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Treebolts revisited

redsquirrel said:
One of our other members mentioned doing that also. I'd like to hear more from them because I'd love to have the option if I could do it quickly. Maybe I just need to practice more but I find the hand drill a PITA. It doesn't get much more compact than a bag of bolts and a hand drill.
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I think it is about the ergonomics of where to place the house for easiest drilling. From what I can gather, it is easier if the bolts are not on purely opposite sides of the tree. Binging them into more of a 45° wedge of the tree keeps the drill more between your body and the tree and keeps you from having to reach around the tree as far.


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Mr Warren rolls with that thing! I timed myself doing 10 bolts. From getting to tree, putting harness on, drill my way up to standing on platform ready to hunt it took me about 20min.
I drill them where they are pointing straight away from each other. On a small tree that would mean opposite sides but a big tree I still keep them close to pointing straight away from each other but not directly halfing the tree. Maybe shoulder width apart. If they are sticking out the front side of a tree, in a v formation,I find them hard to climb and bust my knees.
I drill a hole for the next step to the top of my knee that’s on the top step on the opposite side. If I stretch them out further it’s very uncomfortable to drill the next hole with your legs stretched out.

I like to hunt a spot fresh when I find it so I like the little hand drill. I don’t have a problem using a power drill when I’m presenting trees.
 
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If you're not buying your grade 8 bolts from a wholesale house that specializes in hardware you're paying too much for them. I typically pay 55 cents a bolt.

This is where I get mine.
http://www.deltabolt.com/
 
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Agreed but the thing is, you don’t need that many. I rarely go more than 10-12 bolts high. And I have a few extra with me.

I think I bought 20 maybe. And I had the instant gratification of having them NOW :)
 
justsomedude said:
Agreed but the thing is, you don’t need that many. I rarely go more than 10-12 bolts high. And I have a few extra with me.

I think I bought 20 maybe. And I had the instant gratification of having them NOW :)
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I usually use 22-26 steps/bolts to set a tree.
 
Yea. Very rare for me to go lower than 20. I did a couple weeks ago and it felt weird!
 
Ten bolts high put's my lock-on platform (haven't received my Kestrel yet) about 20'. I also drill for a bolt for my stand to rest just above for safety backup. But, I usually have 15 bolts in my pouch, for just in case I need to get higher or I drop one. Speaking of pouches. I've went through several but the one that I've been using for the past few years is the best and very affordable too. Check it out I think y'all will be impressed.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com...gle_shopping&gclid=CPzw27rkv8gCFUVffgodQykI1Q
 
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WHW said:
Ten bolts high put's my lock-on platform (haven't received my Kestrel yet) about 20'. I also drill for a bolt for my stand to rest just above for safety backup. But, I usually have 15 bolts in my pouch, for just in case I need to get higher or I drop one. Speaking of pouches. I've went through several but the one that I've been using for the past few years is the best and very affordable too. Check it out I think y'all will be impressed.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com...gle_shopping&gclid=CPzw27rkv8gCFUVffgodQykI1Q
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That pouch looks good. I have a small shoulder bag for mine with an internal divider. I have extra bolts and hand drill on one side and 12 bolts on the other. Then I put the bag on my gear hanger while hunting so I’m not wearing the extra weight
 
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Just got this in today. I think it'll serve me well.


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I hate inefficiency...but I kept finding it easier to have a bag that was a little too big. I could stick my gloves hand in the bag and find a bolt. And I could easily put them in without looking
 
justsomedude said:
I hate inefficiency...but I kept finding it easier to have a bag that was a little too big. I could stick my gloves hand in the bag and find a bolt. And I could easily put them in without looking
Click to expand...
I got to try out the Kestrel in my backyard yesterday evening. Its comfort and design makes one smile. I'll have to get used to these locking carabiners, I'm used to 1/2" hollow braid and the older style carabiner.

My old homemade seat has a webbed bridge with a fixed loop for my tether and it worked. When I twisted to the rear for a pretend shot in my new Kestrel it was easier and I realized it was because the tether could slide on the bridge. I've hunted for many years with my drill & bolts in two pouches sewn onto my old linemans belt. It cinched tight and was never an issue. It looks like trying to replicate this setup on the saddle with molle bags might be problematic. I'm thinking a small, tough two compartment cross-chest sling might work better. Has anyone gone this route and found a good one?
I hope to post a photo soon of me smiling, the Kestrel, and one of these old "blue deer" that mostly die of old age in my swamp.
 
I use an old m16 mag pouch for 10 bolts and drill. Carry it in my backpack but while drilling it’s open in my pants cargo pocket.
 
Sipsey said:
I got to try out the Kestrel in my backyard yesterday evening. Its comfort and design makes one smile. I'll have to get used to these locking carabiners, I'm used to 1/2" hollow braid and the older style carabiner.
I'm thinking a small, tough two compartment cross-chest sling might work better. Has anyone gone this route and found a good one?
Click to expand...
I often use a Metolius gear sling. It is a chest cross strap with gear loops. I attach my pruners, saw, drill and bolts. But I use THAT because it is an easy clip/unclip to the loops.

You could probably get a Molle bandolier.
 
Y'all are really getting up there. I stay in the 15 to 20 foot range with my longbow. It is right at 24" to 25" to the top of my knee when I put my foot on the bolt. That is where I drill. Roughly 2 foot per step and I put in 7 to 9 on a typical climb to get above some cover. This is 14 to 18 feet up and then I put the Stepp Ladder (2 to 3) above that about 1 foot up. This is what I do for presets that I used the battery drill on. If I want to hunt a random tree that has not been drilled, I just use the Stepp ladders with aider and go that route.
 
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