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Some climbing spike questions answered on video!

Ontariofarmer said:
I will try to find that site. Had a great Easter with family and friends


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I'm not sure how the Ministry would word the regulation but In Michigan the laws don't specifically ban climbing spurs but rather word the regulation as follows:

"Screw-in tree steps are illegal on public lands. It is unlawful to use any item that penetrates through the bark of a tree in the construction or affixing of any device to assist in climbing a tree."
 
boyne bowhunter said:
I'm not sure how the Ministry would word the regulation but In Michigan the laws don't specifically ban climbing spurs but rather word the regulation as follows:

"Screw-in tree steps are illegal on public lands. It is unlawful to use any item that penetrates through the bark of a tree in the construction or affixing of any device to assist in climbing a tree."
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So if your no "affixing" anything...
Seem as if perhaps they never considered climbing spurs.


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boyne bowhunter said:
I'm not sure how the Ministry would word the regulation but In Michigan the laws don't specifically ban climbing spurs but rather word the regulation as follows:

"Screw-in tree steps are illegal on public lands. It is unlawful to use any item that penetrates through the bark of a tree in the construction or affixing of any device to assist in climbing a tree."
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I will not use them. I expect if I asked about crown land and spurs the answer would be the same as the other public land I hunt. No.
Like I said in farm country there is no crown land that I know of
Spurs seem perfect otherwise. Flingin s video is fantastic

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BassBoysLLP said:
I don't disagree with Boswell but I know I have done worse damage with a climbing tree stand.

Even my saddle platform can leave a nasty cut into the layer.

Not to mention damage done with tree steps, tree bolts, bow/pack hangers, ratchet strap camera bases, poor cuts with a hand saw, etc.

All are vectors for disease and insects.

It's tough to be perfect. Agree that one needs to use their own judgement. It's tough to walk through the woods without stepping on living things.

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Well put!!! My Summit climber should be outlawed if spurs are.
 
Just be more sunlight to get to the forest floor creating more browse for the deer. Just don’t hunt your favorite mast growing trees over and over or veneer cherry, red oak, and hard maples. Then it’s hard on your wallet. I’ve been practicing on sycamore, elm, hickories and buckeys so far. I think the spurs would be the ultimate stealth and moblile set up. Beats lugging sticks. Great video btw Fling.
 
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Ontariofarmer said:
I will not use them. I expect if I asked about crown land and spurs the answer would be the same as the other public land I hunt. No.
Like I said in farm country there is no crown land that I know of
Spurs seem perfect otherwise. Flingin s video is fantastic

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Ontario is funny with spurs and a lot of other things. I called my local MNR office and asked. The lady said you can't damage a tree on crown land. I bumped into a conservation officer from the same office a week ago at work. I asked him about it. He said he doesn't care if I use them. He didn't even care if I trimmed small branches. He's got a bigger problem with guys cutting ATV trails and building massive stands. There's only him and one other guy for an area more than twice the size of Rhode Island. The municipal and provincial conservation areas differ on what's allow as well. In one area they don't even want you in a tree. In the other it's carte blanche as long as you don't cut an ATV trail or build a permanent structure. Some consistency would be nice, but I don't mind doing my legwork to figure out what's acceptable.

I'm agreeing with the guys about choosing the right species of tree to climb. Scouting this spring, I've been lucky that every tree I want to hunt is a "low value" tree. Stick to those, and I don't think anybody will even notice, and I'll be able to sleep at night.
 
  1. Great video... I like how @flinginairos chooses low value trees.
  2. IF it was my bush I would say use your spurs selectively like flinging does because it is wonderful if a popular or ash dies... great more room for a high value hard maple or cherry or oak.
  3. Interesting about the inconsistency the government is often inconsistant . Rules are toughest in conservation areas. Crown land does not exist in area 85 in Ontario as far as I know. If it did I would use spurs.
  4. I am going to try those ENOPOW climbers.... blame not @g2outdoors but @redsquirrel and @Boudreaux . I am a sceptic about these but the experts know more than me and they use them. HA HA
  5. Spurs, I bought them and sold them and if I had the crown land that @Babshaft has I would use them.
  6. @Boudreaux - I believe your scientific explanation of stuff but for low value trees if it was my bush I would not care but would welcome the damage.
  7. Science over opinion and I am thankful for Boudreaux but if you choose your trees like @flinginairos or @Babshaft do spur on.
  8. Besides we might as well choose what the woodpeckers and beetles destroy by giving them access to the crappy trees. The beetles enter the tree and eat and when the woodpecker puts the hole in the tree to eat the bugs then the squirrel has a home and when the squirrel enlarges the hole the coon occupies it and when the tree falls over the porcupine and bears get to eat the grubs and when it rots it feeds the high value trees that are undamaged.
  9. The forest creatures are all happy except the deer I just ate but I am part of the cycle as a predator. Hey even the deer are better off - if they become over populated they hunt cars, damage the forest, and die of starvation.
  10. Last but not least, I have to obey the rules so no spurs for me.
Wow I sound ecological. Or maybe I am just an old farmer.
 
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huck72412 said:
The reason that this West Virginia hillbilly makes it look so easy in this video is because it is that easy. Practice and trust. Too many times the beginner tries to make the spurs work. Put the spur against the tree at the correct angle and stand up on it. If @flinginairos can do it....... anyone can. Great video Jared.
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I tried them one time. Didn’t know what I was doing. I’m sure I did it all wrong. Felt like my ankles were gonna roll every step. I’d like to give them a second try.
 
I climbed the tree in the back yard a couple of time trying to get used to the climb rites. its a different feeling for sure climbing something attached to the tree compared to climbing something attached to you
 
I took a bunch of forestry courses in college. There is nothing good about spurring a tree. Selective harvest is better selective killing and wasting.

That being said, I consider the risk relatively low. I have seen trees girdled from climbing tree stands. I have seen poorly cut limbs diseasing part of a tree. But not much damage to tree health from light spurring. Personally, I avoid any high value trees. This is usually pretty easy. Most of these trees aren't on the edges of bedding areas.

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Nice explanation and demonstration fling.... if it was an option for me (legality) I might actually be persuaded to give them a shot.
 
Contacted my CO yesterday. Here is what he said:

Anything that has the potential to damage trees are not allowed. So, even if it might not damage some trees it has the potential on others. Therefore it would not be permitted. Sorry, about that. It is a consistency on regulations.
 
PJC said:
Contacted my CO yesterday. Here is what he said:

Anything that has the potential to damage trees are not allowed. So, even if it might not damage some trees it has the potential on others. Therefore it would not be permitted. Sorry, about that. It is a consistency on regulations.
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Where do you live.
 
I also contacted the CO in the next county over where I plan to hunt some public land. This is his response:

"I wouldn't see any issues with using climbing gaffs on state/public lands. The main thing is that it won't cause any major damage to the trees."
 
That sounds about right for WI and is the reason to keep your other climbing methods. Funny thing about WI is the legality seems to trend with the politics of the county. Blue counties tend to be more anti-spur than red counties.

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BassBoysLLP said:
That sounds about right for WI and is the reason to keep your other climbing methods. Funny thing about WI is the legality seems to trend with the politics of the county. Blue counties tend to be more anti-spur than red counties.

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Where are you?


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PJC said:
Where are you?


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I live in the country between Merrill and Medford. I hunt most of the state though.

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