tree saddle?

[DanielB89]

Anyone hunt from a tree saddle?  

curious as to how they would work with a trad bow.

[Tradesmen4]

I hunt with guido's web. and it's not a problem

[JMR]

That's funny, I was just watching YouTube videos about this and wondering the same thing.

[Basinboy]

I ordered a saddle and I’m going to give it an honest try.

[kevsuperg]

If you want a quidos better hurry. He's retiring.

[Jasper2]

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.

[SuperK]

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.

[KSdan]

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

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.

[fujimo]

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

[Jasper2]

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.

[nineworlds9]

That Kestrel rig looks badass!  I've been hunting on the ground with an ASAT suit but this thing looks neato.

[Jasper2]

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.

[DanielB89]

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.

[ARCHER2]

Get it buddy. We'll have a new season next year.  

[Mint]

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?

[Boone the Hunter]

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.

[Mint]

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.

[Boone the Hunter]

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!

[Boone the Hunter]

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.