Overcoming My Fear of Heights: Practicing Bow Shooting with a Saddle

So glad I switched to saddle a couple years ago. Try adjusting your angle a little on that shot. Lean your upper body away from the tree more. Put the weight onto the tether with feet to tree and stretch away with upper body. Will make the shot easier once you get used to trusting your lines.

I remember the idea of hunting like that, 🤔(not no more ouch). Good luck 👍

I generally feel much safer in my saddle

Just something about being secured directly to the tree.

@Derek exactly what I said!

I won't miss that hike in with the climber. NOPE!

I’ve never used one, now I’m very intrigued!

Takes some getting used to, but like saddle hunting quite a bit. I like putting my knee on the tree. Helps make for a steadier shot at certain angles.

So , a ring of steps will also help , you be more comfortable. Good to see more ladies getting into the saddle

I was exactly the same way. Major fear of heights, only trusted a few stands and those were always the most bulky or expensive (summit, millennium, etc). I switched to a saddle 4 or 5 years ago now and it’s so rare that I get even a little nervous.

The hunting public have a great demonstration on YouTube about saddle positions should check out might help with behind shots I stand on my back latform backward with tether going over draw shoulder like seatbelt in car anchors you to tree

@Casey it’s the safest, lightest, and most comfortable, when you get in saddle shape, hunting system.

I love my saddles. I have 2, both from Tethrd. I shot the biggest buck of my life from my saddle, and honestly it was my saddle that I got the shot. I was in a decent size tree. I couldn’t get the bow over the hill. I was able to warm up my shoulder behind the tree, and got it drawn, the WACK. only took a few seconds and I heard the crash.

@David it’s much better to carry in the woods

@Brian thanks for the advice!

@Jostin I would think so, a climber is just a pain with some of the terrain here in northern Georgia.. Are these saddles easier to use? Easier to get up the tree?

@David it may seem confusing to use at first, but after watching videos and practicing with it, it becomes so easy. You’re supposed to use climbing sticks to go up the tree. Definitely not like a climber in a good way! I haven’t used one for a long period of time yet so I’m interested to see if I can last in it. Some people use knee pads so they can rest their knees onto the tree. I’m still new to it so I’m anxious to see how it goes! It does cost a good bit after you get everything, but what doesn’t anymore!

Thank you for that info. Will be sitting down after work and watching some videos. Not having to lug an additional 10-18lbs and just a set of sticks sounds like a great trade off. Looking forward to this new vertical adventure..

@David my total set up for saddle hunting is 11lbs. Way lighter than any stand set up. And the is my saddle, ropes, sticks to get 17ft into a tree and pack that I strap my sticks too.

@Stanley no doubt I used to be into that stuff before it got popular, then I got ran over & physically that's just a memory. 👍🏻🤙🏼

@Casey I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t hunt. Fishing and gardening are only past times compared to hunting. I’m looking to move, and one of my biggest considerations is how accessible are the elk in that state.

@Stanley no worries just gotta figure out how to go at it differently. Patience is key, less is more.

@David I saw a video on the "Ultimate One Stick" climbing method. I alree

@David *already shelled out money to make a saddle and bought sticks and a platform, but if I change setups again, I'll go straight to something like that for lowest weight possible.

Back when I did that I had a pair of climbing gaffes & a harness I would wear..sticks would definitely make it easier but much more to pack. 👍🏻good luck🤞🏻

Picked up the XOP renegade saddle this summer. Excited to hunt out of it this year. Going to hunt out of state and im really tall so a hang on stand just doesnt have enough leg room.