I've tried to be open minded, but I just don't get it. Now...to each his own. Some people love things others hate. I get it. And, I understand that out west and other places, there are no trees to use climbers. I get that too. But, I have tried to keep an open mind about tree saddles - everytime I see someone use one, I just shake my head and think: REALLY? With all the equipment you need to get up the tree, and latched to the tree, and platforms or rings of steps, etc. They look slow. They look clunky. They look complicated. Then...they look uncomfortable as heck. Standing on pegs or a tiny platform. I dunno - must be something to them, because everyone seems to be using them.
I've got two climbing stands - Summit Goliath and really lightweight (11 lbs) climbing stand. I can have them on a tree and up ready to hunt in no time. I can sit from first light till dark. I can and have carried the 11 lbs stand for miles. I can shoot pretty much 360 around the tree. I can climb quiet and quickly. Like I said - the one advantage I see with saddle is - ability to climb crooked trees or climbing trees with limbs.
Are these saddles just a fad? Or are they the wave of the future? I see them having some isolated usage in the future for certain situations. I could also see someone inventing a climbing system to go with them that makes them a little more desirable. I just really have no interest in them. But, to those who love them - more power to you. I certainly am not vilifying you. What say you?
I've got two climbing stands - Summit Goliath and really lightweight (11 lbs) climbing stand. I can have them on a tree and up ready to hunt in no time. I can sit from first light till dark. I can and have carried the 11 lbs stand for miles. I can shoot pretty much 360 around the tree. I can climb quiet and quickly. Like I said - the one advantage I see with saddle is - ability to climb crooked trees or climbing trees with limbs.
Are these saddles just a fad? Or are they the wave of the future? I see them having some isolated usage in the future for certain situations. I could also see someone inventing a climbing system to go with them that makes them a little more desirable. I just really have no interest in them. But, to those who love them - more power to you. I certainly am not vilifying you. What say you?