TREE SADDLE

Let's here from others. I have looked at these in the past and thought that surely they must be a joke. I have been researching them and watching videos on them, and they look like another tool. The Ambush model weighs 1.5 lbs, verse bringing my LW hangon in. I carry in and out each setup, so I am looking obviously at the light weightness of this saddle. Plus, a back pack or fanny pack can be worn with this. Any of you guys using these? John Eberhart has some video on here and makes it look simple. For my platform I will take 6 strap on steps, remove them from the straps, and place them on a ratchet strap.

http://www.trophylineusa.com/

 

Looks ALOT like this Guido's Web my cousin uses.

Guido's Web

 

If I'm not mistaken.. Madhunter uses a tree saddle.

Ask him.. he seems to like them.

 

Now that is interesting too. Very interesting. I wish they had a video on the site. Is your cousin on here? Does he really like it?

 

I used one quite a bit two seasons ago and not at all last season. My problem with it was I would tend to move around too much. It is easy enough to use but depending on the tree sometimes screwing in your platform steps could work up a good sweat. I used LW sticks and then would screw in four steps as my platform.

It is not quite as versatile as a LW hangon and sticks though. It didn't really work well in trees with branches that would get in your way whereas when I use the hangon I like to get up in branches if it is possible.

I think to use it to full effect you need to get up high in trees that won't have branches in your way. The reason it works so well for Eberhart is that he preps the trees in the post season by trimming branches and lanes and by prepostioning his screw in steps.

 

No he isn't on here. But he loves it. He does tree work so he uses spikes and a linemans belt to climb and then settles into the stand. It works for him. I tried his and I didnt care for it. I like my Summit better...I feel safer in it. That's just me though.

 

Thanks GA. Bruce, did you use the knee pads they sell?

 

No, but if I were to use the saddle a lot I would. Knees take a beating. Part of the reason I think I kept moving around. Didn't want to lean my knees against the tree after a while so I would keep shift my position to stay comfortable. It's not really uncomfortable but staying in just one position was. The knee pads would have helped. Don't know how much they seel them for but I would check prices on some knee pads at the hardware store first.

 

Thanks.$34 for the pads, $189 for the saddle at my shop. I see them on Ebay for around $189 for everything with the pads thrown in for free. Eberhart says on AT that he doesn't want to sound like as commercial, but the Trophyline pads are the best to get.

 

No problem

 

Your buddys saddle here has a fork that keeps you away from the tree. It is quite a bit more expensive than the trophyline saddle, but offers back support

 

I have a friend that uses the Guido Web and loves it. Says its extremely comfortable and he is 60+ years old.

 

The fork between your legs keeps you from eating tree bark your entire hunt.

 

I SEE. Makes sense. Bruce or others, how about your back, does it get sore in the saddle or does the saddle give some back support. I need back support. I hate sitting on the floor, in bleachers, etc. without back support. This more expensive Guidos ones looks like the ticket

 

Best thing I have done for hunting. I can be in a tree hunting away and see deer moving down a trail too far too shoot at, climb down, move the setup and be hunting in 30 minutes.

I also thought that it would be uncomfortable, but I have found that I can hunt from it all day no problem. I use a Lone Wolf Tree Seat to stand on or a flat platform for my feet. Although it is not necessary.

For a way up - I use either LW climbing sticks of strap steps. Either way works well for me. The Tree saddle fits in my fanny pack along with 12 strap steps. Not too bad for weight either.

I do have a few trees that are trimmed and ready to go in an area that I may want to hunt. Say there is a scrape that gets hit every year. I will have a few trees ready to hunt that scrape. No matter which way the wing is going, I can hunt there. I do not need to hang multiple stands.

I can say that it takes some getting used to, but only because it is not a traditional platform stand. It is more mental than anything else. Once I got past that and thought positive about trying it I fell in love with it.

 

We use a Guido's Web for the cameraman often times. I can't imagine hunting from it, just because of limited mobility once strapped in...but my GOODNESS is it comfortable.

I can't offer experience trying to hunt from one, but I have hung from one more than once. Personally, I like lock on stands better.

 

With the Tree Saddle I have a great deal of mobility. Fact is, it take a bit of practice, but that can be done in a couple of hours shooting from it in the summer before hunting.

 

The saddle does look to have more mobility than the web, but certainly less comfort....probably a trade off as with all things in life.

If I was a rifle hunter, the Guidos web would be my choice for EVERY hunt, I am just always worried them straps would be in the way of drawing a bow back.

 

Really it ain't bad. I had mine for a year and thought it would be uncomfortable, so I did not use it. Then one day i tried it, and Holy Hunting Buddy was that thing comfortable. There is no cut of of circulation as I thought and the strap is adjustable so that your position can be changed throughout the time you are in it.

Don't get me wrong, I have fixed stands, a climber and a ground blind that I use too. Just prefer the tree saddle to any of them because of the flexibility when choosing a stand site.

 

I watched my cousin shoot his bow both directions from the tree in his web. I'm like you TEmbry I didnt think he'd be able to, but I'll still take my Summit.