Tree saddle hunting...

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by mikerock85, Jun 25, 2014.

  1. ThrustWasher

    ThrustWasher Newb

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    Everything except my coat, I wear bibs instead of pants when I hunt in cold weather which helps keep the heat in and cold out from my bottom!
     
  2. S.McArthur

    S.McArthur Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Guess what?!?!?! I got an email from Tethrd saying my order is complete! Now the impatient wait for it to show up on my doorstep.
     
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  3. Holt

    Holt Grizzled Veteran

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    Nice! Did you get the platform also?

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  4. mnhunter01

    mnhunter01 Newb

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    Got myself some bibs and will be trying out saddle hunting next year, wish me luck! So many options out there now.
     
  5. S.McArthur

    S.McArthur Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Nope, going to get used to the saddle and figure out a plan of action. I have a few ideas to make my own platform, but I really need to get a feel for the saddle. The good news is I have 9 months to get it figured out!
    I have $300+ into the saddle, $160 for LW sticks, I want to have a good plan before dropping another $200 on a platform setup. I am super excited and have 2 guys at work waiting for my saddle to show up for review.
    I took down my cheap $36 Walmart lock on and if I remove the seat and a little welding, I may have a platform. The stand is surprisingly light for a Walmart stand, and removing 80% of the stand should be quite manageable.
     
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  6. Holt

    Holt Grizzled Veteran

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    Good call. I did the same thing 2 years ago. I took parts from 3 different stand and made one. It works perfect and is all I need. I ended up using a seat from steel muddy stand, a cut off post from a lone wolf stick, and a 6 point tree bracket from xop.

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  7. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    I want to start doing this to save the weight on my back and body. Lol

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  8. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    This looks comfortable and lightweight. Aero Hunter Kite tree saddle...anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Oly44

    Oly44 Grizzled Veteran

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    If I go with a saddle it will be the kestrel. Yes the one you post is 1.5 # lighter but I’d rather have the thicker material I feel for longevity of the product along with ability to keep the breeze off your back side more.




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  10. SheddingLightTravis

    SheddingLightTravis Weekend Warrior

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    It’s basically the same as the kestrel only mesh. I like my Kestrel and think it’s very comfortable. Not sure I’d need the mesh unless I wanted to lose a little heat in the early hunts. But I doubt it’s much different.

    I switched my platform from being 3 Wild Edge Stepps to using a set of Bullman Ring of Steps. The WE Stepps were solid and good but I didn’t like messing with tying the ropes just right to get them to cam over. A ring of steps is solid, lightweight, quiet, and takes me about 1-2 minutes to get set up.


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  11. virginiashadow

    virginiashadow Legendary Woodsman

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    That looks real cool. I like simple and effective things.

     
  12. Holt

    Holt Grizzled Veteran

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    VS that is a great saddle. I have the same one, but it's the kestrel. If you do buy one go with the size 2. Everyone says with the larger size it's has alot more comfort.

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  13. S.McArthur

    S.McArthur Die Hard Bowhunter

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    They emailed me today about the color of the tether, I ordered green but they were out of stock so I went with brown. Not that the color even matters. Also, was able to get them to add the Ropeman thing to my order as they were packing it up.
    Talk about some quick and effective service.
    Tracking says it should be here Thursday so I'll be hanging out this weekend.
    Edit: the sizing chart told me I should have ordered the Medium but I went with the large, I'm right on the borderline so I think I'll be just fine going up a size. Report to follow.
     
  14. dbow

    dbow Weekend Warrior

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    I used to climb trees as an arborist. I don’t understand how people hunt using this method. It’s uncomfortable and you can never relax your leg and back muscles like you can by sitting. It will be worse for your back and knees.


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  15. SheddingLightTravis

    SheddingLightTravis Weekend Warrior

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    Id encourage you to research tree saddles for hunting. The saddle for hunting is not the same as the ones arborist use. It’s made to be comfortable and give you enough support. I have sat in mine for over 5 hours and felt great. No back issues. What gave me back issues was toting a 15lb climber a mile back in and up a hill. Ive knocked off 13lbs.

    They make a backstrap that gives back support in the aero kestrel. I used it once and found out I don’t really need it. Every guy is different so it may not work for everyone.


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  16. slickbilly-d

    slickbilly-d Die Hard Bowhunter

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    For me, the weight of the stand doesn’t bother me. It’s that the stand magically grows to 6 times its normal size when on my back and gets caught on every twig and briar bush I look at
     
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  17. ThrustWasher

    ThrustWasher Newb

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    I've been saddle hunting for quite some time now and this is just not true, I can do 6-8 hour sits no problem!
     
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  18. dbow

    dbow Weekend Warrior

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    What do you do with your feet? Aren’t you standing on them all the time?


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  19. SheddingLightTravis

    SheddingLightTravis Weekend Warrior

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    Not exactly. You are basically sitting or leaning depending on which style you prefer. Either way it takes the pressure off of your feet for the most part. I've never had an issues with my feet hurting or getting tired.

    The only discomfort guys talk much about is hip pinch. If you dont have your bridge length adjusted right, you can feel a slight to mild pinch in your hips. That is fixed by messing with the length of your tether and bridge. I had a little hip pinch in the beginning and I fixed it rather quickly.
     
  20. ThrustWasher

    ThrustWasher Newb

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    I have a platform I made to stand on, about 30% of my bodyweight is on the platform and 70% is in the saddle.

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