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Climbing Spur Questions

redsquirrel said:
I wouldn't want to climb without a lineman's belt. It gives me something to lean into when I stop. I don't think a tether would work as well.
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Using spurs I climbed up and down for about 35 years without using a linesman's belt (rope). When I reached stand hanging height I would secure myself with the Linesman's belt hang my stand below it, take a couple of steps up and step on the stand's platform. Somewhere around 2008 I started using the linesman's belt to climb down. Then a couple of years ago I began to use it for up and down. The older you become the less confident you will be. With that said, I should have been using it from the start for up and down. Young guys need to be as safety conscious as old guys become.

Spurs for reaching desirable hunting height is an awesome method. I recently got a bag of WE steps. Practicing with them I'm convinced that they mark a tree up at least as much as spurs do. It's hard to believe that they haven't been banned from public hunting areas.
 
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I’m up for a Alabama hunt depending on date y’all pick. I’ll be in Ks second week of Nov.
.....And it goes without saying. ROLL TIDE!!!!!


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As much as I'm opposed to using spikes for recreational climbing I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt. I would go with longer tree spikes for general use. There's a reason why pole climbers and Arborists use different length hooks.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'm gonna start with tree gaffs because of all the vines in the swamp where I hunt. I don't suppose that switching to pole gaffs down the road would be too big of an issue if I got a known brand like climbrights
 
redsquirrel said:
I wouldn't want to climb without a lineman's belt. It gives me something to lean into when I stop. I don't think a tether would work as well.
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To clarify, I meant climbing with a tether in addition to the lineman's belt. As I'm sure most everyone who has gotten into it has done, I have been reading a lot on arborist forums and such, and they're pretty adamant that a lineman's belt alone won't stop a fall. I know those guys are going wayyyy higher though and doing a lot more moving around on the tree.

Basically, I'm trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to justify this to my dad when I see him during bow season...
 
Rookie said:
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'm gonna start with tree gaffs because of all the vines in the swamp where I hunt. I don't suppose that switching to pole gaffs down the road would be too big of an issue if I got a known brand like climbrights
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I don't think you can go wrong with the tree gaffs. I think a new set of gaffs will run you around $70-$80 so not terribly expensive to try out. You'll have to replace them eventually anyway. If you don't like them, you can always sell them on here or either eBay.
 
Rookie said:
To clarify, I meant climbing with a tether in addition to the lineman's belt. As I'm sure most everyone who has gotten into it has done, I have been reading a lot on arborist forums and such, and they're pretty adamant that a lineman's belt alone won't stop a fall. I know those guys are going wayyyy higher though and doing a lot more moving around on the tree.

Basically, I'm trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to justify this to my dad when I see him during bow season...
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I encourage you to do whatever makes you feel safe. After you get a little time in and gain some confidence, you're likely to leave the tether in your pouch and trust that your lineman's rope will suffice.
 
I'm in Michigan but my wife's family is from South Alabama/Pensacola and that's where I started deer hunting (my avatar photo is a deer I took in Carolina, AL, near Andalusia). If you get an Alabama hunt going - I might be able to swing a family visit/hunt trip for that and I'll be watching for info.
 
JBDaddy said:
I'm in Michigan but my wife's family is from South Alabama/Pensacola and that's where I started deer hunting (my avatar photo is a deer I took in Carolina, AL, near Andalusia). If you get an Alabama hunt going - I might be able to swing a family visit/hunt trip for that and I'll be watching for info.
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@Nutterbuster started a group message. He will add you to the message.
 
@Rookie you need to go slow, take your time, and pay attention to what you're doing. There's no need to rush. Taking your time to climb the tree will ensure you do it quietly and safely.

After you've practiced several times you'll feel pretty comfortable with the spikes. I would guess that most gaff outs happen when people are going to fast and being careless. Hunters generally don't do this because we're trying to be quiet and make slow deliberate movements.
 
g2outdoors said:
@Rookie you need to go slow, take your time, and pay attention to what you're doing. There's no need to rush. Taking your time to climb the tree will ensure you do it quietly and safely.

After you've practiced several times you'll feel pretty comfortable with the spikes. I would guess that most gaff outs happen when people are going to fast and being careless. Hunters generally don't do this because we're trying to be quiet and make slow deliberate movements.
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Sure hope I get a set of kiwi’s soon so I can learn how to climb a tree.....


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The Kiwi Kickstarter isn't even live yet. I think expecting them before the rut is dicey.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
g2outdoors said:
The Kiwi Kickstarter isn't even live yet. I think expecting them before the rut is dicey.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
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Is there enough interest in the gecko’s for a group buy as well or is everyone wanting to wait for the kiwi’s?

Pretty sure if I pick up another set of spurs, or climbing steps or any other purchase in addition to I’m gonna be in trouble! The wife has been very cool so far, but when telling her I still needed a way up the tree (laying the groundwork for the kiwi purchase) there was a noticeable tone added to her comments. Tone is a subtlety I normally don’t pick up on, so it was either not so subtle or I’m learning....

Speaking of..... I need to add to my Tethrd order!


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I've been searching ebay for a good, cheap set of spurs to use to practice with until the Kiwi deal comes through. I saw these Kleins this morning, but the spikes look deformed to me. I have no experience with spurs, so what is your opinion?
8d8f170d6e39e8815ad3aeb2c0ddc94c.jpg


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I just inherited a set of spurs from my dad. He used them working for the bell in the early 50’s.


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Dry Bones said:
I've been searching ebay for a good, cheap set of spurs to use to practice with until the Kiwi deal comes through. I saw these Kleins this morning, but the spikes look deformed to me. I have no experience with spurs, so what is your opinion?
8d8f170d6e39e8815ad3aeb2c0ddc94c.jpg


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They may have replaced that gaff with another which is why it might look different. I have never seen a gaff deform. Its hard to deform the steel which is what all gaffs are!! The aluminum and carbon fiber that we all reference is just the spurs material themselves regardless of gaff size. I would research the brand and maybe call the manufacturer as I do know that certain companies have changed their gaffs over time.
 
Nutterbuster said:
Do we want to start a new thread or group conversation for this? I'm down for something. I know a few areas have deals on campsites and rooms for hunters.
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Hello I would like to know more about this, I'm up in the Athens area but I couldn't find the new thread.
 
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