Back in the Guido's

[Longbowwally]

Went out this evening to start practicing with my Guido's Web. Once again I'm amazed at how easy it is to set up the Guido's and also how easy it is to pretty much shoot 360 degrees around the tree.

For the early season(hot weather)I will use it with preset stick ladders and the foot and bow hook, etc. already set up. Then all I've got to do is climb up the ladder and hookup the Guido's. I'm going to hunt a little lower this year as I can 'hide' behind the tree with the Guido's till time to shoot. Being able to hide behind the tree is also a big plus for those late season hunts when the leaves are off the trees and there's no cover for your climber or hang on stand. During the late season, I usually feel like i need to get really high with a 'normal' stand so the deer won't spot me - this makes for a tough shot, especially on close deer.

I still haven't quite got a system for setting up for the first time from the ground up to my satisfaction yet. I find myself using my Lone Wolf climber when I want to go mobile, but I'm gonna get something worked out for the Guido's hopefully this season. Last season I used Rapid Rails but they are a little big to pack in for my taste. I may pre-drill some trees with my woodpecker drill for easy setup but prolly not for setting up fresh.

Four or five years ago I had a tree suit. I killed a deer the first time I used it. I only used it a few times that season and killed two deer out of it. Last year I killed a deer out of the Guido's the first time using it. I think there's something to those stats and just think this style of stand is the cats meow for fooling deer.

I know there's more threads about using sling style stands but hope you fellas will put in your two cents worth on this subject.

[pete p]

im with ya....i do most of my hunting out of a treesuit. i appreciate the comfort of a nice solid hang on stand but you just cant compete with the versatility of a system like the web, tree suit or tree saddle.

[NoCams]

I try my best to hunt a new area or tree on a evening hunt the first time in. You seem to be able to pick the exact right tree so much better in the daylight. I get in early, take my time and use my woodpecker and 16-18 grade 8 bolts to climb with. Next trip in I can climb and set up in just a few minutes by simply slipping in my bolts and up the tree I go. JMHO

[joebuck]

Team Guido!  I have used mostly climbing sticks or stick ladders over last 5 years but this year I'll use more bolt system. however I had some platforms made by a buddy of mine to my specs I will use extensively this year and leave in my 5 favorite trees. they are basically 14" by12" and both feet can rest on them. I will then put screw in steps or bolts at 9',12'and 3 o'clock. these platform open the "right side " shot from 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock immediately without any foot work. I'll post some pics when I home this weekend. I post a lot on here about Guido like others but I honestly can not stand to hunt from a fix stand anymore. COMFORTABLE is so convenient as ya'll know but I'm not getting busted nearly as much by deer since the trunk is my shield and breaks up my outline.  I pre hang all my steps and platforms so I basically up the tree and hook my climbing strap around the trunk and go up and cinch in at top . Takes me about  1 minute.  I shoot also without any shoulder straps on and I cut my leg straps off when I got mine. I can twist and turn in the web and make any shot......i'll post my "Batplat" platform up here. And let ya' ll see. It's basically a small Climax stand.

[trapperzeke]

Trying out a treesuit for the first time this year.  Still going to take some more practice before I can say setting up is second-nature.  But I LOVE the climbpaws I got to use with it...think it will keep me fairly mobile when I want to be.

[Mitch-In-NJ]

I am waiting for mine to arrive along with my climbpaws.

I have been hunting on the ground mostly, but there are a few places I'd like to get up in a tree.

Hoping this combo makes for a light, quiet and quick way to do that.

[NoCams]

The only thing I have to get used to is facing the tree joebuck. I also seem to hear noises behind me all the time and hate having to twist around to verify if it is the wind a squirrel or something else besides a deer. Other than that the Guidos is totally awesome.

[Don Batten]

I'm skeptic. don't see how hanging from your butt from a tree could be as comfortable as sitttin in a stand. Don

[Winterhawk1960]

Hmmmmmmmm

I'm with you Don, it seems like the circulation would be cut off somewhat to your legs and feet. Besides that.......what if "the boys" get in a pinch ???

I've never tried it, nor seen it being used and perhaps if I would I would have a better understanding of how it works.

The picture in my mind of repositioning myself around the tree and smashing the family jewels isn't a very pleasant one.

Winterhawk1960

[Longbowwally]

Don and WH - No smashing of the family jewels with the Guido's. The part you sit on is flat, rigid and nicely cushioned. The back is also rigid - and you can adjust the angle of the back to the angle you desire. You have to think outside the box with this type of stand. It takes some time and practice, but the more you use it the better you'll like it.

Guido's is much more comfortable than the treesuit - but the treesuit is lighter and a smaller pack in... Don't know about the tree saddle as I've never sat in one....

NoCams - I know what you mean about hearing stuff behind you...But, I find its a lot easier looking behind you with the Guido's because the 'fork' that keeps you off the tree allows you to slowly pivot around a little to help you 'peek' behind you. Much easier to look behind you in the Guido's than a 'normal' stand.

There is no perfect stand, and there are times I still use my hang ons, and for sure I'm not giving up my Lone Wolf climber. But the Guido's is definitely an important part of my hunting 'arsenal'.

[NoCams]

Yep, I find myself just leaning a little to the side, rocking the fork on the tree to one side to peek around behind me Longbowwally. I wouldn't quite say it is easier to look behind you than a hang on stand because I stand most of the time when in a hang on. May just be me ?

[Longbowwally]

Not sure NoCams - could be    .....

Course my hearing isn't what it used to be....And even when I hear something I usually have directional hearing issues...

Dang I'm sounding like an old man...Well I guess I kinda am since I'm 50 and a Grandpa    .....

[NoCams]

I am going to go strapless a little more this year like joebuck and see how I like that ? May like the added mobility.

[Overspined]

I took advice from Joebuck, and missed a doe right off the get-go last fall! LOL Perfect miss over the shoulder. I was thinking more about the positioning than the deer.

I am NOT blaming Joebuck...that came out wrong.

So here is what I do. Take it for what it is worth:

I climb the tree and then remove the leg straps. You can just rebuckle out of the way once in position. I feel more secure climbing with them on. Also, you can just remove the shoulder straps as you desire once positioned. I take the leg straps off, and usually remove the shoulder straps once positioned. It is VERY comfy to hunt from. You can sleep like crazy if you want.

I asked Joebuck about the deer that go behind you and he stated the obvious: try and position yourself so the deer don't walk behind you..

Also, I suggest using either broken up or bigger trees as you can look like a lollipop if you are too low and are not well concealed.

I haven't mastered it yet but will try some again this year. I think it is tougher to use when multiple deer come in as moving for a shot is tough for me to do unnoticed and I am a monkey.

I just think it is mostly positioning, and the rest should go smoothly. This is REALLY easy to use and set-up for me, even in the dark.

[Mitch-In-NJ]

I got my Guido's Web last week and am still tinkering with it.  Here's what I've found so far.

It is very comfortable.  I'm a big guy so I got the XLT model.  It comes with a lumbar strap standard on the XL models.  For the other models it's a $5 option.  Get it.

I also got some climbpaws with the top-steps.  So far so good with them.  The only issue I have is keeping the straps from tangling.  I will work something out, but otherwise they are stable, quick, quiet and light.

Once up the tree I use the top-steps but I also put two more climbpaws at the same level.  This gives me a way to walk around the tree.

I do have a bit of an issue with bow clearance, but the mfr suggested I cross the tether straps left to right.  This should give more clearance.  I have yet to try it.

I have never been much for hunting from a tree and this is going to take some getting used to.  I know that mechanically it is as sound as any tree stand, but it just feels so different.

Also, it is going to take some work to get comfortable moving around and shooting.  The DVD that comes with it shows rifle and compound shooting, but with a longbow it doesn't feel quite right yet.

I have seen one photo on here of someone (can't remember who) shooting from it.  That is helpful.  If anyone else has photos or video I'd like to see them.

Some of you have suggested removing the lag and shoulder straps.  Doesn't that pretty much void the safety feature of the device?

Overall I am pleased with it, but ned to get used to it.

[Ethical Redneck]

Guido's Web looks to be a superior product to the Tree Saddle and Treesuit.  However, I bought the Saddle because I want to hunt with my trad bows.  I think you get more clearance with the Saddle but there are lots of guys who shoot traditional just as well from them.  Also, with the climbpaws tangling, I just unclip and pull the strap away from me and they naturally untangle.  It's not practical to try and pull it from around your neck if it's still buckled.

[Bennyp]

i bought the climbpaws last year. go with ethical rednecks advice. unbuckle the they come right apart.

[Bennyp]

I did not buy the top paws but am thinking about taking the paws off of some of my other straps and making a total of 4 on one strap. This will essentially give me top paws for the guido's web. so i can have 360 rotation around the tree. I bought the guido's web from nocams and will see how it works.

[Bennyp]

climb paws are definately slower but alot quieter than lone wolf sticks.