Deer hunting BS thread

Yea I mostly hunt private but I’d like an option that’s lighter than a climber for public land in NC and potentially for this trip to KY in November

 

6’ 200lbs. Am 56 and started saddle hunting 3 years ago. Wish I’d known about it when I was a young fella. I do a good bit of hunting in woods, bow, muzzleloader, lever gun and scoped rifles. If it’s a tree it’s from a saddle. About 8 sets of sticks and lock-ons and a couple of climbers gathering dust now in the barn. I do have a few tripods around the farm on fields. The last few years I’ve done the most hunting with a lever 30-30 with a Burris fast fire, shots 40yds and in. My new “bow hunting”. Saddle isn’t for everyone. I don’t have sore back or knees using one no matter how long the hunt. With a lock on I had that every hunt.

 

I have hunted almost only from a saddle for like 7? Seasons. 6’1 240ish depending on the year. I have used a cruzr xc saddle size 2 since 2020.

I like it, hike in and out sometimes a couple miles with it on and no issues. Usually just leave leg straps loose or undone on the hike.

Might get a 2 panel sometime, I think I would prefer that but it is more to play with and may not be as nice for the hike in or out.

I think it’s hard to beat on public where you are not supposed to trim branches because you can find a lane where you would struggle for a good shot in a stand.

 

This last season, I used ladder stands and a tree seat exclusively on private. The places I'm hunting honestly tend to lose visibility the higher off the ground I get, so I've really grown to like the ground game/tree seat. BUT, the saddle comes in handy for those times you need to call an audible. I only get so many opportunities to hunt, so I don't get the luxury of only going when the wind is right, moon phase, whatever the case. Being able to be mobile and climb any tree for any setup is just a good tool to have in the arsenal. Its tool I used the least last season, but specialty tools can make or break a job (or hunt).

I do miss having some back support for an all day sit, but I usually just go from standing/leaning to spread eagle into the tree sitting when I start to get restless or uncomfortable. I definitely do move a whole lot more/get a little restless in my saddle verses sitting in a climber, but I'm usually 5 times as alert. I can honestly say I've never fallen asleep in my saddle and had deer walk by; I can't claim the same for my climber lol

Using the same saddle here, and plenty happy with it. I do the same thing, walk in with it on, legs strapped. I do think a 2 panel would be a little more comfortable for my chubby little self, but every time I start to want to buy more saddle-related stuff/replace the saddle I already have, I have to remind myself its just another tool. I don't want it to replace my climber, and I think a 2-panel probably would. I might would change that mindset if I were hiking multiple miles in and out though.

 

A lot of times more recently I just setup my saddle and stand on the ground haha

 

I have done that before as well lol I don't ever do any stalk hunting, but if its just extremely windy, I do like to do a little walking around and plopping down at the bottoms of different trees sometimes lol. Some of my spots actually setup the best for a 1-2 stick climb height and going any higher becomes counter productive. The saddle excels in these types of setups.

 

To be honest, I’ve gotten to where I really like hunting out of ground blinds. Ground blinds give you a little more freedom to move around, keeps you out of the rain and wind and you can get a really comfortable chair. Naturally, ground blinds are best used on field edges or along food plots but not as good in the middle of the timber. I’ve killed 3 of my last 4 bucks out of ground blinds.

 

Same. I built a 10x16 on my south side. Big enough to move around a little and especially to be able to sit all day long. When I go home to hunt I’m usually sitting 12 hours for multiple days in a row.

I’ll sometimes use a hang on or ladder stand in bow season

 

I bought a Tidewe see-through on 3/4 sides ground blind last season to take my daughter on her first and second hunt. I definitely enjoyed the ease of it and ability to sit more than just me!

 

That’s just terrible.

 

I like being up a tree even if it’s only 12’ because I can hear so much better. My routine once in the stand is to sit with knees against the tree ( knee pads) and catch up on the news on my i phone till it gets daylight. Then stand up and hunt. If my legs get tired I’ll sit back down knees to tree deal for a bit. I made a strap last season that d rings to the d loops and goes around both knees and against the tree. Keeps some pressure off your knees, lets you spread your legs a bit and you don’t have your crotch rammed up into the tree. One of the saddle brands offer similar, I just copied and made my own. The strap just hangs down if you stand up and isn’t any issue. May have hacked up the description but you can probably understand if you saddle hunt. I can also jack the back strap up to my arm pits and dang near take a comfortable nap in the sitting position with knee strap. Ain’t going anywhere once settled. Normally keep that back strap at lumbar support height, just above saddle, and can shoot about any angle that way. The whole rig weighs 14 lbs. I toted a 38lb portable lock on and sticks previously. So a massive upgrade. Now it’s like old times, walk in and up a tree when I see good sign, first hunt spots. Keeps deer guessing and not patterning me. Still hunt wind no matter what. Anyway, deer seasons a good way off so doing a lot of talking.

 

Zombie Doe got some girth going on...

 

Prob has a fawn...bout ready to drop

 

My buddy's house and shop were destroyed by a tornado yesterday, I drove over there this morning to check on him and he was roughly 500 yards from his house, looking for shit. He was walking back towards his house carrying....his API climber.
He also lost a 12ft trailer, he literally cannot find it.

His truck is sitting in what once was his garage, the wind pushed his truck 8ft forward.




This is the tornado that hit his house, this is my house.


He found his crossbow about a quarter mile from his house, a neighbor called him and told him where it was.

 

Sorry to see and hear this!! Hope he can rebuild and get back to living!!

 

That’s really got to suck and hope I never have to experience such a situation, glad he’s ok though!

 

It definitely sucks. Thanks guys

 

Godspeed to your friend (seent that ranger,looks ok) and all the other folks effected by that catastrophe...

 

Thanks buddy.

His console is busted, all of his electronics are busted and it appears that maybe an axle is bent, one of the wheels looks kinda caddywhompus.
But they're all safe, I had the great pleasure of hugging the entire family Friday afternoon.