Who uses a Loc On Limit tree stand 8# and...

[Hoyt]

Bornagainbowhunter or others - please school me on the gaffs, never used them.  Steel/alum/Ti? + Leather/Nylon pads?  How hard to master? I'm very safety conscious, and won't use them if too risky,but willing to do it right.  How much do a pair w/pads/straps weigh?  Are they too loud stomping them into a hardwood near a bedding area? or best used away from bedding? Appreciate your thoughts. [/QB]

I used pole climbers and on occasion tree climbers (tree climbers have a little longer gaff)for about 20yrs way back when I was younger. So did all my hunting buddies back then (pre tree steps and only way to get up and down tree unless you drove nails or climbed). To me they are the best way to go up and down a tree when using loc on stands. By far the easiest to carry (strap around waist and around each thigh when walking). Very quiet going up and down trees.

In my opinion no more dangerous than tree steps of any kind as long as safety belt is used. Tricky part is getting into stand and out (getting past stand without having to unhook safety belt).

Keep a good angle out from tree to avoid cutting out and beware of gaff placement on thick bark trees such as pines.

Don't know how legal they would be on public land as they do gouge out trees especially if you climb same tree several times.

[bornagainbowhunter]

The ones I use are called sportclimbers.  You don't have to stomp them into the trees very hard, so noise is minimal.  I think I make more noise with the clothes rubbing the tree than the actual spikes.  I like the foam padded ones for weight and low height, they are steel.  I don't want the spikes that go up to your knee because of bulk and weight.  The climbers i use might weigh 2 pounds together.  My stand and gaffs together weigh about 6lbs.  You do need 1 strap on step to stand on while hanging your stand just in case the tree you hunt don't have a limb to use.  When decending, I don't even gouge the steps into the tree.  I just let them grab on the bark and make small fast steps.  If you ever get comfortable with them you will hate to use anything else.
 
Remember, knees always bent and turned out, toes always forward, make small steps and have fun.
 
God Bless,
Nathan

[CoilSpring]

Good Info....Who uses a 12V compact drill and bolts on private land trees.  Looking for tips and techniques to keep it light, quiet, safe, and effective- what you use, how you use it, how you hang your stand while connected (type of climbing strap (leather?? or other) etc...