Old Guys Can Saddle Hunt too!

For the past month I have hunted probably 90% of my sits out of my new saddle setup. Like many of us "old guys", the thought of saddle hunting for me seemed intimidating and what I thought to be a "young man's game". But I bit the bullet and bought everything that I would need to saddle hunt and decided to test it out. What I found shocked me. It is easy and comfortable.

I wanted to put together this unscripted video as a way to tell those fellow "seasoned" hunters or those who might be intimidated by the saddle abyss, that saddle hunting is not the daunting unknown that it appears on the surface. Youtube is your friend on this one and there is tons of info available.

Music: Brave by Awoltalk via Music Bed subscription


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Hunting Gear that I use:
Bows - Elite Ritual 33 (big game) and Elite Z28 (turkeys), both 60# and 29" draw
Stabilizers - Elite 7" (big game), Sims S-coil (turkeys)

Filming Gear that I use:
Camera Arm - Fourth Arrow Triple Arm
Fluid Head - Manfrotto, 701 HDV
POVs - GoPro Hero 3+ Black

Video Editing Equipment
Adobe CC Suite
Davinci Resolve

[NewDayOutdoors]

Hey all ... I know this is popular topic and it can be intimidating to invest into the system. If you have specific questions or details that you want me to drill deeper into through videos on the topic, please let me know down below and I will make specific videos from the perspective of a 50+ year old who has eaten a few too many cheeseburgers. I would love to make this easier for my "demographic".

[ronb]

I am 65 and have switched to saddle hunting . I use a platform with one stick and also my lock on for all day sits. Us old guys sit more then we stand all day. If I am moving around mid day then I use my platform so I can reset for evening hunt. I also use SRT with a hand ascender and foot loop, Madrock safe guard and small pully for 3:1 advantage to access my stand the next morning. I find repelling down much safer than trying to climb down. I do not use an aider for one stick. My stick has 3 steps and steps on both sides. I would like to Thank All the younger hunter for all the great information on saddle hunting. Hanging stands the old way was becoming very unsafe while try to hang with one arm to hang lock-on stands. Saddle hunting is way safer and quieter. One more thing--- I also use an Excalibur X-Bow .. I find it easier on my old bones in the cold weather.

[robertsmith]

I am 67 and have gotten into saddle hunting this season. It is definitely not just for the youngsters! I love it!

[rwcrash]

I turned 72 this year and I’ll be saddle hunting next year- running a Flex with a Ridge Runner Runner and Tree Hopper ROS. Can’t wait!

[paulcrave]

I’m 62 and have been saddle hunting for 5 seasons now.
Good testimonial video.
Good luck.

[madhuntsadventures]

I couldn’t agree more! I love my saddle setup and I’m 50 years old. I hunt out of the saddle 100% now!

[dennispalmer]

Turned 60 this year. Hunted out of sit drag on ground last year, bought Cruzr xc this year and love it. I really like DRT. I find it so easy to get up tree after you prep it of course. Thanks for the video!

[OutdoorGuy]

Started hunting from a saddle this year. I'm 56 and I hunted the whole archery season and first weekend of rifle. I started with XOP saddle and platform. I have since moved to a Latitude Classic 2 saddle but still using the XOP platform. I really like the flexibility of moving to any tree trying to finalize my position. I moved 3 times within 100 yards and finally harvested a PA buck with crossbow and a doe with rifle. The saddle is very comfortable and I had no issue spending 5+ hours at a time. Watch all the videos you can and practice climbing. It needs to be second nature in the dark and cold but it can be done regardless of your age. The only downside is that I had to order everything online without ever touching it in person. This is a great community and everyone is willing to share knowledge.

[williamhowey]

I'm 66 and I just bought the complete outfit from tether to start hunting from. I'm hoping I like it, it wasn't cheap. I'll be trying it out in 2 weeks to get use to it. I'm glad to hear their others to.good hunting to you all.

[rwfinger]

Great Vid! 64 years young and started saddle hunting in 2020. Killed a doe and a buck this year. Like you said, it’s the most mobile hunting from a tree gets. And no hauling out your stands at the end of the season. Keep the information coming!

[GRockBlues]

Im 56 years young...have had open heart surgery and a broken back fall 4 years ago (now fused by surgery) non hunting related...I heve been hunting 40 years with portable tree stands ladder stands and built stands...this is my first year of saddle hunting and I have never enjiyed sitting in a "stand" so much in my life...I bought the phantom and the predator platform...I use 3 squirrel steps on the backside of the tree to move around the tree easier...I climb with climb right aluminum spurs and I rappel down after hunting...never been safer and this comfortable ever in 40 yrs of hunting....this isnt just for young guys...its super awesome and fun!

[bigg]

I am 57 and just starting to hunt out of a saddle. Picking the right tree is key!

[Cooter_]

45 years young. I took it up this year also. Loving it so far.

[jos]

It's cool to see guys my age 50+ utilizing and promoting saddles for our age. I'm 50 and got a minor lower back/hip issues but in overall good shape and health so I was concerned from a comfort standpoint if it was worth the investment. I went ahead and bought the Cruzr setup. happy and successful hunting to all.

[donnie]

I am 63, smaller with light and strong build, 150#. I am running SRT set up with Gri Gri . I use a wrist sling shot with a hand made 6" brass rod to shoot my throw line over a branch for my Sterling Oplux rope. I have a tree near my house which I get up in once or twice a day to 20 ft or so. Will be hunting elk and deer this September from this instead of my tree stand. Loving my new hobby and yes spent a lot on this set up but don't regret because it's so much safer, lighter and spontaneous, than my tree stand.

[mobilehunterfitness]

Yes, saddle hunting has been a total game changer. I love it! Great video.

[kennyanstey]

Same scenario here. 2020 was my 1st year in a saddle and its functionality is leaps and bounds ahead any other elevated hunting method. I also killed my biggest buck my 1st year in a saddle on Nov.7th and to me I’ve finally found myself as a hunter with all the options, ease, comfort and versatility. Thanks for sharing your views on the sport we all love.

[adked]

I'm 58 and saddle hunted the 1st time this year...love it! I got the bigger platform because as a bigger guy I felt more at ease...Tethrd says they are making a bigger belt for us bigger guys who need more when you are layered up in the winter

[MrSkunkworkx]

55 and just bought one. I love the climber comfort, but the hang-on ease (set and forget) Had sticks already so I guess this was the next step. Just trying to get used to hanging from a rope.

[gregthacker]

Great video I 2 was reluctant after 3yrs watching thp and others I said now or never turned 60, 5'11" 240 got cruxr xc after much research don't wait 4 tommorow u will love it my 2 cents but I am still not drinking craft beer that's 4 u young fellows, good huntin