I don't hunt next to my truck.

Summit Viper weighs about 20 pounds, depending on model.

Back to you tube this morning . .

He makes it look easy....for us older hunters.

What I love the most about the net is people with no experience usually give the most advise

Thats about what my api weighed. Just hated how big it was banging on branches on walk in and out. And no where to carry a boned out deer unless u get creative or want a horrible walk out. The safety harness weighed as much as my saddle and was not too comfy to wear.

Lock ons made for mobile hunting are what I have found work best for me to travel far. 8 pounds, the seat locks in to be meat shelf or gear shelf, I can sit down, stand up, and have a 26 inch platform to not feel cramped.

How do you get up the tree?

I would like to try saddle hunting .

Looks like most are saddle hunting 12 to 15 feet high.

I never hunt that low. With the Summit, I usually turn around & sit at about 25 to 30 feet. The height helps with the wind inside bow range and being picked off by these wary Southeastern US whitetails.

I use 4 sticks. Total weight with attachment methods of stand and sticks is 14 pounds.

Well, aren't you cute. Since that's your greatest love, why don't you point out those who are giving the most advice with no experience so we can sidestep the rabble and get on with learning here.

Curious about that also.

Lol my greatest love is being stubborn and not doing what I'm told
Cute isn't it?

I only hunt that low is of I'm using a gun or there's enough cover that it's not needed to go higher. Most guys ainm for at least 20.

I'm open to new ways to get up close & personal with a mature buck, but at 61 yr old and worn out knees I'm not sure I could do this saddle thing.

Gonna keep researching it though.

There's a lot of saddle hunting groups that have meetups where you can try different saddles and climbing methods.

That is an excellent idea. Thanks

The pros of a saddle is how minimal the set up is to take into the woods. Platform is tiny and a lot of guys wear the saddle as they walk in. I use four small sticks that hook together and strap on my pack. I’m in my 50’s and just started this year. There is minimal learning curve mostly how to go up the tree once and how everything is hanging off of you for convenience as you work your way up. I used the saddle twice and rattled in a mature whitetail and ended my season earlier than expected. Moving forward on my own property I will continue to use ladder stand that I can leave up. I prefer the comfort of a hang on or ladder but I don’t want to set either one of those up in the dark and then have to take it back down. The saddle shines quickly walking into a spot and getting up about any tree quietly and quickly.

Swamp, if you tried a saddle and found it comfortable you could always hang preset sticks. Gets you into your spot quickly and quietly, even less weight, but the comfort and mobility of a saddle. I know you’re not picking and choosing a tree on the fly at that point, but it’s a bit of a middle ground.

I hang preset sticks in rut funnels and have them set for various winds. Gives me options so I can sneak in super quiet. Also, most of my family doesn’t use saddles so it keeps them out of spots I like to hunt 😄

This one is priced pretty good.