Saddle Hunting 101
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SADDLE HUNTING AND SOME…
What is saddle hunting?
Saddle hunting is the method of deer hunting from an elevated position using a tree hunting saddle. A hunting saddle, lineman’s belt or rock climbing harness is used to clip to a secure anchor when you reach your desired height on the tree, or you run out of climbing sticks!
Saddle hunting has been around for over 30 years and is now making its way into the mainstream hunting culture. It has many benefits over your traditional tree stand options and has helped mobile hunters fill tags season after season.
How comfortable is saddle hunting?
How comfortable your saddle hunting setup is will be dependent on the gear that you choose to hunt with. There are a variety of tree saddles, saddle hunting platforms and climbing sticks that make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Best Climbing Sticks for Saddle Hunting - Methods, Gear, and How to Climb
The best climbing sticks for saddle hunting are lightweight, quiet, and pack tight, so a mobile hunter can slip into a tree without spooking deer. JX3 Climbing Sticks give a saddle hunter all three. Made of reinforced aluminum, they are lightweight at about 2 pounds each; their nested design allows them to pack tight, and the zig zag cleat allows for a quiet, buckless attachment point. They create a climbing system that works with a few different climbing methods depending on how you like to hunt.
There is no single right way to climb a tree with a saddle. What works for you depends on your style, how far you walk, and how much weight you are willing to carry. Some setups are stripped down and light, while others trade a little weight for more comfort and a bigger platform. The trick is matching your climbing sticks and your method to your saddle hunting setup.
What are the benefits saddle hunting?
Saddle hunting has an immense amount of benefits. From lightweight to mobile hunting product designs, saddle hunting is giving big-game hunters an added edge in the woods.
Lightweight Tree Saddles: Tree Saddles are lightweight, making you more mobile. Perfect for the Public Land Owner!
Little to no noise: With tree saddle, you don’t get the noise typically associated with pulling up tree stands.
Hunters Safety: While there have been lots of hunters who have fallen from conventional tree stands, when saddle hunting you are tethered to the tree from the moment you leave the ground until you step back on it after the hunt, making it almost impossible to fall. Remember, always stay tethered!
Minimal Impact: It’s about as ethical as it gets. Leave No Trace!
Should I make the switch to saddle hunting?
This is a question many maul over for years. You should definately giev it a try as many bow hunters are very thankful that they decided to start saddle hunting. It has all the advantages of hunting from a tree stand with the added versatility and mobility of using a saddle. Make sure to check out our JX3 HYBRID Saddle for the most comfortable saddle on the market.
JX3 Hybrid Saddle Features
- One of a kind patented design.
- 300 lb load rating/weight rating.
- Tested and meet or exceed industry standards.
- Sewn loop lineman, tether, and prusik ropes.
- Contoured EVA foam shoulder straps.
- Molle gear loops on the waist belt, main harness, and shoulder straps.
- Built-in pack frame harness with adjustable clamps.
- Built-in bow holder.