Tree Saddle or Ambush Sling - a season in review
I apologize for the long post and the delay in posting this info - I meant to write it up after the season. I purchased the Ambush Saddle last summer and used it extensively for the 2006-2007 hunting season. Cost is less than $200. Overall quality is excellent and the directions are clear/simple. You do not need the extra long attaching strap. I have no affiliation with any manufacturer.
For those who have not seen this device, it's a harness-style system that allows you to climb a tree with screw-in tree steps. At the top, the hunter stands on 4-8 tree steps circled around the tree and straps into the trunk at eye level. It allows for 360 degree shooting and set-up is quiet and quick. I bow-killed two deer from the sling that I could not have gotten without it. I shot one buck from the sling with a muzzleloader but the sling was not a direct, contributing factor in this kill.
The Bad News:
1. This system will not be comfortable for heavy hunters. I am 5'10" and 205 lbs and I can spend all day in the sling but a short break sometime during the day is really nice.
2. To be effective, you will need a collection of spiked trees throughout your properties. Tree steps are not free steps!It takes 17-20 tree steps to set-up a tree - depending on the height you desire. It has taken me about 12 months and 200+ spikes to scout/clear/spike enough trees to provide the basic array of stands I wanted.
3. Most climbers/lock-ons/ladders have a rail around the stand that makes for handy rifle rest. The only substitute is to rest the rifle against the tree when using the saddle.
4. Most climbers are a lot more comfortable than the ambush saddle.
5. You will have to practice with your bow and the saddle to become accustomed to shooting from it (should do this anyway).
The Good News:
1. You can shoot 360 degrees around the tree by silently pushing yourself around the trunk with your feet. This flexibility is very potent. I bow-killed a forkhorn that appeared at 30 yards from a completely unexpected direction. I just leaned backward and shot him in a direction 180 degrees from my initial facing direction. I could never have shot at this deer from a climber, ladderor lock-on.
2. You can easily and silently carry the entire set-up (including spikes) in your pack and scout with it on your back. Although it takes a few minutes to install the steps, you can set-up and hunt 'on-the-fly'. This is very handy when hunting on new properties. Or, you can spike the trees any other time of the year and be ready to hunt when you show up.
3. If you are hunting a tree that is already spiked, arrival and set-up are very quiet and quick.
4. As you hang in the stand, the trunk acts as natural cover/concealment (especially if you select a forked tree with some background cover). Keep the trunk between you and the deer's most likely arrival direction.
5. You can hunt from any tree that will support your weight. We maintain a designated ladder stand overlooking a feeder for my father-in-law (he's 63 - hope I am still bowhunting at this age). A climber would not even have come close to working on any of the trees in this area but I set-up in a small, forked tree to overlook the feeder when my father in law was not hunting it. The deer had become accustomed to checking the ladder stand for hunter presence before eating at the feeder. However, because I was in a different tree and I was able to shoot a nice doe that snuck into the feeder.
6. You can safely sleep in the saddle after early morning arrivals.
7. It is pretty much impossible to fall from this thing. The sling includes a safety strap that is used while climbing up the trunk. I leave this strap connected and loosen it while on the stand. This adds an extra layer of redundancy on an already secure and safe system.
8. No one can steal your stand. If you're worried about some one stealing your steps, you can remove the bottom 4-6 steps and install them upon your arrival. I have not had anyone steal my steps. I don't think any of the 'competition' has even identified my spiked trees - unless I showed them.
9. The deer in my area are hard hunted and they look in trees constantly. However, because the appearance/presentation of the hunter-in-tree is so much different than with a ladder/climber/lock-on, the deer are notsuspicious.
10. Thesaddle has a designated connector to allow it to be used as a traditional safety harness when hutning from a regular tree stand.
Summary:
I have not discarded my climber or lock-on! They still provide superior comfort and are vital tools despite limiting my fields of fire.
A lot of my hunts are limited to half days (because work keeps interfering with my hobby...). The saddle allows me to set-up and hunt efficiently and quietly on the shorter days. I had a chance to hunt out-of-state in Tennessee and the saddle allowed me to scout the property and set-up trees simultaneously. I also believe that being able to hide behind the trunk of the tree (instead of perching in front) is a significant advantage. Lastly, the ability to hunt from almost any tree is great because you can pick your spot then make a tree work. The small, funky shaped trees provide excellent cover and are easy to climb.
Overall, I am really keen on the saddle and would highly recommend it with the noted limitations.