Opinions sought- climbers, saddles or ground blinds - best for public land hunt?

[Pso94]

Curious about your opinions and experience- positive or negative- with saddles, climbers or ground blinds for public land hunts. Any pros/cons to these you've experienced? Thx

 

[KP Outdoors]

Saddle was a game changer for me. The mobility and lightweight to carry around really can't be beat in my opinion.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Saddle was a game changer for me. The mobility and lightweight to carry around really can't be beat in my opinion.

My oldest son loves his. And it is relatively fast to set up. Not for me but I'm old. I like ladder stands and tree seats. I used climbers for years but too much to pack in IMO. Only used ladder stands on my private property.

 

[Rakkin6]

Saddle was a game changer for me. The mobility and lightweight to carry around really can't be beat in my opinion.

Never tried saddle hunting but in regards to comfort it's tough to beat a good Summit. I have the Summit Goliath and it is plenty roomy comfortable enough to nap in, and to me it's not to heavy. Granted on public ground I like to stay out and let the other Elmers push deer around. Just my preference on how I hunt.

 

[Iglow]

Maybe if they were around 30 years ago I'd be a saddle hunter but it's just to involved, too many steps, too many parts for me. I was trying it the other day and thought a climber and a little folding saw would be a lot faster easier and quieter but I'm old.

 

[Ski]

How about still hunting? I don't see many people doing it these days but I've always found it to be effective, especially on large public tracts where sometimes you need to cover ground to find deer. I often brush myself into a fallen tree to sit awhile, then move on to another spot for awhile. About half of my bucks are killed that way. Don't fall into the thought that you need a stand or blind. They each have their place but not having them also has a place.

 

[Rackseeker]

Really depends on the terrain. Alot of factors all together. Myself I could see where a saddle would be probably the best all around pick. But at my age I don't think I could put in the hours on stand in a saddle as I can my climber. I don't like to hunt out of a loc on much anymore but I have couple areas that I don't have much of a choice.

 

[redblood]

None of the above. Id would go with light hand and hunt combo. Problably a hawk helium stick set and a loggy bayou ultra light locon (8 pounds)

 

[Grnwing]

Used a climber and been able to get the job done, don't really hunt areas where I can't find a tree to set up in that d be the major decision to switch to a saddle. I can pack out a whole deer on the back of the climber pretty easily, not sure how I d do that on a saddle set up.. I use it 90% on public hunting old fields and some big river bottoms.

 

[DMD]

In Tennessee - definitely climber.

 

[knightrider]

Saddle only for me, can climb any tree in the woods as high as i want with under 8lbs of equipment and be hunting height in 10 minutes and as quiet as a mouse in the middle of the night

 

[Lost Lake]

On public, climber with a bow and stay on the ground with a firearm.

 

[philsanchez76]

Most of our Tennessee public is WAY to thick on the ground with underbrush for a ground blind and most trees have way too many branches for a climber. Public around here has almost no "pretty woods" and if there is a small spread out group of oaks, that area will be loaded with hunters. The saddle is the clear winner. My go to is to only climb one stick height and hang my saddle. It just enough to be able to shoot over the thick underbrush and get out of the direct line of site of the deer, but not so high that you have to risk making a lot noise.

Edit: this advice applies to bow season. As others have said, im usually on the ground once gun hits.

 

[lol]

I'm just getting back into hunting after 20 years out of state but I always ground hunted and will continue but man is it more uncomfortable than it used to be. Currently I'm researching seats for ground hunting. I've seen a lot about the millennium tree seat but not a lot about other seats that don't necessarily require a tree to use. I like the mobility of not having to setup since I do a lot of still hunting.

 

[knightrider]

I'm just getting back into hunting after 20 years out of state but I always ground hunted and will continue but many is it more uncomfortable than it used to be. Currently I'm researching seats for ground hunting. I've seen a lot about the millennium tree seat but not a lot about other seats that don't necessarily require a tree to use. I like the mobility of not having to setup since I do a lot of still hunting.

Ive killed a bunch of deer out of a 25 dollar turkey seat in the past

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

While I enjoy saddle hunting I plan on hunting from the ground, without a blind, this year. I rather use natural falls and brush instead of ground blinds. Tuck in and cut a few shooting lanes and ready to go. Killed my only deer last year that way.

 

[lol]

Ive killed a bunch of deer out of a 25 dollar turkey seat in the past

I think everyone I've ever killed was a$$ in the dirt.

 

[lafn96]

How about still hunting? I don't see many people doing it these days but I've always found it to be effective, especially on large public tracts where sometimes you need to cover ground to find deer. I often brush myself into a fallen tree to sit awhile, then move on to another spot for awhile. About half of my bucks are killed that way. Don't fall into the thought that you need a stand or blind. They each have their place but not having them also has a place.

You do that with a bow or rifle?

 

[Bagg-it Tag-it]

I'm just getting back into hunting after 20 years out of state but I always ground hunted and will continue but man is it more uncomfortable than it used to be. Currently I'm researching seats for ground hunting. I've seen a lot about the millennium tree seat but not a lot about other seats that don't necessarily require a tree to use. I like the mobility of not having to setup since I do a lot of still hunting.

I use a gobbler lounger type of chair that sits off the ground 4-5". It is perfect for gun hunting.

 

[lol]

I use a gobbler lounger type of chair that sits off the ground 4-5". It is perfect for gun hunting.

I have a couple of those that are extremely comfortable but lean too far back for using a scope. Probably ordered the wrong brand. I've got a millenium run and gun on the way that doesn't have any back rest that I want to try out.

 

[Bagg-it Tag-it]

I have a couple of those that are extremely comfortable but lean too far back for using a scope. Probably ordered the wrong brand. I've got a millenium run and gun on the way that doesn't have any back rest that I want to try out.

I have not ever had that problem. Maybe I lean into the scope when shooting? I keep a cheap bipod on my rifle and have the legs extended and it is very easy to maneauver and to shoot from the chair with a gun.

 

[Ski]

You do that with a bow or rifle?

Both. One last year with bow. Two the year before with gun and one with bow. Many through the years.

The buck below I shot after grunting at another buck in the distance. He was on a steady walk so I grunted to get his attention and he sped up walking even faster away. I was perplexed until this guy came charging in on me. Apparently he'd just got done chasing the other buck away and was now focused on me. He came to within spitting distance, only an oak tree between us and I was completely exposed. I could only see his nose and antler tips when he'd turn his head scanning for where that grunt came from, and could see steam exit his nostrils every breath. My heart was pounding and he was so close I was afraid he'd hear it or see steam coming from my nostrils LOL. But I sat statue still and he eventually walked off slowly. Soon as his head was looking away from me I drew my bow & let it rip.

I've never shook so much in my life while hunting. He could easily have tore me apart. Both base circumference measurements went almost 6" and the fourth measurements were still over 4".

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

Both. One last year with bow. Two the year before with gun and one with bow. Many through the years.

The buck below I shot after grunting at another buck in the distance. He was on a steady walk so I grunted to get his attention and he sped up walking even faster away. I was perplexed until this guy came charging in on me. Apparently he'd just got done chasing the other buck away and was now focused on me. He came to within spitting distance, only an oak tree between us and I was completely exposed. I could only see his nose and antler tips when he'd turn his head scanning for where that grunt came from, and could see steam exit his nostrils every breath. My heart was pounding and he was so close I was afraid he'd hear it or see steam coming from my nostrils LOL. But I sat statue still and he eventually walked off slowly. Soon as his head was looking away from me I drew my bow & let it rip.

I've never shook so much in my life while hunting. He could easily have tore me apart. Both base circumference measurements went almost 6" and the fourth measurements were still over 4".

View attachment 240201

Now that's huntin'!!

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

If I set up a blind on public land I throw some orange on it.

 

[TNRifleman]

I have grown really apathetic about whitetail hunting since I've started going out west. I ditched everything and just make little brushed in spots at the bases of trees. Walk in, plop down my Big Agnes ultralight stool, sit and watch the sun come up or go down and enjoy the time. If I kill a deer, it would be the cherry on top but I just have no passion to climb anymore.

 

[Ski]

Now that's huntin'!!

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

 

[lol]

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

When I was a teen, I had a camo blanket I'd sit under. I had chipmunks running back and forth under it during a sit and once had a squirrel sit on the toe of my boot and eat an acorn.

 

[Ski]

When I was a teen, I had a camo blanket I'd sit under. I had chipmunks running back and forth under it during a sit and once had a squirrel sit on the toe of my boot and eat an acorn.

That stuff is priceless to me. I love interacting with the forest, being a part of it, just another critter going about my business. Nothing wrong with blinds & stands. I use them too. But they always make me feel like a spectator, not a player. When I'm on the ground I'm in the game, not at the game.

 

[Apostolic Outdoors]

Yessir! That's why I do it from the ground as much as I do. And it's not always the deer killing that gets exciting. I've had right up close encounters with squirrels, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, etc. It's fun messing with curious critters. I see plenty from the stand but it's a whole different thing interacting with them.

I'm the same way. I've gotten some cool pictures that way.

 

[Shanman]

One huge advantage I see with still hunting or ground hunting is that you can move locations quickly if need be and you are scouting as you go. Even if you've scouted an area out weeks before the deer sign might have changed. I LOVE the saddle but staying stationary with no action going on is monotonous as heck for me. I usually still hunt and scout once gun season starts.