The Pros and Cons of Saddle Hunting - IS IT WORTH IT?

[@dylanroe7618]

Nice video. My saddle last season was a game changer. Being able to adjust on the fly can be key. Excited to use it more in different states!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Heck yea man. Sure opens up a ton of possibilities for hunting new places!

[@340wbymag]

I am an old man with some physical limitations, so getting into climbing with ropes (SRT) was a bit of a struggle for me. I am able to do it, but it isn't easy for me, so I began looking at alternatives for getting into the trees. I didn't like steps, and ladders are way too much trouble. Nothing seemed to make getting into the trees much easier for me until I finally realized that I could use a pulley system and a progress capture device to simply haul myself up into the trees with ease. It is easy and it's very quiet too. Yes, I have to carry a little extra rope and a couple of pulleys, but the ease of getting into the trees makes that a small price to pay. The extra rope and pulleys are also very helpful when hauling game uphill.

[@TheBowhunter_Project]

Thanks for doing this!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You got it chief!

[@lovetogun3611]

Saddle is great and limitations are much less than my summit but my summit sure is cozy. I also stay connected from the ground up in a climber🤔 hunting from a climber doesn't mean you neglect being attached to the tree

[@quacksandquivers]

Great video bud! Saddle hunting will change the game for staying mobile!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Thanks for following along man!!

[@matthewpillar2104]

Great video. I started saddle hunting last season and the learning curve was real, but I mimicked the approach you use to climb and hunt in one trip and felt pretty fluid after a few sits. Your content is the best, thank you and keep it coming!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

That means a lot! I appreciate the feedback, as well as you tuning in!

[@lucasbrasil7656]

Xop full rut saddle kit was 450 and it came with sticks platform saddle and all the ropes and it it’s a pretty solid set up.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

XOP looks solid. Only nock is that it's all made in China to my knowledge.

[@MichaelShotwell-sz8sx]

I got everything I needed including ropes platform saddle all for around $350. Which it’s not the top notch equipment but it works for me and is still comfortable

[@NextStepOutdoors]

@@MichaelShotwell-sz8sx what route did you go? Or get it second hand?

[@MichaelShotwell-sz8sx]

@ I got everything from Amazon so if i decided I didn’t like it I could return it and if I did I could upgrade later on

[@billbee235]

As someone that hunted a climber the last 2 years and moved to a saddle, here’s another perspective… you never have to really worry about leveling your platform like you do on a climber. Climbing trees with branches is no problem, AND once you’re up making adjustments is SAFE. I’ve watched KZbin videos of guys disconnecting the bottom platform of their Viper to adjust the angle. Hell no. To reiterate, the ~360 degrees of shooting is a HUGE advantage

[@garymarch4711]

I tried my buddys saddle. Really friggen cool! Nice to be able to pick a tree, easlily access it and set up with minimal equipment bulk. Even gun hunting, It was nice to be able to brace my rifle up against a tree. A downside not mentioned... and this is just a personal thing but worth noting since others might be in the same boat... you are resting your weight on your legs and knees. I am overdue for a knee replacement, and I can attest, my legs started giving out from the constant pressure on the joint. I was able to just let my leg hang for relief, but it was rough, nonetheless. I still plan to get a saddle of a sort... maybe a hybrid type. But probably wont be able to spend too much time in it.

[@pathfinder5804]

I’ve copied your stick mods exactly and luv them. Light sturdy and easy to use!!! Thx

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I wouldn’t change a thing. Did you like them?

[@pathfinder5804]

@@NextStepOutdoors Luv’d them!!!! Took me a minute to get them worked into my system as far as being able to get up tree without looking at them and just being able to reach down for them. I live in Maine and down on the coast so mostly climbing red oaks and beech trees. Both hard smooth bark and they grab awesome!!! Used them from 70’s early season to 5 degrees late season and they worked great in all conditions. They are an adjustment coming from TrophyLine double steps with pivoting standoffs but once used to them and the feel was not trouble. I could see them being a little tough if it was cold and wet or snowing they might take a little more concentration as to how your footing is. I had no trouble in those conditions but with grip tape and paying attention all was good. The weight difference in my setup was worth any adjustments needed!!!!! My setup last year weighted 16-18lbs (saddle, sticks,platform) this year 10lbs. I tried one sticking, multi stick, multi stick and still repelling and have come back to 4 sticks( bottom w/2 step aider, 2nd stick single step aider, last two no aider). With platform 15-17ft without stretching. Luv these sticks!!!!!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

That’s so awesome to hear! I’m with you on the aiders. A lot of the time I just run a two step on the bottom and often, none the rest of the way up. I’ve been able to do a lot more in season scouting with my current setup because it’s as light as it is. When I used to run a heavier setup, I was reluctant to hike further than I needed. I’m all over the place now. The camera gear is the heaviest part lol.

[@pathfinder5804]

@@NextStepOutdoors Ya my whole overall setup is a little heavy 22lbs. I do film a lot of my stuff too and I use a 15yr old gorilla arm which weights like 6-8lbs alone so kinda ridiculous even though I’m filming with my cell it’s heavy. My setup fits super good though with my Mystery Ranch pop up 28!!!!! Both my saddle and my hybrid setup fit inside the meat shelf nicely and even when I’m walking miles into setups or looking for hot sign in our VERY low deer number areas I can carry everything I need and not get fatigued or sound like a herd of elephants while walking around. That’s why I ditched the climbing stand yrs ago was 30-35lbs setup and impossible to walking around with for any length of time!!! Thinking I might make one more purchase to streamline my setup for coming yr and that’s to buy an arsenal platform to compact things even tighter. I’m just using a cheap hawk one now and it works great but I luv how arsenal’s lays flat and along with the carbon sticks it will be light as a feather!!!!! We have to stay on the move a lot up here in the north country as our bucks travel for miles and miles every day so gotta be on hottest sign possible and this requires tons of hiking!!!!!

[@Dmoore37]

Last season was my first in a saddle. Truly a game changer. It is expensive to get quality gear but man it’s fun!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Such a handy tool to have in the arsenal!

[@zacharyelrodtaylor3465]

I’m 6’7 and wear a size 15 boot, I haven’t found any good advice or reviews of saddle hunting for tall people. My main concern is the platform room for such a big boot, because I’ve always ran into that problem on climbers, lock on’s and ladder stands. I do understand there’s some advantages like being able to get up higher in a tree because I have a longer reach and longer step. Would love to hear your feedback. Love all the content you post

[@NextStepOutdoors]

@@zacharyelrodtaylor3465 I’m 6’4” with a 13 boot. No matter what platform I use, I’ve never once felt like I was out of room. Your boots are bigger obviously but my advice would be to find someone to let you try out a saddle/platform and see how you like it hands on. There’s tons of saddle hunting FB pages and if you post your location in one, someone will be down to meet and let you check it out id guess

[@Bryan-wc3et]

Been saddle hunting 30 years and have NEVER owned a hang on.hunted on several but never felt real safe even with a safety harness. I do have 28 ladder stands on 5 farms but use the seat as my foot platform using my saddle, also have 5 climbing sticks with the same concept. Mobility is key!!🦌🦌🏹

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You’ve been in the game about as I’ve been alive! 🤣 bet you’ve seen quite the evolution of saddle gear.

[@Bryan-wc3et]

You wouldn’t believe the first one I had, what a contraption!!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I don’t doubt it 🤣

[@TrevorOngie-du2iv]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Thanks man! Glad it helped! Thanks for checking it out!

[@AsocPaladin0016]

I started saddle hunting 3 years ago and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to full time tree stand. Just the mobility aspect of it is nuts. I sat in 14 different trees this year with a set up that weighs less than my tree stand alone. I can get in a tree in 5 minutes with very little noise and effort at this point.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

It sure is nice if you move around a lot. One of my next vids will be answering the question I get all the time, “how long does it take to fully set up”

[@AsocPaladin0016]

@@NextStepOutdoors with all your cameras I’m sure your set up is longer than mine but even then, a standard tree stand always took me way to long to get up. Especially with my old set up that didn’t have a lineman belt and I was just wrapping my leg to the tree and holding on tight.

[@EasternWild]

@@AsocPaladin0016I was always sweating to death climbing my summit too. I don’t really know why, but I don’t feel like I exert as much energy with steps. I’m never going back. I’m in the Tethrd Lockdown and it’s very comfortable.

[@AsocPaladin0016]

@@EasternWild I rock a latitude outdoors classic saddle but I use the tethered predator platform and that thing is awesome.

[@phillygrappler]

This will be my second season using a saddle. I’ll never use a climber again. Anyone want to buy a used Summit climber?😂

[@aarongilbertson3074]

I do a lot of all day sits far back during the rut. I got a mobile hang on so that I could use that all day because sitting in a saddle all day sucks

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Whatever works for you! That’s all that matters. What stand do you run?

[@aarongilbertson3074]

@@NextStepOutdoors I’ve been running the xop retrograde but this year I upgraded to a lone wolf daquisto.5

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Are you a big guy? I’m 6’5” 220lb with size 13 boots. I’ve sat in a 0.5 and not sure I’d like it for long site. I’d prob have to get the .75 with tall post minimally.

[@aarongilbertson3074]

@@NextStepOutdoors no I’m about 5’ 7” 145lbs so I can fit in small stuff

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I’ve never seen a downside to being tall but sitting on an airplane and in hunting are two times it is not ideal lol

[@paulbernitt4280]

Good stuff. Saving 5-7 lbs of total set-up weight is not worth the cost because well, its only 5-7 pounds. I use my Lone Wolf Alpha 2 stands and Muddy Pro Sticks with aiders as my mobile setup most of the time because of the comfort and ability to maneuver and shoot 300 degrees. I own a saddle and use it occasionally when I leave my Lone Wolf up a tree or ther is just not enough space for a bigger stand. I do not shoot or see more big bucks with a saddle or my LW.. The outcome is the same. #BigBuckInTheTruck2024

[@sammoore5933]

Thanks

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You got it Sam!

[@whitewood2000]

How are you liking the sticks and x-wing from Latitude? I'm 6'5 250 and i'm curious how the stand off on the sticks effects you.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I love them. There’s not much, if anything I would change. I’m about the same specs as you. Just a little lighter. 6’5” 225ish. The standoff being solid makes for a nice place to put your foot if you put it sideways a bit. Can get a lot more of your boot on the step than most other steps even with bigger standoffs.

[@StealthTRD]

I got a method 2 XL saddle. Its a lil too big for me..probably gonna get a lonestar or maverick..what you using

[@e3nutrition_performance]

Great video!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Thanks man!

[@DrizzyD670]

Great vid my dude.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Appreciate it brotha!

[@EasternWild]

Awesome man! What do you use to edit your content? Loving your channel!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

That means a lot man! I was using premier pro but just switched to davinci resolve which is free!

[@malikferguson1402]

I knew that hunting this video was great, thank you .

[@NextStepOutdoors]

That means a lot!!

[@ospreyoutdoors2225]

Thank you for your review. I would only add a few steps to comfortably shoot 360°. Also noticed from your videos, that you seem to mostly hunt straigth trees. What do you think about climbing platforms? - no sticks and no aiders involved

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I hunt a ton of crazy trees. I've never tried the climbing platforms but dont think i'd like being handicapped to only using certain trees. Plus, with latitudes carbon sticks, they are so light and packable, I much prefer to use those. Just feels more simple to me.

[@ospreyoutdoors2225]

@@NextStepOutdoors If you are happy with your gear and method, there is no reason to change. This said, you are not that much limited with climbing platforms, and despite the comments you can hear, when you look at most hunting videos: 1- most set up are from straight trees and 2- you hear a lot of noise when they set up both from the interaction with the trunk and metal. Climbing platforms (and 1-stick) have the advantage not to leave any equipment at deer height, and there is also something to be said on reducing the time to ascent (when we are the most visible), and being in hunting position quickly. Thanks for your response!

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

Great video, but cost does not have to be a barrier. My gear cost about $100, and is under 5 lbs total.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

What are you using?

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

@@NextStepOutdoors my own design 2TC and saddle.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Ahh interesting

[@hardh2ogillz]

Pros & cons to everything

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Pros and cons to listing pros and cons

[@DanielShoch]

What is the weight of your saddle, sticks and platform all broken down individually??

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Not sure. I think platform is 2.5lb, sticks are around 6ish lbs, and saddle is negligible. I wear it in and barely notice it.

[@ilovedeertoes]

I own 100 acres in Virginia and I have been struggling to find any good locations for cameras! i would really appreciate it if you had any advice for me thanks

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I’ll make a video about this! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@StealthTRD]

You got creeks? Known food sources? Are you using cameras for mainly? Locate a shooter buck? Pattern deer? Get a census of your heard? Do u have any fences that deer get thru?

[@joshuaolsen8844]

What is the weight limit for most saddles?

[@joshlasure3384]

Most are rated 300lbs

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Yeah, usually 300 or 350.

[@juniorb931]

have you tried the jx3 saddle? whats your thoughts about it

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I haven’t tried that one. It looks comfy but honestly more bulk than I’m trying for. I like the freedom and mobility that my current saddle offers and I’m not sure the jx3 would be quite as wearable walking through the woods.

[@StealthTRD]

​@@NextStepOutdoorswhats your current saddle

[@720Seaweed]

Everyone uses a bow on saddle hunting. How is it like with a gun. I don't bow hunt, but I like to get into saddle hunting

[@NextStepOutdoors]

It’s great. Can use the tether as a gun rest. I have yet to shoot one out of a saddle yet but have done a decent amount of hunting. Rock steady when my opportunity comes.

[@kevin.berkey2710]

Dang those side plates on your bow are sweet!!

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You could say I know a guy

[@tylerparker3024]

It makes no sense to me how a setup is a thousand bucks lol. 10lbs of rope and essentially backpack type material. Ridiculous

[@jaredgauthreaux2466]

Paying for the hype

[@joeljohnson7420]

I primary rock climb and don't really know what saddle hunting is all about but these videos come across my KZbin and it seems like you could do the exact same thing just using a bosun's chair or a comfy harness

[@jason6325]

It's beyond rediculas. It's stupid. But these young rich guys will buy this crap like hotcakes. I use a $300 summit climbing stand. Been using it for 20 years. Killed more deer out of it than anything.

[@lukesturgeon341]

The XOP mondo is only about $200 right now. I know nothing about saddle hunting but I think 200 is responsible enough to give it a try

[@haydenelifrits8329]

@@lukesturgeon341I bought the full saddle system from hawk a few years ago for 250 bucks that is the saddle 4 sticks and the platform couldn’t imagine spending more for what you get though

[@tnkstudio4622]

I'll stick with my tree stand. I can dance and not worry about shooting on my weak side.

[@CrosierOutdoors]

🔥🔥

[@NextStepOutdoors]

🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@new-era2025.]

I watched my fat friend set one up 2 feet off the ground I was surprised it was holding up and he looked at me and said see it holds then immediately it broke sending him to the ground like a blob and extended out like a whale and farted and made some kinda weird noise 😎 I just left and said I ain't dealing with his attitude today

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Guessing this is satire…

[@jacobbrake5283]

Holy f*** 1000 dollars for this

[@NextStepOutdoors]

I'd venture to guess you can probably get into quite a bit cheaper now. Still, I see it as an investment because you have one set up that can get you everywhere, verses having to buy 10+ stands and sticks for multiple permanent setups.

[@jason6325]

This is false information. Saddle hunting is not the "safest" way to hunt from an elevated position. It's not any better than hunting from a modern climbing stand.i don't spook deer with my climber either. I can go thru thicketts with ease. I can also take a nap. Because i sit daylight till dark. If anything saddle hunting is worse. You have a rope hanging in your way at all times. And your starting at the tree. I'll guarentee you i can be get on a deer behind me allot faster than a saddle hunter.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

You seem pretty triggered by this. If you like your climber stand, more power to you. Whatever gets the job done. Couldn’t pay me enough to use one though.

[@jason6325]

@NextStepOutdoors yea allot of guys these days are lazy. Just dont want to carry them stands in and out. My son is one of them. He's got 2 climbing stands stolen because he don't want to walk out with them. So he bought a saddle. That's basically what it boils down to. I get it. I get tired of carrying my climber in and out in and out. " But " I'm not gonna look for the easy way out and hunt from an arborist saddle because i don't want to carry my deerstand in and out of the woods. Has to be the worst way to hunt. But hey. More power to you. But a good climber is not less safe.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

@@jason6325lol I don’t use a saddle because I’m lazy. It’s funny you are so anti saddle hunting although you were watching my saddle hunting video 🤔

[@eligrambling]

Enjoyed this! Good insight.

[@NextStepOutdoors]

Appreciate that brotha! 🤝🏻