How to Shoot a Traditional Bow from a Saddle

[@TinesandTrailsOutdoors]

My lord, I have mad respect for anyone who hunts with a traditional bow. This is next level respect for those who do it from a saddle as well! I tip my cap to you. We enjoy your videos, keep up the grind.

[@jesseherbert2585]

Been watching you as I have time for years. You are an outstanding communicator and practitioner of these arts. Folks like you are the quiet masters who help humanity keep it together when so many distractions could send us off the ledges. Hats off, thanks again and I'm sure I speak for many when I say you are amoung the giants many stand on the shoulders of...

[@DIYSportsman]

Thank you! Very kind words.

[@MrNutmeghunter]

Great video. Most the things you covered I has to learn myself every time I got in the saddle. I shoot a Kodiak Hunter and cant to about 45 degrees. My arrow always lifted off the shelf because of bad draw. What I found where the two main things that help in addition to the extra step on the other side of tree was to keep a low short tetther. Thanks!

[@djkilpatrick5256]

It’s definitely tough, for me anyhow, hunting out of a saddle with the longbow. I do really like hunting out of the saddle though. But switched back to hang on stand while using the longbow. Keep up the nice videos !

[@davidsmith2358]

How did you loop your tether after you had it around the tree

[@Saundersstrong]

WOW! This was epic and coverd everything I was wondering about . Last year was my first season hunting out of the saddle with my recurve and the deer never seem to come out where you imagine them to pop out. Do you find it harder hunting in your saddle with a long bow ? I was thinking of switching it up and using my 72' inch LB.

[@DIYSportsman]

My main longbow is 64", though I have another that's 68" and I can still shoot it like this with a caveat... if you need an extreme cant to keep your eye over the arrow due to a lack of centershot, that could make it tougher for your top limb to have clearance from the tree. If you shoot with a closer to vertical bow, it's likely fine.

[@davidmcguinness9187]

Thanks for the video

[@timeintheoutdoors]

Nice video as always. How are you enjoying the insta360 X2 camera vs the One R? What mic system are you using? I’m using the DJI mic now and got the RS 1” for the low light performance. Cheers and keep up the great content.

[@DIYSportsman]

I'm on the fence about the One X2. Sometimes it'll stop recording, and of course it's not quite on the same level as the One R 1". I've actually been contemplating getting an old GoPro Max to pair with their The Remote so I could run it and a couple gopro 10s simultaneously with the touch of a button. I'm keeping tabs on newer ones like the Qoocam 3 and rumors of the Max 2. I use the Rode Videomic Go II for videos like this. It has always worked flawlessly. And then on hunts I usually use just the Sony ECM-b10 plugged right into the hot shoe of my main camera.

[@joedavino9225]

I have heard about saddles but never looked into it so I know nothing about it at all . Do u have to stand all day it looks like it would be very uncomfortable. Can u hunt all day up there like a climber or so I get sore

[@DIYSportsman]

Most of my time is actually spend sitting in the saddle with my knees up against or straddling the tree, particularly on an all day sit. Even when standing its more like leaning against a table than it is truly standing. And if you drop down into a sitting position it takes most of the weight off the feet. Often guys will then put a strap around their back so they can lean back and have support as well for longer sits.

[@osbornoutdoors8778]

What additional steps do you prefer?

[@DIYSportsman]

I like the packability of the bullman platform steps, the treehopper steps when on the tree, and then I've been experimenting with some of my own design as well.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@mikeparrish8897]

That’s a lot of good stuff! Just curious, what height do you like to hunt? I know it’s situation dependent but I like 15’-18’. I feel like any lower and I get busted more and any higher the shot angle gets too extreme.

[@DIYSportsman]

Yea I definitely feel like I can get away with more being 15'+ generally vs below it, but like you said often cover dictates the setup. Early season I'm often no higher than 12' becuase of shooting lanes with the foliage and then hunt higher once the leaves drop. Often 18-22

[@OutdoorswithTex]

Sir, I currently use 3 timber ninja C1s, a predator, a phantom saddle and pack it in a Eberlestock X2. With the lockdown saddle having pockets big enough for one sticking rope, I'm considering ditching the pack all together and using lockdown, ultimate one stick and a bino harness. The idea of not needing a pack and just carrying everything on my person sounds amazing. You are the king of gear and techniques. I'm a pretty competent climbing and 180lbs. Do you think I will be pleased making this transition or do you think I will miss multi stick climbing and my platform. I scout 90pct of the time and usually only sit 3-4 hours.

[@OutdoorswithTex]

I know for your application you have to consider additional gear to film.

[@DIYSportsman]

I've on many occasions thought that without filming gear, I could get by without a pack. Especially for early season. With an ultimate one stick, I'd still carry a ring of steps in the pouch personally if skipping a platform. I can fit several bullman style steps on a rachet in one of the lockdown pouches. What you'd be giving up is some flexibility on awkward leaning and/or limby trees, both in climbing and having a level platform. Now, what you could do with your stick is to mount it to the back of the saddle between the pouches with a QD mount. That's how Carl Kossuth carries in his single stick. Then he carries minimalist filming gear in the pouches along with his rapel rope. In your case you could obviously skip the filming gear. Now, what I find is that when it gets cold enough to need to carry in extra clothes, it is often logistically easier to use a small pack anyway. Stuff jacket, extra hat, etc in pack and clip platform/stick to the outside. I also am not a huge fan of the yoke with extra upper body layers, but it's easy to remove. If you're usually hunting in what you wear in, I do think you could get by without a pack.

[@thistledewoutdoors3331]

You need to make a Tipi hot tent out of Dyneema and also make a titanium stove for us viewers !!!!!!!!!

[@michaelmanthey9858]

Thankyou

[@dougtestrake6488]

Is that a homemade kneepad?

[@DIYSportsman]

Yes, it's some foam from a cheap ground pad, old tethrd knushion prototype and a layer of carbon fiber.