Hope everyone had a more successful opening than me but i had my first hunts ever in a saddle today after 30+ years of hauling and hanging portables. Even worked at one point for a tree stand maker in sales when i was younger but I am getting older and the draw of going light and mobile on public with a saddle and the safety it offered outweighed the money and change i had to put at risk. Here is my take after the first weekend for anyone considering one. If your not interested in a tree saddle i would stop reading now. It is a little lengthy.
For the first time in years, i was at the bottom of tree having to think my way through every step. It took me about 20 min but not all that bad. Once in it, I was very surprised how much i liked it. I had practiced 3 times over the summer. Only shot twice which i know was no where near as much as i should or normally would but 3 young kids and a new home kept me busy over the summer but the 2 times i did shoot it seemed natural. I actually even liked the shooting position.
Now after a weekend here is my take on it. i 100% like it more than i ever thought i would. It is light. the saddle itself is about the same as a standard safety harness. You probably give up 2 extra pounds in "saddle" gear over a safety harness alone but weight is on your hip rather than back and you dont even know you have it on. You walk normal. One of the best parts was having everything on my hips in 3 pouches attached to the saddle. Highly recommend using the pouches. I had all saddle gear and all my normal hunting gear in 3 pouches in hip. No backpack or fanny pack. Now, when i go hunting, i just grab the saddle because it all my gear other than the sticks. This was something i never even considered but one of my favorite benefits.
The set up is easy but you do have a few more "items" to use but not bad. Comfort is not as good as my summit but probably better than a lock on. Safety is a big plus but you do need to make sure you are always attached. It would be hard to mess up but i was paying attention every step of the way to come up with my new process. The height i got to was more than adequate but i will be looking more at a rope/web ladder step aider
that will help me get higher without much extra weight. I was around 18 feet with 3 hawk sticks.
As far as negatives, i did get some pinch on my hips that required me to stand and go to new positions. Not bad. Maybe my older bines (50). I did not have knee pads but will next time. You will want to just sit and hang some times and the tree will eat your knees up. Just sitting in it and resting my knees on tree was the most comfortable position. Knee pads are mandatory. Height is not a negative because i could just add a stick.
After using it, i will use it at least 90% of the time
but that is primarily bc i will be all public this year. The only reason i would not use it would be for long rifle shot (200 yd +) or if i had a pre- hung stand.
For the first time in years, i was at the bottom of tree having to think my way through every step. It took me about 20 min but not all that bad. Once in it, I was very surprised how much i liked it. I had practiced 3 times over the summer. Only shot twice which i know was no where near as much as i should or normally would but 3 young kids and a new home kept me busy over the summer but the 2 times i did shoot it seemed natural. I actually even liked the shooting position.
Now after a weekend here is my take on it. i 100% like it more than i ever thought i would. It is light. the saddle itself is about the same as a standard safety harness. You probably give up 2 extra pounds in "saddle" gear over a safety harness alone but weight is on your hip rather than back and you dont even know you have it on. You walk normal. One of the best parts was having everything on my hips in 3 pouches attached to the saddle. Highly recommend using the pouches. I had all saddle gear and all my normal hunting gear in 3 pouches in hip. No backpack or fanny pack. Now, when i go hunting, i just grab the saddle because it all my gear other than the sticks. This was something i never even considered but one of my favorite benefits.
The set up is easy but you do have a few more "items" to use but not bad. Comfort is not as good as my summit but probably better than a lock on. Safety is a big plus but you do need to make sure you are always attached. It would be hard to mess up but i was paying attention every step of the way to come up with my new process. The height i got to was more than adequate but i will be looking more at a rope/web ladder step aider
that will help me get higher without much extra weight. I was around 18 feet with 3 hawk sticks.
As far as negatives, i did get some pinch on my hips that required me to stand and go to new positions. Not bad. Maybe my older bines (50). I did not have knee pads but will next time. You will want to just sit and hang some times and the tree will eat your knees up. Just sitting in it and resting my knees on tree was the most comfortable position. Knee pads are mandatory. Height is not a negative because i could just add a stick.
After using it, i will use it at least 90% of the time
but that is primarily bc i will be all public this year. The only reason i would not use it would be for long rifle shot (200 yd +) or if i had a pre- hung stand.