Hike in and saddle up

Hunting while off the grid has its challenges, at least when you’re getting far away from civilization.

The biggest challenge comes down to weight. Generally speaking, the longer you stay off grid, the more stuff you need to carry. Because of that, hunting off the grid for most folks means hunting from the ground.

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I’ve killed my share of wild game while hunting on the ground, and it’s a great aspect of hunting that I certainly enjoy. But it can also be frustrating, especially when you know deer are present, but just out of sight.

Climbing stands have come a long way in terms of construction. They are lighter than they’ve ever been, and many are more packable than ever.

Latitude Method 3

Still, when you’re hiking into camp with all your living essentials, as well as hunting gear, climbing stands simply are not an option.

But saddles are a different story. Crafted of the same material as hunting clothes and bags, saddles are the lightest option to get a hunter up a tree, and that’s not the only advantage offered by saddles.

The ability to move yourself around the tree as the situation requires is another reason saddle hunting is so effective.

My choice in all my saddle hunting gear comes down to weight, and that’s why I chose the Method 3 saddle from Latitude Outdoors. Weighing less than 21/2 pounds, and full of features that make it insanely comfortable, this saddle is made for getting deep in the woods and staying in the saddle for a full day of hunting. It’s so comfortable that when I hike in to set up camp, even on the day before my first hunt, I wear this saddle. That cuts down on what I need to fit into my pack, and it’s barely noticeable at all, even as I hike my way off the grid.

Ravin R18

Archery gear, usually some type of bow, is the most popular among saddle hunters. I take a slightly different approach, using a Ravin R18 crossbow which features a vertical limb design, making it the most compact crossbow available.

I’ve found no shooting gear more suitable to hike long distances with than the R18. The stock removes and reattaches quickly, easily and without tools. Removing the stock shrinks it from 25 inches to 18, and thanks to the ingenious design, it measures just 4.75 inches wide when uncocked, so it fits nicely in my pack when hiking into camp.

The R18 does all this while maintaining the sturdiness, accuracy and performance that all Ravin crossbows are known for, so compromising on any aspect of hunting is simply not necessary.

Firing at 330 FPS, the R18 is more than capable of stopping a whitetail deer in its tracks, and the unique cam, cocking, firing and flight systems make it a joy to shoot, without all the hassles often associated with performing those tasks on a crossbow, and the included reddot sight is a nice touch.

Old trapper

Sitting in the saddle all day, I do get hungry, so I have to factor in the weight and space of some type of food to keep me going.

Beef jerky is one of the easiest foods to carry saddle hunting. Super lightweight, beef jerky is easy to carry, filling, and has great flavor.

I’ve eaten a lot of jerky in my day, and one rule I swear by is that there’s a lot of bad jerky on the market, and life’s too short to deal with bad jerky.

Old Trapper has kippered beef steak in a two-pack that will get me through a day of hunting, and their bags of jerky, snack sticks and Double Eagle Coins are good for multi-day hunts.