Learning Tree Saddle Hunting
The walk to the tree was quiet and uneventful, just about a quarter-mile up a dirt road. I turned to my cousin and said I’d head north to find a tree. I didn’t have a particular reason for choosing that spot, but I figured it was worth a shot. Following a set of deer tracks, I found myself at the side of a hill. I picked a random tree and decided it was time to put my saddle to the test in real conditions.
Preparing in the Basement
Before heading out on this trip, I’d spent some time testing my saddle in my basement. I really wanted to have a warm and fuzzy feeling about tree saddle hunting before I really tried it in a tree. I practiced attaching my climbing sticks, securing my tether, and getting comfortable hanging from the saddle. This dry run allowed me to troubleshoot a few minor issues, like adjusting my lineman’s rope for easier climbing and figuring out the best way to attach my platform. Those basement sessions gave me the confidence to try the system in the field and made the process much smoother when it really counted.
Setting Up in the Field
Once I reached the tree, I placed my pack on the ground, strapped on my saddle, and pulled out my climbing sticks. I attached a pull rope to my bag and saddle to haul my gear up once I was in position. As I prepared to attach the first climbing stick, I realized I’d mounted it too high—an annoying but minor mistake. After repositioning the stick, I wrapped my lineman's rope around the tree and climbed onto the first step. It felt a little sketchy at first, but my basement practice paid off, and I got the hang of it quickly. One by one, I attached the other sticks and made my way up the tree.
Once I reached my intended height, I secured my platform and hangers and pulled my bag up with the rope. I attached my tether and settled into the saddle. It felt good, but I noticed I was swinging slightly to the side. The tree's angle and the platform’s position were to blame, so I made a mental note to account for that next time. Overall, I felt comfortable and settled in for the next few hours.
Cold Weather Challenges
As temperatures dropped and snow began to pile up, I started to feel the cold seep in. I also questioned whether I was high enough in the tree. Although I had used all four climbing sticks, being on the downhill side of a hill made me feel exposed. From my vantage point, it seemed like a deer walking along the trail I was watching might end up at eye level with me.
Despite the cold and lack of activity, I reminded myself that this outing wasn’t about harvesting a deer. My main goal was to test the saddle and get comfortable with it. After a few hours without any sign of deer, I decided to call it a day and head back to the cabin.
An Unexpected Success at the Cabin
Our "cabin" isn’t exactly a cabin—it’s more like a blind with shooting windows. My cousin and I hung out there until nearly dark, chatting and watching the woods. As the light faded, a deer walked out in front of us. My cousin quickly loosed an arrow, making a perfect shot on what we thought was a doe. The deer ran about 30 yards before dropping.
When we reached it, we realized it was actually a small button buck. While it wasn’t what we’d expected, we were still thrilled. Success is success.
Reflecting on the Experience
Although I didn’t personally harvest a deer, I consider this trip a huge success. Testing my saddle in the basement beforehand made the learning curve in the field much easier to manage. Once in the tree, I learned how to use my saddle under real conditions and was impressed with how comfortable and functional it was.
There’s still a lot to learn and perfect, but I feel confident that this new system will play a vital role in helping me harvest a buck next season. Every trip into the woods teaches you something new, and this one was no exception. I’m excited to continue refining my skills and putting them to the test.
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