With whitetail season opening up around the country, hunters far and wide are itching to hit the woods in search of adventure. Most have dialed in their systems, but with a good few months of chasing game ahead of us, there is always room for upgrades to our gear, setup, and game plan.
If you're anything like me, then you're always on the lookout for gear and tactics you can utilize to help bring success every Fall. New studies on deer interaction and biology, updated movement patterns, changing environments, and fluctuating herd sizes keep us all on our toes - our gear needs to be ready to adapt just like we are.
The concept of saddle hunting is one born of that idea of adaptability. The lightweight gear, the mobility and field of view when you're in the tree, and the quick take-down and setup are all very helpful to hunters whose game plans change day by day, and hour by hour.
Very few understand the drive behind mobile hunting quite like the folks over at Latitude Outdoors. They are dedicated to designing and manufacturing the gear that will help you tag out each hunting season, and that is because they all use their own gear extensively.
They produce a yearly hunting series where members of their team use their saddle gear to bag giant bucks across the country. This type of continual first-hand experience grants them intimate knowledge on the wants and needs of mobile hunters, and allows them to pinpoint exactly where and how they can improve their products.
Some hunters go deep into public backcountry, and those hunters want their gear as mobile and lightweight as possible - without sacrificing quality and reliability.
Other types of saddle hunters might have their pick of multiple locations each morning on their own private land, and they plan on sitting tight all day.
There are even hunters who like to mix up their plans and pursuits day by day - playing it by ear based on the weather and temperature is never a bad idea. These hunters might want gear that can adapt as quickly as they can.
If you happen to fall into one of these three categories, or you see yourself as having a little of one and a little of another, then we have you covered.
When Mobility is Paramount
If you see yourself as the run-and-gun style of mobile hunter, you are going to want gear that gets the job done without weighing your down. From lightweight packs to ultra-light saddles, you need gear that won't weigh you down when going the distance.
Latitudes Maverick saddle - geared towards hunters like you - does just that. It is compact and lightweight without sacrificing comfort, ensuring your ability to chase deer through the backcountry without a hitch.
When that mobile hunter is looking to stow their gear on any number of hunts, the question of hunting packs starts to creep in. If you are looking at a truly minimalist setup, Latitude's Flyer pack is exactly what you need. The modular MOLLE design ensures you only carry the weight of your essential gear, and not the extra ounces of unused pockets, zippers, and fabric.
When Comfort is King
Just because you didn't splurge on a ladder stand that wouldn't look out of place on the streets of Abu Dhabi doesn't mean you don't deserve to be comfortable. Really, it is where comfort and mobility meet where the magic truly begins to happen.
Latitude know that all too well, so when they set out to design a saddle as comfortable as your grandpa's recliner, the Lonestar was born. Featuring nearly 2x as much support surface as most saddles on the market, their anti-pinch design, and perfect weight distribution, the Lonestar will have you rethinking what comfortable hunting can be.
Speaking of comfort, Latitude's Ranger 33 pack ensures you can carry in extra sandwiches, jackets, and socks in addition to your entire saddle setup with ease. The high quality zippers, extended MOLLE system, and durable fabric mean this pack takes your hunt as seriously as you do.
When the Winds Start to Change
If you wake up in the morning and your first thought is, "which of my 38 spots has the best wind forecast for the first three hours of the morning?" then you might need gear designed and equipped to handle your adaptable nature.
With their Method 3 saddle, Latitude reimagined what a saddle could be. The packability, simplicity, and ease of use of a classic single-panel coupled with the comfort, modularity, and adaptability of a two-panel. Whether you find yourself hiking miles in for a short morning climb, or waiting it out on an all day-sit, the Method 3 will be your go-to for years to come.
Much like how the Method 3 reimagined saddles, the Praxis pack reimagined hunting packs. It can work as a lightweight and functional day pack for those shorter trips into the woods, but the frame system and shelf allow it to expand and help pack out game when you're processing deep in the country. It even has dedicated areas for your sticks and platform, so they don't take up precious room needed for your essential gear.
Sticks and Platforms Designed for You
Where some companies feel they need to offer multiple versions of climbing stick and saddle platform, Latitude does the smart thing. Their incredibly portable, stable, and popular Profile platform is offered in a Standard and XL sizes and that's all there is to it. Why make a ton of changes to something that is already leading the market?
The Profile and Profile XL are made of only premium materials with high-quality finishes to ensure durability, reliability, and traction when in the field. Their teeth bite into trees as well as anything else you'll experience on the market, and it all collapses down to a slim, flat 'profile' to ensure ultimate packability and comfort when on the move.
If you're at all familiar with the saddle/mobile hunting world, then the topic of carbon fiber climbing sticks is one you will be well versed in. The idea of using carbon fiber for climbing sticks was foreign to many and was initially met with skepticism, but after many years of proving itself as an exceptionally stable and strong material, sticks like Carbon SS and Carbon Synergy are dominating the market.
The aerospace grade material combined with functional and comfortable designs mean these two sticks stand out as leaders in the lightweight and mobile hunting markets. The Carbon Synergy stick's ability to nest, coupled with Latitude's lightweight and sturdy Rope Lock System on both the Synergy and SS mean Latitude left no stone unturned in their pursuit of the best that carbon fiber has to offer.
The Best of the Rest
Having an excellent saddle, platform, and stick system is paramount when it comes to mobile hunting, but don't forget that little things can make all the difference. Latitude provides their customers with a ton of quality options for those extra accessories that really round out a system.
Tactical Dump Pouches, Knee Pads, Bow Hangers, Gear Straps, Step Aiders, and more are all available right HERE on Lancaster Archery's Latitude page. As the saying goes, "the devil is in the details," and you don't want to find holes in your mobile system when you're deep in the woods and it's too late.
