Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: DanielB89 on November 17, 2017, 12:34:00 PM
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Anyone hunt from a tree saddle?
curious as to how they would work with a trad bow.
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I hunt with guido's web. and it's not a problem
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That's funny, I was just watching YouTube videos about this and wondering the same thing.
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I ordered a saddle and I’m going to give it an honest try.
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If you want a quidos better hurry. He's retiring.
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I saddle hunt with my short longbows and it's no problem. There are a few adjustments that can be made with certain saddles to prevent your string from contacting your bridge/rope on certain shot angles.
The used market is starting to open up on the old trophyline saddles since New Tribe has released the Aero Hunter Kestrel. Expect prices to drop drastically.
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Several years ago I had a tree saddle. I have never felt safer in a tree. It does take some practice getting use to it and shooting out of it. Practice with it during the off season before you go hunting. I wish they still made them.
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Excellent piece of equip. Absolutely conducive to trad. There is a learning curve, but well worth it. google and youtube- lots of modifications that make it even easier to use.
Dan in KS
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We made some years back that were adjustable and would spike in with body weight. I was a monkey in those days and could climb a pole with a piece of rope in a grip loop. It all depends on the tree for how much fun the sit would be and how practical a shot would be from it.
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i built my own setup- and it works really well- lot cheaper than buying the full rig- but i think the saddles are good bang for your buck- if you have the buck that is
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A different company is making one now. Check out New Tribe climbing gear's Aero Hunter Kestrel. It is far superior to the original Trophyline tree saddles in my opinion. Made by an outfit that knows this kind of gear and designed by hunters.
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That Kestrel rig looks badass! I've been hunting on the ground with an ASAT suit but this thing looks neato.
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Yes it is Chuck. I've hunted out of the Trophyline Ambush saddle, The Aero Hunter Evolution (which was New tribe's first shot at the hunting saddle market), and the Kestrel. Still have them all but the Kestrel is as close to perfect as I've seen and is really well thought out. Check out saddlehunter.com for more information than you will ever need.
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The only thing holding me back is the 6 week wait time. I can't do that atm. in 6 weeks, our season will pretty much be over.
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Get it buddy. We'll have a new season next year. :thumbsup:
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I'm very interested in getting one but are they really comfortable to hunt out of? Also, it seems like to would be perfect to get up in the branches to use?
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Love my saddle! It's been my main hunting setup for over a decade. I've shot a lot of deer with my trad bows from it. I cut the upper straps off the ambush saddle so it's smaller and easy to pack, I keep it in my back pack with some extra tree steps. You can hunt anything from a crooked bush 8 feet off the ground to any normal setup. As mentioned there's a little getting used to it but once you figure it out it's comfy and it can be shot out of very nicely. I have dozens of trees setup in my hunting areas so I can bounce around like a squirrel depending on wind and such. I built a small platform that straps to the tree for if I'm sitting all day that fits in my backpack, works nice.
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Thanks for answering Boone on the comfort issue. Do you use the optional back support strap?
I'm going to buy the aero hunter kestrel and just know if i'll need the back suport strap or not. Seems like it is one more thingto adjust before I can take a shot.
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Well funny enough I'd never heard of the kestrel before? I just looked em up they seem pretty sweet! I bought the old brand trophy line tree saddle years ago and have been so happy with it I've never looked at any others. My saddle with the upper straps cut off basically looks just like the aero kestrel hunter without the back support. That being said I have no idea how the back suppport may add to the comfort or if it would possibly get in the way. I sit all day often in mine during the rut and it's all about how you set it up weather your comfy or not. The angle of the tree, how your steps, platform or branches feel etc... I wear knee pads and that is hugely important I think.
A lot of guys write these harness systems off I think because at the get go it seems complicated or weird but like so many things once you figure it out Its so simple and effective. In the end I use it because personally it makes me a better hunter. I can generally silently setup a tree and be hunting in minutes, when I'm in the tree I'm so hidden. I'm a big guy 6'7" in my saddle I stay tight up to the trunk and look like a big ol branch coming out at an angle haha. The way you can swing around the tree silently allows for getting on deer that get behind you or are moving through quick etc... on many occasions I've stalked into and area, setup a tree that seemed right in a situation that felt right, shot a deer from that setup and never hunted that tree again, it's awesome!
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I should add too some compact light climbing sticks are a good accessory for public land or states that don't allow screw in steps. I have 4 muddy brand ones that I bundle together tight to keep quite and wow you want to talk about really setting up fast. I used them recently on a bear hunt The guide was baiting the spot on his 4 wheeler he dropped me 20 yards from the set to get in a tree a few minutes later I was up and hanging in my saddle with my climbing sticks before he was finished.
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Thanks Boone, really appreciate the reply. I've got for lone wolf climbing sticks for public land so I'm all set.
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I bought the back support band with my Kestrel and have never used it. Personally, I don't think it is necessary but I don't hunt more than about 4 hours at a time anymore. Check out the saddle hunter website if you haven't already.....you will find everything you need.
Also, feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. I'm no expert but I do have experience with 3 different saddles and several climbing methods.
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I've been using them for about 10 years now. I love them. I started with a Trophyline Neoprene Saddle and have since been using the New Tribe Aero Hunter. The new Kestrel looks awesome. Freedom and movement is amazing. It takes some getting used to but if you give it a chance and work with it they are awesome.
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Thanks guys, really appreciate the info and help.
Jasper2, I use a climbing rope with ascender for my climbing belt already and really like it and don't wantto switch. I figured if i was going to use the back support band I would buy the package deal. But i think now i'll just buy the saddle and the tree strap.
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I have since purchased a couple saddles to try out. I am waiting my second one(different model) to come in.
My first sit in one was this past weekend and overall, I liked it. I still have to work out the kinks of the climbing method and the platform, but other than that, walking in carrying less than #15 was super nice! That included my extra clothing.
I also tried the wild edge stepp ladders and although they get great reviews, I'll have to try them out a few more times to efficiently learn how to do use them properly before I give a better review on them.
One my largest concerns is being able to get up to the spot i'm going to hang from without sweating up a storm. If you have read any of my previous posts about hunting clothes, you will know that sweat is a huge issue for me. With the saddle, i'm assuming it'll be a lot of the same.
Right now, I am climbing in to my stand and then getting dressed. I wont be able to do that with the saddle so I have to work all that out.
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Depending on the saddle, you can add layers to the top easily. The bottom is a different story and would be nearly impossible in every saddle that I have except maybe the Kestrel because of the leg buckles, but I've not tried it? Even if it could be done though...it likely wouldn't be entirely safe.
I'm not an extreme sweater like you describe but I pack my outer layers in and put the bibs/pants on before I climb, then pull up the jacket and hang it for use when I cool down or the temp starts to drop.
Just move up this way Daniel, it was 14 degrees the other day, you'll sweat less....I guarantee it. :D Seriously though, my best advice is to take it very slow, you'll sweat less and it's much safer that way. :thumbsup:
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I’ve tried some saddles and so far the guidos web is my favorite. Some lone wolf sticks and Good to go. Kestrel sounds cool but I’m set with the web. Definitely a learning curve.
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Well I just ordered the Kestrel to give it a try.
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Let us know how it works and how it is to shoot out of for a first time user.
I'm thinking about getting one too.
Tedd
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It will be awhile, four to six week wait. But I will definitely start practicing with it and after having it a few months will give a write up.
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Originally posted by Mint:
It will be awhile, four to six week wait. But I will definitely start practicing with it and after having it a few months will give a write up.
Hate to be a bearer of bad news, but I would bet that your time will be closer to 8-12 weeks. I have been following their shipping updates on the saddle hunter page. Some guys just receive theirs that ordered almost 3 months ago.
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Here’s a bit of odd way to use a saddle. I’m a ground hunter and so would appear not need a saddle since I’m not in a tree.
I use a screw in anchor or a small ratchet strap about head high on a tree. I hook up the saddle to the anchor or strap, but instead of facing in toward the tree I swing around with my back to the tree and my feet able to touch the ground with the knees slightly bent.
If I get tired of standing, I sit and put most of my weight on the saddle. My feet are on the ground and can easily rotate me from side to side to check about 270 degrees around the tree.
It takes about a minute to set up, sometimes less if wear the lower portion of the saddle into the woods. Very light weight compared to any of the ‘seats’ I know of and much better support—at least for me. When checking out a new area I often use this approach to find a spot, set up for an hour or two, and move on.
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I also use my saddles to replace my regular safety harness in areas on private ground where I leave my stands up. I call this setup the harness with benefits!
Allows me to lean way out on the stand or seat and with a couple of strap ameristeps.... I can get all the way around the tree.
I typically use the seat of the stand just like a platform when I can since it keeps me from having to step over the cables or chains.
I feel safer in my saddle than I ever have in any stand/harness combination. The fact that I'm facing the tree most of the time, tied off at all times and my tie in point is in front of me where it belongs gives me confidence that if I did slip, I could self rescue instead of waiting for help....while fighting suspension trauma.
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Anyone on here running a "sit-drag" DIY rig? Ive been researching and about to give it a try
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Originally posted by George Vernon:
Here’s a bit of odd way to use a saddle. I’m a ground hunter and so would appear not need a saddle since I’m not in a tree.
I use a screw in anchor or a small ratchet strap about head high on a tree. I hook up the saddle to the anchor or strap, but instead of facing in toward the tree I swing around with my back to the tree and my feet able to touch the ground with the knees slightly bent.
If I get tired of standing, I sit and put most of my weight on the saddle. My feet are on the ground and can easily rotate me from side to side to check about 270 degrees around the tree.
It takes about a minute to set up, sometimes less if wear the lower portion of the saddle into the woods. Very light weight compared to any of the ‘seats’ I know of and much better support—at least for me. When checking out a new area I often use this approach to find a spot, set up for an hour or two, and move on.
OMG George, that's brilliant! I was thinking about getting one and climbing, but I'm a big guy and gravity is not my friend. I run and gun on the ground too, usually in an ASAT suit, and up to now I've always carried a folding chair. And it's not the most comfortable thing. Your use of the saddle sounds great for the ground. I'm going to have to give this hard consideration.
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George, how come you don't use a tether as you normally would with a saddle? I'm trying to visualize what the screw in anchor or ratchet strap does that a tether rope wouldn't? Are you still using a normal saddle bridge?
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Jason,
the tether I have for my saddle is simply a strap with a loop on one end. So to put it on a tree one slides the fastening end that attaches to the saddle through the loop and pulls it tight around the tree. If I was using it in a way my full weight was in the saddle all the time, that is all I would need. But as I stand and sit, the tension in the tether I goes up and down. I found this would loosen the strap and it would slide down the trunk of the tree. By putting the tether over an anchor, or holding it in place with a small ratchet strap I don’t have to worry about my height adjustment.
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Chuck,
Don’t over think it. Just try it. I think the odds are very good your first reaction is going to be, ‘Wow. Why haven’t done this before.’ Plus it gets you out of a tree. Having had the unfortunate experience of taking the gravity express out of a tree when using tree stands, I’ve come to the conclusion if men were meant to be in trees, they would have tails, or could fly.....
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Originally posted by huskyarcher:
Anyone on here running a "sit-drag" DIY rig? Ive been researching and about to give it a try
sent you a text.
I am using a sit drag.
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I used a saddle a few years back for 8-10 sits. I tried my best to like it but just found it very uncomfortable and that it required an awful lot of movement to shoot so I sold it. Love the concept but it's not for me