Let’s talk hunting saddles again

[Elkhunttoo]

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We sat this saddle several mornings last season. Between mule deer, grouse, and the occasional elk…and one bear it was a fairly active stand. I don’t think I’ve ever set a more active stand. I did have one hunter walk in. He didn’t notice me until a waved him over. Nice guy that came in at about 10 am. At 11 am I had more deer following the exact same path that the hunter was walking.

My wife had elk go from the timber side to the open ridge side one morning around 9am….they were at about 55 yards. They never stopped moving and they were about 55 yards from her. One decent herd bull but my wife said he was way to interested in his cows to stop for her cow calls…

The cons of the saddle…. It seemed like you are going to see quite a few animals that you can’t get a shot at. This is a bigger saddle and lots of the activity took place out of range.

My overall opinion is we will be back in that saddle again next season as it seemed fairly active

[Swede]

I have no idea how many hunters on WapitiTalk are paying any attention to the tree stand forum, but you are making some good points. If a saddle is where you are seeing activity from the critters you are hunting, then it is a great place to have a stand. Saddles can be much like water holes or other pinch points they concentrate game animal movement into a small area. Water holes are an attraction as the deer or elk come to drink or wallow. Saddles concentrate animal movement as the are easier to pass through than clombing higher up on the mountain.

[Lefty]

I have no idea how many hunters on WapitiTalk are paying any attention to the tree stand forum, .

I read more than I reply lately. Im becomiong more capable of climbing,,, and may set up a tree stand for elk this season

[Swede]

Lefty, pay attention to the saddles too. I have a couple I want to check out this year I believe may be worth hanging a stand at.

[Lefty]

Lefty, pay attention to the saddles too. I have a couple I want to check out this year I believe may be worth hanging a stand at.

Two of the 3 locations I am looking at are saddles, the other a ridge.

I am also looking at something that most hunters completely overlook, I know of a thicket of 2-4 inch quickies, with water somewhat protected by a steep hillside,,,,, near the road,,, and IO have seen a bull which now appears to be living in that 10 acre stand of .

[Elkhunttoo]

The toughest part of this saddle is how big it is. Had a really hard time "guessing" where to hang the stand. After sitting the stand i think i did ok but there were still several animals that past by that were out of range.

Im looking into another saddle for this season. Not sure if i will get a stand in it or not this year but i will definitely have cameras in it to see how active it is. The new saddle im looking at i have only been through one time and it had elk in it on that morning. Its about a mile away from where the spring/wallow that i mainly sit. im excited to see what this saddle produces

[Swede]

I have some stand locations where it is hard to say just where the elk will come to. Usually, it is a place where there are waterholes spread out. To improve my odds of getting the elk close, I make a short two-note bugle from a hidey hole close to my stand, before I climb the tree. If you get in near dawn, you could wait at least two hours from your first call, climb down the tree and make another call.

[Elkhunttoo]

i guess i never really thought of that in a saddle stand. Last year twice elk went by this saddle but never went through it. Both times early am and they just kinda hung out in the open and didnt go into the trees yet. I wonder if a bugle before i got in the stand would of made a difference. i normally like to stay quite but this is one i might have to think on

[Swede]

I think a cow call would work great, but they do not reach out far enough. A short, small or medium bull sound without sounding aggressive is what I would choose.