Hunting Marksmanship in a Saddle

Hunting marksmanship in your saddle will depend on your chosen sporting arm—either a bow, crossbow, or rifle. The following information is an overview of common methods for each.

For saddle hunting in a tree, it is helpful to think of your setup like a clock with 12 o’clock being directly at the tree and 6 o’clock being straight behind your body when facing the tree.

Bows

• With archery equipment, it is critical that you set up your platform in a position so that your intended shooting lanes are on your strong side in the saddle. For a right-handed shooter, your 4 o’clock to 11 o’clock (4:00–11:00) range is your strong side. This would be 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock (1:00–7:00) for left-handed shooters.
• If your intended game walks on your weak side, you have three options. It is recommended that you practice these options at ground level by shooting at targets before making these moves at hunting height in a tree.
  • Option One: Bend your knees so that one knee is in contact with the tree. This ensures that you have three points of contact to remain stable for a shot opportunity. With your knee pressed into the tree, slowly push off of your platform to pivot around the tree. This will often allow you to shoot 12:00–2:00 for a right-handed shooter (10:00–12:00 for left-handed).
  • Option Two: Grab your tether rope with your right hand (opposite for left-handed), stand up on your platform, and turn your body counterclockwise so that your tether is now over your right shoulder and your back is to the tree. Be careful not to introduce slack into your tether when making this move. This will often allow you to shoot 1:00–6:00 for a right-handed shooter (6:00–11:00 for left-handed).
  • Option Three: Raise your bow above your bridge and tether over to your weak side. You will have to pivot your bridge through the carabiner using your hips. This will allow you to shoot 12:00–3:00 for a right-handed shooter (9:00–12:00 for left-handed).

Crossbows

• Position your platform so your strong-side shots are where you expect the majority of your shots to be.
• Hang your crossbow on the strong side of the tree with the broadhead pointed up. This would be the left side for right-handed shooters and the right side for left-handed shooters.
• Grasp the fore-end of the crossbow and lift it off the gear hook. Grasp the pistol grip with your other hand and raise the stock to your shoulder.
• 12:00–1:00 shots for right-handed shooters (12:00–11:00 for left-handed)
  • Lean forward past the trunk and branches to avoid having the crossbow limbs hitting the tree.
• 12:00–7:00 shots for right-handed shooters (12:00–5:00 for left-handed)
  • On strong-side shots, use the bridge of your saddle to rest your arm holding the fore-end to add stability to your shot. Lean slightly away from the tree or branches to create clearance for the crossbow limbs once fired. Not doing so can result in bodily harm.
  • Placing your strong-side knee into the tree will further increase the stability of your shot.
• 7:00–4:00 shots for right-handed shooters (5:00–8:00 for left-handed)
  • Navigate to the edge of your platform to pivot left (right for left-handed), away from your bridge, to make shots that are behind you.
• 4:00–1:00 shots for right-handed shooters (8:00–11:00 for left-handed)
  • This is considered the weak-side shot.
  • Pivot your left foot to the front left side of the platform (opposite for left-handed) and your right foot to be on the same side next to it, so your hips are square to your weak side.
  • Position your crossbow over your bridge. This will allow for stable, weak-side shots with minimal movement.

Rifles

• Position your platform so your strong-side shots are where you expect the majority of your shots to be.
• Hang your firearm on the strong side of the tree with the muzzle pointed up. This would be the left side for right-handed shooters and the right side for left-handed shooters.
• Grasp the fore-end of the firearm and lift it off the gear hook. Grasp the grip with your other hand and raise the stock to your shoulder.
• 12:00–1:00 shots for right-handed shooters (12:00–11:00 for left-handed)
  • Lean forward past the trunk and branches to prevent the muzzle from being blocked by the trunk or branches.
• 12:00–7:00 shots for right-handed shooters (12:00–5:00 for left-handed)
  • On strong-side shots, use the bridge of your saddle to rest your arm holding the fore-end to add stability to your shot. Placing your strong-side knee into the tree will further increase the stability of your shot.
• 7:00–4:00 shots for right-handed shooters (5:00–8:00 for left-handed)
  • Navigate to the edge of your platform to pivot left (right for left-handed), away from your bridge, to make shots that are behind you.
• 4:00–1:00 shots for right-handed shooters (8:00–11:00 for left-handed)
  • This is considered the weak-side shot.
  • Pivot your left foot to the front left side of the platform (opposite for left-handed) and your right foot to be on the same side next to it, so your hips are square to your weak side.
  • Position your firearm over your bridge. This will allow for stable, weak-side shots with minimal movement.