So you’ve heard about saddle hunting and want to give it a shot—but now you’re staring at all this gear thinking, “Where do I even start?”

Good news: You really only need five main things to get going. Sure, once you get into it, you might tweak or upgrade your setup, but this is all you need to safely get up a tree and start hunting.

Let’s break it down in plain English.

1. The Saddle

This is the thing you wear up in the tree—it’s like a hunting hammock for your butt. It holds you up and keeps you comfy, which is super important if you plan to sit still for hours.

There are three main types:

• Single Panel Saddles – Just one piece of fabric or mesh under your seat. Simple, light, and easy to use. Great for first-timers.

• Two Panel Saddles – Two smaller panels that adjust independently. You can slide them around to support your lower back or get a more custom fit.

• Hybrid Saddles – These are the Cadillac of comfort. The JX3 Hybrid, for example, feels like sitting in a recliner. Downside? It’s a little bulkier and takes a bit more time to learn.

2. Tether Rope

This rope wraps around the tree and connects to your saddle once you’re at hunting height. It’s what keeps you in the tree—literally. You clip into it with a carabiner and adjust it with a prussic knot so you can lean back and move around a bit.

Think of it as your seatbelt in the tree. Don’t hunt without it.

3. Lineman’s Rope

This is your climbing buddy. You use it while going up the tree so you can keep both hands free to hang sticks or set up your platform without feeling like you’re gonna fall backward.

It wraps around the tree and clips into both sides of your saddle. It’s super handy (and way safer) when climbing.

Pro tip: Don’t skip out and try to use one rope for both jobs. Get a separate tether and lineman’s rope—you won’t regret it.

4. Platform

Once you’re up in the tree, you’ll need something to stand on. That’s where the platform comes in. It straps to the tree and gives your feet a solid place to rest while you’re leaning back in the saddle.

There are a bunch of styles out there, but they all do basically the same thing. Some people use “ring of steps” instead, but most folks start with a simple platform.

5. Climbing System

Last but not least—you need a way to actually get up the tree. This could be:

• Climbing sticks

• A one-stick setup (super light and mobile)

• Rope aiders or other climbing methods

Start with something that feels safe and easy for you. You can always upgrade later once you get the hang of it.

Wrap-Up

That’s it—just five essentials and you’re ready to get started saddle hunting:

1. Saddle

2. Tether rope

3. Lineman’s rope

4. Platform

5. Climbing method

Don’t let all the gear options overwhelm you. Keep it simple at first. Get your setup dialed in, learn the ropes (literally), and you’ll be hunting from a tree in no time.

Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever hunted any other way.

Stay safe and enjoy the view up there!