Tree Saddle.....2nd Iteration

[10essee]

I love my Kestrel. I’ve never felt as safe in a lock on as I do in my saddle. All components are climbing rated at more weight than I’ll ever exert on them. They’re not for everyone but my hunting setup went from 20# to 11 and none of it hangs off my back anymy 

[Onehair]

I have not hours but hundreds of days in my home made saddle. I'm guessing approaching a hundred deer taken out of it. I move no more in a saddle than any stand. Stick with it and you will do fine.

[Dry Creek]

Really liking my Kestrel and can't wait for the season to get here!

[fujimo]

One hair, you have any pics of your home made tree saddle?

[Jubu]

I bought one after reading the book; ''hunting pressured whitetails''! I was able to practice with it, and yes, I shot a lot of different ways and in many directions, but I couldn't be in it more than an hour because of the pressure the seat put on my hip joints.

[DanielB89]

I hunted from a saddle almost all of last year and loved it.  Comfort is something that has to be found in it.  The pressure on your hips and quad will be determined by how well you adjust it to you.  It is no different than a stands seat height or the cushion under your butt.  I have found there are more important factors than just the saddle itself, like what does one stand on? 

I tried the "ring of steps", the WE stepps(my fave up to this point), and currently have one of the new manufactured platforms on the way.  I believe it'll be the best.  I did manage to kill my biggest buck ever out of a DIY saddle this past year.  I don't think he would have been un-killable had I been hunting in a tree stand, but it would have required a lot more movement had i been in one. 

The key to minimizing movement is, just like everything else, trying to predict where the animal is coming from.  One major difference is that when a deer does come from that direction, you can (semi) use the tree as concealment.  There is no doubt that each style has it's own pro's and con's, but I like the weight advantage of the saddle much more than the weight of a tree stand.  My sticks, saddle, and platform all weigh around #13.  Most stands now days weight that. 

[Tom1958]

I bought one after reading the book; ''hunting pressured whitetails''! I was able to practice with it, and yes, I shot a lot of different ways and in many directions, but I couldn't be in it more than an hour because of the pressure the seat put on my hip joints.

What saddle did you own?
I had a Trophy Line and I also experienced hip pinch after a few hours.
But I have to say that my Kestrel far exceeds the comfort of the TL.
I assume the Mantis from Tethrdnation will be every bit as comfy. My buddy has one on order and I'm anxious to see it 1st hand, but they look awesome  on the website.

3 things mainly effect hip comfort...tether attachment height, bridge length, and to a degree, your foot rest system. Ring of steps is less comfortable than a mini platform.

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[South MS Bowhunter]

Good comments Daniels!  What little time I spent in a mock up saddle convince me that hunting from a “real” designed one would work.

And as you stated everything I’m doing now with Loc on or climber still applies.

Still need to do proper setups. I found that my shooting window extended from the saddle and with proper foot movement I actually could shoot 360.

[South MS Bowhunter]

Plus I liked the advantage of hiding behind the tree.

[Mint]

I picked up a kestrel in March and a ernie platform to use. On Long Island a lot of stands get stolen and there are some small woodlots that the saddle will be perfect to sneak into without having a tree stand on my back. I also have a couple of spots that are super thick and carrying a tree stand in is impossible. Wearing the saddle in will be a breeze.

[WVFarrier]

Here are 2 different bridges i had made for it.  Both are 1/4" Amsteel with 10" buries.   Also a shackle made from the same amsteel

[Longbowwally]

Saddles are a good option - just make sure you order from a reliable company....I ordered my saddle from Tethrd on June 24 and still don't have it....New Tribe, who makes the Kestrel, seems to be more reliable in getting the product in the customers hands....

[Tom1958]

Saddles are a good option - just make sure you order from a reliable company....I ordered my saddle from Tethrd on June 24 and still don't have it....New Tribe, who makes the Kestrel, seems to be more reliable in getting the product in the customers hands....

New start up company. I think a lot of us were getting impatient with them but their products are top notch. They ran into some production issues...I guess they weren't gonna settle for problem equipment. Cut 'em a break.
I will say that I hope they got the Predator strap problem solved.

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[Longbowwally]

I've done more than 'cut them a break'....Waiting almost 4 months is ridiculous....Theres been one excuse after another - always someone else's fault - never theirs is their story....Really bad way to do business....Will take a long time to build a good reputation in my book...

[Jasper2]

Tethrd has some quality products no doubt but the way the whole deal with the preorders went down is just not right.  They had guys ordering XL saddles last week and receiving them in a few days....meanwhile guys that backed the startup company from the beginning and preordered have been waiting 4 months? Not cool....  I don't care about the production issues or all the other BS with the sizes being made in batches or different sewing shops...yada yada that I've read, It's just not the right way to do business in my mind.

[Longbowwally]

Jasper2 - you are exactly right.....Couldn't have said it any better.....

[Longbowwally]

Update: I received my saddle this week - yes it was a long wait lol ....But, the products tetherd makes are very high quality and very functional - I can say this from first hand experience now lol ...

Someone mentioned hip pinch and comfort with a saddle - I have found that you must try different tether heights, saddle position on your hips and things like that to find what is most comfortable for you. Everyone is different and must find what is comfortable for them - but, once you do that it is an awesome way to hunt.

[Flingblade]

I bought a Guidos Web a few years back.  No hip pinch and very comfortable.  Kind of a cross between a saddle and stand.  The owner retired last year and sold the company.  The new owner made some nice changes and updates to the stand and I think it will be my next stand purchase.  There is a thread about it at saddlehunters.com.  Weighs 9.5 lbs. and can shoot 360 using only the top step of a stick ladder.