1. Start in Your Backyard
When starting with saddle hunting, begin by practicing in your backyard at a low height, just a foot or two off the ground. This will help you become comfortable with the saddle and build confidence in a safe, controlled environment. Use this opportunity to practice shooting from various angles by setting up multiple targets around your tree. As you gain confidence and skill, gradually increase the height to simulate real hunting conditions.
2. Keep Your Saddle Setup Simple
Resist the urge to overload your saddle with bags and accessories. Too much gear hanging from your setup can make movement cumbersome and reduce your stability while in the air. Saddle hunting is all about staying light, mobile, and efficient. Focus on bringing only the essentials to avoid unnecessary bulk and maintain your freedom of movement.
3. Shoot from the Strong Side
A saddle is not a stationary platform, so take advantage of its mobility. While off-side shots are possible, strong-side shots are significantly easier and should be your go-to when hunting. Adjust your tether's position around the tree to create better angles and multiple strong-side shot opportunities. While practicing weak-side shots is important, prioritize mastering strong-side shots to maximize your efficiency and success in the field.
