Hybrid Saddle Hunting: Is it the Best of Both Worlds?

In this video I discuss the pros and cons of hybrid saddle hunting. I define hybrid saddle hunting as hunting from a traditional tree stand (in this case a LWCG .5) with a tree saddle.

[@OutdoorsAllie]

I've found the hybrid approach to be very cumbersome and awkward. Had to try it purely out of curiosity! Thanks for the video!

[@johndykstra3447]

I'll leave a hang on stand on trees that I regularly hunt. It's not "mobile hunting" but it is effective and comfortable. Stand is already in the tree and I'll use a preset paracord to pull my rope up and SRT up to it. On places I'm really lazy, I'll also leave a set of climbing sticks in place with a rope already in place for SRT. It's easy and safe to climb the sticks and take up slack with my GriGri+ as I go, so there's no slack as climbing and zero risk of a fall. Could just use the stand, but I'm more comfortable with the saddle as a safety harness and the tether over my shoulder as Sara Fay Lawton said. I find it more controllable than a typical safety vest that tethers behind your neck and more secure for taking different shot angles. For true mobile hunting I like the Lone Wolf seat top for a platform, or even better an appropriately placed limb to put my feet on.

[@Rooster_king]

Saddle hunting was born out of a minimalist approach which appealed to me right away. I've been hunting out of one for 4 years now climbing with one stick and a small platform. I bought a LWCG stand when they first came out 2 years ago and have yet to hunt out of it once. Considered selling it but I'm gonna keep it just in case my son wants to hunt out of it when he gets older. Although he's 12 now and would rather go minimalist too and so the LWCG stand may just be a dust collector. BTW I just upgraded my saddle to a CGM Cobra and wow what a comfortable saddle at a low price.

[@bubbaboulware3610]

Hybrid seems to be a worst of both worlds vs best of both that it aims to be. I started saddle hunting last year due to primarily hunting public land and it was great. Using the tree for concealment definitely played a big role in being able to harvest my deer late in the season when foliage was minimal. The one thing I missed was having knee pads or a cushion which has been remedied for this season. Another great video, Spencer.

[@Kjklump]

Yeah, I'd agree it seems like the worst of both. Extra weight if you're a saddle hunter, not very stable platform. Then if you use it as a tree stand the saddle isn't optimal as a fall arrest system. Hell how many are actually shock load tested. A few I know of. Extra line out when you're sitting. Just seems like answer to a question nobody was asking. Saddles and tree stand are both great for different situations.

[@Diesel4242]

I started hunting from an old Wind Walker stand with my two-panel saddle and one stick. I’m 6’ 225 lbs and I’m very comfortable with this setup. It allows multiple positions.

[@geoffjenkins4633]

Any tips? I'll be doing the same this season with a Novix Helo and Treehopper Recon (or RCH).

[@Diesel4242]

@@geoffjenkins4633 The main thing is to practice with your setup on a few different size trees and get your system down before going on an actual hunt. This will save you from having to back up and punt during your valuable hunting time. I use the Eberlestock F1 Mainframe pack with the bat wings. You will enjoy having the option to turn around and actually sit down on your stand every now and then. It really does make it easier for a longer sit. I also plan on hanging some older, heavier stands in some of the places that I hunt regularly, since I already have them lying around.

[@it_is_finished]

Spencer, I really appreciate your enthusiasm with your videos. You do a great job!

[@charlesjones9276]

Chuck Jones here Spence, I am fairly new to saddle hunting, started last year and I have tried a lot of different things. To date the best thing I have come up with is a BOB one stick and a ring of steps from Bullman Outdoors . I like this set up because you are very concealed keeping the tree between you and the deer and it’s light . I have a Cruzr Archon saddle. I enjoy your videos.

[@danielfunk7769]

I have a .5 I used mine this way. I am 4 years into saddle hunting, and really there is no wrong way, just what’s best for you. I like this setup for all day sits. Still experimenting with in in late season, so far really like it over platform.

[@danielsmith8659]

I’ve never seen a lwcg .5 in person. “8:36” of you4 video with one boot sideways on the platform really puts it into perspective

[@KS-ud8pg]

I personally tried saddles for 2 seasons. Went back to a hang on last season and think that I only use a saddle on occasion.

[@pop4725]

I was considering the LWCG until I saw the flex in the video … gonna stay with the Predator XL

[@arthurcarstens]

Hunted last season in the saddle found myself sitting about 80% of the time. After 5 or 6 hours even with a pad for my knees they still ached also I still had to maintain a certain amount of leg pressure to stay in that position without swinging around like a yoyo Got a Beast Stand and will be hybriding with the saddle this season. In the seated position I can relax/move my legs/feet easily thus reducing the stress on them. Looking to do more "all day" sits this season farther back in the woods Like you said if I don't like it the Beast Stand will sell quickly I don't think that will be the case

[@sarafayelawton652]

Good video for consideration. I have been saddle hunting for 2 seasons, and love it. But this spring, I bought a Novix Helo. My idea is to sit in the Helo using the saddle as my safety harness with the tether over my shoulder. I don't see using other than my Predator platform if I'm strictly saddle hunting. Thanks again

[@jhuntley575]

Tactasaddle and .5 has been my go to hybrid set up but really like the idea of trying the cgm sidewinder.

[@wk9953]

I really like the new tbw and tactisaddle harness. It's a rock climbing style harness that allows full movement and is in my opinion the ultimate way to mobile hunt deer

[@wk9953]

I have severe arthritis and the saddles alone absolutely destroy me and make me hurt so bad. I also feel so mich better hunting off of a stand and allows me to shoot better

[@asdfkhieee]

My mission straps to my backpack so easily. Super easy to carry in and out

[@bradwhitney4017]

Great video!

[@bowhuntingsoul2149]

Good video Spencer

[@tomnolan2186]

Just did my first hybrid hunt today! Using the Tethrd phantom, one sticking and rappelling down . But in the stand I'm 100 percent use it as a stand. When I was full time saddle hunting I found myself moving around too much. Plus I had a hard time doing the weakside shot in the saddle. I'm going to do the hybrid all next season. That's the plan now at least.

[@douglastschida743]

I USE THE SIDEWINDER SADDLE WITH A NVX HALO. REPLACING BOTTOM STRAP WITH BULLMAN STRAP AND 2-3 BULLMAN PLATFORM STEPS FOR MORE STABILITY IF BLOCKING OR ROTATING.

[@travispham8047]

Spencer! Just wanted to note that flipping the seat to use as a kneepad only works for taller guys! I tried that but being a dwarf my knee hit the edge of the seat! Haha

[@denzerjeremy]

Miss your videos!!

[@voiceforthevoicelesstruth5480]

I use my saddle and my top section of the summit open shot I converted a platform onto for a mini climber now it’s slick way lighter

[@pathfinder5804]

So I'm new to saddle hunting but not to saddle usage. I worked as an arborist for 8yrs and saddles are very comfortable to me. Took the jump into saddle hunting last yr and really like it for gun/crossbow but regular bow has been a challenge for me to get comfortable shooting from them. I always feel my forms off and that I'm not stable. Thought about the hybrid version like you showed (I have an old school Loc-on Windwalker)and think if your gonna go to it the .5 is one of the only choices that makes sense. I don't like or see the benefit of large platforms for saddle hunting as they are almost as big as a .5. So after hunting out of a saddle I think if your gonna go from a saddle then use the saddle with a smallish platform. My thoughts on a hybrid setup was to use a significantly cheaper option for a saddle and buy a $50 dollar arborist saddle off amazon that with be more stream lined and tighter to the body. I'm assuming if your using a hybrid it may be cuz you want a break from the smaller seats on the .5. These cheaper harnesses will allow that and sitting in them for 30-45min is really easy and should give you the break your looking for. I just don't see the reason why a huge platform would be used if it's mobility your after but also see the benefits of a small stand for the stability. Luv my windwalker and think they were 25yrs+ ahead of the game but my reason for saddle hunting is almost all trees are in play with a saddle and with a stand they aren't and with my windwalker the adjustments aren't there like they are on the .5.

[@maxmorris7025]

I use a hang on and a saddle rig. I like versatility and the sale doesn't add much carry weight

[@stick__shooter]

What I really want is a safe, sturdy, solid option for a climber platform for my saddle so I can ditch the sticks.

[@geoffjenkins4633]

I'm trying a stand again this year precisely because I found myself moving too much in the saddle last season. Love my saddle 1stick setup, just need to figure out how to get more comfortable in it so I can be still. For the hybrid, ideally I'll use a RCH and 1stick to height, hang stand and go, rappel out. Flat monarch + ROS, tree hopper recon, novix helo.

[@tomnolan2186]

I just went to this also. I was one sticking/rappelling which I love and will see continue to do. But now I will use my new xop vanish with one sticking up and rappelling down. Tried it for the first time today. Loved it. Reason I'm getting away from hunting with the saddle is I moved too much and was get busted plus I couldn't do the weakside shot that good. I personally sit with less movement in the hang on.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@BriarJumper]

I use a saddle and platform, plus a wild edge step, perch and cushion that I sit on. Kind of hybrid but not as bulky...

[@11tylerray]

That’s an awesome idea. I always wondered about a good minimal seat. How’s the comfort of the seat?

[@BriarJumper]

@@11tylerray it's ok for a while, not for all day. I just strapped on a cheap Wally world foam pad. If you cut a larger softer pad I'm sure it would be nicer. I feel like a trapped rat in the tree and switch from sitting to standing to leaning. Also it's good if your wind switches and you have to hunt from what was your back.

[@bradbishop-atfulldraw7491]

Been flirting with this as well but came to the same conclusion with too much metal and the cables definitely an issue. I use the LW hand climber seat

[@mikelawson919]

I know you've done the JX3 review but that's the best of both worlds

[@robertlocke7711]

I have thought about this with gun season. One stick up tree stand all day the repeal down. All day a tree stand would be nice. Bow 4 hours here there my preference is one stick an a ring of steps to hide behind tree but gun not as important.

[@LIFEONTHELINE-xn8gs]

Have you seen my hybrid stand? It is in video (One Stixing like a BOSS)? If not plz watch n let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks

[@jeremymoore9601]

Defeats the purpose of a soft ultralight system

[@chadreid1068]

I one stick with the EWO ultimate slick no reason to carry a heavy stand. That’s why I went to a saddle...

[@dougpreston4574]

Spencer, If you get the opportunity to review the HuntLyte saddle I would love to hear your opinion.

[@SaddleHunter]

I’m testing one now!

[@gordonc615]

Hell my ROS let's me sit or walk around the entire tree. That paired with a 2 panel it makes total sense. The point of saddle hunting is mobility hence leaving the stand behind. But whatever floats ur boat I guess..

[@kidneystones3406]

I believe the main reason why you see youtube videos of guys using tree saddle and tree stands is that these guys are being sponsored by the tree stand companies. I believe the tree stand industry is going to take a major loss . Personally it would take alot of money to go back to any type of tree stand

[@DavidGonzalez-ek3zh]

All great points. Stillness, beat their nose. Dead deer! Thx