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Inspired by gbk comment in the other thread (Majority of the hunters climbs traditionally)
I personally happen to start saddle hunting from the start hence for me traditional method is using sticks, however I sold my sticks off last year and am in 2TC (two tether) and rappel method now. Never been quieter, lighter and safer since I made this switch
In general though:
What is traditional climbing method according to your understanding/hunt camps etc ?
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Interesting thread newbiehunter.
As far i am concerned,i use Ameristep screw in treesteps,and use mostly prepared and pre-set trees .
Set the stand up end of Aug-early Sept.This way the area has time to cool off.
I pull out the last 4--5 steps,and insert/remove them at each hunt.
Have few Rivers Edge hang on tree stands ,and have several trees set up for my Trophyline Tree Sadlle.
I hunt them spots when wind is right,season is right,and I have time;)
I have no issues using both systems interchangeably.
I also own a Lone Wolf sit and climb-really did not use that much so far.Very comfortable-just somehow i drift to my Hang ons -or to the saddle.
This year i am going to try the TreeHopper steps(really like their design)to avoid so many screws to insert/remove .
I am also thinking to buy some climbing sticks this year-or next year.
So i would avoid Treesteps in/out-in/out.
This would also help me speed scouting/speed tree preparation.
Not much of a run and gun guy,but when i do -i use a WalMart beach chair to test the spot.:whacked:
If any good-i set it up for the Saddle-for the next season.
The 2Tether method is quite interesting-not for an older guy though ,i recon.:scream:
Yeah TreeHopper steps are really stable and comfortable, I use the instead of a platform at hunting height. However their strength is the same their weakness - those extra flaps don't allow them to pack well in a pouch.(been thinking about switching to squirrel steps for this reason)
In regards to a chair, you might want to look into this one:
https://www.amazon.ca/Trekology-YIZI...s%2C179&sr=8-5
It's more on expensive side, but weight, packability and comfort can't be beat. (if you pull a trigger on it, get an extra mat for ground, so you can use it on soft surfaces too)
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What other folks use ? For fixed stands?
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For fixed strap-on stands at the back of my own little property for archery season, I use section(s) of old aerial ladder that I had, strapped to the tree. I picked up a used climber stand a year or more back but have yet to give it a try on crown land as I'm primarily a still-hunter where there is room to roam.
After using a hang on with screw in steps, and selling the Summit viper SS climbing stand, I find myself with a couple River's edge wide ladder stands. Comfortable to sit all day and a bit more stable if things get a little windy.
I started with a lineman belt and climbing sticks for my hang on, then a friend let me try his saddle with a 1 stick/rappel setup and I really liked the saddle and the rappel. I'm not keen on the 1 stick though for the climb up so now I use sticks on the way up and rappel to take them off. Much easier than climbing down with a lineman belt for me.
His setup had a mad rock safeguard, I went with a figure 8.
Tried figure 8 as well initially. In auto stop configuration:Quote:
Originally Posted by dean.f
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULftiEcRyCg
I found it a little bit awkward for initial release and could find a good way to lock it permanently while hunting (I climb up and hunt off my rappel line all day long to avoid any line transitions)
so ended up switching to atc guide backed up by auto block with hollow block loop during rappel
And
Locked permanently with mule hitch during hunting
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This is the way I use the figure 8, I don't hunt from it though, I leave it on my rope up near the top and hang from a split tail schwabisch below it. When I'm finished I clip into the figure 8 then move the split tail over to my right side loop for a backup.Quote:
Originally Posted by newbiehunter
I haven't had enough time in the tree with this setup to really refine my technique. I just like to have 1 rope to worry about and keep it as simple as possible to avoid making a deadly mistake.
Makes sense, for sureQuote:
Originally Posted by dean.f
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I was debating the Squirrel steps ,and decided for TreeHopper.Quote:
Originally Posted by newbiehunter
Mostly due of the size/width of the steps(steps seem comfortable ).
For me the "bulk"is not an issue,i always carry a backpack(most my hunting stuff+parka +crossbow case)are in it.
I never wear my parka until i am up in the tree,and start to be cold(I hate overheating).
Them 5 steps will fit in nicely,i think.
Thanx for the heads up for the nice chair.
For a semi permanent tree stand I use three strap-on steps and three step aiders each adding two steps which gets me up about 15ft, I add a safety line instead of using a linesman's belt to increase speed. For one day mobile hunts on public land I use the one step method with a five step aider and I can go up as high as I want but going up is very slow, for this method I use the tree loop on my saddle. Both methods I can rappel down in 30 seconds.
Summit Viper with a machete and hatchet on my belt to remove limbs on my way up.
Any new stands made now are permanent, with a really solid ladder built and attached to get into them. I like putting the base of the ladder in deck blocks just to keep them from rotting. Do have one I built in a maple tree that is a little over 20' up, and gives an amazing view over a soft maple swamp, but age as well as knowing our limits has stopped us from building them that high.
John
on a mobile set up I prefer 4 sticks, bottom stick has a 2 step aider and a hangon stand. this is the only way I can achieve 22' platform height.
I'm probably switch to a saddle this year and see how that goes
and yes 22' isn't always needed but it's certainly nice to have it when needed
I am with John when it comes to treestands and have two built into the crotch of Maple trees at different locations on my property. I use 2x6's for support beams (lag bolted to tree) and 2x4's for safety rails plus the ladder is PT 2x4x16 built like they do on construction sites bolted onto the stand and pegged at the bottom. I also have two metal treestands for the younger guys to use. At 66 years old I prefer something user friendly and is big enough in a pinch you can fit two people. I plan on adding one more permanent stand but finding the right tree(s) in the right spot is tricky.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjyb
I have a couple hang-ons with pegs that are pre-hung in good spots. But primarily hunt mobile with 3 aluminum hang-on stands, and 8 32" sticks. I'll hang & hunt with 2 or 3 sticks and an aider. If I find i'm in a good spot that i'd like to hunt again, i'll leave stand up and just take the aider and bottom stick back out with me. Trick is, remembering to bring that 1 stick when I end up going back there :silly: I can do that in 3 locations before I have to resort to using my climber.
I'm not interested in saddle hunting solely based on my theory that there is no possible way I could ever shoot as well from a saddle, as I do standing on a level platform. I suppose if I were shooting a xbow or even a compound that might be different.
Attachment 44397 Attachment 44398
I'm guessing hunting with traditional archery equipment really changes your shot optionsQuote:
Originally Posted by LowbanksArcher
even hunting with a compound I can hold at full draw for minutes if needed not really an option for you
It definitely needs to happen faster, and closer. And i'm about 10ft lower than you. lol. I stay under 12ft to improve my shot angles, and that's especially important when i'm expecting to shoot less than 15 yards. Last fall's buck was about a 9 yard shot, and I think I was only up about 10ft. If i was up 22ft, not sure how that would've worked out for me. My comment about the saddle is strictly due to shooting traditional. If I was taking my compound I would totally give a saddle a try. I've experimented with rigging my linesmans loops on my harness up to act as a saddle and hanging back while on my stand. My biggest dislike was the movement that was required to transition my 62" recurve with a 31" arrows sticking out of it, to the offside to make a shot. As I was experimenting a had a couple bucks come thru on my off side and I had to lift the entire bow/arrow over top of my tether to get to the offside. It was like I was waving to the deer. haha. Didnt like that. That said, it would be easier with a 30"-34"ata compound, and with a bit of practice i'm sure you will get the hang of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by DanE
Due to the collapse of the deer population in our area, I don’t spend a lot time in a tree anymore. You can spend a long time in one without ever seeing a deer!
When I was hunting from treestands, I had the option of using a self-climber, a hang-on, or ladder stands.
For the hang-on, I have screw-in tree steps and the sectional tree ladder. Tree steps are more portable but it’s a workout screwing in 12 of them. Hauling a steel tree ladder into remote areas is no chore either, same goes for ladder stands. I don’t really care for ladder stands as I like to be higher in a tree.