Here you all go:
Stand Prep (a few things I do to make it more affective and quiet)
Stand (this is the early model LW- some of this is probably not needed)
- I attach a longer upright support for my long legs.
- I extend the seat by attaching an extra seat that is more comfortable and moves you out further from the tree.
- I replace the cables with adjustable poly ropes for leveling adjustment.
- I use ethafoam blocks w grooves cut out to attach the sticks to the stand. I also use a 4-stick block sometimes. The sticks never touch one another and they lay flat on my back.
- Though the pic does not show it, I have attached a backpack hip belt to the stand as well. There is no wt. on my shoulders. I can shoot and easily scout and set-up anytime I find what I am looking for.
Sticks
- I file all the teeth with a round edge so they do not scrape the tree
- I zip-tie the buckle end to the versa button so they cannot come off
- I cut out a pattern for self-stick felt that I place over all the buckles. I also place this felt on the stick itself anywhere the buckle can possibly touch
My system when I arrive at the tree:
- I always wear a supreme turkey vest which has easy access to pruners, saw, a few screw in steps if needed, bow hangers etc. Everything has its same place year after year. (I really think this is a critical piece of my system)
-I remove the stand and take all the sticks off the foam blocks. The blocks go on the ground while I usually throw some leaves over top (I do wash them a few times each season).
-I undo the belts on sticks as they make no noise with buckles and sticks felted.
-Stand goes back on my back
-I pull bow tow rope from my vest and attach to bow and clip it on my vest ring. I often attach my jacket/vest to the bow at this point.
Think now. Turkey vest is always on and ready to go. My safety harness is already on with the tether ready. My bow is on the tow. The stand is on my back with just the shoulder straps. The three sticks (sometimes four) are leaning against the tree in front me with straps loosened up and free. The steps are swiveled ahead of time so they alternate properly before I even start up.
-Take stick #3 with belt hanging and set it up on a limb (hanging by v-bracket works fine) as high as I can reach (if no limb is available I screw in a small bow hanger as high as I can reach; hang the stick there)
-Now attach stick #1 while standing on the ground (sometimes I will have two screw-in steps first if extra height is needed)
-While holding stick #2 I step up on stick #1 while leaning into the tree (or using a lineman attachment which I usually DO NOT- messing around with it seems more unsafe to me)
-I attach stick #2 by placing it on the tree and leaning my chest into. I am hugging the tree with my left arm. My right hand takes strap around backside of tree, where my left hand grabs it. My right arm is now the hugging arm. My left arm brings the strap around and attaches it to the versa strap. Cinch it down snug- it does not have to be super tight, as the pulling down action of the stick is what “wedges” it into the tree. I always keep three points of contact with the tree.
- I step up on stick #2 which secures it down tight.
-I then grab stick #3 off the limb (or hanger) and again lean into the tree and attach this stick just like I did #2
-I am now standing with both feet up on stick #2 while stick #3 is attached. While one of my arms is still hugging the tree (or again using a lineman harness if you like)
-I now attach my safety harness rope above stick #3 (which is a loop rope like LW sells- mine is homemade w the prussic). My feet are about ten feet up and I am harnessed in.
- I now climb up to top of stick #3.
-I re-adjust safety rope higher on the tree.
-While hugging the tree with one arm I pull the stand from back swinging it between my chest and the tree. I attach the strap just like I did with stick #2 and 3.
- I let the stand fold out quietly. Swiveling the stand around the tree where necessary. I step up on the stand nearest to the tree trunk making sure all is solid and snug. All this time I have been harnessed in.
-I re-adjust safety rope. Screw in 2 bow holders; one for my vest and one for my bow. I remove my turkey vest and hang it. I pull up the bow (which often has my jacket/vest attached to it).
- Under ten minutes I am hunting- no noise and fresh stand. You do this 20-40X a season and you get really good.
I do this every time in and out. Often AM and PM are different sets. I can even switch during the day if the wind, rut, or some other thing dictates.
Hope that helps. . .
Good hunting
Dan
Topic: Climber or hangon (Read 884 times)
