Hunting Tips

Consider Giving a Tree Saddle a Try This Deer Season

By Tim Ford, Up North Journal Pro Staff Member

Up until last year I have always hunted from a conventional strap on tree stand.  I never really had a problem with a conventional tree stand when I was hunting but I never liked the idea of leaving it out in the woods on state land.  For one thing the stand that I have is the type that uses a t-screw and in Michigan on state land it is illegal to screw anything into a tree.  Plus I was always worried about someone stealing my tree stand and it also let other people know where I was hunting.  A few years ago when I first saw a tree saddle I was intrigued and I decided to research them some more.  The more I researched them the more I knew I wanted to get one.  One of the main things that I like about it was the fact that the only thing that was left in the tree when you were done hunting was the strap that you tie around the tree that the tree saddle hooks onto. Therefore it would not be easily seen by another hunter giving away your hunting location.  Another plus was that it was very easy and quite to carry out in woods.  They are also very quick and easy to setup in the tree.  I also liked that fact that you could shoot 360 degrees around the tree and you can use the tree to hide yourself from the deer when they come in.  For those of you that don't know a tree saddle goes around each leg and over your shoulders.  The tree saddle connects to a strap that you tie around the tree and then you hang from it.  When I am hunting on private land I use screw in steps and then when I get to the height that I want to hunt I put a series of steps around the tree so that I have something to stand on while using the saddle.  By having the steps all the way around the tree it gives me complete flexibility to rotate 360 degrees around the tree for a shot.  Then when I am done hunting all I leave in the tree is the strap that is tied around the tree and the steps.  When I am hunting state land I use strap on tree steps and position them exactly the same way I would screw in steps.  The only difference is that when I leave I want to leave as little trace as possible that I am hunting there so I will take down the first 5 or 6 steps and leave the rest.  That way I don't really have to worry about someone stealing my tree stand because it isn’t there.  All that is there are a few steps and the strap that the saddle attaches to and they are high up in the tree.  One thing that I was worried about when I first got my tree saddle was how comfortable it would be to use for long periods of time but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was to use.  I was able to adjust it so that I could pretty much stand up and when I got tired of standing I could then adjust it so that I was in more of a sitting position.  One thing that you will need to do when you do get a tree saddle is that you will need to practice shooting your bow from it as it is a little bit different shooting position than when using a conventional tree stand since you lean out a little bit to shoot.  Then again you should practice shooting out of whatever tree stand you will be using.  So if you would like an alternative to a more conventional tree consider trying a tree saddle.  I have a feeling that one you use one you will not want to go back to a conventional tree stand.  I know that I don't.  If you are interested in a tree saddle feel free to email me and ask me any questions that you might have.  My email address is taford@comcast.net.  As we always say here at the Up North Journal when you are out in the woods shoot straight and be safe.