When the first group of does stepped out of the standing cornfield of opening night of WI archery season, I knew I was in business. I was perched 12 feet up a branchless pine tree, and the lead doe entered my shooting lane perfectly. I drew my bow hidden behind the tree trunk, swung out to the side and put the pin on her vitals. Well, I missed that deer, but two other does fell to my arrows that night, and the Trophyline Tree Saddle had much to do with it.
I discovered the Tree Saddle while researching new stands last year. While I was pretty happy with my current set ups of hang ons and climbers, the gear junkie in me is always looking for improvements. I came across the Tree Saddle while doing an Internet search and was intrigued. After reading John and Chris Eberhart’s writings I was sold on it. I can tell you now that after a season of hunting out of the Tree Saddle, my other stands are now collecting dust in the garage.
The Tree Saddle is basically a “diaper” that has a strap system to attach you to the tree. A unique thing about the system is it gives you 360 degree shooting around the tree. Many times this year a deer would approach me from an unexpected position. With a simple turn of my body and a slight swing, I was in business to get a shot.
The Saddle offers the ultimate in portability. It has shaved many pounds and minutes off of my typical deer hunting set ups. I typically use tree steps or Lone Wolf sticks to ascend the tree, then screw in three steps around the tree. This enables me to utilize the 360 degree mobility offered by the saddle. Another advantage, as described in the opening paragraph, is the ability to “hide” behind the tree trunk. I would often do this and “pop” out and shoot, with no chance of getting busted by the deer that was in range as the tree was between the deer and I.
With the add on pouches to the Saddle, the need for a back pack is basically eliminated if you choose. I prefer to load the Saddle and gear into a Badlands 2200 pack, and strap my climbing sticks to the outside. However, if you tend to hunt a lot of the same places, you can have 1-100 stand sites set up, and never leave a stand in the woods! I have a few set ups that I just leave the screw ins installed in the tree. When I arrive to hunt, I hook up my Saddle, pull up my bow and I’m hunting.
The greatest advantage of the Saddle is how safe it is. There is literally no way to fall out of it if attached properly (which is very easy to do). I’ve tested it to the max, and even when hanging upside down you feel very safe and secure. The workmanship and materials are first class and very heavy duty, making for a safe product that will get many years of hard use. I highly recommend the Tree Saddle if you are in the market for an alternative to your current tree stand set ups!
Visit Trophyline on the web at www.trophylineusa.com. Jerod Fink
