Saddle hunting is the hottest thing going these days when it comes to mobile hunting. However, there are still plenty of skeptics that want to know, “Can you fall out of a tree saddle?”
It’s the one issue that tends to be a hang up for many hunters that lean toward a more traditional means of hunting for deer from an elevated position.Â
So, can you fall out of a tree saddle? We tried. Check out the video below for a look at the answer.Â
Always Connected
Regardless of your hunting method, staying connected from the time you leave the ground, until you return, is the only way to go when it comes to the safest way to hunt from any elevated position.Â
Saddle hunting with a lineman’s rope and tether rope allow you to stay connected throughout the process. It is without a doubt the safest way to ascend and descend the tree.Â
Better Position Control
Some tend to think that a slip from the saddle would send you into a wild swinging frenzy, or leave you dangling from the tree like a puppet. However, the opposite is true. When you have your tether rope centered on the tree in line with your platform, your body weight will always bring you back to center as you swing or move around the tree.Â
Also, the adjustments you can make with your tether rope allow you to customize the fit and feel of how you position yourself in the saddle.Â
Safely Anchored
The common misconception of saddle hunting is that a slip from the platform would result in the hunter being upside down, or flipping over and out of the saddle. On the contrary, you’ll find that the saddle provides an extremely safe anchor to the tree.Â
I’m a fairly big dude, weighing in at 215 pounds, and the majority of my weight is above the waist. However, when going through a fall scenario, the saddle kept me well balanced. Even after repeated fall attempts, I did not flip upside down, or out of control. I was easily able to get my feet back to the platform and back in hunting position.Â
Even when straddle-scooting up the tree into an upside down position (feet in the air, head toward the ground), I was safely anchored to the tree. No slipping, and no sliding.
Because of the safety process built into the saddle hunting method (lineman’s rope and tether rope), saddle hunting honestly provides a greater sense of safety, from the ground up.Â
Conclusion
What about you? Have you tried saddle hunting? Would you?Â
Comment below and let us know about your experience when it comes to safety while saddle hunting.Â
Brodie Swisher is a world champion game caller, outdoor writer, seminar speaker and Editor for Bowhunting.com. Brodie and his family live in the Kentucky Lake area of west Tennessee.