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Favorite Climbing Method

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Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Rangerz » 07 06, 2020 •  [Post 1]

For those who use lock on's, what is your preferred climbing method?

I am looking at some Hawk Helium Sticks but was curious what others use.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 07 07, 2020 •  [Post 2]

Others in camp have climbing stick and they are fine. I go with screw-in steps. I prefer the thinner light weight ones as they are easier to screw in.
When it is icy, I prefer to go up in the tree with the longer heavy steps that hook upwards on the end. I get nervous with the shorter light steps even though I am attached to a safety line. I am kind of a fair weather hunter. When it gets icy or too much rain, I go back to camp.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Rangerz » 07 07, 2020 •  [Post 3]

Thanks.

Thought about the screw in steps. Used to use them when I hunted back east.

The area I am going to be hunting in this year bans them however.

Sticks seem to be the answer. Too old to be shinning up trees these days :)
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 07 07, 2020 •  [Post 4]

I like the sticks as they do not damage the tree at all. Some argue the screws do and on some species and smaller trees, I agree. In areas where people might find your stand location 4-5 screws can be removed from the bottom and it is less likely your stand will be gone when you return. Pulling screws will not stop a determined thief, but will help from the easy opportunity type.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby wawhitey » 07 08, 2020 •  [Post 5]

I use rivers edge ladders for my treestands. Feels a lot safer then screw in steps. I use a few screw in steps for hanging trail cameras since theyre easy to carry in a backpack. I have trees ive been screwing steps into the same holes for years and the trees are fine.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 07 08, 2020 •  [Post 6]

Dean, do you have a good safety line and use it always when climbing or descending a tree? I don't care for the light weight screw in steps if it is icy. I have not had a problem with them, but prefer the larger ones when there is any ice.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby wawhitey » 07 09, 2020 •  [Post 7]

I use my safety lines almost always. Last year my carabiner froze up on one of my stands so i couldnt use it. Just decided not to nap in that stand. Got my buck out of it.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 07 09, 2020 •  [Post 8]

I too am an "almost always" tree stand hunter. It is getting more important and I am getting nearer to just an always tree stander. It is easy to cut corners when things get difficult for one reason or another.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Elkhunttoo » 07 12, 2020 •  [Post 9]

The fish and game guy that taught my wife's archery course a few years ago showed me a method I hadn't seen. He had a block of wood, 4x4x4, drilled a whole through it and had a heavy duty rope/cord through it. He would go around the tree twice and then between his block of wood and the tree a few times like he was lashing it. He showed us how on a tree by there office. He said he never tied them off and then seemed really snug. He would take off the bottom few every time so no one could climb up to his stand easily and just hide them by his stand for the season. If the ground blinds don't pan out like I'm hoping this year and I have to go back in the trees I think it is the method I will use
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Trumkin the Dwarf » 07 13, 2020 •  [Post 10]

Climbing sticks. Fast, quiet, easy to operate, and stable.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Lefty » 07 30, 2020 •  [Post 11]

I spent most of my early working years working from a ladder So I like ladders. Bottom right you can see my Warner extension ladder.
3CBCFA30-8425-4693-B002-72AA39D46CB0.jpeg



How ever this fall I hope to make a tree stand from steel and have 3/8 rebar spaced 12 inches apart as steps. Im weird enough to pack it in, but I don't expect anyone will "steel" it
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Rangerz » 08 18, 2020 •  [Post 12]

Ended up going with a millennium M60 and Hawk Helium climbing sticks.

Fingers crossed for the season.

Treestand wapititalk.jpg
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 08 18, 2020 •  [Post 13]

Ranger I like your stand and the ladder you are using. The cover behind you is good too, but what attracted you to that spot? Is this just a demonstration tree or is it your real location? I see no evidence of elk or deer there.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Rangerz » 08 18, 2020 •  [Post 14]

Just a tree in camp for practice setting everything up.

I have got some waterholes picked out and trails with a lot of traffic.

Will make a decision on placement a little closer to season opener.

Come on Sept.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Swede » 08 18, 2020 •  [Post 15]

Well, I like it. Good luck. Get a big one.
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 08 19, 2020 •  [Post 16]

Ranger, looks like you have the full life line rope set up (attached to tree above your head while in stand, and, tied off to a bottom step). That makes for a great (and safe) way to go up and down your tree site. I also see you have two gear lines hanging down. One for bow and one for pack?
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Re: Favorite Climbing Method

Postby Rangerz » 08 19, 2020 •  [Post 17]

Full length lifeline came with the millennium stand. Nice setup for a semi permanent installation, but probably wouldn't use it for a day or 2 setup. I have a shorter lifeline that I use once in the stand and a lineman's belt to aid with the climbing and hanging sticks. I am also using a climbing harness as opposed to the safety harness that came with the stand. Like it so far. Practiced hanging from it a few times and it is comfortable.

One haul line for the stand and 1 for pack and bow. I like the millennium's tree hangar bracket. Makes hanging the stand pretty easy. With some more practice, I could probably just put the stand on my back and climb, but it has been a few years since I have done the treestand thing and I am trying to keep it simple.
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