Tree Saddle Hunters

[tpack]

Has anyone ever had an accident or near miss while hunting from a tree saddle? I can see some advantages for using one, but it seems like a lot of work every single time you go hunting. The safety factor alone would stop me from ever doing it and I just wouldn`t like hanging from a tree like a lineman does because I`m afraid of heights.

[MnM]

I’ve saddle hunted for a few years now. Only near misses wear during the climb/descent, and my fault. There is a learning curve with anything that’s new. You have to practice and make sure that your safety equipment is in good shape.

[MetalMan2004]

No more dangerous IMO than a lock on or ladder stand if you’re using the right equipment. I tried a couple of different aiders with my sticks and didn’t feel like they were sturdy or easy enough to use in the dark. I feel plenty safe climbing with a good set of sticks though.

I check my gear frequently. Had some webbing fray on my saddle after 2 or 3 years that made me nervous. Contacted the manufacturer and they replaced the whole thing for free.

[Death from Above]

Way safer than a lock on or climber.

i am attached to the tree from the time i leave the ground. While on stand i have 2 points of attachment (tether rope and climbing rope)

[Low Fence]

Safest method there is to hunt off the ground. It’s more work than sitting in a box blind but in my experience of chasing after deer it has more reward typically

[Low Fence]

And I’ll take my chances with a climbing grade rope with industry standards over 98% of the welding and building I’ve seen on here in the diy. Lol

[whakm]

Saddle hunting is safe.............. if you do it correctly. I've never talked to anyone who's been hurt when using a linemen belt, were always attached to the tree ( with either a linemen belt or tether)making sure climbing sticks were secure, platform or steps were secure etc... Just don't get in a hurry. Is it as quick as going out and climbing into a prehung stand or groundblind? No, but the trade off in mobility and being able.to hunt just about any area far out weighs the negatives.
It does take some practice. ( and practice and more practice)Mainly in having your gear available in the order you need it. LOTS of vids out there and I never watch one without learning something. When I first started it seemed like it me a day and a half to get up there and about 5 pounds of sweat. Now, 10-12 minutes and I'm 15 feet up ready to hunt. Good luck

[MetalMan2004]

It does take some practice. ( and practice and more practice)Mainly in having your gear available in the order you need it.

Indeed, organization is important. A couple of pockets on the saddle definitely come in handy.

[PlanoDano]

Once you perfect a method of climbing do not change anything without re-verifying in a practice session. I changed shoes one time and found I could not climb.

[Arrowsmith]

I am almost 70 and I saddle hunt almost exclusively. Buy good gear. Get a routine. Do it the same everytime. Practice climbing and practice shooting from height in your saddle. I hunted from 17 different trees last years instead of 3-4 treestands.

[OldRiverRat]

Has anyone ever had an accident or near miss while hunting from a tree saddle? I can see some advantages for using one, but it seems like a lot of work every single time you go hunting. The safety factor alone would stop me from ever doing it and I just wouldn`t like hanging from a tree like a lineman does because I`m afraid of heights.

once you saddle hunt a few times you realize you are actually safer than hunting from a lock on or climber or even a ladder. additionally, when you get your gear fine-tuned it's actually more comfortable and the advantages of not having to have the perfect tree are great. i find areas i like to hunt and pre-hang ladder sticks. it's very convenient.

[Duckhead78]

Excellent information here from all the above posts! I’m 45 and this is my third season in a saddle and it has been my go to method.

[txbowman12]

Never had a close call in a saddle. Mostly because your safety harness is your stand, so it's a lot less likely you'll get lazy or sloppy with your safety harness vs a hang on where you are clipping in at the top. I've started running tether ropes (i.e. long piece of climbing rope with a prussic knot that I slide up on the way up) vs linemans belt climbing. Faster and less likely to get hung up.