Tethrd's Carnivore 2P Saddle Flips the Single-vs-Two-Panel Debate
For years, mobile hunters have been stuck in a quiet argument with themselves at the trailhead: single panel for the walk-in convenience, or two panel for the all-day comfort? Tethrd's answer, unveiled at the 2025 ATA Show in Indianapolis, is essentially — yes. Both. The Carnivore 2P saddle launched with one of the more clever mechanical tricks the saddle hunting world has seen in a while, and it turned heads at what was already one of the hottest corners of the show floor.
One Saddle, Two Modes — And It Actually Works
The core idea behind the Carnivore 2P is straightforward once you understand it: it wears like a single-panel saddle on the hike in, but converts to full two-panel mode once you hit the tree. That conversion happens via what Tethrd calls RAD Buttons — a quick-deploy mechanism that drops the second panel into position without fumbling around with straps or tools in the dark. Hike in lean and quiet, hunt in comfort. That's the pitch, and on paper it's hard to argue with.
Beyond the panel system, the Carnivore 2P brings a handful of features that saddle hunters who've been in this game a while will actually appreciate. Lay Flat Loops help the saddle sit flush and low-profile when packed. A Quad Lock Bridge offers more micro-adjustment for dialing in your hang angle. Free Float Mode gives you that fluid, unrestricted movement around the tree that makes saddle hunting so deadly for bowhunters. The saddle also runs a single row of Molle straps and a pair of D-rings for attaching accessories — a nod to how gear-heavy some mobile setups have become.
It's a feature-packed rig, but the real question any experienced saddle hunter asks is whether all those features add bulk. Tethrd's claim is that the Carnivore 2P stays compact and low-drag — essentially a two-panel saddle that doesn't punish you for the walk. That's been the knock on traditional two-panel designs for years: they're comfortable up in the tree but awkward and bulky getting there. If the Carnivore 2P genuinely threads that needle, it's a legit game-changer for run-and-gun hunters who cover miles and need to hunt long hours when they do sit.
The SABR Saw Stole the ATA Accessory Show
Tethrd didn't stop at the saddle. Their SABR Limb Saw walked out of the 2025 ATA Show with the Best New Accessory award, and honestly, it earned it. The SABR is a folding hand saw built to convert into a pole saw in the field — no extra gear needed. Its Limb Locks, fitted with stainless steel teeth, clamp onto a cut branch to give you a rigid extension for reaching limbs and brush that are just out of range from your perch. The blade itself is a curved SK5 steel design with an aggressive teeth pattern built to rip through wood fast.
For saddle hunters, lane-clearing is a real pain point. You're often hunting trees you've never been in before, sometimes in the dark, sometimes mid-hunt. A saw that doubles as a pole saw without carrying extra weight is the kind of tool that earns a permanent spot in the pack. It's a small thing, but small things matter when every ounce counts.
The Bigger Picture at ATA 2025
Tethrd's releases didn't happen in a vacuum. The 2025 ATA Show made it clear the saddle hunting category is still on a serious upswing. Platforms, saddles, and accessories drew some of the heaviest foot traffic on the Indianapolis floor. Arsenal debuted their RZR Elite and the sub-2-pound RZR Sub 2 platform. Trophyline rolled out their Hyperlite platform built from Magnite — a material they claim is lighter than aluminum and meaningfully stronger. Hunter Safety System, a brand most hunters know from treestand harnesses, entered the saddle market with a full lineup including the Legend Platform and two new saddle options. New players, proven players, and everyone in between showed up with something worth looking at.
That kind of competition is good for every hunter in the woods. Prices stay honest, designs keep improving, and the mobile hunting toolkit gets sharper every year. The Carnivore 2P is the kind of product that pushes other brands to think harder about the single-versus-two-panel problem — and that's a win for the whole community.
Bottom line: If you've been sitting on the fence about two-panel comfort because you didn't want to sacrifice packability, the Carnivore 2P deserves a long look. Send it.
