BuckRidge17 - don't see how a saddle couldn't be more mobile! A Summit Viper is 20 lbs. A Mantis saddle fits into a big cargo pocket and weighs 15 oz. I've been hanging and hunting with an 18 lb lock-on and 3 Hawk Helium sticks this year, and I can't keep thinking how much quicker I could set up in a tree without having to hang the lock-on. Not to mention having 18 lbs less to lug in and out on my back. Can't wait to try the saddle setup personally.

What are you doing to setup a lock on that takes so long?

Although Brad likes to question a lot of folks 😂, this one very valid. The saddle will lighten your load a ton, but as far as setting up it’s not going to change that much. Actually, I can set up my millennium faster if I had to bet, just because I’ve hunted out of it a lot more. You’d have to really be struggling with a loc-on to save any time.

On gun hunts, do you just hang your rifle up like a bow?

When I was hunting out of a climber, no. In a loc-on, I hang it, but in a different spot. Not sure what I’ll do in a saddle just yet. I’m sure it’ll hang. Hard to navigate the inter webs while holding onto a rifle and swinging from a tree. 😂

It's the lock-on. It isn't designed to be a mobile setup, so it's a pain to get secured to the tree even using my linemans belt and having two free hands. And yes, it's a struggle. It has two upright posts so it's not easy to hold up one-handed, and the weight bearing strap attaches to these two eyelets via hooks that like to fall off and go clanging down the the ground........ look it's just a pain ok? XD

With a saddle, get to the top of my last stick, cinch a platform on the tree, throw the tether up, clip in, take off the linemans belt, done. Way quicker. If you're using a LoneWolf or a bracket system for your lock-on I could see how the saddle wouldn't save time setting up.

What kind of platform are you using?

Other than the packing, climbing, etc y'all may want to practice shooting out of one. Ask Johnal about that.

Shots fired!

Killed my first deer out of saddle yesterday, even though it wasn’t a big one I am extremely happy with him. First deer with bow in over 5 years.
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Mighty fine deer out the saddle rolltidehunter1

Congrats!!

Congrats! I’m still trying to get that first bow kill as well. I’ve had a couple of opportunities but I passed on a doe and a small buck since the rut is kicking here.

A Summit Stoop lock on

I’m liking the predator but the new lwcg ambush is nice too however $300 may be a little steep

That’s another thing that has me leaning towards the saddle. If I’m going to spend $300+ on one stand, have to pack it in and out, and not be able to sit the perfect tree bc it has a strong lean, I’d rather invest in a saddle. It’s just infinitely more mobile and doesn’t limit tree selection as much.

That saves a lot of time. I can get in any tree that will sully my weight. It may take some quick engineering but I definitely do not wonder around looking for a tree to climb

I’d love to try it on public land that I hunt but damn that crap is expensive. Tethrd kit looks to be $500 with the platform 😬

Yeah that’s the downside. I’m like Johnny Cash... one piece at time lol. I don’t have a platform yet so I’m using a double step with one wild edge step. I have the Bullman ring of steps I’ve never used. I’ll buy a platform after this season.

I actually sold my lone wolf and bought saddle. Since using a saddle/rock climbing harness I haven’t had a need for a tree stand. I hunt public land 99% if the time so a saddle has been more beneficial for me.

I love my saddle. It’s super comfortable. I’m not really happy with my climbing situation right now due to how potentially dangerous it could be. (wild edge stepps with knaider and swaider) i just keep thinking about how bad it would suck to drop my swaider out of the tree at 20 feet and not have a way down. I think I’m gonna get some hawk helium sticks and give them a shot. As far as vs a climber, I’ll take the saddle any day. I just spent a week in Kentucky and good luck finding a tree to climb with a climber where i was hunting, I’m sure you could find a tree but probably not where the deer are. The guys i was hunting with were using a deer cart to tote their climbers in with and i was going twice as far with just a backpack and getting to set up where i wanted to and not where i had to. I could go on and on but i love mine and I’ve made about 20 sits in it so far.