I bought a saddle last year after using stands for three decades and a week before season started I was checking a ladder stand that my wife and daughter hunted in. The top strap broke as I got to the top of the stand and I fell 19 feet. I crushed vertebrae’s and ruptured multiple disc…I came out lucky. Never leave the ground without being hooked into a safety line of some sort. I’ll be hunting from a saddle if not on the ground from now on.
I also cut my teeth in Northern Michigan! It was more like 30 years ago, and strictly ground hunted for the first 10 or so years. What a game changing development saddle hunting is! Keep up the great work.
I have the latitude classic and love it! One thing I do, which probably isn’t the best for mobility, is leave my lineman belt on if the wind it really blowing. It just helps me feel more secure on the tree.
I used an Ol Man climber 22 pounds. Hurt myself carrying it. Bought a saddle set up spent about $1000 after all my tweaking. Still about 20 pounds. I'm mostly a gun hunter and I found that it's tough to gun hunt in a saddle. Bought a Summit Mini climber 18 pounds. Saddle hunting is for bow hunting only. I also took up hiking with a weighted vest 30 pounds. If you are getting into the saddle game just to be lighter then it's time for you to get stronger.
Out of all the videos I've seen on this yours makes it sound alot more do able. I'm still using a climber for public land and yes it gets old because we hike miles in to get away from people and it gets heavy by that time.
Great video! Thanks for sharing! You’ve taught me a lot from your vids. Can you tell me what kind of camera mount you are using that has that extended arm?
I’ve always considered getting a saddle, still running a light weight stand for now. Kind of an off topic question but what bow hook do you use for this? When I sit my stand I usually just hold my bow in my lap or use screw ins if it is private land. Are there any solid strap on bow hooks that are cheap?
The ones I run are from Genesis 3d printing. Light weight and they pack really well. Their site is down for the weekend while their at the mobile hunter expo but look them up next week.
Maybe I missed this in the video, but what’s your preferred method for hauling your sticks up the tree as you attach them? I saw several approaches in different video… shock cord attached to the saddle, para cord tied to the sticks and clipped in a carabiner hanging from the saddle, 3D printed hanger clipped into the saddle webbing… what’s most efficient for you?
Typically, I use 1/8" shock cord to make loops at the end of each stick and clip that to a tiny caribeaner on my right hip. As I ascent, I unclip one at a time. I need to do some tinkering with these new sticks to see what will work best tho.
That's a good question. I'll generally get my tether out and attach to the tree that way so I can disconnect my lineman belt and go around the branch. Once I'm clear, I reattach.
This is the first I've ever heard of saddle hunting, so please pardon my silly question. If you're using a lineman belt to climb, how do you deal with a branch in your way? Do you have to tether in, move the lineman belt to above the branch, and then remove the tether? Being completely disconnected from the tree even for a moment seems way too sketchy.
This is what I use. They attach to the molle loops. I can still get you some close ups if you need. I'm www.customgearmodifications.com/product-page/gear-hoist-bag
Only if I set up with zero cover on the back of the tree and they end up coming from that direction. Otherwise, it's generally better because you can keep the tree between you and the deer.
I had a bit different progression as I’m a little older. 1st it was freezing next to Dad while sitting on ground against tree. 2nd was super heavy treestands and either metal ladders or screw in steps. Then both leggy bayou and summit climbers and finally a saddle. Now I was an arborist for 6yrs so transition was pretty easy other then how I was used to setting up and shooting. Now I kick myself for not goin to this method 25yrs ago!!! There basically is no tree I can’t get into other then a super huge one. This would have forded me more opportunities in the past and think my chances a big mature deer would have increased for sure had I don’t this type of hunting. I’m still working on my total system and think once perfected will lead to better chances at good bucks. Great video!
Thanks for sharing! You made me think and I missed a big part of my early years...building stands in the tree with old 2x4's...did quite a bit of that until we could afford to get the Menards clearance stands.
Interested in trying out a saddle but wondering how well it supports lower back cause I get tons of pain in lower back if I don’t wedge a bottle between me and most chairs
Hard to know with your exact situation but there's tons of room for adjustment. You can also get a back band that supports your back and can adjust how high/tight that is. I'd say a decent size platform would probably help too so you can stand up and stretch when needed.
Mine was around 20 pounds. I have Hawk climbing sticks and Wild Edge tree steps. Probably the lightest option is Bullman tree steps. I spent $1000 easily on my Saddle set up and I recently bought the Summit mini climber SD and it's 18 pounds. I can be 30 feet up a tree with that Summit climber before I could manage to get one step up with fighting all these ropes and straps etc. Don't get me wrong this saddle hunting looks cool though. I get it, some areas aren't ideal for climbers like the tree in this video. So it comes down to using either a hang on or a saddle. I think I prefer a hang on. It's nice to be able to sit down and stand up and be comfortable.
You're probably looking at about a grand for everything but once you have one, it replaces all of your cheaper hang on stands, etc. I used to buy as many stands and sticks as I could and take the time to set them all up, now I can hunt all over the country with just this one set up.
Who wants to be staring at a tree and trying to look around it the entire time? And why have a nice comfy seat when you can stand at an awkward angle the entire time? 🤡💩
It’s funny, I’ve never once thought about the fact that im just “staring at a tree”. There’s a reason so many people are getting into it. If it’s not for you tho, I get it. I’d challenge you on the “comfy” seat on treestands. Most of them are like 4”x8” with little padding.
If you don't tell people to use a ring of steps with their platforms then you are teaching them incorrectly. 360 degree stable shooting around the tree no matter the size is the whole point of the saddle. There is no need for all the ballerina stuff in a tree.
I bought a saddle last year after using stands for three decades and a week before season started I was checking a ladder stand that my wife and daughter hunted in. The top strap broke as I got to the top of the stand and I fell 19 feet. I crushed vertebrae’s and ruptured multiple disc…I came out lucky. Never leave the ground without being hooked into a safety line of some sort. I’ll be hunting from a saddle if not on the ground from now on.
Wow, glad you are here to type this. Definitely lucky. I hate seeing people not strapped into the tree. That goes for climbing especially.
I also cut my teeth in Northern Michigan! It was more like 30 years ago, and strictly ground hunted for the first 10 or so years. What a game changing development saddle hunting is! Keep up the great work.
Super cool! It’s a tough place to start hunting!
Really one of the best explanation of how to start saddle hunting. At least for myself thank you.
I really appreciate you saying that!
I have the latitude classic and love it! One thing I do, which probably isn’t the best for mobility, is leave my lineman belt on if the wind it really blowing. It just helps me feel more secure on the tree.
Lol you'll get more comfortable. I've hunted in some crazy conditions and never felt the need to double up. Whatever makes you feel safe tho!
Safety first always
I love how this video was to the point. All methods have pros & cons, but imho a saddle is the way to go 90% of the time
That's probably the percentage I would put on it too. All about personal preference tho.
Thank you! I’ll be hunting from a saddle first time this year. Extremely exited.
Good luck! It'll take a little bit of getting used to but I think you'll like it!
Thanks for the compact, concise, informative video ! You answered many questions that helped me decide to try this ingenious technique.
I used an Ol Man climber 22 pounds. Hurt myself carrying it. Bought a saddle set up spent about $1000 after all my tweaking. Still about 20 pounds. I'm mostly a gun hunter and I found that it's tough to gun hunt in a saddle. Bought a Summit Mini climber 18 pounds. Saddle hunting is for bow hunting only. I also took up hiking with a weighted vest 30 pounds. If you are getting into the saddle game just to be lighter then it's time for you to get stronger.
Thanks for making it right to the point
You got it 🤘🏻
Saddle hunting is da BOMB!!! 👍🏹🦌
"Aero" Joe
Couldn’t agree more!!!
Out of all the videos I've seen on this yours makes it sound alot more do able. I'm still using a climber for public land and yes it gets old because we hike miles in to get away from people and it gets heavy by that time.
Great video! Thanks for sharing! You’ve taught me a lot from your vids. Can you tell me what kind of camera mount you are using that has that extended arm?
Thank you!!
Yessir!
Nicely done. Finally, someone who says LINEMAN. Not linesman, not linemans lol
Lol glad I got it right!
I’ve always considered getting a saddle, still running a light weight stand for now. Kind of an off topic question but what bow hook do you use for this? When I sit my stand I usually just hold my bow in my lap or use screw ins if it is private land. Are there any solid strap on bow hooks that are cheap?
The ones I run are from Genesis 3d printing. Light weight and they pack really well. Their site is down for the weekend while their at the mobile hunter expo but look them up next week.
Maybe I missed this in the video, but what’s your preferred method for hauling your sticks up the tree as you attach them? I saw several approaches in different video… shock cord attached to the saddle, para cord tied to the sticks and clipped in a carabiner hanging from the saddle, 3D printed hanger clipped into the saddle webbing… what’s most efficient for you?
Typically, I use 1/8" shock cord to make loops at the end of each stick and clip that to a tiny caribeaner on my right hip. As I ascent, I unclip one at a time. I need to do some tinkering with these new sticks to see what will work best tho.
How do you get around branches with the lineman belt?
That's a good question. I'll generally get my tether out and attach to the tree that way so I can disconnect my lineman belt and go around the branch. Once I'm clear, I reattach.
This is the first I've ever heard of saddle hunting, so please pardon my silly question. If you're using a lineman belt to climb, how do you deal with a branch in your way? Do you have to tether in, move the lineman belt to above the branch, and then remove the tether? Being completely disconnected from the tree even for a moment seems way too sketchy.
That is exactly what I’ll do. Safest way to climb in my opinion.
@@NextStepOutdoors Cool. Thanks for the patience with the noob question.
@@evanwindom I was once a noob too! Still am in a lot of areas 😅
What’s the apparatus you have that pushes the slack in your tree tether away from your carabiner?
It’s a prusik tender. Here’s one you can get for dirt cheap.
doublesteps.com/product/prusik-tender/
Please allow me sir, we really like seeing videos and enlightenment, we hope you will always give us the best, we are very happy with everything👍👍👍🙏
Would love a close up of how you attached that hoist to your saddle. I’ve got one but have been brainstorming the best way to attach it
This is what I use. They attach to the molle loops. I can still get you some close ups if you need. I'm
www.customgearmodifications.com/product-page/gear-hoist-bag
@@NextStepOutdoors thanks!
You got it 💪🏻
Have you got picked off any more or less than you did from a treestand?
Only if I set up with zero cover on the back of the tree and they end up coming from that direction. Otherwise, it's generally better because you can keep the tree between you and the deer.
I had a bit different progression as I’m a little older. 1st it was freezing next to Dad while sitting on ground against tree. 2nd was super heavy treestands and either metal ladders or screw in steps. Then both leggy bayou and summit climbers and finally a saddle. Now I was an arborist for 6yrs so transition was pretty easy other then how I was used to setting up and shooting. Now I kick myself for not goin to this method 25yrs ago!!! There basically is no tree I can’t get into other then a super huge one. This would have forded me more opportunities in the past and think my chances a big mature deer would have increased for sure had I don’t this type of hunting. I’m still working on my total system and think once perfected will lead to better chances at good bucks. Great video!
Thanks for sharing! You made me think and I missed a big part of my early years...building stands in the tree with old 2x4's...did quite a bit of that until we could afford to get the Menards clearance stands.
where did you get the bow hoist
www.amazon.com/dp/B001BACZLU/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_A1GXG5EJ9TJPTRR53W27?linkCode=ml2&tag=nextstepout08-20
Interested in trying out a saddle but wondering how well it supports lower back cause I get tons of pain in lower back if I don’t wedge a bottle between me and most chairs
Hard to know with your exact situation but there's tons of room for adjustment. You can also get a back band that supports your back and can adjust how high/tight that is. I'd say a decent size platform would probably help too so you can stand up and stretch when needed.
Awesome video. May I ask what bow hoist you are using ? Thanks.
Thank you! Here is the hoist amzn.to/3YPtfJ2
How crazy of trees can you hunt from in these things?
Pretty much anything you can imagine. Personally, I think they are more versatile than a tree stand.
Where'd you find that platform clip?
That's from genesis 3d printing
How much does your pack weigh with everything?
I'll have to weigh it sometime without all my camera gear. The majority of the weight for me is camera arms and cameras, etc.
Mine was around 20 pounds. I have Hawk climbing sticks and Wild Edge tree steps. Probably the lightest option is Bullman tree steps. I spent $1000 easily on my Saddle set up and I recently bought the Summit mini climber SD and it's 18 pounds. I can be 30 feet up a tree with that Summit climber before I could manage to get one step up with fighting all these ropes and straps etc. Don't get me wrong this saddle hunting looks cool though. I get it, some areas aren't ideal for climbers like the tree in this video. So it comes down to using either a hang on or a saddle. I think I prefer a hang on. It's nice to be able to sit down and stand up and be comfortable.
That looks so uncomfortable! I just need to try it for myself I guess.
Whats the total cost of that set up?
You're probably looking at about a grand for everything but once you have one, it replaces all of your cheaper hang on stands, etc. I used to buy as many stands and sticks as I could and take the time to set them all up, now I can hunt all over the country with just this one set up.
If your wife buys you a saddle, hold on to that one tight
You ain't lying!
Can’t see a thing with the captions u have on.
Turn the cautions off lol
So basically you could save hundreds and just use a climbing belt/harness
I’m not super well versed in that side of things. Is there something super similar? Would a climbing belt be comfortable to sit in?
"Everything you need to know" . . . except climbing and comfort adjustments.
Excellent point. Just posted a follow up video on climbing. I'll get one rolling for comfort adjustments! Appreciate the feedback.
Thanks!@@NextStepOutdoors
Who wants to be staring at a tree and trying to look around it the entire time? And why have a nice comfy seat when you can stand at an awkward angle the entire time? 🤡💩
It’s funny, I’ve never once thought about the fact that im just “staring at a tree”. There’s a reason so many people are getting into it. If it’s not for you tho, I get it. I’d challenge you on the “comfy” seat on treestands. Most of them are like 4”x8” with little padding.
If you don't tell people to use a ring of steps with their platforms then you are teaching them incorrectly. 360 degree stable shooting around the tree no matter the size is the whole point of the saddle. There is no need for all the ballerina stuff in a tree.
Appreciate your input. Which ROS would you recommend for anyone who reads your comment? I haven't used one before.
Think I could use just steps and no platform?