How About a Tree Saddle Live Hunt?

[Michael]

I figure the best way to get more proficient with Saddle Hunting and one sticking is to just do it! What better way to practice than hunting for axis or hogs when the stakes aren’t as high?

I’m currently hanging in a tree (and swinging in the wind!) in Blanco County. This morning was only my second one-stick climb (to hunt) and it showed! LOL! I’m in a fairly straight tree, so the climb wasn’t too bad. I got my platform set, but its not perfect and I’m fighting gravity a little bit, but its workable.

The biggest challenge was setting up my gear strap, figuring out the best way to hang my pack, and then fighting it a bit to hang this big *** Muddy Outfitter camera arm and then figuring out the best position for my bow.

I also set my platform above and to the right of my stick. I later decided that resetting the stick at 90 degrees from my platform would give me another step (and help with the aforementioned gravity. It was pretty difficult to retrieve and reset the step from above while navigating the platform than it would have been to set it first and then the platform. Lesson learned.

My biggest hurdle is still trusting that the rope, saddle, platform, etc. will hold me, but the more time I spend up here the more confident I will get.

[Michael]

From a positive standpoint, any westerly wind (NW, W, SW) isn’t ideal for any of our existing sets in the area where we typically see Axis. With the saddle. I’m able to set up in a decent position for the current WNW wind that we’ll have all day.

[Jcjohnson]

In! Thanks for letting us follow along and giving real time feedback on the saddle set up

[Michael]

This wind adds an element of “discomfort.”

[lovemylegacy]

Sounds great! Especially for us fellers that are working today

[Michael]

Well, my boss is a TBHer, so let it be known that I’m working from the “saddle-ite” office this morning! (Hey Kyle! )

[Michael]

With the tree shaking quite a bit in the wind, I’m finding it more comfortable to sit than to lean, especially with the platform being off angle. I definitely need to invest in the knee pads.

[Michael]

Ok, I’m going to rappel down and go grab breakfast with my bride. The wind helped cover the noise and movement I made this morning, but it has probably kept animal movement down. There hasn’t been a lot of activity on the trail cams at other stands either.

I’m going to put a paracord preset in this tree and may return this afternoon. I still think it’s a good spot for this wind.

[lovemylegacy]

Well dang

[sling shot]

Good luck this evening.

[Death from Above]

I use the seat pads at walmart versus the knee pads...I have found it make is easier to sit and be comfortable, especially in the wind.

some of my sets are 25 plus feet up and can be a rodeo in wind like today lol.

And think we need a demo of you climbing a tree with the one stick ...its better than crossfit lol

[Michael]

I spotted a herd of 8 axis on my walk back to the truck. I circled around so as not to spook them.

[Michael]

Back at it. I came out early but then got tied up talking to a neighbor. The climb went ok (I filmed it) but the setting up still needs work. I set the stick and platform a little higher than this morning but got it too high and had to adjust both back down. Setting up this Muddy Outfitter camera arm is a pain (Im working on a solution for that!) Figuring out where to hang my pack so that it’s out of the way but still accessible is still a challenge.

But, I’m hunting and think I can pull off a shot if I get an opportunity. Stay tuned.

[Michael]

I didn’t see any axis this evening I heard one bark a couple of times pretty far from me, but downwind. This WNW wind is tough for this area. It shifts to W and then SSW in the morning, so I’ll have to change setups.

Hannah is here and will hunt in the morning at the Krivoman blind where axis have been fairly consistently. SSW isn’t terrible for that blind, unless they cross downwind. 😜


What I learned today:

Setting up the camera arm and camera is still my biggest challenge in the saddle.

It’s best to pull my bow up from the side I’ll be hanging it (on my left side in most cases) so I don’t have to cross it back over the bridge between me and the tree. Simple things.

The Predator Platform worked much better this evening after I moved it from where I had it this morning and didn’t have to fight gravity. I think a one stick with a platform along with a couple of steps (ROS) will be a good option. I think it will work better for climbing and adjusting my rope, as well.

I may need to use a different bino harness. The one I have (Sitka) has three separate compartments and it sometimes gets pinched in the bridge.

[DedDuk]

The more you climb, the more you will learn what you like on a tree. The way they lean, the width (big enough for both knees), how to utilize big branches. You'll learn to visualize everything while you're still on the ground. I love a tree with a big 3 branch split. Tether on one branch, equipment on another, and lean against the 3rd. Get a good pair of trimmers for your pack and make them accessible while climbing.