Amazing.. watched the entire video. Reviews are your strength. Speeds up the descision making process. Saves eons on time as per trial and error. Thank you very much.
Excellent video, as an older bigger guy I have been interested in what the tree saddle has to offer. I tend to scout out places where I can hang my stand and then tend to lock it and leave it for the season, really limiting my options as the patterns change. The saddle looks like the better option for being more mobile and doing more “Hang & Hunt” type scenarios . Great job explaining the pros & cons. Glad I found your channel via the Hunting Public boys. Thanks !
I tried both. I go with the stand. 1. don't like looking around the tree and back exposed out in the open. 2. If you have to pee or worse, well with the saddle its a pain. 3. uncomfortable having my legs extended and when I sat in the saddle got tired of the pressure on my knees even with pads on. 4. things like having a cup of coffee on those cold sits are easier for me. But hey, that just me.
Good point about the dense conifers. I never considered that, and hunting in New England that would certainly weigh on my lone wolf vs saddle decision.
Hello, thank you for all of your videos. You have been as helpful as you have out me money :) I jumped this year from a old man climber to saddle hunting this year. It has been a little bit of a learning curve but loving it! Your descriptions are spot on! I just purchased a lone wold assault II. I would very much appreciate your opinion of saddle hunting out of the Assault II. Seems like the best of both worlds!
There are quite a number of people that are doing something like that, with the option of saddle hunting or turning around and sitting. I do think there are two downsides versus a saddle platform. One is that you have cables on the stand, so you can't easily move to the outer edge and lean off the side on larger trees. And you might be extended further out from the tree than if you were using a normal platform but thats more just where you choose to put your feet.
Your videos on these saddles are really interesting. I never really gave them much thought until I seen your content. I've been a treestand/groundblind bow hunter up until now, but these are intriguing.
Hey Garrett, just read you had a huge hand in the designing of the Predator platform. Congratulations on a job well done...looks amazing. Can't wait to try it out.
good review ive been prepping trees for beds all summer and so far out of 50 plus setups im only going to need a hang on for 2 and those 2 i just preset with a stand. for angled trees you were talking about it being harder to walk up if you run your tether around the back of tree and adjust the height a bit it becomes much easier. your just going to sit more upright. you can also tether to a heavy lead instead of main trunk for a leaner to pull away from tree.
Great video: well produced and lots of good information. I've love to have a printed summary of all of that information: so many different options, so many different considerations, different brands, weights, comfort levels, etc.
Very well done, young man. Brevity is the sole of wit. I subscribed and will recommend your videos to my sons. One of the most informative videos I’ve seen.
Thanks. Some people may be looking to compare total weight of say, an X-stand climbing stand (mini X-1 ~ 11 lbs), to the saddle with ropes + steps, etc.; trying to find the lightest possible setup, regardless of tree scenario (least weight to carry-in).
Great video! This is exactly what I was looking for when it comes to saddle vs. stand. I just bought a Big Game 1.5 man tree stand but Im not about to carry that thing in and out of the woods every time I hunt. Im leaning towards a saddle system and its between Cruzr or Trophyline Covert Lite. Im comfortable hanging by a rope (use to climb and trim/cut trees) and still have all of my climbing gear but doubt I'd use any of that, the Petzel saddle isn't really for sitting very long lol.
If you are going out and hiking then setting up in a random tree you find go with the saddle. Easier and quicker once you get used to it. If you are like me and own an 87 acre property. Get a couple cheap stands and a couple nicer more comfortable stands and use spikes not sticks to climb up to your stand. Find nice level trees with good shooting lanes or lanes you can adjust in summer. Spikes aren’t noticeable throughout year and can stay in tree for decades.
I'm sticking with my Summit climbing stand.@ 70 I don't mind walking several miles with my climber on my back and a compound bow.The saddle looks like a fine climbing apparatus and does have the advantage with crooked trees.
Great video and super informative. I found your TH-cam channel via saddle hunter and hunting beast forums. I really appreciate all of the information you provide! Thanks for putting these together!
I got a climber and a hang on. I like my climber for mobility and my hang on because once it is set up it is fast and quite getting in. I want a harness though. I would sell my climber. Its heavy
This throwback is a great reminder of how far we’ve come. I would love to see an updated version, talking about the decision making process as a person who primarily use as a saddle, but sometimes ops for a stand or on the ground, how do you choose to execute that arsenal of tools?
My biggest concern with saddle hunting is that every tree I hunt would either have to be a wide open tree or I would have to cut all the branches off 360 degrees around the tree. I hunt areas with dense balsam trees, hang on seems best as you said in those scenarios. Excellent video, well done and very thorough!
Still Water Outdoors, I hunt in balsam laden country and prefer hunting from a saddle but I use a pivot platform, not a ring of steps. I can get the pivot platform in places the tree stand doesn't fit without cutting limbs on public land
great video, very well done and well explained. but myself, I would never use a saddle. I remember being intrigued by them years ago. but having a really good climber, I won't use anything else. comfort is priority #1. a good climber actually IS a lazy-boy recliner, I sleep in mine. I briefly had a hang-on, and they are just too dangerous and uncomfortable. and a lot of climbers are packable, they have shoulder straps, etc for packing. of course they are more bulky, awkward and heavy, but worth it for the comfort.
im selling my saddle set up after this year. cant stand the movement reqired and as a sitter the damn bridge gets in the way of shooting. saddles are good if your a leaner. Im going with a lwcg .5 and bolts
Before I'd buy a saddle, I'd have to sit in one for a few hours to see if it is comfortable for more than a few minutes. I'll have to find someone local that has one. Also, Ameristep or someone else needs to come out with another plastic step on the same design. I have the Silent Approach steps and they are not as good. They flip on you and you have to thread the entire strap through the buckle each time because they do not have a hook system.
My biggest reason I would go with the saddle and I am considering it. Would be noise. Do you find it quieter when walking through thick habitats than the tree stand. My stand on my back is always catching branches while trying to sneak in quietly.
Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to share all this information with us, I truly appreciate it. This si very educational,. Keep up the great work, new sub here and looking forward to seeing more from your channel. Have a blessed week. Dale
Looks like it'd be a pain to set up in the dark. And aren't you facing the tree? Lots of movement looking to either side? And what about deer approaching from behind you? Simple pivot in a hangon in all those situations.
FYI LOVE YOUR VIDEOS COULD you do a video on how high you should go using a saddle for both and gun. What are the differnt strategies on how you would use the Saddle for Gun hunting. What is the minimum diameter for a tree you would feel safe on.
If you have time to answer, looking for a good honest answer on a quick question, and I know it is probably subjective as well as dependent on circumstances, but working with a limited budget, I don't have the money to make a lot of costly mistakes. If you could only pick one, would you go with Lone Wolf Climbing sticks, set of 4, or wild edge step ladder, 10. I will try to help with a little additional information,. I work 7am-3pm, so all of october, I can leave work and drive to a public hunting area after work and have roughly a 3-5 hour hunt time knowing it started getting much darker by the end of the month of October and I can use some comp time to leave an hour or so early if need be, but I want to try to hunt one or two days a week after work and them my main hunting grounds, i save vacation for them and I have a solution for that part, but for quick evening hunts if for no other reason than to get out in the woods and break up the mundane work week. In your opinion which system would you use for quick in and out evening hunts. ? Lone Wolf or the Wild Edge Step Ladder? Thanks in advance, and I will go on to thank anyone else who wants to chime in and help on this question.?
Good question. Short answer is they'll both work. If you're not generally going in that deep or have challenging walks through dense cover, sticks will give you a little extra time on your afternoon hunt because they set up a little faster. If you're commonly going in deep, then set up time isn't as noticeable compared to walk-in time and you'll enjoy the more compact carry size. I personally would use them with an aider. As much due to time savings as weight and bulk. Attaching 10 WE steps takes quite a bit longer than 4 sticks. I think 8 steps with an aider will get you through most situations. Often you wouldn't be needing all 8.
Your a good man, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have really enjoyed watching your videos and your blog, I started hunting probably 30-35 years ago as a kid. Back then we had recurve bows as the norm and if you was lucky a somewhat plain compound bow was a huge improvement for the let off, but the weight of those old bows were pretty significant. Back then, I made a lot of my gear, some of it worked great some of it not so much, My first tree stand was made with steel and plywood, it was like trying to hang a 35 pound wind sail in the trees, nails for steps and no such thing as a lineman belt, and if there was I had never heard of it. So not to bore you, thanks for the fun, I still make and use some gear, some of it and I have some more planned, I will post some videos as I do them, I have never really been too consistent with blogs, but keep up the great work my friend , you and your skills talents and thinking outside the box has helped thousands of folks, I am sure of it. Have a blessed weekend. Dale
How do you hang your bow or store your equipment without creating an obstacle to pivoting around the tree? Seems like it would be a major undertaking to pee?
Thank you for that very thorough description. I just subscribed. I may try a saddle next season. Questions: 1. Do you use a safety harness when in a saddle or is that redundant because the saddle is the harness? 2. I noticed when you were discussing the leaning tree and a traditional stand, it looked like you were wearing a safety harness that attached at the waist and not the shoulders... is that correct? what harness is that? 3. In general, do you feel either system, a stand or a saddle, is safer?
I don't wear any additional harness apart from the saddle. In the leaning tree clip, I was actually using the saddle to connect. Some people wear a saddle yet hunt out of a stand. If I find a situation where a stand might work better, its probably what I'd do as well. Overall, I believe the saddle is safer because you're easily able to keep tension on your tether throughout the hunt. If you slip off the platform, it's a gentle swing instead of a harsh drop, and you can step back on and keep hunting.
@@DIYSportsman vvv OK, thanks. I guess the only way to find out is to try it. More questions: 1. I watched your Aero Hunter Kestrel Review video. Is that the system you recommend? I noticed your gear list goes to Tehtrd Mantis. 2. If you have multiple tree setups, do you typically have a platform, hook, and steps/sticks left on different trees for the season, and then just walk in to your preinstalled tree with the one saddle on your body each hunting day?
I like the Tethrd because it gives me everything I need in the most minimalist package. That said, just about all of the options on the market right now are good and sometimes it will just come down to personal preference. I dont typically use pre-sets because I'm hunting primarily public land where I cant leave anything overnight. But there are definitely guys out there with access to private that will leave platforms or ring of steps or screw in steps in trees. That's a fantastic lightweight option for trees that are in perpetually good spots, but you have to be careful not to over hunt them. I personally would not leave a tether in the tree because of long term exposure in the elements, but people set lifelines with tree stands so I'm sure it can be done.
I hunted a saddle last year and found it comfortable, but I would catch myself swaying side to side all the time. Got busted by a nice 6 pointer and went back to my hang-on. I was thinking about going back to saddle hunting this season, but instead of using my Hawk Helium sticks I was considering using the base of my Summit Climbing stand to get up the tree. What's your weight difference between your sticks/hangon and stick/saddle/platform?
I'm looking at using either the wild edge steps as a platform or the Predator. Did you experience the same fatigue with both methods? The platform seems nice but you don't have access to the other side of the tree for cover. Do you have more options at shots with the steps vs the predator? Any other pros or cons between the 2? I'm just getting into it and would like to get as much of it right the first go around as possible, thanks! Great video btw!
The Predator platform and WildEdge steps are my two favorite options. The predator is way faster and easier to set up. Once in the tree though, they offer similar capabilities. You can swing around to the other side of the tree with the predator since it has traction and the flared corners on the side. But there is a limit on bigger trees. The wild edge steps allow for any movement that a ring of steps would, but with the advantage of being more solid. The only shot opportunity benefit the platform provides is the shot to the weak side, since you can stand and spin 180 degrees in place. Fatigue isn't really an issue with either. If feet are getting tired, it means it's time to go to more of a sitting position for a bit, which transfers more of the load to the saddle instead of the feet.
Good, and very relevant video. I'm very surprised at the cost of saddles … I thought they would be a much cheaper option. How is it that you are getting 30' up the tree with the steps?
That's a pretty common reaction. The biggest reason I think is that tree stands are more mass produced, and at least right now, the saddles are all hand-sewn in small batches yet still had lots of development time. To get that height with the Wild Edge steps, I use the aider as an "in-between" step so I can space them further apart. If you go to the WildEdge TH-cam page they have a few videos in action with the aider they sell.
Always enjoy your informative videos. I live in Florida, and as you can imagine it is extremely warm during the beginning of bow season. I am a previous owner of a tree saddle, but I found it hot and extremely cumbersome down here in the south. I am very interested in the Aero hunter kite. Do you plan on doing a review on this product?
In my Kestrel review I went over the features of the mesh Kestrel prototype, which is now the Kite. It's basically the same as the one in the review except the molle webbing is sewn a little looser and linemans loops are a little further forward.
What about a secondary line on your saddle rope to your hook?? One and done if it breaks. That's a lot of time and movement on that safety line. I was taught in crane training that the heat of movement can cause a failure in a strap, rope.?? Just curious. Nice idea. But not for me at 53 years old. Your obviously in you 20's that I can tell. Lots of good points in your video. Thanks.
There's no backup if the main line fails, but then again, that's the same as every other hunting safety harness out there. The only relative movement in the system occurs as the bridge slides through the carabiner, which is a pretty low friction slide. The only way I could conceivably see a failure would be if there was damage to the ropes made before climbing or you really pushed a broadhead into the rope under tension. But generally you have to be doing some type of odd movement to get the broadhead anywhere near that rope in the first place. I hear what you're saying though. Redundancies are good to have.
@@DIYSportsman if you need 3 points of safety you can buck strap the tree stem. 3 points are 1 lifeline, 2 buck strap and 3 your feet on the stand or step.
There are guys who have done it. I made an oversized top step once. The only challenge with a seat-on-a-stick is that it can be awkward to climb up on top of it.
Hey man did you somehow rig up two mechanical ascenders on your saddle? If so could you please do a video on it...thanks man your content is great your right on the edge of the cool stuff...half infalt half eiberhart
I actually just have one ascender on my tether and another on my lineman's belt. I used to run an ascender and a prusik on my tether with the rock harness/sitdrag but don't need to anymore with the saddle.
@@DIYSportsman i see...hey man have you ever tried the mantis saddle?...and from your expirience would you say that saddle hunting is more comfortable for all day sits rather then your tree stand? Im debating on the mantis or the kestrel...
I got to see one of the prototypes but the production models are just finishing up being ready to ship so I cant give a totally apples to apples comparison. For the comfort, it depends on what stand you're comparing to. If it's something like a Lone Wolf, XOP, or similar lightweight mobile stand, I think I'd choose the saddle. But compared to bigger stands like a Millenium M150 or Summit climber, the stands have the advantage for all day comfort.
It's a pretty popular hybrid method. One thing you lose out on is the ability to really get on the side and push off the edge of the platform around larger trees since youd need to step over the cables. Most of the guys I've talked to who do that hybrid saddle/stand method just stand and rotate in place on the stand platform while attached via the harness. On smaller trees pushing off the side doesn't buy you much since you can shoot nearly 360 as-is. On larger trees you might still have a bit of a blind spot unless you go over the cable, and even in that instance I'd do a lot of testing ahead of time to ensure the platform stays locked solid to the tree with any sort of side pressure.
I've done multiple all-day sits last year during the rut. I'd put the comfort somewhere between a small hang-on like a LW but not as comfy as something like a Millenium with the lawn chair type seat. I usually can handle a few hours with just the saddle. For longer sits, I like to bring the back band, knee pads, and maybe a couple strap on steps to go around the back side of the tree to vary up the number of sitting or leaning positions.
In practice it is pretty easy. The only hunting move that would put you at risk would be moving the bow overtop of the bridge to turn to the weak side. And generally, you need to tilt the bow up so the arrow clears the tree. And that generally keeps it a safe distance from the ropes.
I don't believe they've done TMA. They've done their own testing to come up with the rating. Since they aren't in retail, TMA doesn't add a lot of value for them IMO.
Hey, great video! Answered a lot of questions I had. Really cool to see the Tethrd Predator platfor in action. That thing looks SWEET! I noticed the predator platform looks pretty level when on the tree with extreme lean. How is this possible? Does it have a platform leveling feature?
How many wild edge steps do you have there?...i mean how many gets you 30 feet? and is that 30 feet under you?...also can you drop any links for the 4 different saddles for sale?...the only one i can find is the kestrel from newtribe...thanks man
In the video I was only like 15'. With the WE steps and an aider, I can space the steps 3.5ft per step. So 8 steps with an aider gets to 28'. Then the platform goes slightly above that. In practice though, it's usually much easier to climb onto the platform when the last two steps are spaced normally, so I'd generally be a little less than 30 feet with 8 steps. The 4 saddles that are out there currently are the Aero Hunter (Kestrel or Kite), the Tethrd (Mantis), Guidos Web (Hybrid), and ARC tree sling (Canadian company).
@@DIYSportsman yeah i looked up a few and i like the mantis because its minimal and lighter but im just wondering if the kestrel isnt more comfortable...for some reason the kestrel looks better for all dayers And those aiders are nice i see why you use them...
@@DIYSportsman do you have any workings with the mantis saddle? It looks pretty minimal but reason i ask is i wonder if that minimal style comes with a price like losing comfort for all day drapes...as opposed to the kestrel...
With this video, you just earned a like and a Subscribe! Thank you for the effort you put in to explain the saddle stand. One minor suggestion though? Work on speaking in a more natural and engaging tone and rhythm, move away from sounding monotone, from sounding like you're reading from cue cards. Other than that, top notch!
It'll vary based on which exact components are used. For me, stand plus 3 DIY sticks+aiders and pack/gear = 24.5lb. With 6 Wildedge steps and aider its 23.9lb. For the saddle setup with the sticks and gear, it's 16.6lb. With 6 WildEdge steps, it's 16.1lb. That doesn't include camera gear, bow, or extra clothing. Dan Infalt's new sticks will be similar weight, but for any other commercially available sticks they'll be about 1-1.5lb heavier per stick than what I have.
Hey man need your advice. I hunt in upper michigan in what I'd call hill country. If I do alot of hunting on the 2/3 from the top rule what could you see more beneficial?
Dan has his best daytime movement in hill country around 1/3 from the top. My observations mirror that for the most part. 1/3 has some play based on where the "crest" of the drop off is. Sometimes it'll be higher or lower. It's wherever wind mixes with rising thermals and makes a buck most comfortable.
1# Saddle- ropes, special knots, carabiners , gagets, pulling yourself up after walking a mile.. ill pre hang or climber, not unpacking all that at 4:45am morning.
Don't forget a lot of guys out there can't legally hang pre-sets. And that climber can turn into a nightmare trying to find a telephone pole tree in the dark.
Thanks for the informative video, I have been considering a saddle. Two questions though, with some of the positions you have to get into by twisting the body for the shot do you see your accuracy suffer at all with a compound? and do you have any issues with getting picked off with having to move around the tree instead of just rotating your feet like on a Lonewolf? Just seems like extra movement in a saddle. Thank you for taking the time to create these videos, always good stuff.
Regarding the accuracy with compound, I think its the opposite. The twisting and turning allows you to get the upper body angled right. So if you took a snapshot and cropped out everything but the upper body, it should look as if you're standing on flat ground at the range. The only tension to hold the position is in the lower body. Upper body shot execution feels like normal. Regarding movement, you have to be careful, because moving around the tree can get you busted. Hunting higher or using good back cover helps a lot. That's also why I often like to set up on a tree such that the expected activity is on my strong side (bow arm side). Also, one of the reasons I like the small platform with the saddle is that I can stand and turn in place just like a stand for minimal movement. Yet, if I really need to lean out to the other side I can.
That makes sense, I was thinking some of the shots it would mess with reaching proper draw length and alignment. I appreciate the response. Think I will give it a go. Will be a great tool to add, especially on long hikes in or scout and hunt trips. Thanks again for your hard work in these videos.
I should make an update. I just watched through it again and it's actually surprising how much of theory opinions especially starting at 13:00 still have stood up over time. There are way more options now, from endless saddle and climbing method options, as well as lighter, better stands like the LWCG stuff. But in terms of their usage as a tool for specific applications and trees, that part hasn't really changed much. My go-to is a fully featured saddle like the Tethrd Ultralock, small, solid platform like the predatorV, and an extra strap with 2 steps to deploy if needed on extra large or leaning trees. But for specific scenarios where the perfect setup is on a backward leaner or tucked into a spruce I still like the stand.
It looks good! Great job. But i d be concerned in how to control the movements. Any small mistake and you are done. The deer will bust you. I think will stick with my standard tree stands. You can control movements in abetter way. But great job though
I’ve been using a Camelbak motherload the past few years. Works well for me especially in the later part of the season. I like to have room to stuff the sanctuary jacket in the pack. Always looking for alternate pack options. Never know when something better will pop up.
Hi Bruce, that's a tough question to answer. If one of the systems gets you into places you wouldn't have otherwise hunted due to distance or specific tree setup, then yes, one could be better than the other. If you're talking about either one in comparison to hunting from the ground, I believe there's an increased chance if the animals are following a pattern. I wouldn't use one in Colorado during the rut for example, but early season over a secluded wallow for example, I'd rather be up in the air. Easier to get away with movement and it raises your scent stream a little.
I just have to say that your videos are so quality content. 😌👍 Your camera and camera stand makes so good video quality 👌😀 First i just had to watch one video and now i subscribed bro 😂😂
Great video! We are thinking about trying saddle hunting and this info is very helpful!
Thanks guys! Glad it helped!
Amazing.. watched the entire video. Reviews are your strength.
Speeds up the descision making process. Saves eons on time as per trial and error. Thank you very much.
Look at you guys now lol
Very well done! This young man is a very clear, concise communicator. Don't see that often these days!
Thank you.
Excellent video, as an older bigger guy I have been interested in what the tree saddle has to offer. I tend to scout out places where I can hang my stand and then tend to lock it and leave it for the season, really limiting my options as the patterns change. The saddle looks like the better option for being more mobile and doing more “Hang & Hunt” type scenarios . Great job explaining the pros & cons. Glad I found your channel via the Hunting Public boys. Thanks !
I tried both. I go with the stand. 1. don't like looking around the tree and back exposed out in the open. 2. If you have to pee or worse, well with the saddle its a pain. 3. uncomfortable having my legs extended and when I sat in the saddle got tired of the pressure on my knees even with pads on. 4. things like having a cup of coffee on those cold sits are easier for me. But hey, that just me.
Good point about the dense conifers. I never considered that, and hunting in New England that would certainly weigh on my lone wolf vs saddle decision.
Hello, thank you for all of your videos. You have been as helpful as you have out me money :)
I jumped this year from a old man climber to saddle hunting this year. It has been a little bit of a learning curve but loving it! Your descriptions are spot on!
I just purchased a lone wold assault II. I would very much appreciate your opinion of saddle hunting out of the Assault II. Seems like the best of both worlds!
There are quite a number of people that are doing something like that, with the option of saddle hunting or turning around and sitting. I do think there are two downsides versus a saddle platform. One is that you have cables on the stand, so you can't easily move to the outer edge and lean off the side on larger trees. And you might be extended further out from the tree than if you were using a normal platform but thats more just where you choose to put your feet.
Your videos on these saddles are really interesting. I never really gave them much thought until I seen your content. I've been a treestand/groundblind bow hunter up until now, but these are intriguing.
Hey Garrett, just read you had a huge hand in the designing of the Predator platform. Congratulations on a job well done...looks amazing. Can't wait to try it out.
good review ive been prepping trees for beds all summer and so far out of 50 plus setups im only going to need a hang on for 2 and those 2 i just preset with a stand. for angled trees you were talking about it being harder to walk up if you run your tether around the back of tree and adjust the height a bit it becomes much easier. your just going to sit more upright. you can also tether to a heavy lead instead of main trunk for a leaner to pull away from tree.
Great video: well produced and lots of good information. I've love to have a printed summary of all of that information: so many different options, so many different considerations, different brands, weights, comfort levels, etc.
Very well done, young man. Brevity is the sole of wit. I subscribed and will recommend your videos to my sons. One of the most informative videos I’ve seen.
Thanks. Some people may be looking to compare total weight of say, an X-stand climbing stand (mini X-1 ~ 11 lbs), to the saddle with ropes + steps, etc.; trying to find the lightest possible setup, regardless of tree scenario (least weight to carry-in).
One of the best videos out there for comparing elevated options
Very well covered !!
Have some great ideas now to experiment with during summer practice
Thank you so much
Great video! This is exactly what I was looking for when it comes to saddle vs. stand. I just bought a Big Game 1.5 man tree stand but Im not about to carry that thing in and out of the woods every time I hunt. Im leaning towards a saddle system and its between Cruzr or Trophyline Covert Lite. Im comfortable hanging by a rope (use to climb and trim/cut trees) and still have all of my climbing gear but doubt I'd use any of that, the Petzel saddle isn't really for sitting very long lol.
If you are going out and hiking then setting up in a random tree you find go with the saddle. Easier and quicker once you get used to it.
If you are like me and own an 87 acre property. Get a couple cheap stands and a couple nicer more comfortable stands and use spikes not sticks to climb up to your stand. Find nice level trees with good shooting lanes or lanes you can adjust in summer. Spikes aren’t noticeable throughout year and can stay in tree for decades.
Great video and thanks for putting in the effort for the comparison. I know how hard it is to try and film different levels while in a tree.
I'm sticking with my Summit climbing stand.@ 70 I don't mind walking several miles with my climber on my back and a compound bow.The saddle looks like a fine climbing apparatus and does have the advantage with crooked trees.
Great video and super informative. I found your TH-cam channel via saddle hunter and hunting beast forums. I really appreciate all of the information you provide! Thanks for putting these together!
I got a climber and a hang on. I like my climber for mobility and my hang on because once it is set up it is fast and quite getting in. I want a harness though. I would sell my climber. Its heavy
Once again, great video. Covers EVERYTHING on the title subject. Was just starting to look into this too!
GREAT video!! You explained it perfectly and it will certainly help those that are on the fence about what system they might need.
Awesome video! Super in-depth, and it will be a huge asset to new saddlehunters.
This throwback is a great reminder of how far we’ve come. I would love to see an updated version, talking about the decision making process as a person who primarily use as a saddle, but sometimes ops for a stand or on the ground, how do you choose to execute that arsenal of tools?
I will work on putting together that type of comparison video
Thank you that would be awesome
My biggest concern with saddle hunting is that every tree I hunt would either have to be a wide open tree or I would have to cut all the branches off 360 degrees around the tree. I hunt areas with dense balsam trees, hang on seems best as you said in those scenarios. Excellent video, well done and very thorough!
Still Water Outdoors, I hunt in balsam laden country and prefer hunting from a saddle but I use a pivot platform, not a ring of steps. I can get the pivot platform in places the tree stand doesn't fit without cutting limbs on public land
Super job BH15..both systems are good, just got a Kestrel and am excited to get in a tree in it for 2018.
Great stuff! I'll be hunting from a saddle for the first time this season. Looking forward to giving it a go.
great video, very well done and well explained. but myself, I would never use a saddle. I remember being intrigued by them years ago. but having a really good climber, I won't use anything else. comfort is priority #1. a good climber actually IS a lazy-boy recliner, I sleep in mine. I briefly had a hang-on, and they are just too dangerous and uncomfortable. and a lot of climbers are packable, they have shoulder straps, etc for packing. of course they are more bulky, awkward and heavy, but worth it for the comfort.
im selling my saddle set up after this year. cant stand the movement reqired and as a sitter the damn bridge gets in the way of shooting. saddles are good if your a leaner. Im going with a lwcg .5 and bolts
Very nice video. Keep them coming. Very informative on both saddle and hang on stands. I’m like you I use both.
Before I'd buy a saddle, I'd have to sit in one for a few hours to see if it is comfortable for more than a few minutes. I'll have to find someone local that has one.
Also, Ameristep or someone else needs to come out with another plastic step on the same design. I have the Silent Approach steps and they are not as good. They flip on you and you have to thread the entire strap through the buckle each time because they do not have a hook system.
My biggest reason I would go with the saddle and I am considering it. Would be noise. Do you find it quieter when walking through thick habitats than the tree stand. My stand on my back is always catching branches while trying to sneak in quietly.
Well done. Articulate. It is so nice to hear someone who matches verbs to nouns properly and knows what an adverb is.
Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to share all this information with us, I truly appreciate it. This si very educational,. Keep up the great work, new sub here and looking forward to seeing more from your channel.
Have a blessed week.
Dale
Excellent overview. Great job!
Looks like it'd be a pain to set up in the dark. And aren't you facing the tree? Lots of movement looking to either side? And what about deer approaching from behind you? Simple pivot in a hangon in all those situations.
FYI LOVE YOUR VIDEOS COULD you do a video on how high you should go using a saddle for both and gun. What are the differnt strategies on how you would use the Saddle for Gun hunting. What is the minimum diameter for a tree you would feel safe on.
Always good content in your videos DIY. Thanks for your contribution to the hunting community.
I dont know about that saddle hunting! To me the tree stand looks like the best option of them
If you have time to answer, looking for a good honest answer on a quick question, and I know it is probably subjective as well as dependent on circumstances, but working with a limited budget, I don't have the money to make a lot of costly mistakes. If you could only pick one, would you go with Lone Wolf Climbing sticks, set of 4, or wild edge step ladder, 10. I will try to help with a little additional information,. I work 7am-3pm, so all of october, I can leave work and drive to a public hunting area after work and have roughly a 3-5 hour hunt time knowing it started getting much darker by the end of the month of October and I can use some comp time to leave an hour or so early if need be, but I want to try to hunt one or two days a week after work and them my main hunting grounds, i save vacation for them and I have a solution for that part, but for quick evening hunts if for no other reason than to get out in the woods and break up the mundane work week. In your opinion which system would you use for quick in and out evening hunts. ? Lone Wolf or the Wild Edge Step Ladder?
Thanks in advance, and I will go on to thank anyone else who wants to chime in and help on this question.?
Good question. Short answer is they'll both work. If you're not generally going in that deep or have challenging walks through dense cover, sticks will give you a little extra time on your afternoon hunt because they set up a little faster. If you're commonly going in deep, then set up time isn't as noticeable compared to walk-in time and you'll enjoy the more compact carry size. I personally would use them with an aider. As much due to time savings as weight and bulk. Attaching 10 WE steps takes quite a bit longer than 4 sticks. I think 8 steps with an aider will get you through most situations. Often you wouldn't be needing all 8.
Your a good man, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have really enjoyed watching your videos and your blog, I started hunting probably 30-35 years ago as a kid. Back then we had recurve bows as the norm and if you was lucky a somewhat plain compound bow was a huge improvement for the let off, but the weight of those old bows were pretty significant. Back then, I made a lot of my gear, some of it worked great some of it not so much, My first tree stand was made with steel and plywood, it was like trying to hang a 35 pound wind sail in the trees, nails for steps and no such thing as a lineman belt, and if there was I had never heard of it. So not to bore you, thanks for the fun, I still make and use some gear, some of it and I have some more planned, I will post some videos as I do them, I have never really been too consistent with blogs, but keep up the great work my friend , you and your skills talents and thinking outside the box has helped thousands of folks, I am sure of it.
Have a blessed weekend.
Dale
How do you hang your bow or store your equipment without creating an obstacle to pivoting around the tree? Seems like it would be a major undertaking to pee?
Thanks for the great content. I want to add to my ground/still hunting approach and this is very helpful. Keep up the good work!
Really good video. I've been looking for a good platform. Thanks!
Thank you for that very thorough description. I just subscribed. I may try a saddle next season. Questions:
1. Do you use a safety harness when in a saddle or is that redundant because the saddle is the harness?
2. I noticed when you were discussing the leaning tree and a traditional stand, it looked like you were wearing a safety harness that attached at the waist and not the shoulders... is that correct? what harness is that?
3. In general, do you feel either system, a stand or a saddle, is safer?
I don't wear any additional harness apart from the saddle. In the leaning tree clip, I was actually using the saddle to connect. Some people wear a saddle yet hunt out of a stand. If I find a situation where a stand might work better, its probably what I'd do as well. Overall, I believe the saddle is safer because you're easily able to keep tension on your tether throughout the hunt. If you slip off the platform, it's a gentle swing instead of a harsh drop, and you can step back on and keep hunting.
@@DIYSportsman vvv
OK, thanks. I guess the only way to find out is to try it. More questions:
1. I watched your Aero Hunter Kestrel Review video. Is that the system you recommend? I noticed your gear list goes to Tehtrd Mantis.
2. If you have multiple tree setups, do you typically have a platform, hook, and steps/sticks left on different trees for the season, and then just walk in to your preinstalled tree with the one saddle on your body each hunting day?
I like the Tethrd because it gives me everything I need in the most minimalist package. That said, just about all of the options on the market right now are good and sometimes it will just come down to personal preference. I dont typically use pre-sets because I'm hunting primarily public land where I cant leave anything overnight. But there are definitely guys out there with access to private that will leave platforms or ring of steps or screw in steps in trees. That's a fantastic lightweight option for trees that are in perpetually good spots, but you have to be careful not to over hunt them. I personally would not leave a tether in the tree because of long term exposure in the elements, but people set lifelines with tree stands so I'm sure it can be done.
Thanks a ton for this review. Well delivered and covered everything.
Thanks for the help.
Safety favors a saddle greatly. Why I’m getting my son one and me also.
What was the name of that saddle company you said was making a comeback or a link to look them over would be great.
JX3 Outdoors, which is a revamped Guidos web. Link is jx3outdoors.com
Hey thanks. I'll have to give them a look see
love the videos! did you ever do another DIY Colorado Elk Hunt?
Mule deer was the last trip. We'll do elk again next fall.
I hunted a saddle last year and found it comfortable, but I would catch myself swaying side to side all the time. Got busted by a nice 6 pointer and went back to my hang-on. I was thinking about going back to saddle hunting this season, but instead of using my Hawk Helium sticks I was considering using the base of my Summit Climbing stand to get up the tree. What's your weight difference between your sticks/hangon and stick/saddle/platform?
Weight difference is roughly 8 pounds if I'm comparing my Assault to the Predator.
Thanks!
I'm looking at using either the wild edge steps as a platform or the Predator. Did you experience the same fatigue with both methods? The platform seems nice but you don't have access to the other side of the tree for cover. Do you have more options at shots with the steps vs the predator? Any other pros or cons between the 2? I'm just getting into it and would like to get as much of it right the first go around as possible, thanks! Great video btw!
The Predator platform and WildEdge steps are my two favorite options. The predator is way faster and easier to set up. Once in the tree though, they offer similar capabilities. You can swing around to the other side of the tree with the predator since it has traction and the flared corners on the side. But there is a limit on bigger trees. The wild edge steps allow for any movement that a ring of steps would, but with the advantage of being more solid. The only shot opportunity benefit the platform provides is the shot to the weak side, since you can stand and spin 180 degrees in place. Fatigue isn't really an issue with either. If feet are getting tired, it means it's time to go to more of a sitting position for a bit, which transfers more of the load to the saddle instead of the feet.
At approximately 11:58 the guy turns into Reviewbrah 🤔
Lol, I need to stop wearing a head strap.
I’m just horsing around I really enjoyed your video dude 🤙🏼
Good, and very relevant video. I'm very surprised at the cost of saddles … I thought they would be a much cheaper option. How is it that you are getting 30' up the tree with the steps?
That's a pretty common reaction. The biggest reason I think is that tree stands are more mass produced, and at least right now, the saddles are all hand-sewn in small batches yet still had lots of development time. To get that height with the Wild Edge steps, I use the aider as an "in-between" step so I can space them further apart. If you go to the WildEdge TH-cam page they have a few videos in action with the aider they sell.
I was about to pick up a set of sticks, but maybe those steps are the way to go. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the feedback
If you had to pick one for hunting out of all day which would you pick?
Always enjoy your informative videos. I live in Florida, and as you can imagine it is extremely warm during the beginning of bow season. I am a previous owner of a tree saddle, but I found it hot and extremely cumbersome down here in the south. I am very interested in the Aero hunter kite. Do you plan on doing a review on this product?
In my Kestrel review I went over the features of the mesh Kestrel prototype, which is now the Kite. It's basically the same as the one in the review except the molle webbing is sewn a little looser and linemans loops are a little further forward.
Thank you, forgot you did that. Just watched it again, great input.
What about a secondary line on your saddle rope to your hook?? One and done if it breaks. That's a lot of time and movement on that safety line. I was taught in crane training that the heat of movement can cause a failure in a strap, rope.?? Just curious. Nice idea. But not for me at 53 years old. Your obviously in you 20's that I can tell. Lots of good points in your video. Thanks.
There's no backup if the main line fails, but then again, that's the same as every other hunting safety harness out there. The only relative movement in the system occurs as the bridge slides through the carabiner, which is a pretty low friction slide. The only way I could conceivably see a failure would be if there was damage to the ropes made before climbing or you really pushed a broadhead into the rope under tension. But generally you have to be doing some type of odd movement to get the broadhead anywhere near that rope in the first place. I hear what you're saying though. Redundancies are good to have.
@@DIYSportsman if you need 3 points of safety you can buck strap the tree stem. 3 points are 1 lifeline, 2 buck strap and 3 your feet on the stand or step.
It'll be pretty sweet if you can make a custom platform for the LoneWolf sticks.
There are guys who have done it. I made an oversized top step once. The only challenge with a seat-on-a-stick is that it can be awkward to climb up on top of it.
As always, thanks for quality video, good sound and sharing your skill.
Hey man did you somehow rig up two mechanical ascenders on your saddle? If so could you please do a video on it...thanks man your content is great your right on the edge of the cool stuff...half infalt half eiberhart
I actually just have one ascender on my tether and another on my lineman's belt. I used to run an ascender and a prusik on my tether with the rock harness/sitdrag but don't need to anymore with the saddle.
@@DIYSportsman i see...hey man have you ever tried the mantis saddle?...and from your expirience would you say that saddle hunting is more comfortable for all day sits rather then your tree stand?
Im debating on the mantis or the kestrel...
I got to see one of the prototypes but the production models are just finishing up being ready to ship so I cant give a totally apples to apples comparison. For the comfort, it depends on what stand you're comparing to. If it's something like a Lone Wolf, XOP, or similar lightweight mobile stand, I think I'd choose the saddle. But compared to bigger stands like a Millenium M150 or Summit climber, the stands have the advantage for all day comfort.
was able to get a Beast Stand, plan on saddle hunting using the stand. any opinion or comments?
It's a pretty popular hybrid method. One thing you lose out on is the ability to really get on the side and push off the edge of the platform around larger trees since youd need to step over the cables. Most of the guys I've talked to who do that hybrid saddle/stand method just stand and rotate in place on the stand platform while attached via the harness. On smaller trees pushing off the side doesn't buy you much since you can shoot nearly 360 as-is. On larger trees you might still have a bit of a blind spot unless you go over the cable, and even in that instance I'd do a lot of testing ahead of time to ensure the platform stays locked solid to the tree with any sort of side pressure.
@@DIYSportsman thanks for the response
don't see myself trying to step outside the cables will just do the best I can
have a great weekend!!
What's the longest you have sat in a saddle and what would you rate the comfort setting for long sits
I've done multiple all-day sits last year during the rut. I'd put the comfort somewhere between a small hang-on like a LW but not as comfy as something like a Millenium with the lawn chair type seat. I usually can handle a few hours with just the saddle. For longer sits, I like to bring the back band, knee pads, and maybe a couple strap on steps to go around the back side of the tree to vary up the number of sitting or leaning positions.
Great vid. Does swinging a broad head around the ropes require any additional attention? In practice does it seem easy to do that safely?
In practice it is pretty easy. The only hunting move that would put you at risk would be moving the bow overtop of the bridge to turn to the weak side. And generally, you need to tilt the bow up so the arrow clears the tree. And that generally keeps it a safe distance from the ropes.
How about a video on how you made that target to your left.
th-cam.com/video/sWWBq4DwcOw/w-d-xo.html
@@DIYSportsman awesome. Thank you.
Excellent video, do you know if the predator platform is TMA approved or rated for safety in any way?
I don't believe they've done TMA. They've done their own testing to come up with the rating. Since they aren't in retail, TMA doesn't add a lot of value for them IMO.
Do you have a video about the predator platform?
How do you add layers or wear heavier layers for late season with a saddle?
I put heavy lower body layers on underneath the saddle. Upper body layers can be added once in the tree.
What pack were you using with the saddle stuff?
Hey, great video! Answered a lot of questions I had. Really cool to see the Tethrd Predator platfor in action. That thing looks SWEET! I noticed the predator platform looks pretty level when on the tree with extreme lean. How is this possible? Does it have a platform leveling feature?
Yes, the Predator has a leveling bolt so it can handle leaning trees.
Really....nice! I didn't realize that. That's awesome!
How many wild edge steps do you have there?...i mean how many gets you 30 feet? and is that 30 feet under you?...also can you drop any links for the 4 different saddles for sale?...the only one i can find is the kestrel from newtribe...thanks man
In the video I was only like 15'. With the WE steps and an aider, I can space the steps 3.5ft per step. So 8 steps with an aider gets to 28'. Then the platform goes slightly above that. In practice though, it's usually much easier to climb onto the platform when the last two steps are spaced normally, so I'd generally be a little less than 30 feet with 8 steps. The 4 saddles that are out there currently are the Aero Hunter (Kestrel or Kite), the Tethrd (Mantis), Guidos Web (Hybrid), and ARC tree sling (Canadian company).
@@DIYSportsman yeah i looked up a few and i like the mantis because its minimal and lighter but im just wondering if the kestrel isnt more comfortable...for some reason the kestrel looks better for all dayers
And those aiders are nice i see why you use them...
@@DIYSportsman do you have any workings with the mantis saddle? It looks pretty minimal but reason i ask is i wonder if that minimal style comes with a price like losing comfort for all day drapes...as opposed to the kestrel...
With this video, you just earned a like and a Subscribe! Thank you for the effort you put in to explain the saddle stand.
One minor suggestion though? Work on speaking in a more natural and engaging tone and rhythm, move away from sounding monotone, from sounding like you're reading from cue cards. Other than that, top notch!
What do you do if you have to go #1 or #2 up there?
#1 is pretty easy. Just turn to the side a little and let it fly. #2 I would climb down.
@@DIYSportsman that's makes sense 😂 but wouldn't the animal be able to smell that pretty easily?
Saddle hunting has come a long way
Could a rock climbing harness be used instead of a saddle?
Watch this video from a couple years ago where I talked about using a rock harness as a saddle: th-cam.com/video/z_OVhk7U2JY/w-d-xo.html
Not sure if total weight (saddle or hangon with steps/sticks) was given ?
It'll vary based on which exact components are used. For me, stand plus 3 DIY sticks+aiders and pack/gear = 24.5lb. With 6 Wildedge steps and aider its 23.9lb. For the saddle setup with the sticks and gear, it's 16.6lb. With 6 WildEdge steps, it's 16.1lb. That doesn't include camera gear, bow, or extra clothing. Dan Infalt's new sticks will be similar weight, but for any other commercially available sticks they'll be about 1-1.5lb heavier per stick than what I have.
This was super helpful. You need your own tv show to help those wildtv guys and gals!
Hey man need your advice. I hunt in upper michigan in what I'd call hill country. If I do alot of hunting on the 2/3 from the top rule what could you see more beneficial?
Dan has his best daytime movement in hill country around 1/3 from the top. My observations mirror that for the most part. 1/3 has some play based on where the "crest" of the drop off is. Sometimes it'll be higher or lower. It's wherever wind mixes with rising thermals and makes a buck most comfortable.
Are people using crossbows with this method of hunting?
I don't know any specifically but know there are people who do.
12 wild edge steps and millenium m7. 20lbs total weight. I can climb up to 36ft.
What hang on steps are you using or would recommend as mine are long and clumsy
Saddle hunting is by far the more mobile, lightest, best choice for beast style tactics
Always like your videos, i prefer the hang-ons or climbers
1# Saddle- ropes, special knots, carabiners , gagets, pulling yourself up after walking a mile.. ill pre hang or climber, not unpacking all that at 4:45am morning.
Don't forget a lot of guys out there can't legally hang pre-sets. And that climber can turn into a nightmare trying to find a telephone pole tree in the dark.
Thanks for the informative video, I have been considering a saddle. Two questions though, with some of the positions you have to get into by twisting the body for the shot do you see your accuracy suffer at all with a compound? and do you have any issues with getting picked off with having to move around the tree instead of just rotating your feet like on a Lonewolf? Just seems like extra movement in a saddle. Thank you for taking the time to create these videos, always good stuff.
Regarding the accuracy with compound, I think its the opposite. The twisting and turning allows you to get the upper body angled right. So if you took a snapshot and cropped out everything but the upper body, it should look as if you're standing on flat ground at the range. The only tension to hold the position is in the lower body. Upper body shot execution feels like normal. Regarding movement, you have to be careful, because moving around the tree can get you busted. Hunting higher or using good back cover helps a lot. That's also why I often like to set up on a tree such that the expected activity is on my strong side (bow arm side). Also, one of the reasons I like the small platform with the saddle is that I can stand and turn in place just like a stand for minimal movement. Yet, if I really need to lean out to the other side I can.
That makes sense, I was thinking some of the shots it would mess with reaching proper draw length and alignment. I appreciate the response. Think I will give it a go. Will be a great tool to add, especially on long hikes in or scout and hunt trips. Thanks again for your hard work in these videos.
Great and very informative video, thank you for posting! One questiuon tho, who are those 13 experts who down voted this video..and why?
I'd be interested in an update to this video if you ever thought it was worth it - I'm sure you've learned a lot in 6 years
I should make an update. I just watched through it again and it's actually surprising how much of theory opinions especially starting at 13:00 still have stood up over time. There are way more options now, from endless saddle and climbing method options, as well as lighter, better stands like the LWCG stuff. But in terms of their usage as a tool for specific applications and trees, that part hasn't really changed much. My go-to is a fully featured saddle like the Tethrd Ultralock, small, solid platform like the predatorV, and an extra strap with 2 steps to deploy if needed on extra large or leaning trees. But for specific scenarios where the perfect setup is on a backward leaner or tucked into a spruce I still like the stand.
Man I’m going to have to keep and open mind and maybe try one of these myself
Have you ever thought about using climbing spikes rather than ladders?
I have seen people use them but they are illegal in most of the places I hunt.
Good comparison and information.
It looks good! Great job. But i d be concerned in how to control the movements. Any small mistake and you are done. The deer will bust you. I think will stick with my standard tree stands. You can control movements in abetter way. But great job though
What backpack is that in this video?
Cabelas Deluxe Whitetail Day Pack.
Although I'm playing around with some other options now.
I’ve been using a Camelbak motherload the past few years. Works well for me especially in the later part of the season. I like to have room to stuff the sanctuary jacket in the pack. Always looking for alternate pack options. Never know when something better will pop up.
Great job and thanks for putting this together.
What pack are you using?
It's a Cabelas Deluxe whitetail day pack. It looks like they might have been discontinued.
Very detailed and informative video!
What saddle are you using?
It's an Aero Hunter Kestrel. It's a mesh version that's being released on July 4
Thanks
Excellent video! Thank you!
Always appreciate your content.
I stick to my lone wolf custom. Big guy on saddle feels funny and too much movement.
Yeah no matter what they say about saddle hunting if you want to hunt with the least tree restrictions you need to have a hang on and a saddle.
Thanks for the very thorough video. Do you think using a tree stand or saddle increases the chance of harvest? I live and hunt in Arizona.
Hi Bruce, that's a tough question to answer. If one of the systems gets you into places you wouldn't have otherwise hunted due to distance or specific tree setup, then yes, one could be better than the other. If you're talking about either one in comparison to hunting from the ground, I believe there's an increased chance if the animals are following a pattern. I wouldn't use one in Colorado during the rut for example, but early season over a secluded wallow for example, I'd rather be up in the air. Easier to get away with movement and it raises your scent stream a little.
I just have to say that your videos are so quality content. 😌👍 Your camera and camera stand makes so good video quality 👌😀 First i just had to watch one video and now i subscribed bro 😂😂