Revisiting Saddle Hunting/One Sticking (and a Deal Alert!)

[Michael]

I've had an on-again, off-again experience with saddle hunting the last couple of years. Legdog let me use his Tethrd Phantom setup, Predator platform and Shikar sticks. I also modified a Shikar Mini into a one stick (with double steps on top and bottom and a Shaeffer cam cleat to replace the versa button.) Honestly, I've mostly used the saddle in lieu of my safety harness while hunting existing, pre-set stands around the lease, using the tether (or existing life line) to lean on occasion.)

After the season I've recommitted to practicing with the one stick. (I want to do a public midwest whitetail hunt next fall.) I've climbed various trees around the house pretty much every day for the last few weeks, and I did my first "successful" one stick climb (while hunting) at our Blanco lease last weekend. (I actually climbed up one trunk before realizing there were branches in the way of my shot, so I had to rappel down and climb a different trunk of the same tree. So I guess you could say I had TWO one sticking climbs! ) I didn't get anything, but I did have a dozen axis walk within 50-60 yards. I've committed to practicing with my setup during the "off season" and hunting axis/hogs with it this spring and summer in an effort to get more efficient and comfortable with the setup.

As I've used it more, I think a two panel saddle will be more comfortable and better suited to longer sits. I was planning to wait awhile and do more research, but yesterday I saw that Latitude is having a 20% off sitewide sale (deal alert!) and 30% off their Method 2 saddle ($209.) This seems to be a fairly popular saddle option based on the youtube rabbit holes I've found myself in over the last couple of years.

Any of you more experience saddle hunters have thoughts on single panel vs two panel and, specifically, with the Method 2? Any reasons to avoid it?

[Arrowsmith]

I started out with the Tethed Phantom in 2019. A couple of years ago I bought an Overwatch Outdoors Orion expandable single panel saddle. I love it and it is much more comfortable than the Phantom. It's the best of both worlds. You can collapse the the panel when walking in and climbing up and then extend the panel to your desired comfort level when you get on your platform. I still use a Predator platform and I also have a Trophy Line Mission platform. I use 4 Novix three step sticks and I also have some Hawk three step sticks. I have tried one sticking. It was just not for me. It's too much work in my opinion. I do use a retrievable lifeline with the JRB Maverick hitch that I can repel down on. If I am leaving my set overnight I repel down and then clip into the lifeline to climb back up on my next hunt. Jamie at Overwatch Outdoors sews each saddle himself. His saddles have impeccable quality. He also builds a two panel saddle called the Transformer. Here is a review l did on the Overwatch Outdoors Orion saddle.

https://youtu.be/1_uyUCXu0s0?si=X4YIKAhJWTNxHMGk

[Duckhead78]

This was my third season in a saddle. Definitely another tool to use. A close friend of mine and lease member owned TX5 Custom Gear and sold it to Latitude Outdoors. He’s now their lead designer for saddles and backpacks. I have a TX5 Lonestar saddle, Trophy line mission platform and trophy line mini sticks. I have cable aiders on each stick. I can get nearly 20’ with three sticks. I agree a two panel saddle will be more comfortable for longer sits.

[sling shot]

Been saddle hunting for three seasons as well, I am using the Buzzard Roost two panel with an open bridge saddle, using the ultimate one stick from EWO with an added aider, Tethrd roll up pouch for repel rope with a madrock device. When not one sticking I remove the roll up pouch add another dump bag and use 4 Tethrd Skeletor sticks with added DIY aiders from the Amsteel guy and a Trophy line mission platform also. I like the saddle hunting options way more than traditional tree stands.

[Michael]

Thanks for the responses! A tree saddle will definitely be just one tool in the tool box, as we have several Gametamer/Woodsey style stands and quads, along with several Krivoman ground blinds scattered across our lease. The saddle opens up additional huntable opportunities for different areas or unfavorable wind conditions for the primary spots. We currently have half a dozen climbing sticks/ladders that I want to position for semi-fixed options to use with the saddle.

However, I want to get more proficient with the one-stick for additional run-and-gun opportunities at our lease as well as for other properties that I sometimes get invited to hunt and for potential public hunts that I want to do in the future. The best way to do that is to practice in actual hunting situations, so I’m going to make myself one-stick and saddle hunt, when possible, until I’m proficient with it (and learn to fully trust the gear.)

[Michael]

I started out with the Tethd Phantom in 2019. A couple of years ago I bought an Overwatch Outdoors Orion expandable single panel saddle. I love it and it is much more comfortable than the Phantom. It's the best of both worlds. You can collapse the the panel when walking in and climbing up and then extend the panel to your desired comfort level when you get on your platform. I still use a Predator platform and I also have a Trophy Line Mission platform. I use 4 Novix three step sticks and I also have some Hawk three step sticks. I have tried one sticking. It was just not for me. It's too much work in my opinion. I do use a retrievable lifeline with the JRB Maverick hitch that I can repel down on. If I am leaving my set overnight I repel down and then clip into the lifeline to climb back up on my next hunt. Jamie at Overwatch Outdoors sews each saddle himself. His saddles have impeccable quality. He also builds a two panel saddle called the Transformer. Here is a review l did on the Overwatch Outdoors Orion saddle.

https://youtu.be/1_uyUCXu0s0?si=X4YIKAhJWTNxHMGk

Thanks Mike! I watched your video on the Orion (nice job!) and it looks really well made. The only potential drawbacks I can see (without actually seeing it in person) is that it seems like an amsteel bridge would slide more smoothly than a rope, and the cordura material would seemingly be hotter (in early season) than the mesh panels and open areas between panels on the Method 2. Also, do you know the weights of the Orion and Transformer?

[Trumpkin]

I tried one sticking on public land last year. I really struggled with making myself climb the "right" tree, because it would be really trashy. Instead I'd end up a little off the x in something easier to climb. You may not have that issue, but I am much more willing to climb a tree with three sticks and aiders if its the right one. Hope you have more success with it than I did!

[sling shot]

This guy does some great saddle comparisons, and has a chart with the pros and cons.

https://youtu.be/qOInx4k1sVw

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uzJuCfXeS_v2LldV689qplHTS_R0M48L/view

[Michael]

This guy does some great saddle comparisons, and has a chart with the pros and cons.

https://youtu.be/qOInx4k1sVw

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uzJuCfXeS_v2LldV689qplHTS_R0M48L/view

Awesome, thanks! (I watched a couple of his vids yesterday but couldn’t get the google doc link to open.)

It looks like he’s pretty high on the Method 2, with a 5 rating for comfort and 5 overall rating (with price being the only listed con) and weighing in at 1 lb 15 oz. The only other saddles with a 5/5 were the Timber Ninja, at $409 (1 lb 15 oz) and the JX3
Hybrid, at $439 and 15 lbs.

It sounds like the Method 2 at 30% off is a pretty good option!

[Michael]

It looks like the Buzzard Roost and Cruzr saddles are pretty highly rated, as well.

[Death from Above]

have ran probably 10 different saddles the last 3 years...currently in TETHRD.

I did not like the one stick...ditched it and bought 4 beast sticks....way easier on me at 6'2 250 pounds.

breaking of hips and saddle each season is important....takes me a week of hunting to get the tenderness gone around waist

[Michael]

That's a lot of saddle switching over 3 years! Have you had problems finding one you like, or do you just have opportunity to try out a bunch of different options?

[sling shot]

Michael,

Like you, I mostly use it when invited somewhere, annual trip to Rocksprings and someday want to try my luck in the National Forrest just to see if I can be successful there. At the lease I manage I have some hang on presets and Krivoman for those rainy days and grandkids.

I believe he does the most in depth review of multiple saddles than anyone else I found. I purchased the hip pinch eliminator and that helps a bunch, there are tons of gadgets out there for saddle hunting and more on the way I would bet. I will say it did take a little getting used to repelling with the madrock, been looking into the Trango Vergo thinking it may be smoother to operate. The other thing I keep trying to figure out is the best way to back up the madrock, you know the saying one in none and two is one.

[Low Fence]

I’ve been using cruzr xc for a few seasons exclusively. You couldn’t give me a single panel. Latitude makes great products! I have only been around a few of their components. But all are well build!

as far as one sticking goes, it’s just not for me or practical that I see. I’m light years faster with multiple sticks, 9000% less monkey BUISNESS to climb for the cost of almost zero weight saved once you figure in all the extra repell rope you need. As far as coming down. Yes it’s faster but I still do it in the dark with never a light in so little time I just don’t see the point ( my opinion)

[Death from Above]

That's a lot of saddle switching over 3 years! Have you had problems finding one you like, or do you just have opportunity to try out a bunch of different options?

I was fat and really outta shape and while I liked the saddle platform...just could not get real "comfortable".

early on i was climbing drt/srt and that also played into it.

I still utilize srt climbing on new sets and like a saddle i can "sink" into as I climb.

A rope, a saddle and a throw ball are the most versitile mobile package I have used.

Keep in mind here in East Texas we have big trees lol.

I have hunted Louisiana, Missouri and Arkansas using the SRT climbing and current saddle set up. Big trees change things a bit.