The info on this website is different than what you may find elsewhere simply because JRB doesn’t want you to take any chances with your safety. Take your time, educate yourself, and make a plan using the 10 steps outlined below.
Page Contents:
Why Saddle Hunt?
If you are not sure that Saddle Hunting is for you, ask yourself why a hunter with a lifetime of success in whitetail deer hunting uses it exclusively. Refer to the information on this page:
Terminology
There are a lot of terms used in the Saddle Hunting. You might be familiar with the basic terms, but if you hear a term that you are not familiar with, JRB has assembled a dictionary of terms for your reference:
Your Mission
Have you considered what your “mission” is? If you haven’t feel free to borrow JRB’s saddle hunting mission statement:
In order to maximize my success as a deer hunter, I need a climbing system which allows me to climb virtually any tree with maximum safety, comfort, speed, & mobility, and with a minimum weight, bulk, noise & cost profile.
Consider Your Priorities
Before you buy anything or decide how you are going to climb, please consider your priorities. After you do so, review your priorities with a best friend or family member. They typically care more about our safety than we do. Here are JRB’s recommended priorities:
Priority 1: Safety
Your safety is more important than ANYTHING ELSE. If something CAN go wrong with your system, it eventually will. Most hunters don’t think about it very much and just follow the crowd. Make your safety non-negotiable. Digest the info on the Safety page, then come back here and continue:
Priority 2: Weight, Bulk, Noise, Cost, Speed, Comfort, Mobility
Yes, these things are all are important, and the exact order will vary for the individual, but they are all in a massive tie for 2nd priority under Safety. Furthermore, we can have ALL of these things without compromising our safety.
Priority 3: Versatility
The reason this is the lowest priority is simply because that’s where most hunters (who climb straight trees with no branches) tend to put it. It’s actually quite important because in order to be successful hunters, we do not want to be limited in terms of the variety of trees that we can climb. For example, a straight tree with no branches in the open woods is the only kind of tree we can climb with some climbing methods. The tree we want to climb:
- Might have many branches or none
- Might have multiple trunks
- Might be leaning or straight
- Might be 6 inches or 4 feet in diameter
- Might be covered in vines
Think it through and consider a more versatile system.
The Steps
Step 1: Make a commitment to learn
Before you do anything, make a commitment that you are going to invest some time and energy into learning all you can. Be patient and take your time.
Step 2: Make a plan
Before you buy anything, consider creating a system which can be used in as many climbing methods as possible. Buying a “saddle hunting kit” that is on sale from a random supplier is probably not a good idea. For example, most kits are missing the most important safety component they need: a Lifeline. The steps:
- Research what climbing methods you plan to use (list on the homepage). For example, you might start with sticks and later want to learn to use DSRT, JRB’s preferred and recommended method.
- Decide what system to build (list on the homepage), influenced by the methods you will pursue. JRB’s recommendation is a Universal System.
Step 3: Shop; buy the essentials
What you NEED to accomplish the priorities above is likely different than what the industry is influencing you to BUY. Depending on what you already have, each climber will need to make up their own shopping list. And consider that you don’t need to buy everything at once. The list below allows you to buy and get your saddle together first, allowing you to get used to it before committing to any climbing method(s). Use the Shopping List page and the list below to help you:
Step 4: Learn your knots
While waiting for your order, all you need is a piece of cord or rope to practice your knots. Use the website and the channel to help you. Some recommendations below.
- A cinching knot for a carabiner: Poachers/Scaffold
- An anchor on a tree: Maverick Hitch or JRB Cinch
- A friction hitch: Longhorn Agile
- For rappel: The Munter Friction Hitch
- Bend: Hunter’s Bend
- Emergency Backup Friction Hitch: Hedden
Step 5: Get used to the saddle
When you get your saddle, do NOT try to start climbing right away. Spend some time in your saddle with it attached to a tree at ground height so that you can get used to it. If you are not comfortable on the ground, you are not going to be comfortable in the canopy. Bounce around. Get comfortable. Adjust the bridge length. If you have a platform, install it. Move around. Simulate shooting one side or another. Close your eyes and picture yourself up at hunting height, with nothing under you. Get used to the freedom. Allow your system to earn your trust.
Step 6: Build your system
Construct your chosen system, as per instructions on the other pages.
Step 7: Learn to rappel
You can learn to rappel without actually climbing. JRB recommends installing your redundant bridge and practicing a rappel using the Munter friction hitch from a standing position, all of 2 feet until your butt hits the ground. Then do it 2 feet higher, then 4.
Step 8: Practice climb
Your first few climbs should be conducted in a safe setting, with a buddy or friend. Please consider wearing a helmet. How you climb is up to you. Just make sure you are tied in and managing slack.
Your first solo climbs should be in a public location or a place known by others. Make sure you have your cellphone and reception. Make sure you have put together your emergency supply kit and have it on you. Consider bringing everything that you would bring on a hunt including your weapon, just to be sure you can get everything just right.
Step 9: Hunting climb
Make sure that your location is known by others. Make sure you have your cell phone and reception.
Step 10: Maintain and improve
Now that you have successfully climbed, it is your responsibility to maintain, inspect and improve your system and method(s). Don’t be complacent; gravity is always watching us.