Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Jim Jackson on May 09, 2023, 11:55:36 AM
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Just curious seeing a couple of saddle thread lately.
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I do!
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I do
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Yep
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I do and absolutely love it. I still have my climber but doubt I'll ever personally use it again. Keeping it as a loaner or back up to hopefully get more people into hunting.
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JX3 style since 1985.
Most comfortable and very versatile.
Visit saddlehunter.com to learn way too much about saddle hunting.
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Not my preferred method but I do use one in certain situations. Hard to deny their versatility and effectiveness.
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I do. Not exclusively, but quite a bit.
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I'll be using mine again this year. Not my preferred either but it definitely beats hiking a stand in through some thick areas I hunt.
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I use one for certain situations. Shot 6 deer out of a saddle so far. Love the versatility and for long walks back into public it’s the way to go.
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I’ve been using one for 3 years and I appreciate having that tool in my arsenal. I even use it with a ladder or hang-on stand when it makes sense…
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I gave up tree stands years ago as I have had so many encounters on the ground.
BUT, I will tell you this, it they were available like they are now I would have been all over them.
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I do, if have choice prefer ground for flexibility, then saddle. Shot over 20 animals hunting from saddle love its diversity.
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I use and enjoy one as well.. especially when I travel to hunt. Not nearly as agile as I once was.. or maybe never was. If I do the ground thing, I have to have a chair and I'm kind of hard to conceal. In a tree, the critters don't seem to mind as much.
I feel much safer in a saddle than anything else. On my permanent feeder set ups for pigs, I still use millennium lock ons.
BigJim
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One other concept most do not think, is if use right tackle no "weight limit"
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I've never used a saddle, the only benefit I see is maybe the weight versus strap on tree stand witch some are very light, if you carry sticks to climb the tree for both ways what's your opinion on the benefit with a saddle versus strap on, comfort, or is there a better way to climb with a saddle. What's the preferred way you experienced guys go up the tree with a saddle.
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Millenium stands are rather easy to set, but I find them to be much more effort than using my saddle.
And I'm not sure, but I think Toddster just called me fat! :biglaugh:
and he would be correct..
BigJim
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I've never used a saddle, the only benefit I see is maybe the weight versus strap on tree stand witch some are very light, if you carry sticks to climb the tree for both ways what's your opinion on the benefit with a saddle versus strap on, comfort, or is there a better way to climb with a saddle. What's the preferred way you experienced guys go up the tree with a saddle.
I use two 20” sticks and a three step aider, which will get me 15’ to my platform.
Saddle, steps, aider and platform weighs total of 9 pounds.
Also very comfortable vs hang on.
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I do too, no more tree stands in my garage. I'll admit last season that I kind of missed a tree stand. I may set one or two up this fall but I will not use one on public land. It's so much more enjoyable for me from the simplicity of it all to the lack of weight. I'm disappointed it was a "thing" years ago.
-Jeremy :coffee:
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Last year I played with the JRB system (checkout on you tube). I used it during bow seadon with great results. Go up and down tree with just saddle and rope. Makes one think why didnt do this before. Oh and FYI, I am not a young athlete, 56, short stocky guy with both knees replaced and this rules. Just sharing info.
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I cant wait for the season to start to try mine. I have been practicing and love it from a convenience, comfort and safety point of view
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Since about 1980 much success
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Hunted out of a saddle for the first time last year.
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I'm new to saddle hunting. I'm using the JX3 hybrid saddle. Curious about how shooting out of it will affect my form. need to practice for sure.
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I have only hunted out of a redneck diy version of a death trap “permanent stand” years ago as a kid. Most miserable afternoon I’ve ever spent. Now, all these years I have missed all the tree climbing, hanging, lounging systems they have. I swear, each one, no matter how the guy on YouTube makes it look “easiest set up ever” is WAY to complicated, no thanks. I will try my darndest to just sit still on the ground.
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I'm new to saddle hunting. I'm using the JX3 hybrid saddle. Curious about how shooting out of it will affect my form. need to practice for sure.
Not the easiest saddle for trad. I have one and it's the only style I find unsuitable.
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I have only hunted out of a redneck diy version of a death trap “permanent stand” years ago as a kid. Most miserable afternoon I’ve ever spent. Now, all these years I have missed all the tree climbing, hanging, lounging systems they have. I swear, each one, no matter how the guy on YouTube makes it look “easiest set up ever” is WAY to complicated, no thanks. I will try my darndest to just sit still on the ground.
Missing alot if opportunity in that case. I like being well rounded.
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I have only hunted out of a redneck diy version of a death trap “permanent stand” years ago as a kid. Most miserable afternoon I’ve ever spent. Now, all these years I have missed all the tree climbing, hanging, lounging systems they have. I swear, each one, no matter how the guy on YouTube makes it look “easiest set up ever” is WAY to complicated, no thanks. I will try my darndest to just sit still on the ground.
Missing alot if opportunity in that case. I like being well rounded.
I like being well rounded in a lot of things, but when it comes to hunting and tree climbing, I just want to stay well GROUNDED. Sometimes it’s harder to be honest with yourself and your capabilities just to stay safe than to add a lot of risks by elevating oneself over our prey. Ropes fail, humans fail, equipment in general gets missed up by the users, I will keep it simple.
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I’ve been using a saddle for a few years now. I first saw them used by some compound hunters about 10 years ago. I thought it would be difficult with my longbow and didn’t try it then. I wish I had! I have much better limb clearance and more shot options than my stands. As far as comfort, I can stay in my saddle much longer than any hang on or ladder stand. Add that to the light weight and ease of use and it’s definitely a tool to have in your toolbox.
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I've used many variations from the original TrophyLine to home made setups like a sit-drag. My current favorite is the Dryad Drey. Hammock guys will find the concept familiar. The weight is barely over a pound and I find the back support very comfortable.
The saddle is item #1, but from there where do you put your feet? Many have switched to small platforms. I've used one and like them, but for a minimalist setup, I still use a ring of steps or ROS. I prefer Squirrel steps on an OCB (over center buckle) but there are many other good ones. I've owned two platforms....a Lone Wolf and a Predator. The Predator was more packable but LW changed their design and now have what is called the Fix. I'll have one eventually.
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Many thanks guys. :thumbsup:
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Last season was my first season using one and it was great for me. I was worried with my 62” recurve that I wouldn’t be able to maneuver but once I got it figured out it wasn’t bad at all. Definitely going to be using it again this year.
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I've never used a saddle, the only benefit I see is maybe the weight versus strap on tree stand witch some are very light, if you carry sticks to climb the tree for both ways what's your opinion on the benefit with a saddle versus strap on, comfort, or is there a better way to climb with a saddle. What's the preferred way you experienced guys go up the tree with a saddle.
I'm just getting into the saddle hunting concept, but by far the biggest benefit to me is being able to rappel out of the tree instead of having to fumble my way down steps in the dark. It's also much faster if you just need to safely get to the ground in a hurry.
Comfort is too subjective to say one way or the other. Overall, I'd say I'm more comfortable in my saddle than most stands I've used, but you'd have to find the saddle that fits you the best. They are kind of like jeans, some just fit better than others.
I'm still experimenting with the climbing aspect. I'd like to like one-sticking, but I haven't found an aider that like me yet. Currently, I'm packing four Muddy sticks with one step aiders. Lighter than sticks + hang on, but obviously heavier than a single stick and aider. Being old and fat are probably more of a factor than equipment unfortunately. :banghead:
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Check out JRB climbing method on yout×be. I used it last few years and beats hauling sticks in that did for years.