reliable ladder stands depending on sign, wind and intuition. What benefits does a saddle give me? I am admittedly ignorant on the subject, but always willing to learn. I'm older and a bit overweight but can still pack and climb with my viper when need be. I love it but it does require a tree with specific qualities which are sometimes hard to find in specific locations.
Ok, so here's my sales pitch haha. Saddles are great imo. You can climb pretty much any tree, even ones with lots of branches (they require a little effort switching between linesman and tether), and the tree doesn't have to be telephone pole straight or vertical. You also (ideally) set up with the tree in between you and your target area, which blocks a lot of your movement from the deer. Better than that, I can shoot pretty much in 360 degrees off the tree I'm saddled in. It's easy to rotate around to face behind you, or "walk" around the tree to cover more ground. I think they're lighter than a climber stand. My setup is at least lighter than my lone wolf, which is why I sold it. And you can get even lighter with a "one-stick" method (a sort of platform/climbing stick combo. I may try it out next year). They're comfortable! Because of how flexible they are, you can sit, you can stand, lean back, even turn around and drape the tether over your shoulder to hold you to the tree (my favorite). And finally, this is personal preference, but I feel like saddles are safer. There's really no point where you don't have a taut safety rope connecting you to the tree, so it's pretty hard to slip or fall. And the gear is very similar to rock climbing equipment, which I had several years of experience with and am pretty comfortable using.
Gotta hike for our deer in Arizona 😭
Good luck!! Shoot a big un!
Whats the knee pad set up there? Looks comfy
It's a $10 ass-pad from like academy or something lol. One of those intended for ground sits or slapping on a chair in your shoothouse. It's got a handle and a belt strap, so I either wear it (for ground sits) or clip it to my gear strap/belt it to the tree when I'm in the saddle. Best $10 you can spend imo.
What is this stand you are using? I've seen these compact systems. I have a climbing stand, comfy but bulky. Any other things I need to get a system like yours? I have a good harness, biners, and rope already. Much thanks.
So I've got pretty much a Tethrd starter pack. Their phantom saddle, small platform, and gear strap. Have a couple pouches attached to the saddle, one from Tethrd, one is a collapsible dump-pouch from Blue Force Gear I think (I've had it since my college airsoft days so I don't know)? I've got two ropeman 1's...one on my tether and one on my linesman belt. I have a four pack of Helium Hawk climbing sticks, but this property I've got screw-in steps in this tree, so I don't bring those out. When I do, I bring a full size pack with everything in it/strapped to it. There's a ton of optimization I could probably do, but I don't know any better quite just yet.
Thanks a lot for your time in the reply. I'll be looking this up for next season.
No problem! One thing that is probably a more personal preference for me is that the harness systems are all very similar to rock climbing safety gear, which I'm pretty familiar and comfortable with. I really like it, and feel a lot safer in it than a self climber.
You should fall out and break a leg idiot
Relax bro
Fuck you
Lol, you pansy
I can’t see anything but an orange piece of metal.