Anyone here ever use the trophy line tree saddle ? I have watched a couple of videos and two things strike me. Firstly, I'm not sure it is designed with crossbows in mind. Secondly, I cannot see how it would be comfortable for any length of time. Seems to me that your legs would tire. Any thoughts ?
thanks
Spike
tree saddle
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
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See4miles
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:19 pm
- Location: Swamps of St. Helen/Hestons Playground
Re: tree saddle
I have three of them and no serious deer hunter should be without one. They do exactly as advertised.
They are the safest tree stand system to use ever. I often get into my stands an hour and a half early, tether off to the tree and fall asleep. They are extremely comfortable as you can change your rest position easily and often by how much of the umbilical line you let out or take-up. Its fast, quiet, and easy to do. And if you hunt public land you have no worries about someone stealing your stand or hunting your spot. I typically set up the trees mid-summer and after several years of using one in my area, I have dozens of trees prepped for use at a moments notice. With a set of climbing sticks, or a few tree steps, you can easily scout hunt and set-up in literally any tree in ten minutes over fresh sign. I use all types of stands, don't get me wrong, but for three years I hunted from a saddle exclusively. I have made up a special footrest rig I also carry that attaches to the tree in about 20 seconds that allows the full 360-degree shot radius. Simply put your crossbow on a pull-up cord and keep one end with you as you climb. When you get tied off and set-up, just pull up the crossbow and you're ready to hunt. A folding saw to clear your shooting holes and a screw in hook to hang the weapon and you're good to go.
Crossbows are somewhat difficult to hunt with, but not in any way that compromises the effectiveness of the rig. I had a little trouble at first, but found new methods to utilize the 360-degree ability the rig offers.
If you decide to get one, I strongly advise you practice doing the hook-up at ground level months before hunting season. The tying off to the tree is the only time you're in danger if you do it wrong, and probably half the time you will do it in the dark. Practice hooking up and unhooking until you can do it with your eyes closed.
So, obviously, I love these things, and for good reason. In Michigan, we have a local legend named John Eberhart. John and his son Chris have taken dozens of P & Y / B & C whiteltails and have taken most of them on public land that is hunted hard. They use nothing but the saddle. Get John's book 'Hunting pressured Whitetails" if you really want to understand how to use one of these rigs.
His web address is www.deer-john.net
You will be impressed by John and Chris and how they hunt using the saddle.
I am extremely afraid of heights. Typically I set up a hang-on stand or a climber at about 15 ft. 20ft is pushing it for me. These things are so safe that I can go much higher when I use one.
If you get one, get some knee pads and you will be able to hunt from dawn til dark if you choose too with no comfort issues at all.
How's that for a rant and a half? LOL
They are the safest tree stand system to use ever. I often get into my stands an hour and a half early, tether off to the tree and fall asleep. They are extremely comfortable as you can change your rest position easily and often by how much of the umbilical line you let out or take-up. Its fast, quiet, and easy to do. And if you hunt public land you have no worries about someone stealing your stand or hunting your spot. I typically set up the trees mid-summer and after several years of using one in my area, I have dozens of trees prepped for use at a moments notice. With a set of climbing sticks, or a few tree steps, you can easily scout hunt and set-up in literally any tree in ten minutes over fresh sign. I use all types of stands, don't get me wrong, but for three years I hunted from a saddle exclusively. I have made up a special footrest rig I also carry that attaches to the tree in about 20 seconds that allows the full 360-degree shot radius. Simply put your crossbow on a pull-up cord and keep one end with you as you climb. When you get tied off and set-up, just pull up the crossbow and you're ready to hunt. A folding saw to clear your shooting holes and a screw in hook to hang the weapon and you're good to go.
Crossbows are somewhat difficult to hunt with, but not in any way that compromises the effectiveness of the rig. I had a little trouble at first, but found new methods to utilize the 360-degree ability the rig offers.
If you decide to get one, I strongly advise you practice doing the hook-up at ground level months before hunting season. The tying off to the tree is the only time you're in danger if you do it wrong, and probably half the time you will do it in the dark. Practice hooking up and unhooking until you can do it with your eyes closed.
So, obviously, I love these things, and for good reason. In Michigan, we have a local legend named John Eberhart. John and his son Chris have taken dozens of P & Y / B & C whiteltails and have taken most of them on public land that is hunted hard. They use nothing but the saddle. Get John's book 'Hunting pressured Whitetails" if you really want to understand how to use one of these rigs.
His web address is www.deer-john.net
You will be impressed by John and Chris and how they hunt using the saddle.
I am extremely afraid of heights. Typically I set up a hang-on stand or a climber at about 15 ft. 20ft is pushing it for me. These things are so safe that I can go much higher when I use one.
If you get one, get some knee pads and you will be able to hunt from dawn til dark if you choose too with no comfort issues at all.
How's that for a rant and a half? LOL
In the Wind.......
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See4miles
- Posts: 452
- Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:19 pm
- Location: Swamps of St. Helen/Hestons Playground
Re: tree saddle
From John Eberharts website shown below.
Benefits of a saddle over any other types of stands
-The concept is simple, you hang in the Saddle from the trunk of the tree to which you are securely fastened.
-You sit facing the tree with your legs somewhat straddling the trunk or your knees into the trunk.
-Your feet rest on tree-steps placed around the tree, and they are used for leverage while maneuvering, and as footrests while sitting.
-Once properly adjusted the saddle is very comfortable, and acts as its own safety belt, and is almost impossible to fall out of once properly fastened to the tree.
-To shoot, you stand up or lean back (straighten your legs) in the saddle away from the tree.
-There is no platform to stand on and nothing to encumber movement around the tree or make noise
-Bowhunting for mature bucks is all about being able to adapt to their ever-changing movements.
-The more adept, and expedient you are at responding to changing deer movements, the better your chances will be at tagging a trophy.
-Not only can you adjust to ever changing sign during the season, you can also prepare as many trees prior to the season as you consider necessary, because you only need one Saddle to hunt from all of your trees.
-Having many trees ready to hunt is a huge advantage from a surprise standpoint.
-You can clear out trees for every potential situation, you do not have to limit yourself to a handful of spots. I have over fifty trees ready to hunt prior to each season. Many have been in place for years and require some periodic cleaning up and some are in new locations every year.
-Having so many trees ready for the season also allows you to rotate sites, which increases your element of surprise and reduces both scent contamination and general human presence in a hunting area.
-As you know pressured mature bucks do not tolerate known hunter presence.
-The saddles "specific" mobility, makes it possible to shoot a full 360 degrees around most trees.
-Considering that mature bucks often come from unexpected directions during the rut phases this is an important advantage.
-As you can see you have to make your sparse opportunities count and the mobility and
shooting range advantages of the saddle will do that.
-Another major advantage is general mobility, or the ability to hunt almost any tree in the woods. It is no longer a question of finding a tree to hunt out of, but finding the right spot and making a tree work.
-With a saddle there are few limitations to tree diameters, branches, or straightness. Trees leaning more than fifteen degrees will not give you the full 360 degree shooting circumference, but they are trees you couldn't even hunt without the saddle.
-Another form of mobility is the ability to adjust to circumstances. If you find a hot scrape area or fresh rub line it is no problem to quietly set up and hunt in a matter of minutes if you take a set of steps with you.
-Weight and bulky treestand frames are also factors when reacting to fresh sign. The Ambush, our lightest saddle weighs less than three pounds and can be carried in your backpack. This eases opportunities to scout in heavy cover and set up on the spur of the moment.
-Another major advantage is the fact that you can be sure your stand will be there when you arrive because it is always with you.
-No more concern about other hunters hunting you location when you are not there.
-Stolen tree stands are unfortunately a sad fact of life for anyone hunting state land, or even private property in states with heavy hunting pressure. Not any more, because your saddle is always with you.
-Yet another big plus is that you can keep the trunk of the tree that you are in between you and the deer. As a non-targeted deer approach you slowly ease your way around the trunk, out of sight of the deer. This keeps your silhouette from sticking out from the tree. This is especially important in pressured areas where deer tend to look for hunters in trees.
-Height is another big advantage, especially once the hunting gets good and the foliage is gone from the trees. With a Saddle the only height constraint is your ability to get up the tree. There should never be a fear of height because you at all times have a safety system attached to the tree.
-Because saddles are all made from fabric there is no noise concerns with the set-up. This is very important when setting up near where deer feed or bed.
-The mobility of the saddle makes it awesome for freelance hunting or on trips to unknown properties.
-As with everything that has to do with hunting, the type of hunting system you use is ultimately based on your own hunting situation, goals, and personal preference. The Saddle is a tool that can be added to your hunting arsenal to increase your element of surprise and success rate.
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-It has completely changed the way I hunt, providing unsurpassed ease of use and mobility. When used properly the advantages it offers will without question increase the number of opportunities you receive and the likelihood of success dramatically.
GOOD HUNTING
John Eberhart
Benefits of a saddle over any other types of stands
-The concept is simple, you hang in the Saddle from the trunk of the tree to which you are securely fastened.
-You sit facing the tree with your legs somewhat straddling the trunk or your knees into the trunk.
-Your feet rest on tree-steps placed around the tree, and they are used for leverage while maneuvering, and as footrests while sitting.
-Once properly adjusted the saddle is very comfortable, and acts as its own safety belt, and is almost impossible to fall out of once properly fastened to the tree.
-To shoot, you stand up or lean back (straighten your legs) in the saddle away from the tree.
-There is no platform to stand on and nothing to encumber movement around the tree or make noise
-Bowhunting for mature bucks is all about being able to adapt to their ever-changing movements.
-The more adept, and expedient you are at responding to changing deer movements, the better your chances will be at tagging a trophy.
-Not only can you adjust to ever changing sign during the season, you can also prepare as many trees prior to the season as you consider necessary, because you only need one Saddle to hunt from all of your trees.
-Having many trees ready to hunt is a huge advantage from a surprise standpoint.
-You can clear out trees for every potential situation, you do not have to limit yourself to a handful of spots. I have over fifty trees ready to hunt prior to each season. Many have been in place for years and require some periodic cleaning up and some are in new locations every year.
-Having so many trees ready for the season also allows you to rotate sites, which increases your element of surprise and reduces both scent contamination and general human presence in a hunting area.
-As you know pressured mature bucks do not tolerate known hunter presence.
-The saddles "specific" mobility, makes it possible to shoot a full 360 degrees around most trees.
-Considering that mature bucks often come from unexpected directions during the rut phases this is an important advantage.
-As you can see you have to make your sparse opportunities count and the mobility and
shooting range advantages of the saddle will do that.
-Another major advantage is general mobility, or the ability to hunt almost any tree in the woods. It is no longer a question of finding a tree to hunt out of, but finding the right spot and making a tree work.
-With a saddle there are few limitations to tree diameters, branches, or straightness. Trees leaning more than fifteen degrees will not give you the full 360 degree shooting circumference, but they are trees you couldn't even hunt without the saddle.
-Another form of mobility is the ability to adjust to circumstances. If you find a hot scrape area or fresh rub line it is no problem to quietly set up and hunt in a matter of minutes if you take a set of steps with you.
-Weight and bulky treestand frames are also factors when reacting to fresh sign. The Ambush, our lightest saddle weighs less than three pounds and can be carried in your backpack. This eases opportunities to scout in heavy cover and set up on the spur of the moment.
-Another major advantage is the fact that you can be sure your stand will be there when you arrive because it is always with you.
-No more concern about other hunters hunting you location when you are not there.
-Stolen tree stands are unfortunately a sad fact of life for anyone hunting state land, or even private property in states with heavy hunting pressure. Not any more, because your saddle is always with you.
-Yet another big plus is that you can keep the trunk of the tree that you are in between you and the deer. As a non-targeted deer approach you slowly ease your way around the trunk, out of sight of the deer. This keeps your silhouette from sticking out from the tree. This is especially important in pressured areas where deer tend to look for hunters in trees.
-Height is another big advantage, especially once the hunting gets good and the foliage is gone from the trees. With a Saddle the only height constraint is your ability to get up the tree. There should never be a fear of height because you at all times have a safety system attached to the tree.
-Because saddles are all made from fabric there is no noise concerns with the set-up. This is very important when setting up near where deer feed or bed.
-The mobility of the saddle makes it awesome for freelance hunting or on trips to unknown properties.
-As with everything that has to do with hunting, the type of hunting system you use is ultimately based on your own hunting situation, goals, and personal preference. The Saddle is a tool that can be added to your hunting arsenal to increase your element of surprise and success rate.
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]-->
-It has completely changed the way I hunt, providing unsurpassed ease of use and mobility. When used properly the advantages it offers will without question increase the number of opportunities you receive and the likelihood of success dramatically.
GOOD HUNTING
John Eberhart
In the Wind.......
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timbikeride
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:21 am
- Location: WV
Re: tree saddle
I bought one but ended up selling it after one hunting trip. I found the saddle very uncomfortable after a couple hours. I had foot pegs, watched the video, read the reviews, etc., but it just didn't work for me. I also found out that I tended to fidget around more than I do in a standard tree stand.
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OkXbowHunter
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:37 am
- Location: Oklahoma
- Contact:
Re: tree saddle
Here's my review of it from two years ago. Still own it although didn't get a chance to use it last year. I'd buy another one if I had too!
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... le#p329564
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2 ... le#p329564
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. Gen 27:3-4