I am curious to possibly use one of these but then I wonder if I will just not like the hassle. How many of you guys have tried them and realized they are just not for you? Do you prefer a regular treestand?
I worry I will not be able to change clothes or access all of the gear I need.
Thanks,
James
I tried a Tree Saddle. Never felt safer in a tree. Learning to shoot and move around in it does require practice. I got rid of mine because after I had hernia surgery I never was comfortable in it again. It made no difference how I wiggled around, the strap around the legs would dig into the surgery site. Now that I am past 60, ladder stands and ground blinds are all I use.
I really wanted to but I'm still using my LW and sticks. It was a combination of comfort and not shooting good out of it that made me get rid of em. The concept is there and I wanted it to work but in the end I stuck with regular stands.
I still use my Tree Saddle quite a bit. A set of LW sticks, a ratchet strap with six steps for a base and I can go anywhere. I'm not a very big guy and the comfort is acceptable. You can change clothes in them to a degree if you practice. Accessing gear is easy because you're facing the tree.
i built my own tree seat, as it was easier to pack than the tree stands. and used the grass hopper drill for system for steps- but now just mostly from the ground and my small pack frame / hand climber combo this season.
our deer dont pattern here- so we have to be mobile.
How many traditional bowhunters fill a tag using one - I see all kinds of guys getting excited about them - even demonstrating climbing and shooting - haven't seen any deer, bears, pigs, elk
Cory<><
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I think the mistake is to think its an all or nothing deal when it comes to using them. I have one and use it sometimes when I'm hiking in far or it's the best option for the trees in the area. I also have lock on treestands set up, use ladder stands, my LW climber, LW hang on's and sticks, pop up ground blind, ghost blind, natural ground blinds.... Whatever is best for me and the particular spot I need to be set up in. I haven't killed anything out of my tree saddle but I don't use it that often. It is comfortable and I do feel extremely safe in it it's also easy to shoot from with a little practice. The main drawback for me is I'd rather not pack in my LW sticks if I don't have to. If I could leave in screw in steps on more of my properties. I'd use it more. My go to in my climber because I usually prefer to be 25' or so.
I tried using a Tree Saddle over a couple of seasons 3-4 years ago. I was intrigued by the concept, but just couldn't warm to it. No matter how I adjusted it, I couldn't get as comfortable as in my fixed treestands so I ditched it.
I'm fortunate that I can keep all of my stands up for the season on private property, so using large, comfortable hang-ons is my preference
If I were hunting public land or had to haul a stand in for long distances and hang/hunt the same day, I would give it another look.
I have no idea how many use them exclusively nor how many have successful hunts from them but I would think they work if so many are still using them.
My interest is one of lightweight but not to be used all or nothing. I wanted to hear from those that tried it but found it not their cup of tea for what ever reason.
I also think someone is more concealed from deer if they are on the backside of a tree. Do those of you that use them think you see more deer because of this?
I used a Tree Saddle on and off for 3 or 4 years. I thought it was a great idea when I started, but found out there are some drawbacks. You still have to have a way to get up the tree and I don't like screw in steps anymore for the safety and they take a long time to put in in many hardwoods. You need some kind of steps for your feet. I used a strap with 3 or 4 Ameristep steps on it. It's not as easy as it sounds to move around and hide behind a tree, then position for a shot and a longbow has some limitations in it. I had trouble with my knees aching after a sit in it.
I went back to a lightweight lock on stand and don't feel I've given up anything. I'm more comfortable and can remain still longer and it's not a lot more weight than the saddle and steps to stand on. My lock on is only 8 pounds.
I hunt out of a guido's web pretty much everyday. And a climber once in awhile. You can't fall out of the web, but it's a lot different than a tree stand. I do about 4 hour sets Shot two deer last year out of it. I have three sets of rapid rails set up in different locations. unlike the tree saddle the web has a brace between your legs to keep you off the tree. I won,t be giving mine up.
I use a saddle 95% of the time. I modified mine quite a bit. My total setup weighs less then 10 pounds and I have no problem sitting for hours, or shooting out of it.
Dave,
Can you tell us about the modifications you did?
Thanks,
James
I used a saddle and tree seat (I think they are both out of business now) off and on for 3 years. Probably the biggest piece of junk I ever bought for hunting (and I spend way too much!!). Extremely uncomfortable, difficult to shoot to the right, hard to add or remove layers in the tree, etc.
I've had two tree saddles for about the past ten years. I have the deluxe leather one and the ambush saddle. I carry the ambush in a Badlands Ultra-Day pack. It carries everything I need from a saw, pruners, knee pads, woodpecker drill, Grade 8 bolts, etc. I can grab it and go.
I've killed quite a few deer out of mine. Shots to the left are the easiest, but you can back around the tree for other angles. I've taken deer straight down under me. Try that with a regular stand.
You must obtain the correct size. I had an extra large in the beginning and sent it back for a large. Fit is very important. The extra large wouldn't allow me to breath properly. The large is the ticket for me at 204 lbs.
I bought a rope which goes around the tree with a carabiner and it supports the saddle much better than the strap which comes with it. Very easy to use.
The woodpecker drill allows me to use the same holes in the tree each time I use it. The holes grow closed after each season. I use 3/8" six inch bolts in the holes I drill for climbing.
I can shoot my bows out of the saddle easier than out of a regular tree stand. I even got a coyote two years ago and it never knew I was just above it. I believe it to be the safest tree stand I've ever used.
Changing clothes? Well, you can put on or take off a jacket, but I've never tried coveralls or pants. Being able to lean out from the tree to take the shot is a huge advantage for me. It keeps everything lined up and seems so natural.
It's a learning curve getting use to the tree saddle. I believe if you're anything over 225 lbs, you won't like it as the climbing/drilling can be a workout. Good luck!
I have killed deer in the tree seat and also in the Guido's web. I switched back to the treestand because I found the harness style stand required to much movement to move around the tree for a shot. I think if you are willing to put in the effort to really learn how to use them and overcome some of the weak points then they are good. Another reason I switched back to treestand is I find a climber is easier for me to climb with. The harness style stands still require some method of climbing up the tree, and as I get older I try not to use climbing sticks or screw in steps for safety reasons...
Wally,
So you do not feel that the tree actually hides you from the deer as they approach? I was thinking this would be the main advantage.
Definitely being behind the tree offers cover - and that is one of the reasons I tried this style of stand. I also became interested iin them because you can shoot almost 360 degrees around the tree. But, for me, once I actually used them in hunting shot situations, I found the movement required to 'swing' around the tree for a shot was more than I cared for.
Keep in mind I am not saying this style of stand will not work - as I have killed multiple deer out of them. I think if you are willing to put in the time to work out ways to overcome their weak points you can do good with them.
I have hunted out of my home made seat for more than 25 years, dozens of deer taken. This little buck taken last year.
(http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad269/Onehair/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/AAC021DD-B648-45E3-8FBC-FAC9263857DA_zpssqyhjsk3.jpg) (http://s942.photobucket.com/user/Onehair/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/AAC021DD-B648-45E3-8FBC-FAC9263857DA_zpssqyhjsk3.jpg.html)
I have used the:
Tree saddle, Tree Suit, Vulture by Ken Lewis, guido,s web. Prefer the tree stand, just more comfortable , less confined. Actual this will be mostly from ground. Give them all a try if you want this is just my experience . Happy hunting.
Where can I see a picture of the Vulture by Ken Lewis?
Got friends who swear by them (great hunters too!). Even after coaching and many tips I still went back to the stand for typical whitetail hunting. I personally never got that comfortable and I felt I had to move too much to shoot. As far as weight and portability there is only 8-10# difference which is negligible with backpack straps and a hip-belt. Many times a stand actually fits the portable tree easier. I have kept mine for unique times- even considered using it with mountain elk hunting.
Dan in KS
I posted the mods over at saddlehunter.com
I don't use a saddle, but use something pretty close which is the Lone Wolf Assassin platform. It came with a seat belt webbing harness which I ditched and now use a modified rock climbing harness which weighs almost nothing. I can fit the platform in my pack along with 1-2 mini climbing sticks. It's nice because the whole setup (platform, sticks, harness, tether) weighs around 10 pounds and I can climb as high as I want to.
I've shot several deer from it in the compound, but nothing yet with the longbow. It's not an all day sit stand, more like 2-3 hours max. Once mid-October rolls around I switch to the regular stand. Sometimes late season I'll use it again, sometimes not. But it's great for September hunts when I'm walking in through several hundred yards of swamp and marsh when it's hot.
I have had a lot of 6-8 hour sits. The nice thing about this type of stand is it takes little movement to get comfy again. Just flex the knees to sit or stand, lean back a bit to stretch the back or now that I'm in my 60's lean my head against the rope for a short nap
Wow does time hide things. First "saddle" deer. Sorry about the tongue....
(http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy241/kbetts_01/CIMG0103.jpg) (http://s796.photobucket.com/user/kbetts_01/media/CIMG0103.jpg.html)
There are places where a tree stand just will not work. I prefer a tree stand if possible but I have shot deer from a tree sling.