Stop hunting trees that look like utility poles, get yourself into a tree with a lot of branches, you'll have more to lean on and more to stand on.

I been hunting from the ground here in wv. For the past 3 years in a ghillie suite . Good lord lets me take deer easy from the ground. Closest deer i ever killed was 7 yards. And watching your videos got me on the ground. Thanks Bob. Your a blessing to all of us trad hunters..

There is so many great lessons in this video. I hope everyone watches it twice! Getting your system dialed in and finding what works and what doesnt for each person takes experiences and time just like you are showing here. Wont be long and you will have the perfect system dialed in again and the safety you are hoping for. Excellent video. We can feel the frustration in your voice. you are not alone. Been there.

Lotta people use a stand in combo with a saddle , small light stand I’ve never had my saddle squeak, I’ve killed a pile of deer out of mine with a long bow My average shot is 8-10 yards

I’m 61 and I hunt out of the buckshot Equalizer climber. It’s very comfortable and super stable. I have had a lot of climbers and I believe it’s the best! It’s 22 pounds and packs well with no noise. Give it a look! Already taken two deer this year with my bow out of my equalizer and a good buck day after thanksgiving with my rifle!

We'll it looks like you have plenty of advice on what you should do.i suffered a tree stand accident in 2011.Im still hunting out of stands. Use your safety harness and use those cheap light ladder stands at walmart. Their easy to move. Saddle hunting is expensive.Hunt the ground on the way in and out. You always talking about saveing money on things. You spend time scouting. Take time to move that stand. Your a good hunter. Enjoy your videos. Just one more advice to add to your list. Always praying for you

I've been wondering how you'd like that set up. I don't personally find Myself being comfortable. I've checked them out but I just can't picture me being comfortable in them

Hope you find a safe solution; I'll be right on it. If I fell and was hanging from a tree that's where they'll find me next year. I hunt alone and remote. If there was a safety rope going up that you could lower yourself down, I would be in a climber as little as I trust them. For now, I'll stick to the ground as usual.

@SM-eu5xl 0 seconds ago Robert, I’ve been using a very lightweight rock climbing harness in conjunction with a lock-on stand for over 15 years now. In my 30 years of bowhunting Whitetails, this has been far & away the safest, quietest & most comfortable set up I could ask for. I stand during prime time and sit through slow times of the hunts I’m on. Sitting keeps me still & stops me from fidgeting. I use a Kong Duck rope clamp on my safety line and it allows fast & quiet adjustment to the slack in the rope (think mechanical prussic knot) whenever I need it. You can keep the safety line attached to the tree while climbing and it is smooth as butter to run. You always stay attached to the tree when climbing and you get the benefits a comfortable lock on stand provides for long sits. You really should give it a try.

Go back to a lock-on stand and ladder steps. Use a safety harness and safety line. Zero percent chance of falling. Zero!!

The saddle is never comfortable. I move a lot in it and compensate by setting up with cover. Four years of trying to make it work and I’m finally just switching to a stand

I don’t know what saddle you got but I just started using the tethered workhorse and on my second set I killed a doe at 7 yds but my saddle hasn’t creeked I don’t wear a belt for my pants with it maybe if you do that might have been it I don’t know just a thought good luck to you in whatever direction you decide

Robert, I use a light weight hang [Beast Stand & sticks] with a rock climbing harness. For me, its the way to go. The beast platform is very light and quiet, and the rock climbing provides the safety aspect and ability to shoot behind me like a saddle platform. Its safe, rock solid, & quiet. I also made my own lineman rope to provide safety when climbing trees. I know the Beast Gear is priced at a premium but im sure theres something similar and better price point.

Robert, you experienced the classic dichotomy of a transitioning ground hunter. When you’re on the ground, you tend to look in trees and think that’s a great place to be. But when youy’re n a tree, you see a spot on the ground that looks great. It’s part of the process, friend. I’ve been past that transitioning phase for years and hunt exclusively from the ground and have become a lot more proficient at it. I remember those times that you’re now experiencing. Stick with ground hunting. It’ll get easier, and it’s 100 times safer and quieter.

Personally have nothing against saddles but I don’t believe anything is safer than a full harness and a lifeline. If you have a fall you can find yourself upside down with a low connection point. The torso is heavier than your legs. Don’t get me wrong, I know they are more comfortable, and quite safe, but I don’t see how they are safer than a full harness with a lifeline. But you also can’t go wrong with the ladder stand!

Great videos ,Robert ! I've been using a Black Diamond rock climbing harness for several years since watching Warren Womack's video on his climbing methods. It's by far the best method ! Everything hooks up right in front at waist level. No need for shoulder straps ! The only drawback I've found , with them, is that they come with gear loops, which is great, but they are not weight bearing ! I finally found one with side rings , that are weight bearing, which makes using your lineman belt easier while climbing and hanging the stand. Also, be sure the belt is wide and well padded ! It makes all the difference in the world !

I felt just defeated this afternoon. Its been a tuff season in South Georgia. But watching your videos is a reminder how blessed we are.

The xop holiday harness is really comfortable

It definitely takes some trial and error, it was very frustrating for me too at first, my last couple sits were good, did a couple sits in my hang on because thought i might give up on the saddle, my back and rear end was killing me ,no back support in the stand, have a back band for the saddle for leaning back and i can rest forward on the tehther,honestly i think the saddle can be more comfortable,iam 61 and safety is priority, i feel safer in the saddle should be priority for everyone, but have a friend that only uses a strap fom like the 80's, hard headed ,enjoy your channel content

I myself will stick to using a climber . I cant see myself being comfortable in a saddle at all .

Tether way too low, should be about forehead height

Mr. Robert don't give up just yet. I personally do not hunt with a saddle as I much prefer hunting from a lock-in stand. However, I do position my stand so that I am behind the tree from the deer movement area. I stand most of the time facing the tree and when I get tired of standing I simply turn around and sit for a while. I have taken numerous deer and hogs this way.

Good luck with that saddle, but I'll stick to the lockon and climbers. The saddle is a whole lot of trouble waiting to happen. Swing around on a tree like a squirrel, instead of being able to use the tree as a backdrop and have the deer in front of the tree, instead of behind it.

Check out what Jason uses for a safety harness. Also I use a lock on with my saddle so I can sit as well as stand, instead of a platform. Finally, saddles aren't always for everyone God bless Robert, don't give up.

The main problem i have with saddle hunting is carrying the sticks. I only hunt public, and need to be mobile. The sticks are awkward to carry and add weight. Ive mostly been ground hunting and leaving the saddle at home. Only used it once in the last 3 years, have shot bucks from the ground the last 4 seasons, just dont see much of a reason to use the saddle amymore.

I use a stand all the time with a saddle. Single stick or sticks to get up but I rappel down cause I despise climbing down in the dark!

They take time to get used . The more I used a saddle ,the easier it got and comfortable .

Use a lock on with a saddle. Easy pizy

Hey Robert, when we reach mature years the ground is a solid place to hunt. When I bow hunt, I do so out of a Torges tree seat. I made it and if I can build it anybody can because I don't work with wood. You can place the tree seat at any height. I also hunt out of the Waldrop PacSeat, originated by David Waldrop, a great guy. The turkey version was later created and I use it when I hunt with a gun. Give the Torges seat a try, it is light, quiet and perfect for ground hunting. Hunting from the ground is advantageous, as well, and a heck of a lot safer. Like you, I'm very mobile for 74. Climbing, no matter the style is out for me.

Hey, Robert. I saddle hunt 50 plus days a year. Couple things you might try is to raise your tether up around your chin and make your bridge as long as possible. It'll give you less hip pinch. It won't be so tight around your waist. Which may be your noise problem. I enjoy your videos, keep 'Em coming. Thanks.

Good stuff Robert. We DO have so so much to be thankful for!

What is a pond googin??

I just ordered a Dryad Killdeer harness for those same reasons. I have a few preset hang on stands in addition to dabbling with the saddle and still love my Summit Viper climber. I will be using that Dryad going forward with any preset hang ons and my climber going forward. I was looking at alot of Amazon specials, but I wanted the sewn in lineman's loops and belay loop and just couldn't find a knock off that measured up to that Killdeer harness. The few that had lineman's loops were metal and I realize those can be wrapped, but the belt clips and leg straps were another consideration for me. Killdeer is a little pricey, but the quality and design is there for the hunter in mind. It's safety and to potentially save our lives and give us the sense of security we need while elevated to focus on the hunt. They are on back order, but it let me place the order. RNA has 8mm tethers on sale and a fraction of the price of saddle companies so I went 8mm to keep the overall weight of my safety minimal. My Tethrd ropes are 11mm and I typically use a Ropeman1 on the tree tether rope. Going back to a prusik and lightweight Tethrd carabiner in conjunction with this Killdeer. Super light and should be super safe. I had invested in a Summit Pro 5 pt vest, but never took that weight and some restriction into consideration. I need more upper body freedom of movement shooting a longbow. No doubt one of the safest vests but it's more than what I need.

Been using a .75 all season..once its up its dandy..but takin it down in the dark..and packing up sticks every time..im going to try the new lone wolf crossover climber with a saddle for a second stand setup.. Climb quick..encounter a branch? Set in the saddle and move the climber over it and go some more..done hunting..repeal down with my 25 ft tether and use a string to slip it off when I'm down on the ground..im SiCK of blowing up spots packing up for eternity in the dark at the base of the tree..sometimes getting blown at..

For security, maybe use a decent fall protection harness. They make some that if you fall, you can bend your hips and get into a sitting position, without cutting off your blood supply by choking your arteries in your groin. Then use your favorite climber and keep the lanyard short enough, that you can remount your climber.

Robert, I hunted in a saddle for 3 years, then sold it and went back to a lock on style stand. I was never really comfortable in the saddle, yes it worked, but I had some issues with it. However, when I went back to a stand, I tried a Dryad Killdeer harness. It’s kind of a cross between a saddle, lineman’s belt, and rock climbing harness.

Get a summit climbing stand it’s the safest most comfortable stand ever made been using them for 30 + years I have2

Happy Thanksgiving brother

No,no way I'm hunting on the ground I got that waldrop pack seat easy easy ground and pound love it 🦌

To me a good climbing stand as long as you are hunting from trees that are climbable is as safe as anything since you can stay secured to the tree at all times.

Im a big chicken of heighs but a tree walker climber is rock solid

Southpaw here. I have been using my saddle for years getting into treestands set up for righthanded. If I get a little tired, I loosen up, turn around, and sit down. Good luck!!

Robert, great video! May have been your boot squeak on the platform since it was wet. Also, stand straight up on your platform when getting set up and move your tether height up to even with your nose make your bridge short and tether long. You'll find that its much easier to get into position to shoot regardless of where the deer is. You can go from leaning to sitting with knees against the tree very easily and with minimal movement

I'm 71 and still doing saddle hunting takes practice. I count my blessings everyday

Been saddle hunting on and off since the early 90s. The key is finding a saddle that fits you well and is adjustable to avoid hip pinch. Then getting it adjusted to your preference for comfort. It can take a while and it can be a PITA. Its like everything else: it has good and bad things and its not the end all be all. The older I get, the tougher saddle hunting gets. Whatever you do, please make sure you have stopper knots in every rope you have. No big game animal is worth more than your life.

Sure like the looks of a Hill style bow, it’s like the Harley Davidson Road King of bows in my opinion. Trying to get good information is hard and all over the place. There is nowhere to handle them so that adds to the difficulty. From what I have read so far the Northern Mist Classic is at the top of my considerations.

I feel for you Robert, I totally understand the feet, knees, hips, joints and lower back and having to move. I still believe that a good quality hang on with a great harness set up where you can sit comfortably and feel safe. Being miserable simply sucks, scaring off game does as well. I know and understand getting high, I love it and if it wasn't for ladder stands, I couldn't do it but they are not easily moved. I had a screw in step break 14 feet up one time in the dark, totally by the Grace of God that I didn't break my back. Even hang ons can have cables break, I had one to so I began replacing them every two or three years. attach a rappelling rope to the tree for added safety if needed. Good luck Robert, or better yet, ask for wisdom and guidance to a safer better hunting set up.

Won’t catch me in a saddle…. Too many stupid ropes and crap.

I think with your skill level and short rages the ground is your best bet. I’m 66 and use the Millennium M300 tree seat. Keeps me off the ground and very mobile. If wind changes direction no problem. Can relocate in seconds

Robert IMO Jason setup is the best of both worlds using a lock on with John Tuckers harness with a prusic knot and carabiner. You can adjust it like a saddle. Saddles are not made to sit on a seat and take the load off the tether that's dangerous!!! With Jason's LM belt you can climb and use your tether at the same time always attached to the tree and if you want to saddle hunt just turn around and adjust the prusic on your tether best of both worlds!!!