Saddle Deer Hunting

The author has three seasons of saddle deer hunting under his belt. In those years, he’s learned some things to help hunters who are considering trying a saddle.

It’s been right at three years since I bought my first saddle hunting setup and dove into this seemingly crazy style of mobile deer hunting. I spent two years prior to that sitting on the fence watching interest in saddle hunting grow, thinking the same things you’ve likely thought: “That doesn’t look safe. That can’t be comfortable. It’s probably just a fad.”

I soon realized that none of those thoughts are actually true. What really tipped the scales for me was the fact that just about everyone who tried it loved it and went all in. Most of the naysayers were guys making assumptions about it (as I had) without ever having tried it. Or, in some cases, they tried it once or twice and didn’t give it enough time to really get a feel for it.

As I sit here now with three seasons under my belt, my only regret is not starting sooner. In this article, I want to cover seven key things that I’ve learned along the way to help you shorten the learning curve should you decide to give saddle hunting a try.

Saddle Hunting Isn’t Complicated

When I first started looking into saddle hunting, I was overwhelmed. There seemed to be lots of equipment options, unlimited ways to climb a tree and modifications to be made on every piece of gear. Plus, no two saddle hunters seemed to agree on equipment or technique.

However, once I finally bought my gear and got started, I realized it didn’t have to be complicated at all. All you really need is some basic equipment and plenty of practice time to get started. Once you learn the ropes (pun intended) and get comfortable in the saddle, then you can look into upgrading or modifying equipment, if you want.

To get started, you really only need three pieces of saddle hunting gear: 1) a saddle kit; 2) a platform; and 3) climbing sticks or another way to climb a tree.

In addition to the saddle itself, the hunting saddle kit should include your lineman’s and tether ropes and necessary carabiners. To simplify the process, I’d recommend buying the kit rather than piecing it together yourself.

You’ll then just need a platform to rest your feet on and a way to climb the tree. That’s typically going to be with a set of climbing sticks, but you could also use screw-in or strap-on steps.

While you can start hunting with just those three items, there are a few accessories I’d recommend picking up that will make saddle hunting a little easier.

Dump Pouches: Dump pouches are small gear bags that attach to your saddle that allow you easy access to some of the gear you carry. I have dump pouches on each side of my saddle and keep gear in them, like my release, rangefinder, cell phone, gear strap (more on that below), snacks, pull rope and other small items. Anything you need access to without wanting to dig through your hunting pack can go in your dump pouches.

Back Strap or Recliner: The back strap is another accessory that’s worth its weight in gold. It’s simply a nylon strap that hooks into the carabiner on your bridge rope and goes around your body up under your arms to support your back as you lean away from the tree. It doesn’t look like much, but it adds a whole new level of comfort to saddle hunting. When a deer comes in, you can lean forward just enough to release the pressure and the recliner should fall down around your waist and out of your way for a shot.

Knee Pads: If you’re going to spend time in the sitting position with your knees against the tree (and you will), you’ll want knee pads or a cushion that straps around the tree. I can tell you from experience that it doesn’t take long with your knees digging into the side of a tree to get very uncomfortable. After trying both knee pads and a knee cushion, I found a cheap foam cushion strapped around the tree to be the simplest option for me.

Gear Strap/Bow Hook: Another accessory I recommend is some type of strap and hooks to go around the tree and hold your gear. Several manufacturers make them with a series of loops to attach s-hooks to so you can hang your pack, binos, a rangefinder, grunt call and even your bow.

Put a gear strap on the list if you’re going to try saddle hunting for the first time this season. Several manufacturers make them with a series of loops to attach s-hooks to so you can hang your pack, binos, a rangefinder, grunt call and even your bow.

Backpack: To carry all this gear into the field, you’ll want some type of pack. The size and type of pack will depend on what gear you choose and your personal preference. Fortunately, with the increasing popularity of saddle hunting, more and more packs are being manufactured with that style of hunting in mind.

Saddle Hunting Isn’t Cheap

If you’ve looked into saddle hunting at all, you’ve probably already realized it’s not a cheap endeavor. You’re looking at around $600 minimum to get the basics discussed above, and higher-end gear could put you well over $1,000.

That’s not cheap, but neither is a good climber or hanging stand/climbing stick combo anymore.

Saddle Hunting Is Comfortable

One of the common misconceptions about saddle hunting is that it’s not comfortable. If you use the wrong equipment or don’t know how to adjust your equipment properly, it definitely can be. However, when you start with a good quality saddle that fits your body well, and learn how to adjust the bridge and tether properly, saddle hunting can be extremely comfortable, and all-day sits are possible.

Although it’s not as comfortable as a Summit Goliath, the saddle is much more comfortable than any lock-on, ladder stand and most climbers that I’ve ever used.

I will warn you, though, don’t base your feelings about saddle hunting on your first few sits in the saddle. It takes getting used to.

My first experience with a Tethrd Phantom saddle was a three-hour observation sit prior to the 2021 deer season. An hour in, I was uncomfortable and thought I had made a big mistake. However, I started making adjustments to my setup and to how the saddle was positioned on my body and found the sweet spots that suited me. After the three-hour sit, I was feeling much better about things, and after a few hunts, I was completely sold on saddle hunting.

Saddle Hunting Is Safe

Another common misconception about saddle hunting is that it’s not safe. That couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’re using the saddle properly, and staying attached to the tree through the entire setup process, then it’s as safe as any other style of elevated hunting.

Unlike hunting from a treestand, you can’t forget your safety harness or tether rope at home and still climb up the tree and hunt. Saddle hunting requires you to be tethered to the tree, so there’s no way to fall, aside from a catastrophic equipment failure. And since you’re using the same type of equipment as rock climbers and linemen, that’s not likely.

Saddle Hunting Is Fun

In addition to being safe and comfortable, saddle hunting has a fun factor to it that’s hard to explain. There’s something freeing about being suspended in the tree from a single rope, while being able to swing around and maneuver in the tree. It’s a feeling I never had from any other type of deer stand. Don’t get me wrong, it was a little terrifying at first, but once I got used to it and trusted the equipment, there was no way I’d rather hunt.

There’s A Learning Curve

Saddle hunting is a whole new ballgame for most deer hunters, especially those used to a climbing stand. There’s a relatively steep learning curve. The sooner you can start practicing prior to deer season, the better off you’ll be.

Not only will you want to familiarize yourself with the equipment and practice the entire setup process, but you’ll also want to spend time in the saddle getting used to the feel of things. The best way to do that is by setting up and practicing just a foot or two off the ground.

In addition to a practice session in your saddle, if you’re a bowhunter, you’ll also want to practice shooting from the saddle.

Saddle Hunting Has Its Pros And Cons

Despite all the great things I covered about saddle hunting, it’s not the be-all and end-all hunting method. It’s just another tool in your deer hunting tool belt. There are situations when other tools make more sense, whether that be a climber, a hang-on stand or even a ground blind.

Like every other style of hunting deer, saddle hunting has its pros and cons.

Pro: Weight Savings. One of the most common reasons hunters switch to saddle hunting is for the weight savings. Most climbing stands today are in the 20-plus-lb. range, with a few exceptions. A high-end saddle hunting setup can weigh half that. That may not be a big deal for the hunter walking a couple hundred yards from deer camp or their ATV, but for the hunter trekking deep into public land, it can be huge.

Pro: Mobility. In my mind, the biggest perk to saddle hunting has been the increased mobility it provides. Not just due to the weight savings, but also the reduced profile of the setup. Having everything strapped to a comfortable backpack that you can easily maneuver through thick brush or saplings is a big step up from packing a big, bulky climber on your back.

Pro: Versatility. If you’re hunting areas with limited straight, limbless trees, then saddle hunting can definitely provide versatility over a climber by allowing you to climb and hunt in a variety of tree types. That’s not typically a huge issue for Georgia hunters, as there are usually plenty of big, straight pines around to climb, but there have been times when it has allowed me to hunt thicker, younger timber or cutovers where other types of stands weren’t an option.

Con: Cost. As we discussed above, saddle hunting can be expensive. Fortunately, its increasing popularity has resulted in more and more manufacturers jumping in, with some of those offering more affordable gear options.

Con: Learning Curve. Again, as we discussed above, there is a learning curve involved in saddle hunting. It’s so much different than any other style of hunting that takes practice to get comfortable and proficient at it.

Fortunately, as its popularity has skyrocketed, there are more resources available than ever before to help you get started. A quick YouTube search will provide you with countless hours of instruction. However, there’s no replacement for just grabbing your gear and practicing hands-on a few feet off the ground.

Con: The Fidget Factor. This is something I don’t hear anyone talking about, but I think it’s a real issue when saddle hunting. At least it is for me. When I’m in the saddle for long periods of time, I have a tendency to move around much more than I would in a climber or other type of deer stand. I shift from standing to sitting, rock back and forth while leaning and just move around more overall. More movement equals a better chance of getting busted by an approaching deer.

While many saddle hunters mention the benefit of being able to hide behind the tree from an approaching deer, I think if the deer approaches from any other direction, you stand out more than if you had your back against the tree in a climber or hang-on stand.

If you’re reading this article, then I have to assume you’re considering saddle hunting. Why not make 2024 the year you finally dive in and give it a try? I think you’ll find it will increase your mobility and tree options, and you’ll be safe, comfortable and enjoy your time in the tree.

With the popularity of saddle hunting these days, you likely know someone with a setup who would let you try it out before you buy your own. Just remember to give it a few sits before you ultimately decide if it’s right for you.

It takes a few hunts to get things figured out, but once you do, you’ll find yourself like me, a die-hard saddle hunter.