Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 07:10:00 PM
Post by: doug77 on April 15, 2009, 07:15:00 PM
1 they are VERY dangrous unless you are trained to use them.
2 they are not good for the tree's.
I have been in the tree trimming business for 22 year's and we haven't used spur's for the last 10 year's.
doug77
Post by: ag-pilot on April 15, 2009, 07:59:00 PM
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 08:07:00 PM
Post by: RC on April 15, 2009, 08:29:00 PM
Post by: ozy clint on April 15, 2009, 08:34:00 PM
(http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF1574.jpg)
Post by: NightHawk on April 15, 2009, 09:11:00 PM
It's your life if you want to live it in a wheel chair, then be my guest use the tree climbers. You could always shoot your bow by blowing into a tube
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 09:16:00 PM
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 09:21:00 PM
Post by: MikeW on April 15, 2009, 09:23:00 PM
But if you are going to do it anyways, they make gaffs for poles and gaffs for trees. Make sure you get tree gaffs. If you use pole gaffs it's not you might fall it's when will you fall.
Post by: MikeW on April 15, 2009, 09:25:00 PM
Quote
went along with a guide oneday to recover a cat. he used them to get up there. i've thought about using them for putting up hang on stands.Might just be a bad pic but I'd say he doesn't know how to climb from what I see.
Post by: NoCams on April 15, 2009, 09:27:00 PM
nocams :campfire:
Post by: ozy clint on April 15, 2009, 09:30:00 PM
Post by: MikeW on April 15, 2009, 09:40:00 PM
Talking about his posture/stance. It's not right and a recipe to fall.
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 09:41:00 PM
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 09:49:00 PM
Post by: NoCams on April 15, 2009, 10:00:00 PM
nocams :coffee:
Post by: doug77 on April 15, 2009, 10:06:00 PM
doug77
Post by: NightHawk on April 15, 2009, 10:12:00 PM
They do have a new linemans belt on the market that is 100% fall proof but it's a piece of crap to climb with and to expensive to be practical
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/doylejmd/Pictures2057.jpg)
Post by: MikeW on April 15, 2009, 10:14:00 PM
Quote
Linemen, I thought that if I wore a good climbing belt at all times, and learned how to use them, about the worst thing that could happen would be a painful skid partially down the tree.That's pretty much true as long as you gaff back in. In a nutshell keep your body straight with your butt out a little(not like the guy in the pic hugging the tree with his head against it) keep your hands on the the sides of the tree. Make sure of your gaff before you stand on it. Always keep 3 contact points on the tree, meaning 2 gaffs and a hand or two hands and a gaff.. Obviously there is more too it than that but that's the basics. Next time you see some lineman on the side of the road(carry your stuff with you)ask them for a quick how to.
In the good old days we taught guys to climb by lighting the bottom of the pole on fire and we would put it out when we heard the bell ring that was 40' up the pole.
Of course that's not PC anymore.
:D
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 15, 2009, 10:28:00 PM
Post by: NightHawk on April 15, 2009, 10:38:00 PM
Post by: RC on April 15, 2009, 10:45:00 PM
Post by: wihill on April 15, 2009, 10:57:00 PM
Both will get you up the tree quick, the sticks are easily adaptible to any tree, the climbing platform needs a straight/cleared tree.
If we could drill trees up here I'd go with the pre-drilled holes and grade 8 bolt route. Mark all your stands, and carry a LOT less weight with a few bolts to slide into the tree.
Sameday setup in unknown territory, I'd still go with the sticks. Gaffs are alright, but all you need is one mistake to make a small problem a big problem. Don't think we can use them up here on public either. Practice is required, regardless.
Good luck with your decision!
Post by: NoCams on April 15, 2009, 11:05:00 PM
One more thing about the screw in steps for your foot platform and a Treesaddle...... If you do not do a very good job of getting them ALL the way in the tree and good and tight they will turn on you when you lean out away from the tree. I also tried the 4 hang on steps on a ratchet strap. Lots of noise with the ratchet strap ! Also pretty heavy and bad about slipping down the tree if you do not have it VERY tight on the tree. I think the butterfly steps that Trophyline USA sells as a accessory to the Treesaddle are great for a foot platform !
nocams
Post by: Turkey-duke on April 15, 2009, 11:39:00 PM
Post by: JC on April 16, 2009, 09:45:00 AM
Post by: RC on April 16, 2009, 10:00:00 AM
Post by: J-dog on April 16, 2009, 11:32:00 AM
J
Post by: JC on April 16, 2009, 11:46:00 AM
I love Rapid Rails (safe but heavy) but I'm beginning to like my lone wolf sticks even better. They are quicker than the RR's...that's the main reason I don't do the screw in steps..the time. I can set 4 and my tree sling much quicker than I can in a climber and of course, I can do it in any tree I pick. Now, if I could only do the steps at the top that fast. The treesaddle steps are the best but again it takes a while, especially in hardwoods, to set the 4 I need around the tree at the top. I'd love to do the drilling and all that but with the effort I've seen it takes to do those, I'd be soaked with sweat during our entire bow season. Because of Jimmy's advice I'm scrapping my idea about the strap on steps and a ratchet strap...sounds like the best idea in theory but many have said it doesn't work very well in practice.
Sadly, there is no one system that suits all the situations/needs. Lucky for us there are so many choices.
Post by: RC on April 16, 2009, 12:11:00 PM
I hunt public land and a lot of the same feed trees year after year. While scouting this year in the week or so before bow season I`m gonna carry my woodpecker drill and drill stand sites on any feed trees I find that are my normal killing spots when the produce. Then all I got to do is carry my loc-on and small bag of bolts.I got a bunch of stands so when the stand is set I`ll bring out the bolts.I usually hunt at least a mile in or in really thick places .I`ve not had a stand stolen yet.RC
Post by: James Wrenn on April 16, 2009, 12:36:00 PM
Post by: tradwannabe on April 16, 2009, 05:26:00 PM
IMHO
Rob
Post by: James Wrenn on April 16, 2009, 06:02:00 PM
Post by: Mike Burch on April 16, 2009, 09:55:00 PM
Tree spurs and a Lone Wolf Assault Loc-On is a great combo.
Mike
Post by: NoCams on April 17, 2009, 09:54:00 AM
Gerber saw my friend !!! Best tool ever devised for a deer hunter ! It even comes with a bone blade for the pelvic bone too. Hunted with a buddy of mine who I really look up too, he is a deer killin machine, but could not believe he had not heard of or used the $19 Gerber saw ! One morning I took him with me and as I turned him loose he was standing there in the pre-dawn darkness looking for a limbless tree. When I suggested a certain tree he said, " Good tree but too many limbs to cut with a knife ? " I gave him my Gerber saw to "borrow", for the morning and never got it back, haha ! And yes, he of course killed a deer that morning ! I then showed him the bone blade and how quick and easy it is to switch from wood to bone blade. You would have thought I had given him the best present ever ! A $19 Gerber saw is in all my Summit Viper stands side pouch at all times ! never leave home without it.
When I come down to shoot with you in May I am bringing my Guido's Web and woodpecker system for you to play with. I in turn will let you show me the LW sticks for comparison.
I agree JC, that there is no one system seems like that is, " perfect ". You are correct about working up a good sweat in early season using screw in steps or for that matter even a woodpecker drill. I am going to be more diligent this year and pre-drill my trees with a Dewalt cordless drill !!! Love talking about all the options that are out there and learning from one another here on the gang !
nocams :readit:
Post by: JC on April 17, 2009, 11:24:00 AM
Lookin forward to trying the web, sounds like they have solved the treesaddle's one problem with that little stand off bar on the seat. We'll see if it shoots as good as the saddle does.
If pre-drilling, I'll bet the woodpecker system would be great...I just don't have that luxury on anywhere but my place and there I just leave steps screwed in permanently.
See ya in May. By the way, I got the bunkhouse reserved for Aug if you and Mason decide to come. We'll have plenty of room.
Post by: NoCams on April 17, 2009, 12:27:00 PM
As I mentioned before..... You will not like shooting out of the Web as well as the Saddle. I do like the Saddle better in that dept. I think with a little practice you could shoot almost as good out of a Web, but that Saddle is something else as far as true 360 shooting.
You climbing spur guys keep us posted and please be careful ! Seems like several very experienced hands are leary of them for trees, but then again Mason and I were watching HeliLoggers on TV last night and they were spurring up to 175 feet topping trees !!!
I would think the big difference would be the type of trees you are climbing, ( soft versus hardwood ) ??? Keep in mind they are hauling a mighty heavy load of tools up with them too. And what about all they moving and shaking when the tree top comes off ? How do they do it safely ?
I do think that a Summit Viper is one of the safest and best gripping climbing treestands on the market. Sometimes on a rough oak or hickory I cannot even get down when I am trying too ! Have to really tilt your feet and push it down the tree. However, a wet Poplar tree is a little slick even for a Viper. I try to avoid it, but when I do climb a wet Poplar I am very careful and make sure the stand has bit into the tree very good before shifting my weight or making any other moves. I trashed my old Loggy Bayou stands after taking a ride down about 6 feet on a wet tree one morning ! The Loggy's climbing band and lack of teeth on the platform made it unsafe on wet trees. JMHO
nocams :scared:
Post by: Landshark160 on April 17, 2009, 12:35:00 PM
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 18, 2009, 11:21:00 AM
Post by: bigbellybuck on April 18, 2009, 11:23:00 AM
Post by: crookedwoody on April 18, 2009, 01:49:00 PM
I also beleive you will kill the trees,by climbing and drilling holes.I think climbing stands are the way to go.what would you do with your hooks when you get there?and what if you drop one?one fall could cost you everything.well good luck on your decision.hope you make the right one for you..chris
Post by: Warren H. Womack on April 18, 2009, 03:19:00 PM
For anyone that has never used them, there is a leaning curve that deals as much with gaining confidence in the hooks as climbing technique. Even though they are my primary way to hang a treestand I still don't go out of my way to recommend them to hunters. They can be extremely dangerous even for an experienced climber.
Climbing practice, helps you to gain confidence that the gaffs will not cut out on you. I will say that every time you use them it gets easier and you become more confident.
When you first start climbing with them, I would suggest, just climb up a few feet then come back down. Also take short steps that track about 10" apart and don't hug the tree. All the climbing is done with your legs. You use your hands, not your entire arms, to maintain an upright position and in contact with the tree.
When hanging a stand you need to hang it below your climbing belt lanyard. Doing this you don't have to disconnect to step on to the stands platform.
Once again, they are not for everyone but they are certainly a light, quick, portable, way to hang a stand on most any size tree with or without limbs. Just beware of climbing cypress trees. If you don't set the gaffs good they will peel in a heart beat.
Post by: gregg dudley on April 18, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
Post by: sethdiggs on April 18, 2009, 06:10:00 PM
Post by: NoCams on April 18, 2009, 08:19:00 PM
They will also go thru thumb meat in less than seconds !!! I did it to myself two years in a row and left a pretty decent blood trail to boot.
Never, I repeat, never hold the branch you are cutting with one hand and saw with the other. The saw will jump out or you will get the hand in the way while the saw is still moving and it is a tenacious little booger that does not know the difference between wood and meat, nor does it care !
crookedwoody,
the friend who turned me on to the woodpecker drill told me he has seen no harm to trees he drilled years ago. He also told me that after a year if you wanted to hunt that tree again you would have to re-drill since the tree would fill those holes back in. This will be my second year with the woodpecker so I will report my findings back once I see for sure.
Never seen a tree that someone climbed with spurs for a season, but I do know that the white oaks we climb with our Summit Vipers show a little wear during season. The seem to heal up during the off season.
nocams :campfire:
Post by: JC on April 18, 2009, 09:06:00 PM
Post by: Landshark160 on April 18, 2009, 10:33:00 PM
Post by: NoCams on April 19, 2009, 09:20:00 AM
do you redrill the exact hole each year ? Was wondering if that hole would still be a good solid hole and support your weight ? If not, do you drill a few inches away from the old hole ? Again, this will be year 2 for me with the woodpecker so I will be redrilling some of my trees.
nocams :coffee:
Post by: Landshark160 on April 19, 2009, 10:31:00 AM
Post by: NoCams on April 19, 2009, 10:41:00 AM
nocams :notworthy:
Post by: DW on April 19, 2009, 10:49:00 AM