Tree Saddles

[kymuskie]

Excellent info. Thanks a bunch.

My hunting partner & I both got Aero Hunter Kestrels this year. We hunt exclusively public ground. I can say that there is a learning curve to learning to use one, I would say buy one in the spring and practice before taking to the woods with it. Also, get a platform. The tethered predator is an amazing piece of equipment. I’ve hunted out of nearly every tree stand made over the last 20+ years and these things are comfortable as any cheap loc on stand. Best part is I can shoot 360 degrees, hide behind my tree, and can hunt literally any tree in the woods. With 3 sticks and an aider I can get 20 ft up. 1st season in the saddle and I WILL NOT be carrying my lone wolf climber on public land any more. It’s not for everybody, but I’d say it’s been a game changer for us. I love mine.

 

[At Full Draw]

I can't offer any info about saddles, but this year I tried the hang and hunt method with a hang on stand and 3 climbing sticks. I use Hawk Helium sticks and Hawk Helium XL hang on stand. I can get right at 20 feet with is this set up using an aider on the bottom stick. Compared to the Summit open front climber I used for at least 15 years, the new set up was easier to carry and quieter to set up and hunt. More importantly, I can't hunt deer instead of hunting for a tree suitable for a climber. I hunted less than 12 feet several times because that's the level cover was available. Those locations were not suitable for a climber. It took several hunting trips to get the hang of the new system, but if you do it correctly, you only make one trip up and down same as a climber. Also, I believe this set up was less strenuous on my body than a climber. There's a lot of videos on YouTube that explain how to use this set up. To each there own on the method they use, but I really liked this set up after I tried it.

 

[bowhunter269]

I can't offer any info about saddles, but this year I tried the hang and hunt method with a hang on stand and 3 climbing sticks. I use Hawk Helium sticks and Hawk Helium XL hang on stand. I can get right at 20 feet with is this set up using an aider on the bottom stick. Compared to the Summit open front climber I used for at least 15 years, the new set up was easier to carry and quieter to set up and hunt. More importantly, I can't hunt deer instead of hunting for a tree suitable for a climber. I hunted less than 12 feet several times because that's the level cover was available. Those locations were not suitable for a climber. It took several hunting trips to get the hang of the new system, but if you do it correctly, you only make one trip up and down same as a climber. Also, I believe this set up was less strenuous on my body than a climber. There's a lot of videos on YouTube that explain how to use this set up. To each there own on the method they use, but I really liked this set up after I tried it.

What is your total weight for this setup ?

 

[hickslawns]

John Eberhart has been using them for years. Interesting idea. The boys on The Hunting Public have been using them some this year I noticed. I'll stick to a climber or I'll hang and hunt with sticks and my Millennium. Much more comfy (although I've never tried the tree saddle so maybe I shouldn't say that.)

 

[Ataulbe1]

Have to ask, did you get this pack somewhere recently? And if so where? I have one identical to that, that I bought at least 12+ years ago and love it! Wish I could find another one. I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

 

[cedar creek]

Five gallon bucket works good, a lot cheaper

 

[gicts]

Have to ask, did you get this pack somewhere recently? And if so where? I have one identical to that, that I bought at least 12+ years ago and love it! Wish I could find another one. I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

It might be around 10-14 years old - and going back that far I can't say where it came from. I'm sure I traded or bought it used. It's a great pack that's held up amazingly.

 

[At Full Draw]

What is your total weight for this setup ?

I don't remember the exact weight but it was a little heavier than my climber. You can get lighter sticks and stand, but I was starting on a budget and needed a larger stand because I'm 6'7, 225 lbs. The Hawk Helium sticks ($100) have double steps making me feel a lot safer. There's some smaller and lighter stands available such as Millennium, XOP and Lone Wolf. When I hunt public land it's at Ft Knox. I don't have to walk far distances to hunt like most public land hunters do so the weight wasn't an issue for me.

 

[bigredhunter]

I know this is an older thread, but I'm thinking of starting the tree saddle hunting for 2020. Really looking at the mantis system including the predator platform. These seem to be gaining popularity, and I could see the advantage of being very mobile. I'm a larger guy, 230#, and wanted to see if any had experience with this set up.

 

[EdLongshanks]

I’m anywhere between 230-240 depending. I find the saddles very appealing for bow hunting. I don’t like shooting a bow while seated and the shooting rail of a climber tends to get in the way. To me it seems a saddle with sticks would be easier and quicker than a climber. Curious as to why some folks think attaching the sticks to a tree is a pain in the butt?

 

[5831]

If anybody is curious about Saddles, check out the saddlehunter forum.
Chock full of info on saddles, platforms and climbing methods.
It’s where I learned the most about changing over to a saddle.

 

[bigredhunter]

If anybody is curious about Saddles, check out the saddlehunter forum.
Chock full of info on saddles, platforms and climbing methods.
It’s where I learned the most about changing over to a saddle.

What kind of saddle are you using? Climbing method?

 

[5831]

What kind of saddle are you using? Climbing method?

I have an AeroHunter Kestrel.
And I used to use standard Lone wolf sticks. This past year, I built my own custom sticks from parts I bought online.
They are 22 inches long and weigh about 1.5 lbs each. Four of them with a moveable aider gets me 22-25 ft high.
I also have a tether predator platform, and my buddy runs an Out on a limb Ridge runner. I highly recommend a platform.

 

[Whitetail Nut]

I have bought the kestrel flex by aero hunter! This is my first year trying it and it s definitely different to a loc on or climber! I actually feel safer in the saddle because I am 100% attached to the tree from the ground up! It’s lightweight but is very well made! I use wild edge steps and an aider to get up the tree! I have a few wrinkles to work out but I think it will be the only way I hunt from now on! By the way I am 55 years young and 6’2 235lbs!

 

[Whitetail Nut]

Oh nearly forgot I also got the back band for my saddle! Well worth the money....