• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Climbing spikes

PJC said:
I assume too much. Do you put them on when you get to the tree or wear them in? Also, in warm weather, do you keep them on while you hunt. Also, if you put them on at the tree, how hard is that in snow?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I put them on when I get to the tree. It's almost impossible to walk far in them lol. I take mine off every hunt, no matter the temp. Too much potential for noise while using my platform. Putting them in in the snow is no problem. I did it last week. I jam the spike in the tree about a foot off the ground so I don't have to bend over in my heavy clothes to put the straps on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: PJC
kenn1320 said:
@PJC The tree will look like it got raped by a porcupine, especially if you climb the same one more than once. V
Click to expand...
I think the damage is worse on soft trees. I had a couple that I practiced on that got ripped up. But I've climbed some hard trees and you can barely notice they were climbed. Definitely no worse than a climber.
 
redsquirrel said:
I think the damage is worse on soft trees. I had a couple that I practiced on that got ripped up. But I've climbed some hard trees and you can barely notice they were climbed. Definitely no worse than a climber.
Click to expand...

The trees I have hunted you really can't even tell they have been climbed. I would say I either climb a poplar or maple almost every hunt lol. That's about my only option.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
They must be somewhat noisy then when climbing?
 
Not noisy at all if you switch out the metal buckles for webbing. The metal buckles do rattle. The leather buckles are also difficult to put on and get tight. Webbing is much better.
 
g2outdoors said:
Not noisy at all if you switch out the metal buckles for webbing. The metal buckles do rattle. The leather buckles are also difficult to put on and get tight. Webbing is much better.
Click to expand...
So you have to spend a couple hundred on the spikes and then tear them all apart and rebuild them to work for you? lol
 
As an Arborist I'm not going to spike live trees but I don't want to see anybody get hurt who does decide to use them. Here's a couple vids I happened to run across the other day while looking for something else.
 
brydan said:
As an Arborist I'm not going to spike live trees but I don't want to see anybody get hurt who does decide to use them. Here's a couple vids I happened to run across the other day while looking for something else.
Click to expand...

Both good vids. I watched them several times before deciding to try spikes.
 
I have spike but didn't use them much this year. I hunt private land and stuck to one particular piece of land because I hunted one buck all year.

Next year I plan on using them more on other land that I don't have many trees set up so I can jump around to different places.

Unless this same deer is back and much bigger. Haha.
 
Are the tree spikes when climbing tough on the knees?
 
flinginairos said:
I'll answer both questions for ya @PJC. This year I used the spikes 99% of the time. I did use my Muddy sticks one weekend where I hunted one tree a few times. I hunt so many different places and spots the spikes just make sense so I rarely use sticks. The only places I have preset sticks is on my lease and even there I use spikes.

As for legs/feet getting cold...I take mine off once I'm on my platform and lower them to the ground. My feet always get cold so I have to use artic shield boot blankets. If I kept the spikes on I wouldn't be able to do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Topic for another thread, but, I'll have to look into arctic shield blankets too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Pxt said:
Are the tree spikes when climbing tough on the knees?
Click to expand...

Knees not at all, shins more than anything if your pads aren't great or you have them adjusted wrong. The two sets of pads I have had are very comfortable and it feels like standing on a screw in peg with more surface area really.
 
Pxt said:
Are the tree spikes when climbing tough on the knees?
Click to expand...
If you are allowed to use them then you should do it. Unequivocally the best climbing option. These other climbing applications are cumbersome and weighty at best. Once you learn how to use them then there are no comfort issues. I have gotten efficient enough to never stop during my ascent, even when advancing my flipline. It becomes as easy as literally walking up the tree. Try it out!!!
 
Pxt said:
What set should I buy to get started?
Click to expand...
I am lucky enough to have a store close by that carries both Buckinghams and Climbrites (aluminum) with many choices of pads. The Climbrites with ultralight alum cups and tree gaffs are going for $225, and look to be my choice for future purchase. Buckinghams with t pads or big buck pads are a bit higher priced.
I was surprised to see they are all very well built. Will come down to your personal pref and budget.

I would not recomend the Sport Climbers...have read aloy of negatives on those.
 
Redfeather said:
I am lucky enough to have a store close by that carries both Buckinghams and Climbrites (aluminum) with many choices of pads. The Climbrites with ultralight alum cups and tree gaffs are going for $225, and look to be my choice for future purchase. Buckinghams with t pads or big buck pads are a bit higher priced.
I was surprised to see they are all very well built. Will come down to your personal pref and budget.

I would not recomend the Sport Climbers...have read aloy of negatives on those.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend the Climbrites with the aluminum pads! Super light weight and comfy. I replaced the big velcro strap with my own webbing and a buckle and putting them on is super easy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top