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East TN Feedback - Saddle or Climber?

TomCatChatt

TomCatChatt

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2022
Messages
7
Location
Chattanooga
Indiana born and raised whitetail hunter here now living in Chattanooga and hunting up and down East TN public and lottery draws.

I've used a lightweight climber for years, obviously a lot less of a hassle in the flat, corn-fed utopia of southern Indiana versus the steep, extremely limited access public land I've found (so far) in East TN.

I'm not in bad shape and don't mind hiking in a long way. A saddle setup with climbing sticks seems more efficient out here, especially with my preference for bow hunting. However, it also seems like a lot more pieces to go missing over the miles hiking in, hassle getting up a tree before sunrise, and less comfort for all-day sits. My climber can feel big and cumbersome getting in, but it's two easy pieces and quickly goes up and down.

I'd love some feedback from anyone who's done it both ways in this terrain before I change my whole setup. Any direction is appreciated!
 
Welcome!! You will get split opinions. I use a climber. I have no interest in a saddle with as many straight trees as we have in East Tennessee. I want to hunt Indiana. I hope to in the next couple years. Glad to have you in East Tennessee. If you don't mind, hit me up on private message let me know what part of East Tennessee you are in.
 
Ditch the sticks with the saddle and buy a one stick, much easier when you get used to it. I've got all i need to climb in my dump pouches and very small backpack. I could in fact ditch my pack and carry my one stick and rope in one hand and bow in the other if needed. The only time I get weight on my shoulders is when I carry a bigger pack to pack in extra layers to put on for cold weather.
 
I just switched over to a saddle about a month ago. I've talked myself out of it for a couple years even passed up a free one. It's not as bad as it seems. They have pouches to store your stuff so you shouldn't lose anything. After a few sits you'll get the hang of it and it won't take as long. I always like to be at my tree around an hour before light. That's enough time for things to cool down and you to be setup. As far as comfort you'll find the sweet spots. I've hunted at least 3 days a week so far and only got to do 1 all day sit and I couldn't complain.
 
DMD said:
Welcome!! You will get split opinions. I use a climber. I have no interest in a saddle with as many straight trees as we have in East Tennessee. I want to hunt Indiana. I hope to in the next couple years. Glad to have you in East Tennessee. If you don't mind, hit me up on private message let me know what part of East Tennessee you are in.
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DMD said:
Welcome!! You will get split opinions. I use a climber. I have no interest in a saddle with as many straight trees as we have in East Tennessee. I want to hunt Indiana. I hope to in the next couple years. Glad to have you in East Tennessee. If you don't mind, hit me up on private message let me know what part of East Tennessee you are in.
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I can't figure out how to private message! 😅 would you mind to message me so I can figure it out?
 
grew up hunting out of a climber (ol man, summits, api's) and they are really good…have used a climber a crap ton, prolly 15-20 years worth of climbing. Only downside that i have with them after hunting with a saddle is you are limited to choosing the right tree to climb versus a saddle where you can get in almost any tree…and sometimes that 'right' tree will put you on them with a bow or just out of range. With a gun prolly doesn't matter, relatively speaking. Neither are bullet proof, but i prefer the saddle.
Get you three or four climbing sticks, a platform, a saddle, and practice with it some to get comfortable.
From a monetary standpoint, saddle hunting is more expensive than a climber if that's a factor in your decision making process. $400-$500 for a light climber and likely $600 or so for saddle/platform/sticks.

(Don't one stick)
 
Go to staggs in the wild on youtube and you will learn all you want on saddle hunting, ditch the sticks and platforms and learn to one stick in a saddle. Safer,lighter, and faster.
 
knightrider said:
Im not trying to feel my way down the tree in the dark on steps and aiders and risking a miss step or slip and fall. Repelling out of the tree is 100 times safer for an old fat man
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I can see your point. I'm so used to steps from all the stick ladders I have used, and still use here a there, I dont think anything of the sticks.
Biggest part anytime your feet leave the ground, relating this back to to the original post, is staying connected to the tree with that linemans belt. Dont rush, double check everything every time
 
I still have climbers but they basically don't get used. I will sometimes leave one for the season in a spot I hunt repeatedly. Saddle gets all the use when it's a hang and hunt type set up.
 

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