Late season deer hunting can be a unique challenge.  Let’s take a moment to unpack some of those challenges and address them from the perspective of using a saddle.  

First let’s look at the obvious.  It gets colder as the season moves on.  The weather also gets wetter and, at least here in Kentucky, mud and moisture on your feet become more of a consideration.  I usually use some form of rope climbing or rappelling.  Either of these methods mitigate the dangers from slippery footwear or, on the descent, digits that are stiff and have lost some dexterity due to the cold air.  

As the season moves on, patterns often change.  Whether it’s from hunting pressure following the rut or the search for food, they sometimes change fast and with little warning.   That permanent stand you’ve used every November for years may suddenly need to be 30 yards in another direction in December.  That’s much easier to do with the high mobility a saddle gives you.  

As the leaves fall you may find yourself in need of the ability to go a little higher or lower in a tree.  A more permanent stand may leave you underneath the available cover, or you may find the need to drop down a few feet to use a hill behind you to prevent skylining yourself.  Whether your desired height is up or down the tree, a saddle lets you make adjustments.  Even during the hunt itself if need be!

Don’t wait til next year to start saddle hunting.  There’s no better time to start than the present!