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Hunting with Spurs on...?

I started hanging stands, using spurs, during the 1973 season. I added the drill and bolt system ten years later. Since then, if I think I'll only hunt a spot one or two times I use the spurs. If I believe there's a chance to hunt it more than that I'll drill. Once a tree is drilled I feel like it's a better option (quicker & safer). Also, I believe once a hunter adopts either method he will have no interest in using climbing sticks.

Picture of me taking a stand down at the end of the 1980 season.

f8Xikn4.jpg
 
I agree with @WHW - spurs are great for mobile run-n-gun setups, but I would choose bolts if I were hunting the same tree multiple times.

I'll only be using my sticks on land where spurs or bolts aren't allowed.

Every single season I've preset about 7 trees with ladders leftover from my treestand days. This is my last season doing that. From here on out I'm converting to bolts for presets. If a spot gets burned out, or I quit hunting a property, there will be nothing left to retrieve anymore.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
Thanks for all the awesome replies. I never really thought about prepping the trees for bolts.

If you’ve prepped trees for bolts do you still bring your spurs or another climbing method in case you see something (hot sign, shooter buck etc) and want to call an audible?
 
Babshaft said:
Thanks for all the awesome replies. I never really thought about prepping the trees for bolts.

If you’ve prepped trees for bolts do you still bring your spurs or another climbing method in case you see something (hot sign, shooter buck etc) and want to call an audible?
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of bolts, you carry one set and a hand drill and you can hunt any tree in 20 minutes.


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Swampfox said:
That's the beauty of bolts, you carry one set and a hand drill and you can hunt any tree in 20 minutes.


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Click to expand...

That sounds awesome! Is the hand drill quiet enough to use on a setup near bedding? Any limitations with it?
 
Babshaft said:
That sounds awesome! Is the hand drill quiet enough to use on a setup near bedding? Any limitations with it?
Click to expand...

With practice and diligence yes it's possible. Look up the bolt thread that's active right now. It'll help with illustrating what modifications make the bolts quieter and techniques to make climbing smoother.


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Swampfox said:
With practice and diligence yes it's possible. Look up the bolt thread that's active right now. It'll help with illustrating what modifications make the bolts quieter and techniques to make climbing smoother.


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Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks man, I'm headed there now!
 
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