Tree Saddle.....2nd Iteration

[WVFarrier]

This is version 2 and is quite a bit more comfortable and feels better. Im not set on the tree tether....it held but i didnt feel secure. Im thinking i might use the 3" friction buckle and strap that came with the safety harness on my tree stand. Range of motion was great and i got the Bullman steps to work better on this run. They would not anchor to the walnut tree i tried the other day. The pictures were taken before i adjusted my seat. It was a little too far forward in the pics.

[hitman]

Looks like total discomfort. Too much movement.

[WVFarrier]

I guess we will see

[WVFarrier]

ive been in it for 3 hours at a go and its WAY better then any stand ive sat in plus i have 360 degrees of shooting
range

[GCook]

They made those things about 25 years ago.  Too hard to stay off the tree trunk for hours.  Too hard to position well for shots.  I wasn't impressed. 

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[WVFarrier]

these saddles are meant to be used inlew of a stand.   i was down low for practice.   i also have a platform that goes around the tree to place my feet on.  If you doubt it,, look up saddle hunting.   to each their own but i quite like it

[South MS Bowhunter]

Have one still in the box (Kestrel), some nasty termites have disrupted my preps and plan to use this season.  But I am looking forward to giving it a go.

Just need to get priorities straight!

[2madjacks]

Sounds like you have determination, and a positive attitude. I’ve never entertained the thought of one myself, plenty happy with a hang on and we have plenty of trees available for such here.  Nothing wrong with trying to improve/modify something for the better. That said, hanging from a friction buckle sounds scary but I really don’t know.  Just keep safety at the forefront.  Hope you’re successful with your design and best of luck to ya!!

[Tim Finley]

A couple of my friends used them and loved em ,I could never figure out how you would shoot to the right ! I  couldn't trust something that was just sewed together I'm too big .

[bear mike]

A good friend has one and loves it I messed with it around camp a few times seems to be very comfortable almost to comfy it was hard to stay awake in just seemed difficult for me to shoot from i have a pretty steep cant I hope it works out the way you want to

[onemississipp]

That’s very interesting!

I can see the advantages of a light system as that.


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[Dave Lay]

I’ve got s huntin buddy that swears by his treesaddle after using stands for a lot of years

[Tom1958]

Saddles have come a long way over the years. My Kestrel is much more user friendly and comfortable than my old Trophy Line.
There are a few things that need to be fine-tuned with the set-up, though. Tether height and bridge length have a lot to do with hip pinch, or lack of pinch.
Knee pads are a must.
Climbing methods shouldn't be much different than what you use to hunt loc on type stands.
The only thing that really seems to be an issue for most guys is foot placement. It basically comes down to a ring of steps...which are attached to the tree in a variety of ways...or a mini platform. Tethrdnation has jus released a saddle platform that weighs in under 3 pound...yes THREE pounds! I have one and the thing is sweet. Easy to carry and fast to set up.
A lot of guys do have problems shooting on their off side (right side for a right hander) from a ring of steps, but from a saddle platform, they shoot just as well as a traditional stand.
True, 360 degree shooting is quite possible even when hunting fro 20" trees. Extremely large trees are difficult to shoot 360, but regardless...you can shoot a wider angle from a saddle that can be done with any other type of stand.


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[huskyarcher]

I made a DIY version myself this past winter. It seems to work well, and i am very excited to give it a go. To me, it's not much different comfort wise than a normal tree stand. I do, however, really like the idea of shooting 360*.

They're definitely not for everyone, (as some were quick to point out) but i think they do have their place and there are times where they are superior to traditional tree stand setups.

Good luck with yours!

 

[goingoldskool]

I have one that I bought back in the 80's......Anderson tree seat is the name on  it. It has 2 sets of webbing, one for under your butt/legs and the other for your lower back. I've used it over the years as a "stand" and as a fall restraint.  I use it mainly today for installation of treestands. I'm old enough now that my knees start hurting if I try to "prop" myself out from the tree like your second pic and if I bend them so I'm against the tree they stiffen up and really hurt when I straighten out. 

Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,

Rodd

[Tom1958]

Saddles are great for hanging stands. Regular safety harnesses with a linesman belt puts the belt right where you need to set the stand but with a saddle, the tether is up above and out of the way of where the stand needs to be set.
Ease of movement and comfort is much better in a saddle when using it for hanging stands.

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[WVFarrier]

I spent 4 hours in mine today.  It was WAY more comfortable either of my stands.   I practiced shooting and can shoot nearly 360 degrees which i cannot do in a stand. 

[fujimo]

looks great. well done
 i built a tree seat, which i really like!
its comfortable.
 i used seat belt webbing that completely encircles the whole seat- so less to fail.
it allows me to shoot on both sides easily- for the off side- you kind of flip over on your belly.

the choker strap around the tree, terminates with a screw gate carabiner, that clips to the green rope section in the first pic. that allows you to slip from side to side and self-centers keeping the load balanced and doesn't try and spin you around.

 its great for keeping the tree between you and the target.
sure was lighter to pack around the bush than my tree stand.
 it does take some getting used to, and the solid tree seat has the metal doo hickey that keeps you off the trunk, keeps the strain off my old knees.

the light webbing shoulder starps allow me to climb the tree with greater ease, and then when in position, i just slip them from my shoulders.
the seat has cinch up thigh straps that secure you to the seat, its snug, moves with you and is really comfortable. it would be super easy to glue some foam camping pad to the plywood- to make it better.

[Jasper2]

I love me some saddles! I actually ditched my safety harness in favor of a saddle. So now even when I hunt my preset hang on stands, I can spin around, face the tree and lean way out to shoot behind me. I feel like a tree ninja!

[deerfly]

I have the kestral and like it so far. Very well made too. I got it late last season and never really got a chance to hunt with it. I've messed with it on my property though for 1/2 hr or so sessions at a time and see the potential. Instead of using sticks though I'm trying to go lighter and use about 50' of arborist throw line and climbing rope with ascender/descender hardware to get in and out of the tree. Its more strenuous to climb, but easier and more compact to pack vs sticks or strap-on tree steps.