The Beginner's Guide to Saddle Hunting

A Time-Tested Method for the Modern Hunter

While saddle hunting strategy might feel like it’s just the latest of many new, popular trends, we can say that it has caught on because of its merits and the proven success this method has shown over the decades. Saddle hunting is nothing new; pioneers of the sport were using early versions of these systems to hunt pressured whitetails long before it became mainstream.

So, why the recent explosion in popularity? The answer is directly tied to the rise of the modern mobile hunter. With a growing interest in tackling the challenge of public land, savvy bowhunters have realized that deer pattern them just as quickly as they pattern the deer. This has led to a new mantra: “First sit, best sit”. This constantly shifting style requires either many, many treestands, or a system that is ultralight, quiet, and versatile enough to set up in virtually any tree, and that’s precisely where the saddle shines.

For those new to the concept, the initial cost of a quality saddle kit can cause some sticker shock. We like to think that when you consider one good, comfortable saddle and a single set of climbing sticks can replace an unlimited number of fixed treestand sets, the long-term value becomes crystal clear. You are no longer buying a stand for every potential spot; you’re buying one system that allows you to hunt essentially any tree you want, any time you want.

The Essential Gear Breakdown: Building Your System

At its core, a saddle hunting setup is a modular system you build to suit your specific hunting style. While you can add countless accessories, every safe and effective setup is built on four critical components.

• The Saddle: This is the harness that supports the majority of your weight.
• The Platform: A small, lightweight perch for your feet to stand on at hunting height.
• The Climbing Method: Your way of getting up the tree, most commonly lightweight climbing sticks.
• The Ropes: You need two essential ropes—a Tether that connects you to the tree at hunting height and a Lineman's Belt that keeps you safely attached while you climb.

Choosing Your Saddle: Understanding the Options

Not all saddles are created equal. The market has evolved to offer several distinct styles, each with its own advantages.

• Single-Panel Saddles: These saddles are defined by their lightweight and simple construction. Often the most budget-friendly option on the market, a single-panel saddle is a great choice if you're not yet sure what you are looking for.
• Pleated Saddles: A pleated saddle is essentially a single-panel design with an "expansion chamber" that unfolds to increase the size of the seat for enhanced comfort. While they are known for being comfortable, they are not typically the most compact or packable.
• Two-Panel Saddles: Offering the best of both worlds, two-panel saddles are a popular option. They are designed to be extremely compact for the hike in but can be separated in the tree to deliver the enhanced comfort of a larger saddle. This design also provides an extra dimension of adjustability, as it allows you to independently adjust the location of the top and bottom support panels to perfectly fit your body type.

Don't Forget These Essentials

Beyond the core four pieces of gear, there are two more that many seasoned saddle hunters will recommend for increased comfort and efficiency.

• Knee Pads: Since saddle hunters sit facing the tree with their knees often resting against the trunk, a good pair of quiet knee pads is crucial for comfort on long sits. More importantly, being able to comfortably put a knee into the tree for a shot can help a great deal in improving stability and therefore accuracy, making them a key piece of gear for effective shooting.
• Dump Pouches: Many beginners think they can just keep their ropes in a backpack, but experienced hunters will tell you that's a mistake. Dump pouches are specifically designed to carry your ropes quietly and allow for easy, one-handed access while climbing or setting up. Some hunters even prefer to use two pouches to avoid having one that is heavy, disorganized, and overstuffed. 

Your First Steps: A Safe and Confident Learning Plan

A saddle system is an incredible tool, but confidence only comes with practice. The key to a successful and enjoyable experience is to take the time to learn your gear in a safe, controlled environment. Rushing the process is the biggest mistake a new saddle hunter can make. Follow this simple, phased approach to build the skills and muscle memory you need to hunt with absolute confidence.

The Golden Rule

Before we go any further, let's establish the single most important piece of advice for any aspiring saddle hunter. We can't stress this enough:

Do not buy a saddle and then take it to the woods to hunt out of it without first getting to really know. Your first time using the system should never be on an actual hunt.

Step 1: Ground School

Before you even head outside, your learning begins indoors. When you get your kit, read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and watch their tutorial videos. Take the time to understand how every buckle, strap, and rope functions before you ever put weight on it. This foundational knowledge is the first step to becoming safe and efficient.

Step 2: Backyard Practice (Low & Slow)

Your first hands-on practice should be in your backyard on a safe, healthy tree. Lock your platform on the tree at a height of maybe a foot above the ground. At this low height, you can practice adjusting your saddle, leaning back, and letting it hold your weight.

Don’t be discouraged if it feels strange or uncomfortable at first. You probably aren’t going to be comfortable the first time you lean back into the saddle. This low-stakes environment is the perfect place to learn how to make those adjustments without the feeling of dangling over an abyss.

Step 3: Master the Climb

Once you’re comfortable trusting the saddle close to the ground, it’s time to practice the full climbing process. Head back to your practice tree and pair your saddle with your climbing sticks. Attach your first stick, and then use your lineman’s belt to keep you secure and safe the whole way up the tree.

Treat this as a dress rehearsal. Practice the entire setup multiple times without the pressure of an actual hunt. This will help you get comfortable with the climbing motion and understand the overall system. 

Step 4: Practice Your Shot

The final piece of the puzzle is practicing your shot from an elevated position in the saddle. No matter your weapon of choice, you will have to learn a few new shooting positions, and almost none of them will feel comfortable at first. If you aren't confident in your saddle, you will have a tough time maintaining proper shooting form. This confidence comes directly from practice, practice, practice.

Practicing your shot from the saddle will not only help you understand your effective range from different positions, but it will also help you envision how to set up in the woods hunting for real.

In the Tree

Once you are comfortable with your gear, it’s time to learn the techniques that make saddle hunting such a deadly, effective method. It’s more than just sitting in a tree; it’s about using the tree and your position to your advantage.

The Stance

Unlike in a traditional treestand where your back is to the tree, as a saddle hunter, you hunt FACING the tree. This is a fundamental shift in strategy that offers a massive advantage. It allows you to use the trunk of the tree as cover, breaking up your outline and keeping you better hidden from approaching game. When a deer is in view, you remain concealed behind the tree, only swinging out to the side at the last moment to take the shot.

Mastering the 360-Degree Shot

One of the biggest advantages of a saddle is the ability to shoot 360 degrees around the tree, but this requires understanding how to position yourself for shots in every direction.

• Your Strong Side: Smart hunters always try to set up where the most likely shot will be on their strong side. For a right-handed shooter, this means setting up so the deer will appear anywhere to your left. Shots in front of you and to your entire left side are incredibly easy to make with minimal movement.
• The Weak-Side Shot: What about that tricky shot to your right (for a righty)? While some hunters use a large pivot maneuver, some argue that it involves too much movement when a deer is close. A more concealed and stable method involves a specific setup that turns your platform and top climbing stick into a hybrid system.
1. The Setup: When climbing, intentionally leave your top climbing stick at the same exact height as your platform. Place that stick as far around the other side of the tree as you can reach, ideally close to 180 degrees. This effectively turns your setup into a platform and a step, giving you two very different but solid foot positions.
2. The Maneuver: When a deer approaches on your weak side, use the tree as a visual blocker and follow these steps:

• • • As the animal moves into position, slowly and deliberately move one foot from your platform over to the top step of your climbing stick.
    • Once your foot is secure, you can square your body up on the step, allowing you to turn for the shot.
    • This allows you to draw your bow and make the shot while keeping the tree trunk between you and the animal, keeping you covered the whole time.

Safety First, Always: Core Principles of Saddle Hunting

When used properly, saddle hunting is an incredibly safe way to hunt from an elevated position, arguably even safer than a traditional treestand. This enhanced safety comes from a different philosophy and a set of core principles that every saddle hunter ought to follow.

The "Double Connected" Rule

Almost all treestand falls happen when a hunter is transitioning into or out of the stand. The saddle hunting system virtually eliminates this risk with one non-negotiable rule: always stay double connected during this critical phase. Before you ever step onto your platform, you should attach your tether to the tree ahead of time. At that point, you are safely connected by both your lineman’s belt and your primary tether. This double connection at the most crucial time can save your life. Once you are securely on your platform and your weight is settled into your tether, only then should you remove your lineman’s belt.

Prevent a Fall, Don't Catch a Fall

There is a key philosophical difference between a saddle and a conventional safety harness. A treestand harness is designed to catch a fall after it has already happened. In contrast, saddles are designed to prevent a fall from ever happening in the first place. The system is designed to keep you safely tethered and stable under constant tension, making a catastrophic fall virtually impossible as long as the gear is used correctly.

Demand Third-Party Testing

Your life depends on the integrity of your gear. Before you buy, make sure the manufacturer uses 3rd party testing for ALL of their life-support equipment, including saddles, ropes, platforms, and climbing sticks. Without verified testing in a certified engineering facility, you are exposing yourself to an unknown level of risk.

Pre-Hunt Inspection

Finally, safety is an ongoing responsibility. You must inspect all your life-support items before every single hunt. Carefully check your saddle, ropes, and webbing for any cuts, tears, excessive abrasions, or anything else that could compromise the strength of your gear. No deer is worth getting seriously hurt over.

Tips from the Field

Sometimes the best advice comes from those who have already gone through the learning curve. We’ve gathered some of the most common "I wish I knew" tips from seasoned saddle hunters to help you get dialed in faster.

• Consider Lighter Ropes: While the standard 11mm ropes are solid, some hunters eventually switch to 8mm or 9mm ropes. They are significantly less bulky and fit much better into dump pouches, making your whole system more streamlined.
• Mechanical Ascenders: While a Prusik knot is a reliable, time-tested friction hitch, many saddle hunters find them to be annoying. Upgrading to a mechanical ascender (like a Ropeman) makes rope adjustments significantly faster, quieter, and easier to do with one hand.
• Plan Your Layering System: Remember that mobile hunting is hard labour. You are going to break a sweat on the walk in and during your climb, even in cold weather. Have a layering system that allows you to walk in and climb without overheating. A good pack is key, as you will need to store those layers and then quietly put them back on once you’re in your perch and begin to cool down.

Gear Up, Practice, and Hunt with Confidence

Saddle hunting is a highly effective, mobile, and safe method for the modern hunter, but success doesn't come from just buying the gear—it comes from the time you invest in learning your system. Confidence in the field is a direct result of familiarity gained through practice. By choosing the right equipment, following a safe learning plan, and mastering the techniques, you will open up a new world of hunting possibilities.

Assembling your first kit can seem daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. At Broken Arrow Outfitters, we're your knowledgeable guide on your hunting journey. Our expert staff live and breathe this stuff daily, and we are here to provide tailored advice and a hands-on feel for top-tier saddles and gear. Stop by the shop anytime to get professionally fitted, have all your questions answered, and walk out with a personalized system you can be confident in for years to come!

Get your saddle hunting equipment today!