This is a great stand, period! It's lightweight, climbs easy ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxlQ7TDIrnnSXXbRgFFaxqwullRJJIuYAs and feels solid while in the tree. The seat is easy to fold up for climbing and sits comfortably for long days in the woods. The only downside I have is that it might be too comfortable, but I like napping in the tree anyway. This is the second Summit Viper I have owned. The old one is steel making it heavier, but this aluminum version is about 9-10 lbs lighter. I recommend buying a better fall harness as the one included is clunky and not super comfortable. I think it will work fine if you NEED to use it, but there are lots of other more comfortable options out there.
Great review. I have been a long time climbing tree stand hunter. I've used riflemen style, loungers and summits. After watching tons of videos I decided to try saddle hunting a try. I ordered my set up from Cruzr and cant wait to get it and start climbing trees in my yard.
I have had two lock on stands stolen in the last week .. and I’m sick of the thieves so I’m really looking into this to fix my problem thank for the video
Yes you can preset your trees with screw steps or bolts and set your small platform and be just as comfortable. There are quite a few saddles to choose from now. I just picked a Treehopper one up new for around $150. It seems like a very good option. I am going to do a review soon.
Lock on stands were always my favorite. Got 2 left out of the 6 ive once owned. I'll still have my stands no doubt. However hunting public land its nice to be able to mobile at a moments notice.
Very detailed explanation. I used the Manits saddle once this season so far- was up about 27 feet and terrified! Was a windy day, just not used to hanging from a saddle after hunting from a platform- I still saw deer & can see the lightweight advantage. Only took 8 wild edge steps with the aider to get up that high. Wasn't comfortable, saddle kept riding up & had pressure on hips- I used a Lone Wolf handclimber section as a platform which helped. Thank you, good video. I will try the saddle again & hopefully can get used to it.
underdog outdoors I’ve found buying those adjustment tabs help to tighten up under the butt area. Also I think mine rides up because of the slippery pants I’ve been wearing that might change when it’s cold enough for my wool pants. You might be happier with the Kestrel it works better for me, good luck. I takes some getting used to for sure especially on a windy day👍
The saddle hunting method has definitely picked up momentum over the years. I still have the original 'tree saddle' brand from years past when they were the only manufacturer. Then they stopped making it and o boy, people panicked and wanted to buy it from whoever had em...at one point folks where offering up to 5 hundy for em. Should a sold mines back then. I believe a different company is making a copy of it now. It's an interesting method but having used it over the years, I'm back to climbers...specifically lone wolf alpha hand climber. It packs flat on your back, is light, you dont need a way of getting up a tree, and don't need to set up some kind of a platform. It took me much longer to setup my tree saddle than the lone wolf climber. Yes, you 'can' shoot 360 with the saddle but you need a proper platform to do that so you can properly pivot your feet around the tree....if you've tried tree saddle hunting you'll know what I'm talking about. My platform is a ratchet strap with those discontinued strap steps. This allows me to essentially 'walk' around the tree for a full 360 shot...which is also not easy to do to trying to put the sneak on skittish whitetails.
Not sure if you will see this, but on those 1-4 shots, turn clockwise on your platform like you did and put your left arm under the bridge. This way when you turn to shoot those shots the bridge is pinning you to the tree for safety measures. Saw this on one of tethrd's videos and figured it would help!
Great vid. Ive been wanting one. Thanks for the explanation. Would like to see your bike setup and how you pack for the hunt. Like how you transport your bow, arrows, etc.
cordell dutoit I have another video on my kiwi Klimbers where I kind of show my setup I put my bow and saddle I’m my pack and my platform and tree spurs in packs on my bike Thanks for watching
Great video! Dutchwaregear you purchase amsteel by the ft, also use a looped wire to create your buries for the splicing and a ball point pin to create holes in the amsteel.
Only thing that keeps me from trying this is my size. I'm 6'5 and 285 dressed. Just a big dude. I feel safe in my lone wolf with sticks, but not sure how I'd feel leaning against a rope all day. I've put a lot of thought into saddle hunting, just nervous about how safe id feel.
SS Catfish iam not an expert but they make these saddles very strong. The ropes themselves are the strongest part. Amsteel rope that the bridge is made of on the Tetherd saddle is the same stuff they use for winch rope I believe it is rated for 8000lbs. The rope around the tree that I use is rated for 6000lbs. A lot of treestands are rated at around 300lbs. It takes some time to get use to nothing underneath you but air but you soon forget about it. Thanks for watching
asse11 1 thanks man I appreciate that Good luck with yours I shot a decent buck out of mine this week don’t know if I would have hunted that spot if it wasn’t for being able to get in there so easily
Great job explaining this but I’ll stick to the fixed ladder stands . I like to get in and out with little movement and time as possible and this seems like would be a pain in the cold temperatures of Maine with no gloves
To each their own. I can climb, I free climb repel ect. But I see a few issues with this method. Only one issue I have that could ruin my hunt is set up. I hunt public and private and I always prepare my area prior to a hunt. Nice and portable is a great feature but it will cost you a shot you never knew you needed till you need it. With that said never climb in the dark on a tree you have never used period. Widow makers hide well in the dark. Also check your shooting lanes if you have one because I usually have to make them. A new spot always has challenges small or big. Carry a limb saw and know your shooting lanes.
Robert Castleberry good advice I don’t set up in a new spot in the morning I always hunt it the night before and then mark with GPS and go in again in the morning then I know what I’m in for Or I hunt a tree I have marked from a prior year
Looks nice.might have to give it a try. especially for them long hikes off the beaten path.as much as I love my climber,it can be a slight pain on them long hikes.
Ricky Taylor Jr I am selling four of my climbers because I won’t use them anymore the saddle is that much better try it out. Don’t ask why I have four climbers👍
I been hiking in 1.5 miles to where I hunt the back side of my family land with a summit on my back I’ve got to old for this. I will have one of these after this video
I would definitely switch the two legstraps so you "clip" in from the top instead of the bottom of the loop.. Safer that way in my opinion.. Cool setup :)
I have really loved the evolution of this hunting style, human ingenuity. The second system you used was loud, loud, loud, and the large hanging bag and stuff nah. I am modifying a sit drag to see if I like the style, or if it will even work for me as a Xbow hunter. I have not seen one video of a person using this system with a Xbow, might not be user friendly, or be more of a a pain than a help. Lastly, let’s all stay safe in the woods this and every season.
hairbackglow I used the Kestral saddle and tethered bags all this week and no issue with noise the other bag is too noisy for sure. Kestral is so much more comfortable for me than the tethered after using them both this season. Crossbow wouldn’t be a problem at all we be easier I would think Thanks for watching
I'm pretty sure you sold me on this. There is so many funnels on the public land I hunt, that just dont get hunted. With the saddle set up, I know I can get into those funnels without having to carry 25-30 lbs worth of clanky metal for a mile or so. Even if I did carry that unneccessary load back that far, how would I know for sure I can find a tree to "climb" on the hot trail/sign....this is especially true for a first time hunt on any piece of land. Well done video. Thank You
I just traveled from Alaska to hunt Iowa over the past few weeks of November and boy, this would have been really nice to travel with instead of trying to go through the hassle of figuring out how to ship/pack the summit climber. Great video and I'll def. look into saddle hunting next time i'm back hunting those white tails!
@@backinthewoods2022 Yes sir. Got a real nice Pope&Young 8 pointer. Got him from the ground at 8 yards. Pretty dang exciting! It was an area I hunted before when I was going to school there.
I am very much considering getting a saddle system. I think you touched on every point. But I think there’s a way to eliminate that hip pinch. A simple piece of wood plastic anything that’s strong enough that would go between your bridge and push it out like the a rib spreader. Let us know what you come up with.
Back In The Woods I would think that a piece of oak, or Ash, that has a double Y on it. One on each end. With a couple little elastic straps that go over the ends of the Y. And each one of the ends of the wise has a little notch, that pushes into the bridge loop on the saddle. Then the little piece of elastic wraps over the saddle and connects around so that it can’t fall off. This then would take the strain of the force that naturally happens as it wants to come together. You’re literally only talking about a piece of wood that’s just as wide as your waist 16 to 20 inches long.
Back In The Woods Well it seems to be really the only complaint from people who use the saddle. And that would get rid of it. If I had a CNC machine, I’d make one out of a piece of plywood.
I've watched many vids on these.. great job on explaining everything.been contemplating getting a saddle for about a year.if I hadn't bought a hang on Lone Wolf with four sticks right before that,I probably would have pulled the trigger lol..rough estimate on total price of saddle and platform??
Good explication of everything. I got an ebike this year too. Love it. I had a mantis last year. Same riding up problem. I bought a Kestrel Flex this year. Love it. Sold the Mantis.
Try moving your tether down to help with the “pinch”. I’m hunting out of the new Trophyline ambush this year and I had the same problem. By moving my tether down to around chest height or even a little lower it has helped a lot. Good luck this season and stay safe
Les Lieb it’s not bad to get into and out of at all plus your doing it on the ground I think you would be surprised on the comfort I love the Kestrel and would not be using it if I was not comfortable after three or more hours
Looks pretty good for a mobile system, when you want to hunt some spot spontaneously. I may give this a try, but at first glance, it doesn't look like a comfortable alternative for a spot you're dedicated to hunting long hours. Nevertheless, thanks for posting a quality video with plenty of details for hunters who have no experience with this system.
freitag314 thanks man appreciate the nice comment. This is much more comfortable then you think I had my reservations at first too. Took me a year to buy and try but it is awesome I love it.
Funny how many people don’t like this. If it’s not for you stay with your stand lol. As for me this looks great for my long hikes in and if I need to move my location more than usual!! I’ll probably just use my lock on stands for closer distances.
The Slicky Ricky yeah not sure how you can hate something without trying it but I get a lot of comments about how dumb people think it is. It works great for me I love it Thanks for watching
You can put paracord loops on the back and carry up your lone wolf steps as you go. Reach back unhook hang another step. Used the old tree saddle before. Deer dont know you are there unless they wind you. Dont stick out like sore thumb in a climber
How well does this system work for pine trees? Down in south Florida those are the predominant trees we have to work with. They have fairly thick bark but it comes off in small patches.
Jason M. I see no problem the strap on the platform is just like a treestand and the rope for the saddle won’t slip once tight I have practiced on white pines in my back yard with no problems
I recently began researching climbing harnesses to aid in initial setup of ladder and lock on stands, but this is interesting. I wonder what kind of chance one has of developing suspension trauma over a long period of time?
How mush does the dipper cost I was wondering about staying stable for shooting I saw demo video that seem to avoid this Thanks What total investment Is it good for 250-300lbs people How often do u need to use Climing stick how many To get your feet to 25feet high What do they cost So far I have a climber and would need to buy everything. Do they do demi tryout any were
Asd Asd it’s about $300 for the set up I don’t think they do any demos anywhere because you have to buy them online and they are safe for 300lbs I use tree spurs so I don’t know about the tree sticks there are many different kinds
Very thorough and instructive video; thanks! I think I may need to explore this route for next year. I hunt a lot of public land mountains and I’m 53 so carrying a 20 lb Treestand is getting more difficult by the year. I have 2 questions; how high do you generally hunt, and if it’s under 20’ how do you avoid the deer seeing you when you’re hanging far out from the tree? It seems like you’d be skylined and therefore more visible to the deer?
Eric Baker I try to go around twenty feet and near other trees to break my outline up. Try to set up facing where you expect the deer to come from, easier said then done I know. I have light colored camo for my cold weather clothing as well for when the leaves fall off the trees. I was spotted two weeks ago by a doe even trying all this, it’s bound to happen. Got my first public land buck from the saddle this week though👍
I've been using a lone wolf hand climber and I have always loved the freedom it offers, with no rails, lots of shot options. I can shoot 360° I use my tree tether to support my weight for some shots and for pissin. But, I'm severely limited in which trees I can climb. Early when I began hunting, I met a guy that tried to talk me into trying saddle hunting, but it was not feasible then, for cost reasons and I hadn't known anyone else that saddle hunts. Now I'm looking into it more seriously and think this is probably the best option for public land. You can go where few others can (which is the goal on public land). Never bow hunted public land yet. I just might start though.
@@backinthewoods2022 yeah, I have a sneaky suspicion that anyone that puts the effort into learning and practicing tree saddles, would prefer it over a climber or hang on stand, any day of the week. I'll opefully get one this Spring. Thanks for the video...
I just went the tethered web-site and built a kit. $600 for the works. Not exactly cheap. Looks like a cool way to hunt, I'd like to try it, but don't want to drop that kind of coin on it.
Bob Bowers I am sold on them for sure especially after this season. I hunted out of both of mine the Kestrel and the Mantis and hands down the Kestrel is more comfortable for me. If you can swing it I don’t think you will regret it👍
If you already have a safety harness, a linesmans belt, and a tree strap then go get a sitdrag. They are $35. Similar to the saddles built now and it is where many folks started. There are several DIY videos for the sitdrag as well. I agree with you that many of these companies are cashing in on the hype. These are rock climbing harnesses and those sell for under $100. No need for this fabric diaper to cost $150-$200
Bob Bowers you could also go to David Toms channel he shows how to use a piece of fleece for a saddle Fleece is strong and I bet it would be comfortable.
Deerslayer68 I have many hours in many types of stands and the Kestral saddle is a comfortable as most all the stands I ve used except for some Millenium hang ons and Hawk ladderstands that have those mesh recliner type seats. Those stands of course aren’t conducive to mobile hunting.
Jason Link I did buy the combo for the Tetherd and the Kestral both Everyone’s different but if I did it again knowing what I do now I would buy just the Kestral saddle and all the ropes and pouches from Tetherd
Nice job. What state do you hunt? When it's in low 30's or high 20's have you stayed as warm vs a fixed tree stand? Have you taken a mature buck from the saddle yet? I just got new aero hunter flex. Waiting on ridge runner platform. Been a lone wolf guy for 20+ yrs
David Gonzalez I hunt northern Wisconsin and have hunted in the saddle into the teens so far. I have been just as warm as a normal treestand I was worried about my butt getting cold because of the saddle crushing the insulation there but no problems so far. I would say a platform keeps your feet warmer than a ring of steps because there are less pressure points so you get better circulation. I shot a nice 8 pointer from the saddle this year my first deer from the saddle. I have a video of it on my channel. Good luck with yours I think you’ll find it is far better than climbers or hang ons at least it has been for me.
@@backinthewoods2022 cool! Thanks for your insight. I'm fairly athletic so think i can adapt. I have never liked trying to get my lone wolf assault set correctly especially in questionable trees. I'm in Ohio. I bought the new flex kestrel figuring it would be better in colder temps and bigger for my clothing. I'm 6'2" 195 not fat. I like being proficient and love a challenge. I couldn't shoot a 140 this yr cuz he came in on my right from behind me. Ugh. TY again
David Gonzalez that sucks on missing the buck that stings for along time I know. Like I said on the video and I’m sure you will see it’s awkward in the beginning when you start using it and it takes practice. I think next year before season I will get the help of someone else to move a target around my tree as I practice shooting from a height of like ten feet so they can hand me the arrows back. I think that would be great practice to get comfortable with moving around the tree with your bow and all the angles and stuff. Thanks for watching
I'm really interested in saddle hunting. What happens if you drop your linemans belt after connecting your tether? Or is the linemans belt supposed to remain connected on the pocket side of the saddle harness? I'm actually stuck in a tree as I type this, having just dropped mine.
Seriously? I hope your not still up there. You can use your tether as a lineman’s belt and girth hitch it on the one side. That is how I keep my linesman belt and just place it in the pouch when I hunt like you said. Good luck.
#811 here interesting method. I would consider trying it i use crossbow but might be fun. Lets go and grow our channels and show. What area are you in. We are in northern michigan here.
hey brother great vid, one question. Im in my tree buy 5am and wont leave till 1 or 2. in that time I usually have to use #1. Can you take a leak safety without getting down and back up?
What about it makes you say it's more work? To me it looks about the same as sticks and a hang-on. A climber is much simpler, but where I hunt they are totally useless.
Not hard at all once you try it I can’t tell you how much better this is than using other tree stands including climbers I have a lone wolf, ol man, x stand, and an api so I’ve used many climbers This is as comfortable, safer, and quieter and you can’t beat the weight and packability If you hunt many different spots you won’t be sorry just trying to help
Seems like alot of clinging metal, fabric sliding and other unnatural sounds to get into the tree, Id rather just walk my ladder stand in one day, then access with no noise and very quickly the days i want to hunt.
Kevin Beckley that is an entirely different way of hunting. Your best chance in a stand location is usually your first hunt. This is mobile hunting for someone on public land or a new parcel you have not been on before.
@@backinthewoods2022 I hear ya, I do hunt public land, I have 4 stands up, i sit till 9:30 then still hunt the rest of the day,. you are correct, the first sit is the best, until the deer forget about the stand in a month. Anyway thanks for the vid. Peace man.
The goal is to keep the tree between you and the deer, poke out and shoot him. It takes some practice in the tree no doubt but it beats any tree stand hands down the more I sit in one. I have hunted for over 25 years and this has helped me out more than anything else. I don’t think I will buy another stand for my land anymore, I will just set trees with screw steps. When it comes to public land it’s a no brainer.
Are you kidding me dude? I would have already been up the tree with my API climber and eating lunch! Way too many steps and major issues with this system. Stick with a stable stand.
David Wilson I don’t think so brah You forget the part where I walked past you back on the trail because you had a 20lb metal object clanking on you back and then I went to that spot you don’t usually go because it’s too much of a pain and climbed that tree that was too small and then ate fresh buck tenderloin. All kidding a side everyone hunts different I don’t do this on my land I have tree stands already set but for public it’s a no brainer.
@@backinthewoods2022 20 pounds isn't very heave and with steal strips your stand can be sound free. To each their own. This looks like a good setup for bow, but not for gun hunting.
@@sergiomuniz9242 Somewhere between 9 and 12 feet up the tree. You want to climb at least that high, to get over the deer's nose and his ability to smell you. Truth be told, your scent can trickle down from any height, so managing your scent is still important. But climbing a tree higher definitely helps. Not only with the scent but visibility too.
That's an awful lot of steps and pieces to set this up can't imagine doing this in the dark it would be a disaster also a lot of pieces to buy for it. Sorry this is way to complicated I will stick to my ladder stands nice and easy.
bman 25 this is for mobile hunting I have ladder stands on my land but I don’t carry them to public land and set them up in a likely spot. I can ride my bike in take a bike and set up on a new spot every hunt. You first sit in a spot will likely be your best because the deer don’t know your there.
Way too complicated so much easier just to carry out your climber and hunt. Wish someone would come up with a very very lite climber like lone wolf but not so expensive I’ve modified climbers to make them liter and have had good results
It’s not complicated. The tree stand is a pair of modified underwear you put on over your hunting clothes. You attach a rope around the tree called a tether same as you safety rope you would on any tree stand your in. There is a lineman rope to get up the tree safely. Lastly a tiny foot platform that’s the same as a tree stand only a quarter of the size your feet rest on. Everything weighs maybe 6 lbs and can fit in your pack on top of your hunting coat. Strap your climbing sticks to the outside and carry your bow in. Easy, quieter walking, lighter, more comfortable packing in, and just as comfortable sitting.
You realize if you're on public land , you can't hook trees! No gaffes on public land. It doesn't matter were you live, so buy more steps. I'm a high voltage lineman and own a tree service, if we could gaffe trees to hunt we would have been doing it forever. Take away the convenience of hooking to climb this system sucks
@@backinthewoods2022 works work and deer hunting ain't! I do hunt at times from a saddle, just want people to understand that gafing trees can kill them , not to mention its not allowed on public land ,not against saddle thats why I watched the videshow and replyed.
@@backinthewoods2022 yes I've spent lots of time trying to make a climbing rig similar to this. Worked for a tree service so I had the resources and at its best I was discouraged by my lack of shooting radius.I look to your product over a couple of times on this video and I can't see that you've done anything different than what I did back in the 70s and I believe that a man is better off shooting out of a platform stand or a tree stand. Just my opinion but hey when you put something on UA-cam and pass it off as being this great product. I believe I have the right to document my past experience on your comment page
Eddie Flüeger absolutely I welcome the comments. I have a different view point I have put two years now hunting out of the saddle and shot a nice 8 pt out of it this year. It’s a fast growing segment of hunting with a few more makers of saddles coming out this year.
@@backinthewoods2022 Have to be careful on state land. A lot of states don't allow anything to pierce the bark of the tree on state land, so legally, you can't use your climbing gaffs. I'm not trying to sound like I'm criticizing, I use my gaffs on public property and I also use screw-in steps. Just saying you have to be careful of a jerk DNR officer checking the woods.
This is a great stand, period! It's lightweight, climbs easy ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxlQ7TDIrnnSXXbRgFFaxqwullRJJIuYAs and feels solid while in the tree. The seat is easy to fold up for climbing and sits comfortably for long days in the woods. The only downside I have is that it might be too comfortable, but I like napping in the tree anyway. This is the second Summit Viper I have owned. The old one is steel making it heavier, but this aluminum version is about 9-10 lbs lighter. I recommend buying a better fall harness as the one included is clunky and not super comfortable. I think it will work fine if you NEED to use it, but there are lots of other more comfortable options out there.
Great review. I have been a long time climbing tree stand hunter. I've used riflemen style, loungers and summits. After watching tons of videos I decided to try saddle hunting a try. I ordered my set up from Cruzr and cant wait to get it and start climbing trees in my yard.
thudson391978 good luck 👍
Thanks for sharing! Great comparison of two great saddle setups! Enjoy seeing the different methods.
Thanks for the feedback👍
Best tutorial on saddle hunting that I've seen!
Thanks man appreciate it
Excellent information. Now you got me rethinking my set up.
I have watched about 50 videos on Saddle Hunting. Yours is in the top 3, very informative.
Doug Rogillio hey thanks man appreciate that👍
Very well done! You explained it well.
Man this is slick. Im having trouble convincing myself this won’t make me a better hunter lol. Great video! Never seen these before
Works great thanks for watching
Very good video. I have heard about saddle hunting but wasn’t sure how all the equipment worked together , that all changed today.
Thank you!
I have had two lock on stands stolen in the last week .. and I’m sick of the thieves so I’m really looking into this to fix my problem thank for the video
Yes you can preset your trees with screw steps or bolts and set your small platform and be just as comfortable. There are quite a few saddles to choose from now. I just picked a Treehopper one up new for around $150. It seems like a very good option. I am going to do a review soon.
Lock on stands were always my favorite. Got 2 left out of the 6 ive once owned. I'll still have my stands no doubt. However hunting public land its nice to be able to mobile at a moments notice.
Very detailed explanation. I used the Manits saddle once this season so far- was up about 27 feet and terrified! Was a windy day, just not used to hanging from a saddle after hunting from a platform- I still saw deer & can see the lightweight advantage. Only took 8 wild edge steps with the aider to get up that high. Wasn't comfortable, saddle kept riding up & had pressure on hips- I used a Lone Wolf handclimber section as a platform which helped. Thank you, good video. I will try the saddle again & hopefully can get used to it.
underdog outdoors I’ve found buying those adjustment tabs help to tighten up under the butt area. Also I think mine rides up because of the slippery pants I’ve been wearing that might change when it’s cold enough for my wool pants. You might be happier with the Kestrel it works better for me, good luck. I takes some getting used to for sure especially on a windy day👍
Can Only be used on a straight branch less tree? Same as climber?
Asd Asd you can use it on any tree a hang on type stand can go and even on small trees hang on stand won’t work on
I use lone wolf sit and climb 17 lbs and very quiet. That way I am attached to the tree with my hunter safety vest, and the tree stand.
Saddle on my waist . Walk in with it . 5 wild edge steps to climb and my platform 8 lbs in my pack . And its IN my pack .
Love this one! Great info! I'm fairly new to hunting but my boyfriend uses a saddle and swears by it. Id love to get one myself!!!🏹
Does he know to get you one for your birthday
Thank you. I enjoy your explanations of these things. Very insightful. Good luck out in the woods!
Djakes naych you too thank you for watching on the nice comment appreciate it
I’ve been looking at them all year... I think I’m ready to pull the trigger. Thanks for the video.
5 Year Plan they work great just shot a buck from it for the first time this week
Thanks for watching
The saddle hunting method has definitely picked up momentum over the years. I still have the original 'tree saddle' brand from years past when they were the only manufacturer. Then they stopped making it and o boy, people panicked and wanted to buy it from whoever had em...at one point folks where offering up to 5 hundy for em. Should a sold mines back then. I believe a different company is making a copy of it now. It's an interesting method but having used it over the years, I'm back to climbers...specifically lone wolf alpha hand climber. It packs flat on your back, is light, you dont need a way of getting up a tree, and don't need to set up some kind of a platform. It took me much longer to setup my tree saddle than the lone wolf climber. Yes, you 'can' shoot 360 with the saddle but you need a proper platform to do that so you can properly pivot your feet around the tree....if you've tried tree saddle hunting you'll know what I'm talking about. My platform is a ratchet strap with those discontinued strap steps. This allows me to essentially 'walk' around the tree for a full 360 shot...which is also not easy to do to trying to put the sneak on skittish whitetails.
Not sure if you will see this, but on those 1-4 shots, turn clockwise on your platform like you did and put your left arm under the bridge. This way when you turn to shoot those shots the bridge is pinning you to the tree for safety measures. Saw this on one of tethrd's videos and figured it would help!
I got my first saddle buck two days ago! Big mature buck! Had NO Idea I was there!
Great vid. Ive been wanting one. Thanks for the explanation. Would like to see your bike setup and how you pack for the hunt. Like how you transport your bow, arrows, etc.
cordell dutoit I have another video on my kiwi Klimbers where I kind of show my setup
I put my bow and saddle I’m my pack and my platform and tree spurs in packs on my bike
Thanks for watching
Great video! Dutchwaregear you purchase amsteel by the ft, also use a looped wire to create your buries for the splicing and a ball point pin to create holes in the amsteel.
Only thing that keeps me from trying this is my size. I'm 6'5 and 285 dressed. Just a big dude. I feel safe in my lone wolf with sticks, but not sure how I'd feel leaning against a rope all day. I've put a lot of thought into saddle hunting, just nervous about how safe id feel.
SS Catfish iam not an expert but they make these saddles very strong. The ropes themselves are the strongest part. Amsteel rope that the bridge is made of on the Tetherd saddle is the same stuff they use for winch rope I believe it is rated for 8000lbs. The rope around the tree that I use is rated for 6000lbs. A lot of treestands are rated at around 300lbs. It takes some time to get use to nothing underneath you but air but you soon forget about it. Thanks for watching
Very informative. Best video on setting up a hunting saddle yet. Can’t wait to get mine!
Missing sticks/steps discussion
asse11 1 thanks man I appreciate that
Good luck with yours I shot a decent buck out of mine this week don’t know if I would have hunted that spot if it wasn’t for being able to get in there so easily
Great job explaining this but I’ll stick to the fixed ladder stands . I like to get in and out with little movement and time as possible and this seems like would be a pain in the cold temperatures of Maine with no gloves
Danny Knapp this is more for mobile hunting on public land or new land I have ladder stands on my own property also
Thanks for watching
Great video brother!
Thanks
To each their own. I can climb, I free climb repel ect. But I see a few issues with this method. Only one issue I have that could ruin my hunt is set up. I hunt public and private and I always prepare my area prior to a hunt. Nice and portable is a great feature but it will cost you a shot you never knew you needed till you need it. With that said never climb in the dark on a tree you have never used period. Widow makers hide well in the dark. Also check your shooting lanes if you have one because I usually have to make them. A new spot always has challenges small or big. Carry a limb saw and know your shooting lanes.
Robert Castleberry good advice
I don’t set up in a new spot in the morning I always hunt it the night before and then mark with GPS and go in again in the morning then I know what I’m in for
Or I hunt a tree I have marked from a prior year
what’s a widow maker?
@@sergiomuniz9242 it’s when your harness breaks and you smash your balls on a tree branch and then fall on your broad head and die.
Not gonna lie, that is pretty slick. I've used climbers before and thought those were slick but this is awesome.
Ascendant game changer for me 👍
Looks nice.might have to give it a try. especially for them long hikes off the beaten path.as much as I love my climber,it can be a slight pain on them long hikes.
Ricky Taylor Jr I am selling four of my climbers because I won’t use them anymore the saddle is that much better try it out. Don’t ask why I have four climbers👍
I've been using gaffs and saddle since 2002 . Very stealthy, fatigue creates unwanted movement but good quick set up
Mike Hoont any advice? I am sure I could learn a few things from you so I can skip some mistakes. Thanks for watching
I been hiking in 1.5 miles to where I hunt the back side of my family land with a summit on my back I’ve got to old for this. I will have one of these after this video
I would definitely switch the two legstraps so you "clip" in from the top instead of the bottom of the loop.. Safer that way in my opinion..
Cool setup :)
Mads Fogh Jensen yes your right
Some guys cut their leg straps off because they are really not needed it’s still safe to use
Back In The Woods although using the leg straps can help with the riding up problem.
Mads Fogh Jensen , I was thinking the very same thing!
I have really loved the evolution of this hunting style, human ingenuity. The second system you used was loud, loud, loud, and the large hanging bag and stuff nah. I am modifying a sit drag to see if I like the style, or if it will even work for me as a Xbow hunter. I have not seen one video of a person using this system with a Xbow, might not be user friendly, or be more of a a pain than a help. Lastly, let’s all stay safe in the woods this and every season.
hairbackglow I used the Kestral saddle and tethered bags all this week and no issue with noise the other bag is too noisy for sure. Kestral is so much more comfortable for me than the tethered after using them both this season. Crossbow wouldn’t be a problem at all we be easier I would think
Thanks for watching
I'm pretty sure you sold me on this. There is so many funnels on the public land I hunt, that just dont get hunted. With the saddle set up, I know I can get into those funnels without having to carry 25-30 lbs worth of clanky metal for a mile or so. Even if I did carry that unneccessary load back that far, how would I know for sure I can find a tree to "climb" on the hot trail/sign....this is especially true for a first time hunt on any piece of land. Well done video. Thank You
Matt Meadows thanks for the nice comment. It really works well and gets me places I wouldn’t have hunted otherwise.
thanks a million for sharing, I am going to try this, I can make a lot of it...Creator bless you and yours...doug
I just traveled from Alaska to hunt Iowa over the past few weeks of November and boy, this would have been really nice to travel with instead of trying to go through the hassle of figuring out how to ship/pack the summit climber. Great video and I'll def. look into saddle hunting next time i'm back hunting those white tails!
Garrett Haponski it would definitely be the way to go. Well did you get one?
@@backinthewoods2022 Yes sir. Got a real nice Pope&Young 8 pointer. Got him from the ground at 8 yards. Pretty dang exciting! It was an area I hunted before when I was going to school there.
Great detail. Still debating to spend the money and try it. Happy hunting.
mid life livin do it man it’s definitely worth it👍
Love my saddle, the deer however do not!
Great video! I’m thinking this could be easier on my lower back as well.
Tommy Holt I have a bad back as well the back band that you can get gives you two options as far as how you want to take the pressure off your back
Thank you for explaining this so thoroughly!
5PercentKrewMember thank you appreciate it
Oh "MRS. BACK IN THE WOODS...GO AHEAD AND BUY THAT OTHER PAIR OF SHOES!" 🤣
This is interesting. I've never seen this method. Good video.
I am very much considering getting a saddle system. I think you touched on every point. But I think there’s a way to eliminate that hip pinch. A simple piece of wood plastic anything that’s strong enough that would go between your bridge and push it out like the a rib spreader.
Let us know what you come up with.
Jurist I was thinking about a way to do that too. They could come up with a flexible band like they have on internal frame packs or something👍
Back In The Woods I would think that a piece of oak, or Ash, that has a double Y on it. One on each end. With a couple little elastic straps that go over the ends of the Y. And each one of the ends of the wise has a little notch, that pushes into the bridge loop on the saddle. Then the little piece of elastic wraps over the saddle and connects around so that it can’t fall off. This then would take the strain of the force that naturally happens as it wants to come together. You’re literally only talking about a piece of wood that’s just as wide as your waist 16 to 20 inches long.
Jurist good idea I will have to try something like that this next week when I go hunting for a week thanks man
Back In The Woods Well it seems to be really the only complaint from people who use the saddle. And that would get rid of it. If I had a CNC machine, I’d make one out of a piece of plywood.
Great Video!
Nicely done on this video sir. Keep up the fun videos and have a blessed week.
Dale
I've watched many vids on these.. great job on explaining everything.been contemplating getting a saddle for about a year.if I hadn't bought a hang on Lone Wolf with four sticks right before that,I probably would have pulled the trigger lol..rough estimate on total price of saddle and platform??
howard kuhn I think it was around $500 for everything. Thanks for watching appreciate it
Good explication of everything. I got an ebike this year too. Love it.
I had a mantis last year. Same riding up problem. I bought a Kestrel Flex this year. Love it. Sold the Mantis.
Paul Crave wish it was more comfortable for me because everything else is great. Thanks for watching and the comments.
Try moving your tether down to help with the “pinch”. I’m hunting out of the new Trophyline ambush this year and I had the same problem. By moving my tether down to around chest height or even a little lower it has helped a lot. Good luck this season and stay safe
To me, it looks hard to get into and out of quietly, also looks uncomfortable, to this 62 year old tree stander.
Les Lieb it’s not bad to get into and out of at all plus your doing it on the ground
I think you would be surprised on the comfort I love the Kestrel and would not be using it if I was not comfortable after three or more hours
Looks pretty good for a mobile system, when you want to hunt some spot spontaneously. I may give this a try, but at first glance, it doesn't look like a comfortable alternative for a spot you're dedicated to hunting long hours. Nevertheless, thanks for posting a quality video with plenty of details for hunters who have no experience with this system.
freitag314 thanks man appreciate the nice comment. This is much more comfortable then you think I had my reservations at first too. Took me a year to buy and try but it is awesome I love it.
good job on this video Kirk, You explained it well
That looks pretty cool! Need to look into that!
Sportsman 101 for sure, works great
Funny how many people don’t like this. If it’s not for you stay with your stand lol. As for me this looks great for my long hikes in and if I need to move my location more than usual!! I’ll probably just use my lock on stands for closer distances.
The Slicky Ricky yeah not sure how you can hate something without trying it but I get a lot of comments about how dumb people think it is.
It works great for me I love it
Thanks for watching
You can put paracord loops on the back and carry up your lone wolf steps as you go. Reach back unhook hang another step. Used the old tree saddle before. Deer dont know you are there unless they wind you. Dont stick out like sore thumb in a climber
This is a really cool way to hunt but that’s a lot of movement in a tree!!
Thks, think I want to try this out
I love it works great
Temper it and all is great!
How well does this system work for pine trees? Down in south Florida those are the predominant trees we have to work with. They have fairly thick bark but it comes off in small patches.
Jason M. I see no problem the strap on the platform is just like a treestand and the rope for the saddle won’t slip once tight
I have practiced on white pines in my back yard with no problems
I recently began researching climbing harnesses to aid in initial setup of ladder and lock on stands, but this is interesting. I wonder what kind of chance one has of developing suspension trauma over a long period of time?
Big Mike I’m not sure what suspension trauma is but the saddle works very well for hunting I have not sat in one for more than about five hours yet
How mush does the dipper cost
I was wondering about staying stable for shooting I saw demo video that seem to avoid this
Thanks
What total investment
Is it good for 250-300lbs people
How often do u need to use
Climing stick how many
To get your feet to 25feet high
What do they cost
So far I have a climber and would need to buy everything.
Do they do demi tryout any were
Asd Asd it’s about $300 for the set up I don’t think they do any demos anywhere because you have to buy them online and they are safe for 300lbs
I use tree spurs so I don’t know about the tree sticks there are many different kinds
Very thorough and instructive video; thanks! I think I may need to explore this route for next year. I hunt a lot of public land mountains and I’m 53 so carrying a 20 lb Treestand is getting more difficult by the year. I have 2 questions; how high do you generally hunt, and if it’s under 20’ how do you avoid the deer seeing you when you’re hanging far out from the tree? It seems like you’d be skylined and therefore more visible to the deer?
I think a person looks like a major branch coming off the tree....
Eric Baker I try to go around twenty feet and near other trees to break my outline up. Try to set up facing where you expect the deer to come from, easier said then done I know. I have light colored camo for my cold weather clothing as well for when the leaves fall off the trees. I was spotted two weeks ago by a doe even trying all this, it’s bound to happen. Got my first public land buck from the saddle this week though👍
Both are nice systems, good job explaining.
I've been using a lone wolf hand climber and I have always loved the freedom it offers, with no rails, lots of shot options. I can shoot 360° I use my tree tether to support my weight for some shots and for pissin. But, I'm severely limited in which trees I can climb. Early when I began hunting, I met a guy that tried to talk me into trying saddle hunting, but it was not feasible then, for cost reasons and I hadn't known anyone else that saddle hunts. Now I'm looking into it more seriously and think this is probably the best option for public land. You can go where few others can (which is the goal on public land). Never bow hunted public land yet. I just might start though.
Scott W. It works so well for me I am selling my lone wolf hand climber or giving it away as a present👍
@@backinthewoods2022 yeah, I have a sneaky suspicion that anyone that puts the effort into learning and practicing tree saddles, would prefer it over a climber or hang on stand, any day of the week. I'll opefully get one this Spring. Thanks for the video...
Where can I purchase the saddle stand? Love it
Lee Bring it on James online type in Aerohunter on google👍
You have to take your weight off the ropeman to allow for slack in the linemens belt!
WarHammer yes you do. You have to take your weight off both the ropeman 1 and the prusik knot
I just went the tethered web-site and built a kit. $600 for the works. Not exactly cheap. Looks like a cool way to hunt, I'd like to try it, but don't want to drop that kind of coin on it.
Bob Bowers I am sold on them for sure especially after this season. I hunted out of both of mine the Kestrel and the Mantis and hands down the Kestrel is more comfortable for me. If you can swing it I don’t think you will regret it👍
If you already have a safety harness, a linesmans belt, and a tree strap then go get a sitdrag. They are $35. Similar to the saddles built now and it is where many folks started. There are several DIY videos for the sitdrag as well. I agree with you that many of these companies are cashing in on the hype. These are rock climbing harnesses and those sell for under $100. No need for this fabric diaper to cost $150-$200
Bob Bowers you could also go to David Toms channel he shows how to use a piece of fleece for a saddle
Fleece is strong and I bet it would be comfortable.
I don’t think long sitting whole b very comfortable. But good video
Deerslayer68 I have many hours in many types of stands and the Kestral saddle is a comfortable as most all the stands I ve used except for some Millenium hang ons and Hawk ladderstands that have those mesh recliner type seats. Those stands of course aren’t conducive to mobile hunting.
i stay in the saddle for 14 hours. very comfortable once you figure out all the tricks for comfort like tether height,platform angle and so forth
How much did this whole system run you like the saddle, lineman belt and squirrel steps would you say?
Andrew Pedison I think it was just over $400
Where did you buy the squirrel steps and can you post links!
Good information
Yeah that's great and all if your not afraid of heights LoL
Jason Farmer true that
Great video. When you bought your gear did you just buy the combo?
Jason Link I did buy the combo for the Tetherd and the Kestral both
Everyone’s different but if I did it again knowing what I do now I would buy just the Kestral saddle and all the ropes and pouches from Tetherd
what was the name of the one-hand adjustment line that you put around the tree?
Jonathan Stoner that would be a ropeman 1 mechanical prusik knot
Nice job. What state do you hunt? When it's in low 30's or high 20's have you stayed as warm vs a fixed tree stand? Have you taken a mature buck from the saddle yet? I just got new aero hunter flex. Waiting on ridge runner platform. Been a lone wolf guy for 20+ yrs
David Gonzalez I hunt northern Wisconsin and have hunted in the saddle into the teens so far. I have been just as warm as a normal treestand I was worried about my butt getting cold because of the saddle crushing the insulation there but no problems so far. I would say a platform keeps your feet warmer than a ring of steps because there are less pressure points so you get better circulation. I shot a nice 8 pointer from the saddle this year my first deer from the saddle. I have a video of it on my channel. Good luck with yours I think you’ll find it is far better than climbers or hang ons at least it has been for me.
@@backinthewoods2022 cool! Thanks for your insight. I'm fairly athletic so think i can adapt. I have never liked trying to get my lone wolf assault set correctly especially in questionable trees. I'm in Ohio. I bought the new flex kestrel figuring it would be better in colder temps and bigger for my clothing. I'm 6'2" 195 not fat. I like being proficient and love a challenge. I couldn't shoot a 140 this yr cuz he came in on my right from behind me. Ugh. TY again
David Gonzalez that sucks on missing the buck that stings for along time I know. Like I said on the video and I’m sure you will see it’s awkward in the beginning when you start using it and it takes practice. I think next year before season I will get the help of someone else to move a target around my tree as I practice shooting from a height of like ten feet so they can hand me the arrows back. I think that would be great practice to get comfortable with moving around the tree with your bow and all the angles and stuff. Thanks for watching
but how do you fall asleep in that?
thastinger345 get real tired first👍haha
An infantryman learns to sleep anywhere he can.
Nope I like my stand but cool for being able to move
I'm really interested in saddle hunting. What happens if you drop your linemans belt after connecting your tether? Or is the linemans belt supposed to remain connected on the pocket side of the saddle harness?
I'm actually stuck in a tree as I type this, having just dropped mine.
Seriously? I hope your not still up there. You can use your tether as a lineman’s belt and girth hitch it on the one side. That is how I keep my linesman belt and just place it in the pouch when I hunt like you said. Good luck.
Back In The Woods nah man. I was sincerely curious though about how you would descend if you somehow dropped the lineman’s belt.
Thanks man.
#811 here interesting method. I would consider trying it i use crossbow but might be fun. Lets go and grow our channels and show. What area are you in. We are in northern michigan here.
adventure rhoades northern Wisconsin thanks for watching
@@backinthewoods2022 anywhere near Florence?
Aaron Korsmo just south of Hayward 1/2 an hour
hey brother great vid, one question. Im in my tree buy 5am and wont leave till 1 or 2. in that time I usually have to use #1. Can you take a leak safety without getting down and back up?
The hardest part is getting your pants zipped back up. I have no problems peeing from the saddle. A platform makes it easier than a ring of steps
I haven’t tried yet but I don’t think it would be that difficult
Can you use that system with an IWOM suit?
PSE bow not sure what that is? I use PSE too👍
How do you do the amstel rope?
Matthew Van Malsen look at G2 Outdoors UA-cam channel he does a great explanation
That is what I watched, pretty easy
looks like a lot of work id rather use a climber or hang on...
But added benefit of being able to climb almost any tree...
What about it makes you say it's more work? To me it looks about the same as sticks and a hang-on. A climber is much simpler, but where I hunt they are totally useless.
Not hard at all once you try it
I can’t tell you how much better this is than using other tree stands including climbers
I have a lone wolf, ol man, x stand, and an api so I’ve used many climbers
This is as comfortable, safer, and quieter and you can’t beat the weight and packability
If you hunt many different spots you won’t be sorry just trying to help
It's actually easier climbs any tree. I had one of the old treesaddles not made anymorr
Seems like alot of clinging metal, fabric sliding and other unnatural sounds to get into the tree, Id rather just walk my ladder stand in one day, then access with no noise and very quickly the days i want to hunt.
Kevin Beckley that is an entirely different way of hunting. Your best chance in a stand location is usually your first hunt. This is mobile hunting for someone on public land or a new parcel you have not been on before.
@@backinthewoods2022 I hear ya, I do hunt public land, I have 4 stands up, i sit till 9:30 then still hunt the rest of the day,. you are correct, the first sit is the best, until the deer forget about the stand in a month. Anyway thanks for the vid. Peace man.
Seems like a lot of movement, and looks like you stick out from the tree
The goal is to keep the tree between you and the deer, poke out and shoot him. It takes some practice in the tree no doubt but it beats any tree stand hands down the more I sit in one. I have hunted for over 25 years and this has helped me out more than anything else. I don’t think I will buy another stand for my land anymore, I will just set trees with screw steps. When it comes to public land it’s a no brainer.
Are you kidding me dude? I would have already been up the tree with my API climber and eating lunch! Way too many steps and major issues with this system. Stick with a stable stand.
David Wilson I don’t think so brah
You forget the part where I walked past you back on the trail because you had a 20lb metal object clanking on you back and then I went to that spot you don’t usually go because it’s too much of a pain and climbed that tree that was too small and then ate fresh buck tenderloin. All kidding a side everyone hunts different I don’t do this on my land I have tree stands already set but for public it’s a no brainer.
@@backinthewoods2022 20 pounds isn't very heave and with steal strips your stand can be sound free. To each their own. This looks like a good setup for bow, but not for gun hunting.
Are you going to climb above the scent line?
PatRiot104 I usually like to hunt at least 20 feet
@Back In The Woods, that’ll do it. Do you have a video with the climbing sticks you use?
PatRiot104 I don’t use climbing sticks I use tree gaffs I did a video on them too
Where is the scent line? Sorry ima noob.
@@sergiomuniz9242 Somewhere between 9 and 12 feet up the tree. You want to climb at least that high, to get over the deer's nose and his ability to smell you. Truth be told, your scent can trickle down from any height, so managing your scent is still important. But climbing a tree higher definitely helps. Not only with the scent but visibility too.
That's an awful lot of steps and pieces to set this up can't imagine doing this in the dark it would be a disaster also a lot of pieces to buy for it. Sorry this is way to complicated I will stick to my ladder stands nice and easy.
bman 25 this is for mobile hunting I have ladder stands on my land but I don’t carry them to public land and set them up in a likely spot. I can ride my bike in take a bike and set up on a new spot every hunt. You first sit in a spot will likely be your best because the deer don’t know your there.
Camera is clear what is it
Houseknives my iPhone I haven’t bought anything fancy for this. Maybe someday
Way too complicated so much easier just to carry out your climber and hunt. Wish someone would come up with a very very lite climber like lone wolf but not so expensive I’ve modified climbers to make them liter and have had good results
It’s not complicated. The tree stand is a pair of modified underwear you put on over your hunting clothes. You attach a rope around the tree called a tether same as you safety rope you would on any tree stand your in. There is a lineman rope to get up the tree safely. Lastly a tiny foot platform that’s the same as a tree stand only a quarter of the size your feet rest on. Everything weighs maybe 6 lbs and can fit in your pack on top of your hunting coat. Strap your climbing sticks to the outside and carry your bow in. Easy, quieter walking, lighter, more comfortable packing in, and just as comfortable sitting.
To much work. Climber. Hook harness. Done.
What retractable gear hoist is that?
A Doyle’s
Or just put the smaller climber on my back and climb any tree
Climbers are much heavier and can only climb branchless mostly straight trees not nearly as versatile
What size Kestral is that?
Markeje its a large
Yes, you can shoot behind you when you're in a treestand. Especially, standing
hoyt hunter anything’s possible but I think it depends on the size of the tree.
In my opinion
Why are you whispering?
You realize if you're on public land , you can't hook trees! No gaffes on public land. It doesn't matter were you live, so buy more steps. I'm a high voltage lineman and own a tree service, if we could gaffe trees to hunt we would have been doing it forever. Take away the convenience of hooking to climb this system sucks
Don Nelson I’m surprised that a guy who works in a sling doesn’t appreciate the fact that you can hunt from one and not lug a tree stand in the woods.
@@backinthewoods2022 works work and deer hunting ain't! I do hunt at times from a saddle, just want people to understand that gafing trees can kill them , not to mention its not allowed on public land ,not against saddle thats why I watched the videshow and replyed.
Really no different than a hang on stand sure there's a few differences between them but basically the same
CAN'T HEAR YOU !
Volume...turn it up.
Do they make these for fat guys lol
I think it should fit👍
glorified swiss seat for rappelling
Unconvinced.total gimmickry at best
I can only assume you have actually hunted out of one.
@@backinthewoods2022 yes I've spent lots of time trying to make a climbing rig similar to this. Worked for a tree service so I had the resources and at its best I was discouraged by my lack of shooting radius.I look to your product over a couple of times on this video and I can't see that you've done anything different than what I did back in the 70s and I believe that a man is better off shooting out of a platform stand or a tree stand. Just my opinion but hey when you put something on UA-cam and pass it off as being this great product. I believe I have the right to document my past experience on your comment page
Eddie Flüeger absolutely I welcome the comments. I have a different view point I have put two years now hunting out of the saddle and shot a nice 8 pt out of it this year. It’s a fast growing segment of hunting with a few more makers of saddles coming out this year.
I would buy into this if I hunted public land.
BigSexy ManBear yeah I use regular stands on my land because they are already set and it saves me time. Thanks for watching
@@backinthewoods2022 Have to be careful on state land. A lot of states don't allow anything to pierce the bark of the tree on state land, so legally, you can't use your climbing gaffs. I'm not trying to sound like I'm criticizing, I use my gaffs on public property and I also use screw-in steps. Just saying you have to be careful of a jerk DNR officer checking the woods.