But once I finally bought my gear and got started, I realized it didn’t have to be complicated at all. All you really need is some basic equipment and plenty of practice time to get started. Once you learn the ropes (pun intended) and get comfortable in the saddle, then you can look into upgrading or modifying equipment, if you want.

My goal with this guide is to walk you through the basics of what you need to know and buy to get started in as simple terms as possible. If you have any questions after reading this, please don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

What is Saddle Hunting?

Saddle hunting is a method of elevated hunting that involves wearing a tree saddle or harness that is tethered to a tree with ropes. The hunter typically rests their feet on a small platform or ring of steps and leans away from the tree, with their weight supported by the tether rope.

If that sounds confusing, I included the photo above to help you get a visual.

Saddle Hunting Necessities

One of the biggest roadblocks I ran into when I started saddle hunting over three years ago was figuring out exactly what equipment I needed, and what I didn’t. There are lots of different products on the market, and lots of guys modifying their equipment to best suit their hunting style.

What I finally realized after a lot of research was I really only needed three pieces of saddle hunting gear to get started. I realize the video thumbnail above says five, but if you buy a hunting saddle kit, the ropes will come with it.

The hunting saddle kit should include your lineman’s and tether ropes and necessary carabiners. I’d recommend going that route rather than buying the items individually to simplify the process.

You’ll then just need a platform to rest your feet on, and some climbing sticks to climb the tree.

Must-Have Accessories

While you can start hunting with just a saddle, lineman’s rope, tether, platform and climbing sticks, there are a few accessories that will make saddle hunting a little easier.

Back Strap or Recliner

This is another accessory that’s worth its weight in gold. The back strap – or recliner – is just a strap that hooks into the carabiner on your bridge and goes around your body up under your arms to support your back as you lean away from the tree. It doesn’t look like much, but it adds a whole new level of comfort to saddle hunting. When a deer comes in, you can lean forward just enough to release the pressure and the recliner should fall down around your waist and out of your way for a shot.

Knee Pads

As I mentioned above, if you’re going to spend time in the sitting position with your knees against the tree, you will want knee pads or a cushion that straps around the tree. I can tell you from experience that it doesn’t take long with your knees digging into the side of a tree to get very uncomfortable.

Accessory Strap/Bow Hook

The last accessory item I recommend is some type of strap and hooks to go around the tree and hold your gear. Tethrd makes a simple one with a series of loops to attach hooks to so you can hang your pack, binos or a rangefinder, grunt call, and even your bow.

Backpack

And to carry all this gear in the field with you, you’ll want some type of pack. The size and type of pack will depend on what gear your choose and personal preference. Fortunately, with the increasing popularity of saddle hunting, more and more packs are being manufactured with that style of hunting in mind.

Did I miss any important accessories? If you think so, be sure to let me know down in the comments, and I can add to the list!

You Have Your Gear, Now What?

Once you have your gear, you’ll want to spend a lot of time practicing with it before hunting season rolls around. I’d recommend spending the first few practice sessions just above ground level until you get comfortable in the saddle.

To do so, you can simply strap your platform to a tree a foot or so off the ground. With your saddle on, step up onto the platform, loop your tether rope around the tree about eye level, and attach the carabiner from the loop of the prusic knot on your tether rope to your bridge rope.

You are now tethered to the tree, and should be able to lean back away from the tree while standing on the edge of your platform. You may need to adjust the length of your tether by moving the prusic knot up or down the rope to get an angle that suits you.

This is the perfect time to practice maneuvering around the platform, and getting into shooting position for various potential shot opportunities. As you get more comfortable, you may actually want to incorporate your bow and a target into the practice sessions so you can shoot at various angles.

I can tell you from my experience, it’s going to feel very strange leaning away from that tree and putting your faith in that tether rope the first few times. But once you get used to it, it’s a freeing feeling. I actually feel safer and more free in the saddle than I ever did in a climber or hang-on stand. But it takes some time to get there.

Once you’ve developed that faith in your gear and gotten a feel for the saddle, you can then incorporate climbing the tree with your climbing sticks. That part is pretty self explanatory, but the key is to use your lineman’s rope from the time you leave the ground until you’re hooked into your tether rope at hunting height. Not only will that help keep you safe, but it also frees up your hands to hang each stick as you climb, as well as your platform when you get to hunting height.

Final Thoughts

Saddle hunting is a great way to lighten your load, get more mobile, and put another valuable too into your deer hunting toolbox. No, it’s not for everyone or for every situation, but it has it’s place, and I would recommend every deer hunter at least give it a try.

Here are seven accessories that will help you take your saddle hunting game to the next level:

1. Ascenders
2. Climbing stick aiders
3. Knee pads or a knee cushion
4. Backband or recliner
5. Gear strap or gear holder
6. Clips or gear ties
7. Saddle gear bags/haulers

Climbing up a tree is one of the most labor intensive and potentially dangerous aspects of saddle hunting. The right climbing accessories can make all the difference in terms of safety, efficiency, and ease of use. In this section, we’ll explore two common accessories used to ascend and descend the tree.

Ascender (Ropeman 1 or Kong Duck)

An ascender like the Ropeman 1 or Kong Duck, while not necessary, is a popular accessory for saddle hunting. It is a mechanical device that replaces the prusik knot on your tether and/or lineman’s rope. Unlike a prusik knot, it allows you to adjust your tether or lineman’s rope length quickly with just one hand as opposed to two.

The Ropeman 1 is rated for ropes 10-13mm in diameter, while the Kong Duck will work on ropes from 8-13mm. So, if you plan on using smaller ropes to shave some weight and space in your pack, you’ll probably want to go with the Kong Duck. However, if you’re using standard 11mm ropes, you can save a few bucks with the Ropeman 1.

Climbing Stick Aiders

The second and last climbing accessory on our list is aiders for your climbing sticks. Aiders are small “ladders” made from rope, nylon webbing or cable, that attach to the bottom of your climbing stick, essentially extending the length of each stick. They typically have anywhere from one to four steps. 

Aiders are extremely light and affordable, making them a great alternative to buying extra climbing sticks. The downside is that because they are made of rope or nylon strapping, they aren’t as stable as a climbing stick. The more steps the aider has, the more likely it is to kick out from the tree while climbing, which can result in a fall. So keep that in mind as you choose which aiders to buy.

A lot of saddle hunters will add a three- or four-step aider to their bottom stick, where if it were to kick out they wouldn’t fall far, and then use one- or two-step aiders on the rest of their sticks. Personally, I stick with one-step aiders on all my Tethrd One climbing sticks.

Once you’re up the tree, comfort becomes key. Being comfortable allows you to stay in your stand longer, increasing your chances of success. In this section, we’ll take a look at the different accessories you can use to stay comfortable during a long hunt.

Knee Pads or a Knee Cushion

Most saddle hunters spend at least some of their time in the tree sitting, which typically means your knees are up against the tree, supporting some of your weight. If you have bony knees like I do, that means you’re going to get very uncomfortable very quickly. An easy fix is a good set of knee pads or a knee cushion.

The good news is that knee pads are readily available, fairly inexpensive, and most any pair will get the job done. Obviously some fit better and are more comfortable than others, but you don’t need anything fancy to get the job done. 

Some saddle hunters, myself included, don’t care about wearing knee pads. Knee pads have a tendency to shift around and the straps can wear on the back of your knee, causing discomfort. For me a better option is to strap a cheap foam hunting seat to the tree and lean my knees against that when I feel the urge to sit in my saddle. 

You can pick up those cheap foam seats, throw on a nylon strap long enough to reach around any tree you may hunt, and you’re ready to go.

Backband or Recliner

When it comes to saddle hunting comfort, you won’t spend a better $30 than on a backband or “recliner”. The backband is a really simple nylon strap that forms a loop. The loop hooks into the same carabiner as your saddle’s bridge rope, then goes around your body just under your arms. 

The portion of the strap that goes behind your back is padded, and there are adjusters on each side of the band so you can tailor it to your size and how far back you want to lean. 

The sole purpose of the backband or recliner is to provide support for your back while in the saddle. When a deer approaches and you’re ready to draw your bow (providing you’re bowhunting), you simply lean forward and the backband slips down on your body and out of the way.

Deer hunting requires a lot of gear, and keeping it all organized in the tree can be a challenge. There are several saddle hunting accessories that can make all the difference in terms of keeping your gear easily accessible and organized, including the three discussed below.

Gear Strap of Gear Holder

While you could get by without many of the accessories on our list, a gear strap or gear holder is an absolute necessity. You have to have a place to hang your hunting gear so it’s easily accessible to you in the tree, and a gear strap/hanger is your best option.

Most of these gear straps are constructed of a nylon strap that loops around the tree, with a series of loops sewn on the strap where you hang your gear using a variety of clip types. This is where I hang my rangefinder, grunt call during the pre rut and rut, binoculars, my backpack, and sometimes my bow. I say sometimes, because if I’m hunting an area that allows me to use a screw-in bow hanger, then that’s what I use. If not, I attach a Hero Clip to my gear strap and hang my bow on that.

Clips or Gear Ties 

There’s a wide variety of molle clips that will work with your gear strap, or the popular Nite Ize Gear Ties that will work to attach your gear to the gear strap. Get enough for all your gear, plus extras.

For your bow or gun, you’ll want something that can handle the weight. Many saddle hunters use a Hero Clip for the task. There are certainly other options out there, but I haven’t found a better one. 

Saddle Gear Bags/Haulers 

Saddle gear bags or haulers are accessories that are used to transport equipment while hunting. They typically attach to the saddle and provide a convenient location to store and carry items that you use the most.

I have a gear bag on each side of my hunting saddle, and it’s where I keep my gear strap, pull rope for my bow, headlamp, bow release, and my rangefinder. Once I’m up in the tree and get my gear strap on the tree, and hang my rangefinder on the strap, I now have an empty pocket that I use to keep my cell phone easily accessible.

Final Thoughts

Saddle hunting can seem complicated and gear-intensive to someone just getting started, but it’s really not. Once you have your 5 key pieces of gear to get started — your saddle, tether, lineman’s rope, platform, and climbing sticks — there’s not a whole lot left you need. 

The seven accessories discussed here should make your life easier and your time in the tree more comfortable. And the good news is that most of the accessories discussed here are relatively inexpensive.

I posted a request for tips in two large saddle hunting Facebook groups and was ecstatic to get well over 200 responses from some very experienced hunters, including John Eberhart himself.

There were a lot of duplicate responses, and most of the tips could be organized into one of three categories:

1. Practice tips (tips 1-7)
2. Equipment selection tips (tips 8-11)
3. Setup tips (tips 12-16)

Within those three categories, I have combined and condensed the responses into what I consider the 16 best saddle hunting tips for a new saddle hunter. My hope is that these tips will help you avoid some of the common saddle hunting mistakes that many saddle hunters make.

By far, the number one response was to spend time practicing with your saddle hunting gear. But the responses varied enough, that I was actually able to break them into seven different tips.

1. Practice setting up

My number one tip based on personal experience, and the responses I got from experienced saddle hunters, is to practice a lot before ever hunting from a saddle. From making the climb to hanging your platform, and getting all your gear organized in the tree, you’ll want to develop a step-by-step process that becomes second nature by the time deer season rolls around.

2. Practice at a low height

This next tip is similar to the first, but in this case, you’re just setting up a foot or two off the ground and practicing moving around in the saddle. Hunting from a saddle is completely different from any other style of hunting, and it takes time to get comfortable with maneuvering around into different positions that may be necessary to make a shot. These maneuvers are best practiced close to the ground just in case something were to go wrong.

3. Practice shooting

As I mentioned above, hunting from a saddle is very different than hunting from a traditional stand — and that includes the shooting aspect. Again, while set up just a foot or two off the ground, get comfortable shooting in all directions. You’ll quickly find it’s much easier to shoot in certain directions than others. You want to ensure that regardless of which way that buck you’re after comes in, you’ll be prepared to make the shot.

4. Practice in the dark

This is one I wouldn’t have thought of myself, but a couple of saddle hunters mentioned the importance of practicing your setup routine in the dark. That’s great advice. Setting up or tearing down in the dark with minimal light adds an extra level of difficulty to the process. And there will certainly be times you set up before daylight in the morning and times you’ll be climbing down and packing up after dark in the evening. You don’t want your first experience doing so to be opening day of deer season.

5. Practice wearing cold-weather gear

This was another great piece of advice that could easily be overlooked. Saddles and jackets don’t go together really well, so it’s important to practice wearing the saddle with cold-weather clothes. In addition to just making sure you practice wearing the saddle with heavy clothes, you’ll also want to practice climbing and getting setup with those same clothes. That way there are no surprises when that first big cold front of the year arrives.

6. Find your saddle sweet spot

One of the challenges of saddle hunting is staying comfortable on those long hunts. Some of that comfort can be controlled by adjusting the height of your tether rope on the tree as well as the length of your saddle’s bridge rope. While you’re practicing setting up and maneuvering in your saddle preseason, make small adjustments to both to find the sweet spot that keeps you most comfortable.

7. Don’t judge saddle hunting by your first few sits

This is definitely one of my key pieces of advice for new saddle hunters, and several of the experienced saddle hunters I talked to were quick to mention this as well. It takes time to get used to hunting from a saddle. As odd as it may sound, your body has to get in “saddle shape,” and the only way to get there is with practice and time in the saddle. Allow yourself a half dozen hunts before making any long-term decisions on whether saddle hunting is right for you. If I would have made a decision based on my first experience in the saddle, I would probably be back to packing in my climber every hunt.

8. Try different saddles

Among the 200+ tips we got from saddle hunters, a close second to practicing your setup was trying different saddles before dropping your hard-earned money on one. Saddles aren’t cheap, and just because a particular saddle works well for me doesn’t mean it will work for you. Reach out to other saddle hunters, or attend some of the try-before-you-buy events that some saddle-hunting manufacturers now host to try as many different models as possible before you spend your money.

This is just one of several tips we cover in our article on making saddle hunting as comfortable as possible.

9. Don’t buy cheap

Not only do you want to try different models of saddles before buying, but you’ll want to buy the best saddle you can afford. The old adage “you get what you pay for” holds true for tree saddles. And since your life depends on that saddle, it’s not something you want to skimp on.

10. Don’t buy accessories you don’t need

As we already established, saddle hunting isn’t cheap. So the last thing you want to do is drop money on gear you don’t really need or won’t use. So my advice for new saddle hunters is to keep it simple. There’s only five pieces of gear you need to start saddle hunting. Beyond that, I wouldn’t worry about many accessories until you have some time in the saddle to see what you actually need.

11. Buy some good knee pads

While not all accessories are necessary, a good set of knee pads or a cushion you can strap to the tree is absolutely necessary if you’re going to spend any time sitting in your saddle. Sitting with your knees against the bark of a tree gets uncomfortable quickly. Having those knee pads or a cushion will save you a lot of discomfort without adding too much weight to your overall setup.

12. Inspect all your gear every hunt

This is great advice that I’ve been guilty of not practicing myself. Your life depends on your gear staying intact, so it makes sense to check it over carefully before every hunt. Make sure none of the stitching on your saddle is coming loose or that none of your ropes are fraying. You’ll also want to check the condition and functioning of your carabiners and Ropeman (if you’re using them). If there’s ever any question about whether your equipment is safe to use, then err on the side of cause and replace it.

13. Take your time. It’s not a race.

This was a common response among those 200+ saddle hunters that submitted their best tips. It doesn’t matter how fast you can get set up in a tree, because it isn’t a race. There’s no prize for the winner.

Your life is at stake here.

Develop your routine as we discussed earlier, and follow it each and every time. Take your time, as there is no room for mistakes here. Complacency kills.

14. Lock your carabiner every time

This is a simple but often overlooked step. Make sure your carabiner is locked in place every time so there’s no chance of your bridge rope coming out while you’re up in the tree. And while we’re talking about carabiners, make sure you’re buying quality gear rated for climbing. Not some cheap knockoff from Amazon, Walmart, or Home Depot.

15. Think about where the deer will come from

When saddle hunting, it’s much easier to shoot in some directions than others. With that in mind, it’s important to set up in a way that the deer will most likely come from behind the tree and pass by on your strong side (your left if you’re a right-handed shooter). Otherwise, you may be forced to quickly maneuver yourself to make a much more difficult weak-side shot.

16. Think cover

We’ll finish things off with an important lesson of saddle hunting: when setting up, cover is more important than overall height. When I first started saddle hunting, I was a little concerned about only having three climbing sticks. Even with long legs and a one-step aider on each stick, I could only get around 15-18 feet high.

In two years of saddle hunting, though, that has rarely been an issue. I look for trees with cover around that 12-15 foot mark, and they are seldom hard to find. In some cases, I’ve only been 8-10 feet off the ground, but I had decent cover in the form of branches and leaves to break up my outline. That seems to be more effective than being 20+ feet high with no cover.

So, when looking for a place to set up, look for trees that will provide good cover, and let that cover dictate how high you hunt.

Summary

Saddle hunting is a whole new ballgame for most hunters, and the learning curve can be steep. It’s my hope that these 16 tips will help shorten the curve and make you a better, safer, and more successful saddle hunter. Good luck this season!

It’s not.

At its core, saddle hunters only need five pieces of gear to get started:

1. Hunting saddle
2. Ropes (a lineman’s and tether rope)
3. Saddle hunting platform
4. Climbing sticks
5. Saddle hunting pack

Yes, there are plenty of accessories available to simplify the process or keep you more comfortable in the tree, but most of those are not necessary initially.

In this article, I’ll break down the five key pieces of gear you’ll need to get started and what you can expect to pay for each.

1. Hunting Saddle

The centerpiece of your saddle hunting gear is the saddle itself. The saddle dictates how comfortable you are in the tree, which ultimately determines how long you can hunt and remain still. That’s why it’s critical to spend time trying different hunting saddle models before you spend your hard-earned money.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, though, I should first explain what a hunting saddle is. A hunting saddle is like a rock climbing harness with a seat sewn into it. They typically have a waist strap, a strap around each leg, the seat material that supports your butt, and a bridge rope on the front that connects to the tether rope which then connects to the tree.

There are several different types of saddles being manufactured today, including a single panel, a two-panel, and a hybrid, pleated single panel. There are some other options out there, but most of the popular hunting saddles fall into one of the three categories above.

Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to over $400 for a good hunting saddle. If you’re brand new to saddle hunting, I would recommend buying a kit from a reputable manufacturer that will include the saddle, ropes and carabiners needed.

Great Overall Option: Tethrd Lockdown

Great Option on a Budget: Hawk Helium Hammock Saddle kit

2. Saddle Hunting Ropes

Aside from the saddle, you’ll need a couple of ropes. One is your tether and the other is a lineman’s rope.

Tether

When saddle hunting, the tether rope is what goes around the tree once you’re at hunting height and fastens to the bridge rope on your saddle with a carabiner. It’s your lifeline in the tree.

Tethers are typically around 8 feet long and come in a couple of different diameters — a smaller 8mm or a larger 10-11mm (more on that below). The tether will have a loop on one end and a knot on the other, with a prussic knot that can be positioned anywhere on the rope as needed with a carabiner.

Expect to pay $40-80 for a good tether rope.

Great Option: Latitude Ultralight 10mm Tree Tether

Lineman’s Rope

The second rope you’ll need is the lineman’s rope, which is very similar to the tether, but with two carabiners — one on the prussic knot like the tether and one on the loop end.

If you’ve ever used climbing sticks and a hang-on stand, then you’ve probably used a lineman’s rope. It goes around the tree, attaching to each side of your saddle with a carabiner to keep you connected to the tree so you can hang climbing sticks and a platform hands-free.

It may be tempting to save some cash and just have one rope that serves as both your lineman’s rope and tether. Don’t. With only one rope, you’ll have to remove your lineman’s rope at hunting height to fix it around the tree as your tether, meaning there will be a period of time when you’re not attached to the tree.

It’s not worth risking your life just to save a few bucks on a rope. Get yourself both a lineman’s rope and tether.

Expect to pay $40-80 for a good lineman’s rope.

Great Option: Latitude Ultralight 10mm Lineman Belt

3. Saddle Hunting Platform

As you hang in a tree from your saddle, you’ll want a place to rest your feet. That’s where a platform comes into play. Think of it as a very small hang-on stand minus the seat.

Saddle hunting platforms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and weights. Which you ultimately choose depends on whether you’re more concerned about foot room and being able to move around or minimizing weight. You’ll also want to consider the design, finish, and grip of the platform to make sure it suits your needs.

Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 for a quality saddle hunting platform.

Great Option: XOP Invader Platform

4. Climbing Sticks

The next piece of equipment you need for saddle hunting is a way to get up the tree. While there are several options for this, including screw-in steps, strap-on steps, and even climbing spurs, the most popular options — and the only one I’d recommend for new saddle hunters — are climbing sticks.

If you think there’s an abundance of platform options out there, then you’ll really be overwhelmed by the number of climbing sticks on the market. And because there are so many options, we created a separate article highlighting some of the best climbing sticks on the market.

Expect to pay $100 to $400+ for 3 to 4 climbing sticks.

Great Overall Option: Latitude Carbon SS Climbing Sticks

Great Budget Option: XOP X2 Climbing Sticks

5. Saddle Hunting Pack

The final thing you need to saddle hunt is a backpack to carry in all your gear. For saddle hunting, not just any pack with do. You need one that will easily carry your platform and climbing sticks, along with all your traditional hunting gear like a knife, calls, extra layers of clothes, snacks, and anything else you routinely carry into the woods with you.

As saddle hunting gains in popularity, there are more and more packs being manufactured specifically for saddle hunting. Prices can vary widely based on the quality of materials, features, and where it’s made.

Expect to pay between $50 and $300+ for a saddle hunting pack.

Great Overall Option: KUIU Venture Divide 3000

Great Budget Option: TideWe Hunting Pack

Final Thoughts

Saddle hunting can seem complicated and gear-intensive to someone just getting started, but it’s really not. Once you have your 5 key pieces of gear to get started — your saddle, tether, lineman’s rope, platform, and climbing sticks — there’s not a whole lot left you need.