Saddle Hunting 101

1. Pre-Climb Prep & Smart Gear Packing

• The One-Trip Rule: At the base of the tree, unpack your gear and put your backpack on your back. Attach all your climbing sticks, platform, and bow pull-up rope directly to yourself or your saddle so you only need to ascend once.

• Teeth Outward: When hanging extra climbing sticks from your saddle loops, ensure the teeth face outward away from your body so they do not gouge into you during the climb.

• Platform Placement: Clip your platform toward the back of your saddle using its integrated clip so it stays completely out of your way until needed.

2. Climbing Stick & Aider Setup

• Align Your Aiders: If using aiders (such as a double aider), attach them to the bottom leg of the stick using the d-loops. Make sure the aider teeth face the same direction as the stick teeth.

• The High-Rope Wrap Technique: When attaching your stick rope around the tree, angle the rope high above the attachment bracket rather than level with it. Pulling it tight at an upward angle prevents the stick from sagging or sliding 4 to 6 inches when weighted.

• Lock It & Tuck It: Weave the attachment rope through the locking teeth to create an X / figure-eight pattern across four points. Always tuck loose rope tails back into the center teeth to keep your climbing line clean and silent.

• Smart Spacing & Load Testing: Stand on the lower step of your current stick while setting the next one to maintain comfortable step spacing. Before stepping onto any stick, apply firm downward pressure with your hand to verify it is solidly set.

3. Safety First: The Lineman's Belt

• Ground-Level Connection: Always attach your lineman's belt around the tree and connect it to the fluorescent orange lineman's loops on your saddle before taking your very first step off the ground.

• Navigating Tree Limbs: If tree branches block your path while climbing, attach your tree tether above the limb as a secondary anchor before unclipping your lineman's belt. Using the two systems in tandem ensures you remain 100% attached at all times.

4. Setting & Camming Your Platform

• Shooting Lane Alignment: Set your platform based on your shooting orientation. For a right-handed shooter, positioning the platform to the left side of the tree provides a comfortable shooting arc spanning from the 12:00 to 6:00 positions.

• Camming Into the Bark: Position the platform slightly above your top stick for an easy step up. Hold the platform and cleat at a slight upward angle, wrap the attachment rope high around the tree trunk, pull it tight, and then cam the platform down firmly to lock the cleats into the bark. Wrap and tuck the rope tail out of the wind.

5. Transitioning to the Tether

• Eye-Level Tethering: Once positioned on your platform, wrap your tree tether around the trunk at eye level or higher. Connect the carabiner to both sides of your saddle bridge.

• Transfer Weight: Gradually shift your weight into the tether until it fully supports you and tension is removed from the lineman’s belt. Once the tether is bearing your weight, disconnect one side of the lineman’s belt and secure it in a designated saddle dump pouch. At this point, you are safely transitioned to the tether and ready to begin hunting.

6. The Reversed Descent & Pack-Out

• Pack Gear First: When the hunt ends, pack away your loose gear into your backpack before unclipping anything from the tree.

• Re-Attach Lineman's Belt First: Always attach your lineman's belt to the tree and take your weight back onto it before loosening or detaching your tether.

• Stow Your Tether Immediately: The moment your tether is unclipped, stow it directly into your saddle pocket so it isn't accidentally left behind in the tree.

• Sequential Breakdown: Descend the tree while working your lineman's belt downward, unhooking the platform and sticks as you go. At the base of the tree, detach your lineman's belt and pack up all ropes and sticks neatly for the hike out.

The key to safe and efficient saddle hunting is practice. Spend time at ground level until every step of your setup becomes second nature. By mastering a smooth, single-trip ascent and staying connected to the tree at all times, you'll hunt more confidently and focus on what matters most. For any other questions about saddle hunting, visit your local SCHEELS to talk with a Hunting Expert.