I have a question for treesaddle users... how long did it take you before you "got the hang of it"? To be more specific; how long did it take to get comfortable with setting up, moving around the tree and shooting from it? Its a month before deer season opens around here and I'm still debating if I should get one or not and if I would have time enough to become proficient with it. Thanks for your help.
I think you should go for it. I have hunted for more than 20 yrs out of my own home made and now the saddle. After a couple of outings you will get accustomed to the feel and freedom to move in different shooting positions. With that said you will have to learn to stop moving just because it's so easy. Many will tell you to get knee pads. I use a fanny pack that has one large pocket. After I get set up and all my gear on, I fasten the pack at knee height. Plenty comfortable enough without more stuff. You need to learn how you are the most comfortable. How to plant your knees on the tree for better movement at shot time. I like one knee planted. Most importantly you have to commit to using it. Many people want stick with it long enough to realize that it's the easiest way to hunt.
Start by setting up on a tree you don't have to climb up, then work your way higher each time you shoot until you are comfortable around 10 ft off. I use the neoprene one with the side storage bag. It is recommended to use knee pads. I actually use this in my back yard for practice at dawn in the summer. After a few days of practice, you will feel completely safe in a Saddle.
Number one thing is getting familiar with how to tie your knot and where at on the tree it gives you the most mobility. I'm right handed, so I prefer to set up so I have the most range off of my left side. Height of the knot is important as it can get in the way of a long bow limb at steep angles. Try it before you go for sure. I bought mine a year ago and it changed the way I hunt. I also got a set of knee pads later on for long sits.
I was comfortable in it the moment I put it on, but I've been rock climbing forever so it wasn't a large stretch for me.
I DID have to practice a bit in it to get the idea of shooting from it, but it's just practice like anything else.
Same here. Rock climbing/parachuting background so harnesses and safety stuff...second nature. I would recommend particing daily from 2 or 3 feet up so you get the hang of things....that way when the season opens, it will be old hat...
What are the best kind of knee pads to use?
Allan
Any kneepad that has a solid front. The objective is to be able to lean into the tree. If the front of the knee pad is soft...it will dig into your knee. I have used tactical type ones that I have from the army as well as the trophyline ones....both are just as good...
Guys,
not trying to hijack your thread here, I promise. I tried the treesaddle and love shooting out of it, just could not sit still in it long enough. part of the comfort issue for me was the constant feeling of being forced into the tree.
I now hunt from a Guido's web. The key difference between the saddle and the web is the web has a metal standoff bar between your legs that holds you about 5" off the tree. Much more comfortable for me personally. I cannot shoot from the Web as well as I can a saddle, but only directly behind me. No knee pads to worry with either. Guido's also has a very comfortable seat and backrest compared to the saddle. I felt all cramped in even in a jeans and t shirt in the web since the webbing is so close to you where the web's webbing is out more to your sides and not pinching in on your sides. No way I could have stood heavy clothing in the saddle.
Again guys, these are just my experiences hunting out of both the saddle and the web last year. You will get busted before you ever get a shot if you are fidgeting around like I was every 15 minutes in the saddle.
nocams :readit:
Shooting from the saddle didn't take long to get the hang of for me. It's like any elevated stand as far as leaning, bending, or twisting at the waist so that you get proper alignment.
I carry climbing sticks in and out with me so my biggest challenge has been getting up the tree and setting up my platform (3 strap on steps on one strap) quietly.
I've had the saddle for a couple of years but have only hunted out of it a hand full of times. I really want to make the saddle work this year so I've been practicing more in the back yard to get my system down. I'm still figuring out how to be most comfortable in it for long sits. The few times that I used it last year I had a hard time getting comfortable and felt that I was fidgeting way to much. You have to position the saddle just right on your butt or the straps can bite into your thighs. I've heard from others that they sit in the saddle all day, but I still need to find the sweet spot where I can sit for long stretches without moving.
The height that you attach the strap to the tree is important as well. Some like it way up high and others lower. I'm still trying to figure that out too. Knee pads are also a must. I just bought a $5 pair of closed cell foam ones with an elastic velcro strap and they work fine.
Back to your question, I think you can figure all of these things out and be proficient with it in a week or less - maybe a few days of playing around with it.
Jsimon,
from what I found you need to tie the strap up as high as you can to make it the most comfy. That was another thing I did not like about the saddle vs the Web. The saddle strap has to be tied as tight and as high as you can possibly reach and hope that it does not slide down too much when you settle you weight into it. I had a hard time keeping it up as high on a slicker barked tree as I would have liked.
The web's strap is a cinch strap you simply slide it where you want it on the tree and pull the cinch tight, DONE ! When all is right it feels like sitting in a lounge chair hanging from a rope. And again, not being forced into the tree by having the metal stand off bar holding you off the tree. No knee pads reguired. JMHO
nocams :readit:
I used it for the majority of my hunts last year and thought it sucked in every way. Uncomfortable, hated the knee pads and you really dont have 360 degree shooting mobility as it requires WAY too much movement-especially if you are shooting to the right. It cost me several shot opportunities. Love the concept though and bought a treesuit and vulture in the off-season after I sold the saddle. Can already tell that both are much more comfortable and neither require knee pads.
Too fidgety for me too. Back to a LW stand.
I was already a portable hunting style- so that is no different for me. Much more comfort with less movement on the LW. Wt. difference was ony 5#. . . negligible on my back.
Superk
I was comfy enough with one to fall asleep in it within a month. Fell out of it about 4 days later and haven't used one since. Luckily for me hunting in Alaska is more of a spot and stalk affair than sit and wait.
BTW I was wearing a safety belt, the tether gave me a nice welt across the face when it snapped.
Over 1 mile hike in = Guido's Web, Woodpecker drill, and bolts for steps.
Less than a mile hike = Summit Viper, the most comfy and safe climber out there in my humble opinion.
nocams
can anybody post a picture, I dont know what a treesaddle is.
GO TO TROPHYLINEUSA.COM
nocams
I use a screw-in "T" bolt to attach the strap to the tree. Instead of rapping it around the tree twice and tieing a knot, I only rap it one time and tie the strap knot right above the "T" bolt. No more slipping down the tree. I've fallen asleep in my tree saddle many times. I do not understand how it's possible for someone to fall out if the saddle is attached correctly.
I do not use a Treesaddle but i love this system of hunting.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
I guess getting use to it is different for everyone. I hunt public land where you can't screw anything into the trees. I didn't like the strap on steps for the platform, so I attached a piece of aluminum to the top of my lone wolf sticks to stand on; top section now looks like a letter T. It works great, but you can't walk all the way around the tree. I never did that anyway.
Sorry all I misread the title of the post. I thought it was about tree stands in general. I have 0 experience with a treesadle and it's been so long since I used a tree stand I cant even remember what kind of stand it was.
In the interest of full disclosure I should also mention that I was a ICU RN for many years. My dislike of tree stands is based on personal experience and having several hunters end up as rutabaga's after falling out of one.
Joebuck
I used to be a rock climber so I know this won't change your mind. Hope you hunt in Alaska that way when the inevitable happens you'll have the best ICU staff around to console your family. My wife's team lots of experience helping the families of hunters with the grieving process.
Rick P.....you might want to do your homework before you give your blind oppinion about a product your not familiar with. Quido's Web is one of the safest stands on the market. I went to this type of stand for safety after i got married and started a family. www.quidosoutdoors.com (http://www.quidosoutdoors.com) I will not give my oppinion of rock climbing because i have never done it but i know i rather climb a tree and hunt than a rock and sweat :)
Rick P... I have seen people in ER's like hamburger from car accidents. I have seen people ground down after motorcycle accidents. I have seen people shot with guns. What is your point? Live in a cave until you see someone get buried? Thank you so much for your sensationalism.
I am afraid of heights and am a big heavy guy, the tree saddle is the safest most comfortable unit available for elevated hunting.
I will go up, way up with a saddle, using a regular hang on stand or a climber I stay at around 12 to 14 feet.
I sold my Lone Wolf Alpha Sit & Climb, I now only still hunt on the ground or get up in a saddle....or both....
not too long, maybe 5-6 practice sessions. the biggest hurdle for me was learning to have faith in the safety belt and tree belt
Wow and I thought all opinions where welcome here! I'd also like to point out I re posted and stated for the record that I "have 0 experience with a treesadle." I was trying to correct an earlier incorrect post after all!
Joebuck
I didn't give an opinion on your tree stand at all but a opinion on tree stands in general. I have no interest in looking into a product I will never use. But I'm glad you did for the sake of yourself and your family. Frankly I still would not trust my life to what appears to be a single webbing strap. I trust logic more than product reviews.
3 arrows
I've seen all that too but I'm hardly hiding in a cave or unwilling to take a risk! I spend more time above tree line chasing Dall sheep every year than most do for all there hunting combined! I hunt animals over 1000 pounds on a regular basis in some of the toughest country in the world with 2 sticks and a string. White tail and hogs are kittens compared to bear and moose. That doesn't mean I'm going to drive without a seat belt at 100mph, ride a motorcycle without a helmet or hunt game that can eat me without a sidearm! We all have to asses what is a reasonable risk for us. Based on past personal experience and the number of folks I have seen admitted to the ICU treestands are off my list. Besides treestands move you father from the game we chase, the opposite of why I got into bow hunting in the first place! That is not sensationalism it is my opinion. Don't like it, I'd be happy to discuss that opinion politely.
A modification I did to mine which makes my saddle much more comfortable is I fashioned a plywood board the same width as my hips when sitting then have a neoprene pad glued to that. I cut it so there is a narrow tongue that comes forward slightly to act as a standoff from the tree. I got the idea from the Tree Suit I had but didn't like because of the noisy straps. It really doesn't add much weight and increases the comfort level tremendously.
Do you attach the plywood to the Saddle?
Yes with 2 small bolts through a thick part of the webbing.
Bowtechie, what saddle do you have?
I think it says Realtree Roadtrips on it.
Bowtechie, any chance you could show some pictures. Thanks
I haven't dug it out yet but I may do that tomorrow and will post pics.
Interested in that myself. One reason I went back to the Treesuit...the hard seat.
Bowtechie, is it leather?
I hope you post those pictures.
hey guys..not to highjack a treesaddle thread,,,but Quidos Web has a hard seat bottom...thats why i left the saddle and the suit
Me too joebuck ! Hard bottom my foot..... Yeah it has an aluminum plate in the bottom but that is under the nice cushioned padding !
nocams :campfire:
the suit has a hard seat bottom too.
I got an old school Anderson tree sling and wondered why I didn't have one years ago. I too hunt public land and it's an invaluable tool.
Takes some getting used to and you'll use different muscles to support yourself. Takes abotu 3-4 hunts to figure out exactly where you want everything placed. Don't go out with it unless you have practiced first since you'll spend most your time adjusting to get everything right. You don't wanna do that when deer are coming in,LOL!
Many thanks for all ya'll who responded. Ya'll were a big help!
Super K,If i had to sum things up, TreeSaddle ( Trophyline), Treesuit, Sneaky Sac, Anderson, Vulture Nest and Quidos Webs basically expose one to a different treestand approach. I persoanally progressed from Treesaddle to TreeSuit to Quidos Web in about a 9 year span for variuos reasons. I also killed deer out of all three. There is little tricks you'll learn but nothing takes the place as backyard practice for me at 2' off the ground. It accelerated my learning curve plus i have stopped traffic several times people wondering what i was doing. I have learned also not to hard sell your buddies on this method of treestand hunting....they either get it or do not have any interest what so ever........My biggest learning curve while hunting was moving in the tree to get ready when i first saw the deer if it appeared it was not coming on side i favored. Now i shoot most deer as it walks past me. I position myself in trees to trails, food and scrapes for that set up. It keeps me hidden behind the tree so well.
joebuck, you provided the best summation of this style of hunting from trees out of all of us. The biggest learning curve is knowing when and how to position for the shot and staying still.
Thanks again ya'll. I bit the bullet and bought a tree saddle! Now I gotta decide on either the Rapid Rails or Lone Wolf sticks. When I did a search on them it seems like both are well liked and well made. So many decisions....so little time :banghead:
Super....may i suggest a tip here? If you have one or two places you will hunt mulitple times, i would buy a Tree Stick ( climbing sticks that connect) of some sort and leave it on the tree. Most have a T bar at the top. They are pretty cheap and most go up to 15'.....now if have to take your climbing steps in........I like my Lone Wolf over my Rapid rails from stand point they are more compact. Also as far as screw in steps..i use nothing but E-Z self tapping folding steps. I put 3 in the tree at 9,12 and 3 oclock so I can walk all the way around the tree. I also screw one about 6 inches above my head as a grab bar...........good luck!
Here's a link to a post I made on AT. It was easier for me to upload the pics there.
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1055404882#post1055404882
Joey, interested in your input as this will be my first full season hunting out of the saddle.
Are the majority of your setups with the tree between you and the deer as it comes in? It seems the most comfortable to shoot from that angle and the most sense to me but curious what your preferred position is. Also, after using both, do you feel the Guido's only advantage is comfort over the saddle? Disadvantages compared to the saddle?
Hello JC Snuffer Man!!!!!!First of I am by no means an expert.. but heres IMO.
Yes..majority of my setups i want the deer to come from 12 o'clock to 11 to 10 to 9 to 8 to 7 to 6..Love the 8-6oclock shot.....I can shoot him without moving at 11-5oclock. Does that make sense? Trouble area 12-1-2-3-4-5 if i do not move my feet. If that shot is evident then i twist my body in my seat 1/2 turn to right, switch my feet, swing my bow over to right side of tree and it's a dump shot. That why i put a grab screw in step right above my head to grab if i need to move quick...You will amaze yourself how you can move around on a deer.
Yes your exactly right about Quidos...it is the most comfortable hands down. Also I use the Tether Belt fully attached around the tree when climbing which IMO is safer than a climbing belt on the Saddle or Suit. A huge plus for Quidos also is the 5" t bar that keeps your crotch off the tree when sitting. Also if a step breaks or you slip ,this bar slams into the tree and keeps your body and face from crashing into the trunk.
Out of the box..Quidos is more restrictive and harder to shoot out of than the others ( Treesuit and Trophyline)...I modified my Quidos where it is almost identical to a Saddle except i kept my back rest on Quidos but i slip my shoulder straps off when i shoot??!!!..The Manufacture did not reccomend this.noted here!
I love the compactness of my Saddle. Knee pads are a must. Both attach to tree about the same height.
As far as ideal set up....I'm right handed.....deer trail 18 yards to my left parallel, with deer coming from 12'oclock traveling to 6 o'clock. 15'-18' feet high..i know thats high...deer can not see you till about 8 oclock if he looks up....very very few times have i been busted........be sure to practice your straight down shot....good luck with the saddle...its fun...
JC,
you gonna luv a shot directly behind you in that saddle. Most comfortable shot there is out of it in my book. Deer might as well get in the back of your side by side UTV !!! Just straighten your legs as you come out of the sitting position, kinda twist, or roll over and your upper body is in the classic upright "T" position for a perfect shot.
Joebuck is correct in that you cannot shoot as far around the clock in the Guidos as the saddle especially if you do not at least slip one shoulder strap off to shoot behind you. However, after hunting last year out of both I personally would not trade my Guiods for 10 saddles due to the comfort and fidget factor. I simply could not sit still in the saddle. Your not going to get a shot if you are moving as much as I was !!! The whole key in my humble opinion is the saddle pinches you in with the webbing conforming around you and the Guidos feels more like my recliner hung from a rope, with the ropes out away from my sides. I cannot imagine how I would have been constricted if it was late season and I would have had on heavy clothes. It was early season and I was in just a long sleeve T shirt. You should try both and are welcome to try my web anytime. Lord knows I owe you that, you have been awful good to me !!! JMHO
nocams :readit:
JC as NoCams said....6 o'clock is money.. heres my 6 oclock shot in this pic. To get here I took my right foot at 3 o'clock step and stepped behind my left foot to 9 o'clock step and spun my waist about 1/4 turn in my Quido Web..i cut the leg straps off so i can spin in my webb...But as NoCam pointed out..you don't really have to move your feet at all......I love that spot in this pic.. I use the limb above me as my "grab" limb...Notice that dark trunk tree behind me?????????..Looking at this pic...i need some camo UV dimmer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that suit is horrible............
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
Keep the info coming ya'll... GREAT STUFF!
I just don't care for the webbing of the Guido's Web. It seems to tangle and not wearable as the Saddle. I might add that I don't have comfort issues with the Saddle once the rear wallet is removed. I don't feel pinched. I can actually get it in trees with limbs to stand on like the oaks around here. Beech trees have great branches to stand on. The knee pads make napping easy too. 1 o'clock to 5 o'clock on my right hand side is difficult to get to without loosening the tether strap first. I am able to spin my body inside the saddle to get off a right hand side shot. I personally think that the Tree Saddle accommodates the slimmer shaped man than the fuller shaped man. The Guido's will accommodate the fuller shaped man more so than the slimmer shaped man.