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Tree Diameter Preference for Saddle Hunting

elk yinzer said:
I don't like/don't feel as safe when I can't wrap my arms around and having to toss ropes. I'll do it if it's the only option but otherwise no thanks. About volleyball to basketball size is sweet spot. I seek out limbs, love having a few to break up the outline.
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This ^^^
I just don't feel as safe in real large trees that I cant grab around and slide down, if needed. For me it's more effort and time on the bigger trees.
 
I actually prefer a slightly large tree. One that I can bear hug (is that beach ball size?). I spent a full day, dark to dark, in one on Saturday. I was able to get my platform level and had room for both knees. Low tether, long bridge, and back band made for a pretty comfy day.
 
I like big trees and I can't not lie. You other saddle hunters can't deny.
I always end up picking a tree that makes climbing more difficult. But I move to much. So I seem to opt for the large ones to try and hide my movement. If I can get the kinks worked out, DRT on a pre set is how I like to roll.
 
I’m not as concerned about size although like everyone else basketball/volleyball seems the pick but I try very hard to find limbs or forks or something that helps break up the outline of the 6’3” 260# squirrel.
 
I like the biggest tree I can get in comfortably. What I mean is something I can reach around and grab my ropes straps etc without to much excessive movement. If I have to toss something around the tree then it’s to big.


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The tree I climbed Saturday afternoon was about 20% bigger than a basketball. It was great other than it taking 25 minutes to get the poison oak and poison ivy pulled of it. The tree I climbed Friday was about basketball size and had a limb that went out about 2 feet then turned up and then turned back out. Where it turned back out was just high enough that I set my platform just above the the limb leaving the trunk and could set on the limb where it turned back out horizontal. And that position put all the sign, expected deer movement and ultimately deer on the strong side at 9 o'clock. Durned near a perfect tree.
 
BTaylor said:
The tree I climbed Saturday afternoon was about 20% bigger than a basketball. It was great other than it taking 25 minutes to get the poison oak and poison ivy pulled of it. The tree I climbed Friday was about basketball size and had a limb that went out about 2 feet then turned up and then turned back out. Where it turned back out was just high enough that I set my platform just above the the limb leaving the trunk and could set on the limb where it turned back out horizontal. And that position put all the sign, expected deer movement and ultimately deer on the strong side at 9 o'clock. Durned near a perfect tree.
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What's your procedure for pulling poison vines out of the tree?

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sweats said:
What's your procedure for pulling poison vines out of the tree?

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Pull it loose from the tree as low as it will easily come loose and then pull out in sorta little popping motions to try to get a fair bit of play in it. Then yank the hail out of it. Sometimes that works well and sometimes it breaks off just out of reach and it becomes a pull and strip on the climb. If decently huntable trees are in short supply at a spot, I will not strip all of it off to discourage the faint of heart and itchy of skin from climbing my tree. ;)
 
That would be me! If the only good tree has poison ivy on it then that is a fine ground spot, lol.
 
I don't want to be in a tree smaller than volleyball sized at height. I don't like climbing trees too big to get my arms around. I like having other trunks nearby I can rest by back or feet on, or hide behind. I dislike having a bunch of saplings, etc. at the base of the tree as it tends to foul my lines and otherwise cause frustrations.
 
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