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question for saddle hunters

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tahtah

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My apologies if this has been discussed in another thread, but I haven't seen it. I'm considering giving saddle hunting a try. I've watched several videos and one thing that sticks out in my mind is that you're putting all your weight on the tether, carabiner, the connection to saddle, etc. If any one of those single points breaks, you're probably going to fall. When I'm in my summit climber, wearing my climbing harness, I feel like at least two things have to fail before I'd fall. Do any of you, that saddle hunt, connect to the tree at a second point in anyway, just in case?
 
tahtah said:
My apologies if this has been discussed in another thread, but I haven't seen it. I'm considering giving saddle hunting a try. I've watched several videos and one thing that sticks out in my mind is that you're putting all your weight on the tether, carabiner, the connection to saddle, etc. If any one of those single points breaks, you're probably going to fall. When I'm in my summit climber, wearing my climbing harness, I feel like at least two things have to fail before I'd fall. Do any of you, that saddle hunt, connect to the tree at a second point in anyway, just in case?
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I do but I only backup my ropeman1 with a prusik knot from my tree tether. You could back up the bridge, tether, carabiner, ropeman1, and saddle but at some point it's a hassle. I only back up my ropeman1 cause it's mechanical and holds all my weight leaning back. My ropes are way overkill and so is my carabiners. You just have to trust the equipment.
 
As mentioned above, your equipment rating is way overkill. You have to trust your equipment and the more you practice then the more you will trust it. Equipment failure in saddle hunting is not the problem, user error can be. If backing up a piece of equipment gives you peace of mind, then by all means do it and enjoy your hunt. One thing that needs to be done every time you use your equipment is to inspect it, only takes a second to do this. One misconception I think many have about lineman ropes is that they will keep you from falling, not so. They keep you from falling AWAY from the tree, not down. Yes they can catch on the bark and stop you but it would have to be a roughed barked tree for that to happen. A lineman's rope won't stop a fall until it catches on something while on the way down, say a branch. If a part of your body catches something, like a step in the gut/armpit, things can turn ugly quick. Trust your equipment, inspect your equipment, practice often, take your time, and always double check connections before committing your weight. You'll be fine and safe.
 
I am new to saddle hunting this year and I agree with what all has been said practice practice practice. You will be fo efirst time go up about 3 feet and try your grear there and lean back and get the fill of what it's like using the saddle
 
@fulldraw said:
Most of the time I leave my lineman belt around the tree. I just loosen it so I can rotate. If my tether fails the lineman belt will catch me.
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Pray it never happens it's going to hurt. The linesman will catch on the top stick slamming your body into the stick. It don't feel good.
 
ImThere said:
Pray it never happens it's going to hurt. The linesman will catch on the top stick slamming your body into the stick. It don't feel good.
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Been there, done that. Had a hang on stand break while hanging. It hurts but better than the alternative of falling backwards.
 
With any safety equipment, always inspect it before using. The weight rating of the ropes and carabiners made for climbing is extremely high. The carabiner is oriented in a way that the mechanical latch isn't load bearing and I have a backup prusik knot with my ascender (CT RollnLock). It's really a matter of getting comfortable with your equipment. I always make sure I have my lineman's belt and tether secured when stepping on or off my platform. If there's a concern about cutting a rope with your broadhead, the owner of Tethrd, Greg, has a video on the strength of the ropes.
 
tahtah said:
My apologies if this has been discussed in another thread, but I haven't seen it. I'm considering giving saddle hunting a try. I've watched several videos and one thing that sticks out in my mind is that you're putting all your weight on the tether, carabiner, the connection to saddle, etc. If any one of those single points breaks, you're probably going to fall. When I'm in my summit climber, wearing my climbing harness, I feel like at least two things have to fail before I'd fall. Do any of you, that saddle hunt, connect to the tree at a second point in anyway, just in case?
Click to expand...
Do you currently wear your climbing harness while ascending the tree with the climber, moving your tie off point with each move of the climber? I only ask b/c I know a lot of people do not tie off until at their hunting height. If that is the case then you are already working with a single point of failure.
I feel saddle hunting is really safe if done correctly and not taking short cuts on gear based on size, cost, or weight. Saddle hunting can be modified to each individuals liking, which is one reason it is so well enjoyed. For example is climbing methods: multiple sticks, one stick, steps, or 2TC (2 tether climb). There are different risk with each method. Personally the 2TC method I've found to be the safest and lowest risk.
There is a big learning curve up front and possibly some frustration. Hang in there and work your way through it. It gets easier and very rewarding. I think you will like it like most do. Good Luck
 
I tried the saddle.
But in areas I frequent, the Southeast, Southeast Illinois, South Alabama, tall straight trees are behind every tall straight tree.

I have challenges several saddle hunters to races using my 16 pound Summit. NOT EVEN CLOSE!
Also shooting 360 degrees around the tree is no problem in my Summit (or API)

I can show anyone how to do this.

I generally try to position myself with the tree between me and suspected approach travel but this RARELY works out I'll admit because they rarely come from where I expect. Heck half the time they walk to me from downwind!

There is one HUGE advantage to saddles over my climber. Walking through really thick cover is definitely quieter without a climber on my back.

But then I generally have those approach routes cut out in March and lanes cleared well ahead of time.
 
I don't worry too much. Everything I trust my life to at height is climbing rope or amsteel and rated to about 10 x my body weight. I inspect my equipment before each outing and feel good about it. When I still used a stand it was a lock on and the harness rope was a regular climbing rope that was rated much lower than 1600lbs. If anything I've felt more comfortable out of the saddle than the stand. The first time you're at height, it can be a lil daunting to lean back and trust it. It feels unnatural. However, look at it like rappelling. Same basic concept with rope that isn't nearly as strong.

Also, I am archery only. My #1 concern is nicking a rope with a broadhead. I am EXTREMELY careful when moving an arrow anywhere near a rope for that reason. Otherwise, I am comfy, quiet, and mobile. I will not go back to a stand so long as my body allows it.
 
Practice and keep practicing. You'll get more and more comfortable with your equipment and with that comes trust. Also, the break strength on my rope is over 5,000 lbs. That's comforting
 
Thanks for all the feedback and input. I totally agree with checking equipment before each use, using quality equipment, and the need to practice and get proficient with it. I guess I knew the answer to the question before asking it, but any system is only as strong as its weakest link. When you have multiple single points of possible failure, it's worthwhile to talk through it.

I do indeed attach my climbing harness to the tree when I begin climbing with my summit climber. I move it along ahead of me as I ascend or descend.

I had not thought about nicking one of the lines with a broad head. The Tethrd video was very insightful. Thanks for sharing that.

I have one more saddle question, but it's a bit different, so I will pose that in a new thread.
 

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