Which Tree Saddle??

[gilligan_33]

I am in the market to buy a tree saddle, and after looking on there website I was still up in the air on which one to buy. I was hoping I could come here and get some input from everyone and see what you guys think.

I'm not sure how big of a difference there is from the "worst" to the "best" one, and if it is really worth the money or not. Money is at a premium for me (as i'm sure it is for many, especially right now) so I want to make sure I'm not spending extra money that I don't have to.

Any input would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

[uptracker]

I would go with the Ambush Saddle if hunting mainly in the SLP. The other one that has neoprene is better for really cold weather though. I switched to that one, living in the U.P. But, it can be warm in early October.

If you're interested, I have an extra Ambush Saddle, size large. Ony used one season. PM me if you want.

[Firefighter]

I have the leather version, and am happy with its all around comfort. Its the most pricy though. Also, try to find someone who has one, so you can try it before you buy it. Some shots require quite a bit of physical strength to hold your body still. Don't get me wrong, the saddle is awesome, but fixed position stands have their place, and you can buy 5 fixed stands off ebay for the price of one saddle.

[uptracker]

Agree with you FF! The one comment about "5 stands off eBay" though......those 5 stands could also be stolen anytime you leave them in the woods. Something to think about Gill. One more thing too is scent control with the Saddle, some are more difficult to maintain than others, keep that in the back of your head when trying to decide.

[Firefighter]

Agree with you FF! The one comment about "5 stands off eBay" though......those 5 stands could also be stolen anytime you leave them in the woods. Something to think about Gill. One more thing too is scent control with the Saddle, some are more difficult to maintain than others, keep that in the back of your head when trying to decide.

Outstanding points! Regarding scent control though, If I farted in a tree saddle, while wearing scentlok.......lol

[farmlegend]

Gilligan, I have two Treesaddles, the Ambush, and the neoprene one, I think it's called the Stealth. If I had to choose just one, it would be the Ambush model. It's lighter and a little less bulky. The Stealth's only edge is when the weather gets really cold. But even then, I usually use the Ambush - myass it the last thing on me that gets cold.

[BtcHunter]

What is the company's name that makes the tree saddles? I have heard good things about them and would like to do some research myself.

[Ack]

What is the company's name that makes the tree saddles? I have heard good things about them and would like to do some research myself.

Here ya go.....

http://www.trophylineusa.com/

[Riddle]

they had a bunch on sale at Jay's in Gaylord during the last sidewalk sale, I was on my way up to Canada to go fishing, so wasn't able to post it.

I have the Ambush (mesh one) had the neoprene one, but sold it, I do most of my hunting in October, and it was a little too warm for me.

[J Eberhart]

I am a definite saddle user and using a treestand of any kind would be like backing up in time 25 years. I must say though that I took the time to learn how to use it because I saw the major advantages it had over anything else.

It would be very safe for me to say that at least half of the bucks I have taken would not have been taken by me without a saddle or treesling. There is no way I could have hunted the trees I was in or shot in the directions I shot with any other type of stand.

The Ambush is the lightest at about 2 1/2 pounds and takes up the least room in a pack. The Neoprene is about 4 1/2 ponds and the leather is about 6 pounds.

They like hunting require time and patience to learn how to properly use.

I endorse the saddle and have my photo on the cover of the Ambush saddle. I have never been paid a dime for the endorsement, nor do I represent it. I use it because it works.

[M1Garand]

I definately like the mobility idea, not to mention with all the kleptos in the woods stealing stands, I don't have to worry about that. My only thoughts are how do you get up the tree? Carry around climbing sticks? I hunt a lot of public and screw ins are definately out. I thought of trying the strap on steps.

[uptracker]

I tried the strap on's and I was very displeased. I tried getting up a tree in the dark one Oct. 1st with light weight Scent Lock gloves on and using strap on's by Cranford. It took me 20 minutes to go about 15 feet up and I was sweating my butt off and fatigued from trying to hold here and there. It was about 60 degrees out too. I gave up at 15 feet and didn't see anything that morning.....on private land in Washtenaw Co.......last time I tried that.

John loves them though.

I hate carrying sticks in too....just too loud. I set up my trees on private land before season and improvise on public land which I don't hunt much anymore. Next year I may buy a climber for public land though since I want to work some specific clearcuts in the future....Lone Wolf's sit and climb.

[Ack]

I tried the strap on's and I was very displeased. I tried getting up a tree in the dark one Oct. 1st with light weight Scent Lock gloves on and using strap on's by Cranford. It took me 20 minutes to go about 15 feet up and I was sweating my butt off and fatigued from trying to hold here and there. It was about 60 degrees out too. I gave up at 15 feet and didn't see anything that morning.....on private land in Washtenaw Co.......last time I tried that.

John loves them though.

I hate carrying sticks in too....just too loud. I set up my trees on private land before season and improvise on public land which I don't hunt much anymore. Next year I may buy a climber for public land though since I want to work some specific clearcuts in the future....Lone Wolf's sit and climb.

Yeah, if that isn't the truth. Strap on and rope on steps are a pain...they are time comsuming, they move around when you put your weight on them, and you have to carry A LOT of them to get up to "Saddle" height. I won't use anything but my Lone Wolf sticks with the saddle on public land. True, it is a little more to carry, but getting up the tree is MUCH easier, and can be done quietly if you are careful.

[Riddle]

I have the ezy rope steps and the buck steps.

I use a mix.

buck steps if going up a tree w/ very little usable branches, just quicker, only need to strap down 4 straps (I have 4 sections, I like the platform of the bucksteps better than the lone wolf, I've tried the lone wolf, both are nice, just personal preference).

rope steps if there are usable branches and I only need to cover a few gaps.

somebody will probably say branches=bad, I am very careful, only step on them near the tree, check them by pulling down pretty good on them, and with the tree saddle I use the safety strap.

I found that with a little practice, I can get up a tree pretty quick with just the rope steps (I grab the rope to tighten it with one hand and I grab the step with the other (this is why you need to use the safety strap look ma no hands!), and I kind of "ratchet" the step tighter by pulling the rope and moving the step, the other thing is I put them a couple of feet apart, so with 10, I can get up to 20 feet on a branchless tree, e-z, although I prefer the buck steps for the branchless trees.

Ack - if you have any rope steps you don't want, PM me.

[Firefighter]

I have the ezy rope steps and the buck steps.

I use a mix.

buck steps if going up a tree w/ very little usable branches, just quicker, only need to strap down 4 straps (I have 4 sections, I like the platform of the bucksteps better than the lone wolf, I've tried the lone wolf, both are nice, just personal preference).

rope steps if there are usable branches and I only need to cover a few gaps.

somebody will probably say branches=bad, I am very careful, only step on them near the tree, check them by pulling down pretty good on them, and with the tree saddle I use the safety strap.

I found that with a little practice, I can get up a tree pretty quick with just the rope steps (I grab the rope to tighten it with one hand and I grab the step with the other (this is why you need to use the safety strap look ma no hands!), and I kind of "ratchet" the step tighter by pulling the rope and moving the step, the other thing is I put them a couple of feet apart, so with 10, I can get up to 20 feet on a branchless tree, e-z, although I prefer the buck steps for the branchless trees.

Ack - if you have any rope steps you don't want, PM me.


Riddle, I agree with you, and will use branches readily in my climbs, BUT only if I prescouted the tree, and deemed the step more than suitable. But, to be honest, the less tree steps I need to use in one tree, the more trees I can prep. (steps are gettin expensive!) BTW, a box of 50 ameristeps on ebay right now for around 75 dollars shipped (cheaper than the 2.50 per step at the store)

[J Eberhart]

I like the cranford strap ons for state land only. They do require more time in the dark and I leave a bit earlier for that reason. You should never have to hold on to the tree however because every saddle comes with its own climbing safety strap so that you have both hands free.

I am sorry if I sounded a bit brash on stands, but since getting used to the saddle I just can't imagine hunting from anything else.

If you guys ever think I am sounding a bit like an egotistical ass, please inform me of it. Sometimes I think I come across that way after I think about what I said.

By the way, I just read an article in W&W by Fred Abbas about is there such a thing as a pressured whitetail. It is obvious he has never ever had to hunt pressured land, because if he had he never would have written such a ridiculous article. In order to write about something you really need to know something about it.

Check it out

[farmlegend]

worth mentioning about the Treesaddle. Because of its inherent security factor (once you're set up, you can't fall out of it if you try) and its physical comfort factor (at least for me, certainly in comparison to hang-on stands), I get a kick out of getting in extra early, setting up, hanging up my bow, and catnapping until daylight.

At least that's the plan. I had one MAJOR screwup last season on the morning of November 2. Had a perfect wind to hunt, for the very first time, from a tree I had prepared the previous spring, very nearby what John would call a perennial primary scrape area. Arrived at my tree too late, about an hour before shooting light; knew I was late, thought I might get away with it. NOT. While tiptoeing in on final approach, I jumped a lone, solitary, large deer which decided to bed close by to my tree. Immediately, I silently cursed my sloppiness. Stayed in that tree until 1pm and never saw a deer that morning.

[Ack]

Ack - if you have any rope steps you don't want, PM me.

Sorry Riddle......I already sold the Cranfords I had. I still keep a few of the Ameristep ones on hand for when I just need one or two steps here or there.

\By the way, I just read an article in W&W by Fred Abbas about is there such a thing as a pressured whitetail. It is obvious he has never ever had to hunt pressured land, because if he had he never would have written such a ridiculous article. In order to write about something you really need to know something about it.

Wow......Fred is an alright guy, but someone FROM Michigan thinking that the deer are not pressured in this state? :dizzy:

[J Eberhart]

Not where he hunts

[uptracker]

I'm pretty sure he hunts a piece of property, or 2, that is right on the border of Ohio. I'm also pretty sure he only hunts with his son too. I recall hearing him say something about "when the lead flies here, they cross the border. When the lead flies there, they come back across the border."

[J Eberhart]

I used to score Freds deer for him for CBM and know exactly where and how he used to hunt.

[kenn1320]

I sometimes find it hard to simply turn in a circle on a tree stand at 30ft up without a deer seeing the movement. How are you guys walking around the tree and not getting picked off? I can spot a squirrel pretty far off in the woods, simply cause he moved a bit. Cant see how you can walk around a tree when a deer is within 30yds of ya? Not saying you cant, just help me understand how you do it? If Im looking left(right handed) and a buck comes towards me and veers to my right, I slowly turn as I watch his head position. This usually leaves me with a nice quartering away shot. In a saddle, Im guessing you have to walk all the way around that tree to get that shot, or do you some how step your left foot over your right and spin in the saddle to shoot to your right?
Also anybody in the Howell area got a large one they wouldnt mind setting me up in their yard for an hour to try?

[rzdrmh]

I sometimes find it hard to simply turn in a circle on a tree stand at 30ft up without a deer seeing the movement. How are you guys walking around the tree and not getting picked off? I can spot a squirrel pretty far off in the woods, simply cause he moved a bit. Cant see how you can walk around a tree when a deer is within 30yds of ya? Not saying you cant, just help me understand how you do it? If Im looking left(right handed) and a buck comes towards me and veers to my right, I slowly turn as I watch his head position. This usually leaves me with a nice quartering away shot. In a saddle, Im guessing you have to walk all the way around that tree to get that shot, or do you some how step your left foot over your right and spin in the saddle to shoot to your right?
Also anybody in the Howell area got a large one they wouldnt mind setting me up in their yard for an hour to try?


have a good friend who, when i asked the same question about movement, replied, "the enemy of 'good' is 'great'". that is - when you're in a "great" tree where opportunties exist 360 degrees around, you run the risk of trying to hunt too many directions. better to pick a good tree, that offers a couple prime shot opportunities, and hunt those. you'll reduce your movements and remain undected.

just because you can rotate 360 degrees, doesn't mean you should. save the 360 degree rotation until you're locked onto a deer, and can get away with it.

[Lugian]

I bought an "ambush" saddle last year and love it....almost. After having set up many trees for the saddle my bro from NC flew into hunt w/ me. I told him to buy a saddle because thats the set-ups I had. He bought one and its WAY better than mine. Mine has a metal(steel) clasping device and his is an aluminum carrabeaner(sp?). It makes a WORLD of difference for quietness. I have since modified mine to quiet it but I would strongly recommend taking it out of the bag and trying it on as if you would hunt. I bought the one for the size it told me too and it seems a little big. This probably sounds like I hate it but I do in fact love it. Just trying to help.

[gilligan_33]

Well I've had my tree saddle for a couple of weeks now, and I've only been able to practice with it 4 times now and I'm not sure that I'll be able to practice anymore before the season starts (unfortunately). I was wondering what tips or suggestions you guys that own a trophy saddle have?

A few things that I was wondering about were:

What do you use as your "base" when you are up in the tree? Screw-in pegs? Strap on pegs?? or something else??

What's the largest (diameter) tree you would recommend (or largest you have used)?

Have you had any issues on rough-barked trees vs. smooth-barked trees? I noticed I had a very hard time rotating around a rough-barked tree. Again, I have practiced too much, so I was hoping to find out a little more about this.

Any other tips and tricks that you guys can suggest would be very helpful. I'm really looking forward to using it out there in the woods, but i'm also very nervous about having problems while up in the tree (not nervous about safety, moreso about comfort, and shooting). Thanks in advance.

[Riddle]

There's a practical limit to tree diameter or you want have enough adjustment in the one strap, I've probably used it up to 15" diameter pine (rough bark).

You have to be carefully pivoting around rough bark as it is noisy.

For the base, take a ratchet strap, take 3 of the plastic strap on steps, put them on the ratchet strap (or you could just use a pull tight lashing strap from Home Depot or whever). Loosely strap the 3 steps around the tree where you want, position the steps, then tighten it up good. I'll take a picture of my set up and post it. You can then use the 3 steps to pivot around the tree. Or, alternatively, if you can find a height where branches can be used for your foot rests/base, that also works well.

Or you could just use 3 separate strap on steps.

You can cover about 270 degrees of the tree without moving around, but just by rotating your body.

[buktruk]

I prefer to use 3-4 screw in steps for the base if able. If not, I either use a single strap with 3-4 more steps on it as mentioned, or simply use 3 or 4 different strap on steps, depends on the situation. I have thought about using a small platform in trees I am able to set up early and leave set up, but have not made work of this yet, nor tried it yet, just a thought. As far as rough barked trees, if possible get in there before season (I know it is a little late now) and smooth it out a little with a saw etc. They can get pretty loud if you don't. As far as the diameter of trees, I don't know exactly, you will have to try as you go, I know I have hunted out of some very large, and very small trees with mine, many trees there would have been no other way to set up in. You will figure out a lot of little tricks as you use it more and more, it seems like hunting, I always learn something. Good luck this fall.

[ThumbBum]

I have been considering making the investment in a saddle primarily for the mobility and the ability to change setups mid season without a lot of fuss
Like a lot of us I always wish I could move my stand about 10yards this way or that after the first morining. Also, Im trying to get into the habbit of hunting s spot only once or twice a season.

Are there any problems with it for you larger guys?? Say 200+lbs or jacket size around 48-50. I know that they make the saddle in different sizes to accomidate guys that big, but are there other issues I need to be aware of before I buy..

[uptracker]

Are there any problems with it for you larger guys?? Say 200+lbs or jacket size around 48-50. I know that they make the saddle in different sizes to accomidate guys that big, but are there other issues I need to be aware of before I buy..

Sounds like me. I use a large with no problems. I wear some thick stuff too.

[aphess223]

I bought some tree steps at Jay's called SteppLadder from Sppets International, never use them much until I started using my saddle and found they work well for a platform:)

[gilligan_33]

Well, used my saddle for hunting for the first time yesterday morning, and definately learned a lot. Things I really enjoyed about it: the feeling of safety and security, the maneuvering ability, ability to hide behind tree, comfort, ease of use (relatively).

Some of the things I still am working on: I was hunting on property that does not allow anything to be screwed into the tree, so I used climbing sticks to get in the tree. I did not have a "base" set up, and I will never make that mistake again. I had to use the ladder to rest my feet on, or for any movement I wanted to make and with one leg contanstly being much higher than the other, that was a major pain. Will not hunt again without a base. Picked up 6 ameristep strap-on steps yesterday (finally found them) and will figure out some way to use them as a base. I haven't decided if I want to cut them out of the sewn-on strap and put 3-4 of them on a ratchet strap, or just try to put 3-4 of them on the tree at the same time. It's really hard for me to cut that strap considering those things cost $20 for 3 steps (ouch!). Whatever the cost though, I won't go out without a base again.

The other thing that I really struggled with is where to put my bow/quiver. I have a strap that goes around the tree with hooks that could hold my bow, however with multiple branches at that height it made it impossible to do so. I was wondering what you guys do, or where you put your bow so it is out of the way, but easily accessible when you need it. I really struggled with this yesterday, and was not even sure I'd be able to quietly get in position for a shot the way I was periodically holding it. Anyways, sorry to ramble on, but these are just a few of the questions I had. Any other tricks you guys have figured out over time would certainly be helpful. I'm looking for all the help I can get!