Tree Saddle

[ChumpMcgee]

#6317

So I have stumbled across this tree saddle on the internet yesterday and was quite surprised that I have never heard of have seen it before. Its called a tree saddle which I hope some of you may put your opinion in on it. Here is a link to it:

http://newtribe.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=134

At first look it seems to be a pretty sweet alternative to a tree stand. Much lighter quieter and gives you more options while hunting.

I am wondering if the lines would get in the way when drawing the bow. Does anyone have any experience with one of these???

[Fallguy]

#50135

I have a tree climbing belt. I have never used it hunt out of though. I it would very difficult to remain still in my opinion. My legs and back get stiff when moving in the tree doing trimming. Trying to be motionless and quiet with out moving will cause leg cramps.

[jason samkowiak]

#50343

They work great!

I have never used the one you linked but it has a cult following.

I have hunted out of a saddle made for me by my buddy. Its made the same way the trophyline tree saddles were made for so many years.

Easy to hunt out of when you get the hang of it. you shoot by twisting your upper body and your draw arm is between you and the vertical strap that goes up to the top strap on the tree.

Were they excel at:

in trees with out much cover you look like a branch as your body angle mimics a branch.

in small diameter trees you would never think of putting a stand in. since you are close to the tree and don’t have the stand “fulcrum” and you are “hung” from above you but all weight is lower.

in situations where you need to be ultra light and pack able.

in situations where you need to “run and gun” to different stand trees thru out a day.

Ways to make them the most comfortable and get the best use out of:

make sure what ever system you use to stand on wraps around the tree and also has a place level for both feet. examples: if you are using climbing sticks make sure they have a rung on both sides at the top to stand on and also make sure they are an real tube or wide step not a little thin step like the lone wolf sticks. then make sure you use a couple strap on steps at the same level as the top rung and use the strap on steps to be able to pivot around the tree. What i did for this is bought 3 plastic strap on tree steps and combined them on one strap. basically find a system that lets you stand comfortably with out cutting off circulation in your feet and also allows you to pivot around the tree.

Saddles are not cheap and they total system requires some practice and fine tuning. But they are an amazing system in many situations. I still prefer a normal stand 90% of the time. My buddy however, prefers a saddle 90% of the time.

Hope this helps!

[ChumpMcgee]

#50708

jasonsamko wrote: They work great!

I have never used the one you linked but it has a cult following.

I have hunted out of a saddle made for me by my buddy. Its made the same way the trophyline tree saddles were made for so many years.

Easy to hunt out of when you get the hang of it. you shoot by twisting your upper body and your draw arm is between you and the vertical strap that goes up to the top strap on the tree.

Were they excel at:

in trees with out much cover you look like a branch as your body angle mimics a branch.

in small diameter trees you would never think of putting a stand in. since you are close to the tree and don’t have the stand “fulcrum” and you are “hung” from above you but all weight is lower.

in situations where you need to be ultra light and pack able.

in situations where you need to “run and gun” to different stand trees thru out a day.

Ways to make them the most comfortable and get the best use out of:

make sure what ever system you use to stand on wraps around the tree and also has a place level for both feet. examples: if you are using climbing sticks make sure they have a rung on both sides at the top to stand on and also make sure they are an real tube or wide step not a little thin step like the lone wolf sticks. then make sure you use a couple strap on steps at the same level as the top rung and use the strap on steps to be able to pivot around the tree. What i did for this is bought 3 plastic strap on tree steps and combined them on one strap. basically find a system that lets you stand comfortably with out cutting off circulation in your feet and also allows you to pivot around the tree.

Saddles are not cheap and they total system requires some practice and fine tuning. But they are an amazing system in many situations. I still prefer a normal stand 90% of the time. My buddy however, prefers a saddle 90% of the time.

Hope this helps!

That is a great review! Thank you for your help! I am curious about them but at the same time I do not want to fork over that much money just to find out that I do not like the system. I have watched a couple videos on the old trophy line saddles and it appears it could work quite well.

What I like about it is its light and you can relocate using the same system and stuff it all in your backpack. I have never been a fan of tree stands just due to the fact of all the weight on my back and hunting on public land I would not want to keep my stand up all season long.

Why do you prefer the tree stand over the saddle??

[TSCHMED]

#50883

I’ve had one for a few years now. I’m 60-40 on them. I like to hunt dawn till dusk and they can become a little uncomfortable (IMO) on an all day sit.

I shoot pretty well from one, except for shots on the right side of the tree (I shoot right handed). Shots on the left side or directly behind me are no problem.

I absolutely love a Tree Saddle for hanging stands. I own linesman’s harness & belt and have always used it for hanging stands but it seems like the belt is always in the way of the stand’s chain or straps. Using a Saddle puts it’s strap above the tree stand and completely out of the way. Plus I stay attached to the tree during the entire hanging process, especially when I step onto the stand…complete safety.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#51690

I bought a trophy line ambush saddle years ago when I first started bowhunting and was addicted to hunting products! 😀

I practiced a few times with it, but it became so uncomfortable after more than 15 minutes in it that I never took it to the woods. I still have it. I just saw that they sell for a lot of money on Ebay. I will try my luck there!:D

[Ralph]

#52053

I “hung” in all kinds of body belts, harnesses and contraptions during my 40 + years in the electrical utility business and there are still places on my body that start groaning if I even think about getting in other one. 😀

I guarantee when hanging off a pole in a lineman’s belt and a pair of hooks and it’s cold, it’s d**n cold. I imagine hanging in a tree be not much better. Body harness are not any better either, even more places to be pinched, mangled and deformed.

I wish you luck but it ain’t por moi!!!!!:wink:

[ChumpMcgee]

#52858

R2 wrote: I “hung” in all kinds of body belts, harnesses and contraptions during my 40 + years in the electrical utility business and there are still places on my body that start groaning if I even think about getting in other one. 😀

I guarantee when hanging off a pole in a lineman’s belt and a pair of hooks and it’s cold, it’s d**n cold. I imagine hanging in a tree be not much better. Body harness are not any better either, even more places to be pinched, mangled and deformed.

I wish you luck but it ain’t por moi!!!!!:wink:

That is a big concern for me is not being able to sit in the saddle for long periods of time. Like I have been saying to buy a new one for that price just to find out that I can barely sit in it for a couple of hours, it would be pointless to me. The new ones seem to have some added pads that are underneath your legs but even then I am not sure if it will be enough for me to buy. I am going to have to think about this some more and get some more opinions or see if I could try one before I buy one!

[grumpy]

#53364

Like R2 I “hung” in climbing belts on slate roofs for 15 years, and tried dozens of them to find one comfortable. I failed. What is more when you are sitting like that there is no air space between your butt and your jeans… That means COLD. I developed numerous clothing modifications to try to keep warm up there and always ended up with a cold butt, when I wasn’t literally sweating my butt off. When it was hot the belt restricted air circulation, and made it even hotter. Just like R2 said every part of the body was cramped somehow, and it always seemed like I couldn’t quite reach…

[jmsmithy]

#54728

Gave it the old college try twice. Never again. VERY uncomfortable for sits over an hour. Very fidgety due to the discomfort. For the price u can get two very good treestands of various brands.

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