Saddle hunting puts you in the air, connected to a tree by rope. Done right, makers say you're connected from the moment you leave the ground until you're back on it. This page collects what saddle makers (Tethrd, Latitude and Hang Free) and the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA) say to do before, during and after a climb. Nothing here replaces your own saddle's manual. Read it every season.

TMA's guidelines are written for treestands and full-body harnesses. We include the parts that apply to any elevated hunt and say so where it matters.

For how the lineman's belt, tether and bridge work, see tethers, bridges and lineman's belts explained.

Before the season

  • Read the instructions. TMA says to read and understand the maker's warnings and instructions before use each season, and to contact the maker with questions. Tethrd says not to use its products without reading all warnings and directions, and recommends every hunter seek qualified instruction.
  • Know your weight limit. TMA says never exceed the maker's weight limit. Latitude, for example, rates all its saddles for 300 lb, and that includes the hunter plus clothing and gear.
  • Use rated gear only. Tethrd says not to use ropes, carabiners or other safety products that aren't climbing rated, or climbing methods that are untested or unrated. TMA says never to use homemade gear or modify a purchased stand without the maker's written permission.
  • Practice low. TMA says to practice with a responsible adult present and to learn at ground level what it feels like to hang in your harness. Hang Free recommends practicing at least 5 times in daylight and at least 2 times in low light before a real hunt.

Before every hunt

  • Inspect your life-support gear. Tethrd says to check your saddle, platform, ropes and accessories before every hunt for cuts, tears, excessive abrasion or anything that could weaken them. TMA says to inspect before each use and destroy products that can't be repaired or are past the maker's expiration date.
  • Retire gear after a fall. TMA says a harness must be discarded and replaced after a fall. Tethrd's manual says a damaged saddle must be retired immediately.
  • Tell someone. TMA says to let others know your exact hunting location, when you'll be back and who you're with.
  • Pick a sound tree. TMA says to choose a live, healthy, straight tree within the maker's size limits, and never a leaning one.

On the climb

  • Stay connected the whole time. Tethrd says not to climb or descend without being connected to the trunk at all times. Put on the lineman's belt at the base of the tree.
  • Stay double connected at the top. Tethrd says most accidents happen in the switch from climbing to the platform. Attach the tether before you step onto the platform, then remove the lineman's belt.
  • Hang sticks above the platform. Latitude says to hang your last step or stick above the platform you'll hunt from, so you have handholds as you step down. It calls hugging the tree above the platform before your tether is on dangerous.
  • Go slow. TMA says never to hurry, and to keep three points of contact on ladders and steps.
  • Use a hands-free light in the dark. Tethrd says not to climb or descend in the dark without one, like a headlamp.
  • Only hang from the right points. Tethrd and Latitude both say molle and accessory loops are for gear only and won't hold body weight. Latitude says to suspend yourself only from the bridge and lineman's loops.
  • Know your limits. In TMA's words: "If you start thinking about how high you are, don't go any higher."

Haul your gear, don't carry it

TMA says never climb with anything in your hands or on your back. Use a haul line once you're at height to raise your pack and an unloaded bow or gun, and lower gear on the side of the tree away from your path down. Latitude adds that arrows should be unnocked and in the quiver while hoisting, and guns unloaded and hung muzzle down. A retractable hoist like the Doyle's Huntin Hoist is one option.

Rappelling

Some saddle hunters rappel down instead of climbing back down their sticks. The makers we checked are clear about the risks:

  • Use a system made for it. Latitude says its original Method saddle's D-ring is not designed for rappelling or as a primary suspension point. Tethrd says its molle loops must not be used for rappelling.
  • Get trained first. Hang Free says operating safely at height with ropes requires specific training, and never to attempt it without training and guidance from an experienced professional.
  • Follow the rope maker's instructions for the device, rope diameter and knots, and practice at ground level first.

If you fall: suspension relief and rescue

  • Know the danger. TMA warns that prolonged suspension in a harness may be fatal.
  • Carry a suspension relief option. Tethrd says a suspension relief device must be readily accessible, and that in an emergency your lineman's belt or tether can be rigged as one so you can stand in a loop and take load off your legs. Its manual shows the knots. Latitude's manual says your tether or lineman's rope can serve as a suspension relief device if it isn't in use.
  • Keep signals within reach. TMA lists a cell phone, two-way radio, whistle, signal flare, personal locator device and flashlight, kept on you and reachable even while hanging.
  • Have a plan. TMA says to have a rescue plan and, if you have to wait, to keep moving your legs by pushing against the tree. If you can't recover or escape, TMA's advice is to hunt from the ground.

Safety checklist

  • Manual read this season, weight limit checked (you plus gear)
  • Ropes, saddle, bridge, carabiners and platform inspected
  • Someone knows where you are and when you'll be back
  • Headlamp, phone and whistle on your body
  • Lineman's belt on before you leave the ground
  • Tether on before you step onto the platform
  • Bow and pack hauled up, not carried
  • Suspension relief option ready

Other good options

  • A safety course. Tethrd has a saddle hunting safety course on hunter-ed.com, linked below.
  • Hunt with a buddy. TMA recommends it so someone is there to help in an emergency.
  • Hunt from the ground. TMA's own fallback when you can't recover or escape.

Questions hunters ask

Do I need a full-body harness with a saddle? Use what your saddle maker's manual says. TMA's guidelines are written around full-body harnesses for treestands, so your saddle maker's instructions are the ones that cover your system.

How often should I replace my gear? Follow the maker's expiration date and retire anything damaged or that has caught a fall, per TMA and Tethrd.

Sources

  • Treestand Manufacturers Association, Treestand Safety Guidelines (PDF): https://tmastands.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/English-TSG.pdf
  • Tethrd, Saddle Hunting 101: https://tethrd.com/pages/saddle-hunting-101
  • Tethrd, E.S.S. saddle safety warnings and instructions (PDF): https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-resources/manuals/Tethrd-ESS.pdf
  • Tethrd, Mantis/Menace/Phantom saddle safety warnings and instructions (PDF): https://www.pyramydair.com/airgun-resources/manuals/Tethrd-Menance.pdf
  • Latitude Outdoors, Method 2 saddles and starter kits instruction manual (copy): https://manualspro.net/522950-latitude-outdoors-the-method-2-saddles-and-starter-kits-instruction-manual
  • Hang Free, Saddle and Rope Safety and Instruction Manual: https://hangfree.co/pages/saddle-and-rope-safety-instruction-manual
  • Tethrd Hunter Safety Course: https://www.hunter-ed.com/saddlehunting/essentials/studyGuide/Attaching-Your-Lineman-Belt/224099_299788/