At first I was skeptical, much like everyone else. Dangling from a thin rope 20 feet up a tree, with a tiny platform barely big enough for my feet, didn’t sound like a good idea. All this while trying to draw my bow and execute an accurate shot? Yeah, right! Much to my surprise, after 3 full seasons, and a few tags filled from a tree saddle, I’m here to tell you that it is, at the very least, worth trying.
Some hunters question the sanity of saddle hunting. Is it really a safe method? Other concerns are comfort and ease of use. Some critics argue that saddle hunting is just the latest fad and assume it will come and go like other trendy tactics and techniques. The truth is, saddle hunting is here to stay. However, the question remains – is saddle hunting right for you?
Greater Versatility
I primarily hunt large swaths of public land, and tree saddles offer a major advantage; mobility. I can climb almost any tree. It doesn’t have to be perfectly straight, and it doesn’t have to be of a particular diameter. Climbing sticks, especially lightweight options like the Tethrd One sticks, are simple to use and can get me up a tree in 5 to 10 minutes.
Trees with split trunks or too much lean used to be inaccessible, but now I’m able to climb them. If I don’t like my setup after a hunt, it’s easy to take down and readjust my strategy by climbing a tree a few yards closer to where the deer are moving through or hiking into and setting up in a completely different area. Ridges and valleys I once contemplated dragging a climber to are now no question; I’m going!
Safety & Comfort
With a tree saddle, I can shoot almost 360 degrees around the tree. I’m also able to stay concealed behind the trunk of the tree while observing or preparing for a shot. I get fidgety during longer sits, whether I’m in a treestand or a saddle. But with a saddle, I can change positions and pressure points in order to stay comfortable. This allows me to sit longer, and remain unseen.
There are thousands of treestand related accidents every year, so safety is always a concern. I practiced using my tree saddle in the backyard until I became comfortable enough to try it in the field. I now feel safer hunting from a saddle because I’m tethered to the tree at all times and protected from a fall in ways a treestand safety harness can’t replicate.
Can You Fall Out of a Tree Saddle?
When it comes to safety, it’s the first question on the mind of most skeptics – can you fall out of a tree saddle? And while there may be someone out there that’s fallen from a tree saddle, I honestly can’t seem to figure out how it would happen.
Just take a closer look at the video below…
The Downside of Saddle Hunting
Let’s talk about why you might not want to use a tree saddle. If you are someone with chronic hip and back problems, or not confident in your physical abilities, I wouldn’t advise it. There is a certain amount of physical strength and athleticism required to use a saddle, so I probably wouldn’t recommend it for my 85 year old grandpa.
For me, a tree saddle is not the best setup for hunting with firearms and in the extreme cold (which typically go hand in hand), but if you’re reading this article you’re probably interested in bowhunting with a saddle setup anyway. Just know that it gets harder to use a saddle in extremely cold temperatures and it can be tricky to find a stable shooting position with a firearm.
Conclusion
Saddle hunting is an investment of both your time and money. If you are in good physical condition, enjoy a mobile style of hunting, and aren’t afraid to try something new, it’ll be well worth the effort to learn.
And if you want to give it a try this year, check out our video below for everything you’ll need to get started!
