Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Tree Saddle System...does anyone use it

Oh yeah that's easy. Just unzip, rotate your hips out away from the tree and let 'er rip.

Ive never worried about pissin while up a tree, because if a deer is gonna smell my pee, he gonna smell me.

I have the treehopper recon saddle and the tree suit platform. I bought some Samson predator rope and a couple of ropeman 1ascenders and a couple of caribiners and made my own lineman’s belt and tree tether. I’ve used a Simmons drill since the 80s with 3/8 bolts to climb with, not going to work on public, just through that in just in case some may be interested. Simmons no longer has a drill, but treehopper makes one and also has a bit that will fit in your cordless drill.
Here is a link to treehopper website: https://www.treehopperllc.com/shop/
I like the 2 panels on the treehopper recon because there is more room for adjusting for comfort. I borrowed a aero hunter kestrel from a friend and tried it out, it was heavy and not very comfortable to me. I am going to try some sort of sticks for hunting public land.

Just imagine the lone wolf hand climber being the bottom section of a climber and your tree saddle/tether being the top section.

There should be plenty of videos on YouTube.

Most of your comfort will come from having a good saddle and finding that sweet spot in your bridge. It’ll take some time and probably have to adjust a bit during your sit. A platform of some sort is a must. I use an etrier or “aider” as some will call it with every step I put on so it lightens the load.
Once you find the setup your happy with you’ll be glad you have a saddle. Basically no limits as to which tree you climb and a lot of time that has helped me stay concealed.
If anyone around Wetumpka wants to try it before you purchase just give me a shout and I’ll go over everything.

Basically, I just sit in the saddle and push myself away from the tree with my hands when using the hand climber. I've got pics somewhere. I'll see if I can dig em up.

Do any of you guys use the artisan mini platform that takes the place of the top step of your stick (or anything similar)? If so, is there much difference in that vs just standing on the top stick.

I recently just got into it after seeing a few guys at my club using them. I went with the JX3 hybrid saddle and with the wild edge over steps. Haven’t spent much time using them going to try and get familiar with them this off season and be ready for next season. Thought about getting a top platform to stand on but for now going to try and see how I like using my top step as my standing spot. Wild edge has a platform that locks into your top step but their stuff isn’t cheap. Also going to give the hawk helium sticks a try.

I have been using a saddle for the last two seasons. Same observations the rest have expressed. I do wish I had a size larger. 6'1" and 210#, I bought a Tethrd Mantis in Large based on the website sizing info, but really need an XL. It took me a while to trust the system but now I am cautiously confident in it, meaning I double check every connection before committing to the tether alone. I saw this video the other night. Lesson is check the condition of your equipment! If I had taken a fall like this I am sure I would not have survived. I don't have the muscle mass this guy has...https://youtu.be/uLOJ3eyeZe4

I’m using the Tethrd Phantom and OOAL Podium. Really enjoyed them both this year.

I use OOAL Scout which is about the size of the artisan mini platform. They make the scout in a flat style and an angled style. If you only sit they the flat scout makes the most sense; however, if you are leaning a majority of the time or want to lean at all get the angled scout. The angle matches the angle of your ankles better while leaning in a saddle and makes a big difference on comfort. I’ve used the angled scout all season. It is more comfortable than the rope of a double step. Take a look at the first couple posts and you’ll see my stick with scout mounted to it.

FYI OOAL is coming out soon with what they are calling the monarch which will have both the flat and the angle part to it. Itll be $99 compared to $69 I believe.

Here is the angled scout. This was from this past summer before I added the aider and doublestep.

There's no way in hell you can be up a tree in a saddle quicker than me putting my Summit Goliah on tree in probably 2 minutes or less.As far as freedom of movement doesn't that work against being still so you don't get busted by a deer?I'm open minded about new hunting techniques but common sense tells me this doesn't pass the smell test.I see the advantage of climbing a variety of trees and thsts about it.

I got the JX3 Hybrid this season. The saddle is amazing, however using the climbing sticks is a royal pain. Especially after walking 1/3 mile up the mountain. Im going to really practice with the setup during the off season.

Using sticks, a climber is faster. Using spurs, I can run circles around your climber.

The two biggest advantages of using a saddle other than tree selection, is weight and compactness. My setup is about 14lbs lighter than your summit. And you never realize how much of a pain in the ass it is walking through the woods with the profile of a climber on your back, until all you’ve got is a medium backpack with no metal clanging around.

Ideally you set up with the tree between you and where you think the deer will be. But even with them coming from the side/behind you your profile is at an angle when you're leaning back in the saddle so you look like a big limb coming off the side of the tree. I feel like I've been busted WAY less in a saddle than when I hunted from a climber.

I just put sticks in my main spots and carry my platform up and step in it. I keep a light set of sticks for a mobile setup. Not so much how quickly, but how quietly a saddle set up can go up, as well as go in basically any tree to keep some cover. I like using climbers too but I hunt some areas where there isn’t a good tree for a climber within bow range of trails.

I deer hunt for enjoyment and relaxation not for punishment

I have never felt punished or inconvenienced in my saddle

I think Ill stick to my 5 gallon bucket.