Approximate time for setup.

[Inconel710]

I use the basic Mechanix gloves. When I started using the WE Stepps this year, just tying the knot was tearing up my knuckles on the tree bark.

 

[DaveT1963]

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanix-Wea...693686&sr=8-20&keywords=mechanix+brown+gloves

You don't have to get the camo ones, some like the yellow in case they drop them.

But I'll never set another climbing stick, stepp, or ring of steps without gloves on. Cold wet hands getting knuckles torn up sucks. Climbing with gloves makes a huge difference. Also, don't just throw them on and expect to be good with them, they take practice just like your other gear. Losing sensitivity in your fingertips requires some getting used to.

Perhaps a valid reason for using strap and buckles in cold weather for sticks over amsteel? I would also think a plus for a platform like the Predator - far easier to set a platform then a ring of steps on a strap.

 

[Nutterbuster]

https://www.amazon.com/Mechanix-Wea...693686&sr=8-20&keywords=mechanix+brown+gloves

You don't have to get the camo ones, some like the yellow in case they drop them.

But I'll never set another climbing stick, stepp, or ring of steps without gloves on. Cold wet hands getting knuckles torn up sucks. Climbing with gloves makes a huge difference. Also, don't just throw them on and expect to be good with them, they take practice just like your other gear. Losing sensitivity in your fingertips requires some getting used to.

Ha! I've got a busted up knuckle right now from grazing treebark while spinning my EZ Kut!

@DaveT1963, I think there's a lot to be said for a stealthy setup, especially when in or near bedding areas. That's what I like so much about a preset tree with bolts, it's easy to quietly get to height without undue noise or movement.

But if you're hunting a feed area or travel route where the game is beating deer to the spot and catching them on the return, it's a little different. I also have hunted bedding areas and been setup 2-3 hours before first light with the intent of camping in the area all day. The idea is the deer aren't there yet, and sometimes you're trying to best them to the spot.

I also have areas that are a LONG way back. I made a not-quite-5 mile paddle Saturday morning to a spot. Then I had to walk in. Then I had to climb. I got up at 2:30am, and wasn't setup until about 6am. And I live at the boat launch...

I think that time is also a factor that is easily measured and improved upon, sort of like weight. Ceteris paribus, a faster or lighter climbing system is objectively a better one.

A fast system is also a smooth system. Watching videos of myself climb repeatedly and setting a stopwatch means that now every piece of gear has a place, and I don't waste time or movement looking for anything. I've got it down to a science.

And, fast doesn't necessarily mean not stealthy. Look at spurs. I can climb as close to noiselessly as I think is possible with spurs, and still beat pretty much anybody in a race to 20ft.

And there's no argument that you "let your guard down" and are less aware of your surroundings as you climb. The quicker I get that over with (providing I can do so relatively quietly) the sooner I can get back to being ready to kill deer.

I'm not trying to argue or take a contrarian stance. Just airing out my thoughts on the subject. I have had hunts where I was inching up the tree, keeping a very close eye on the base of an old pine in the marsh grass for tines...So I 100% respect where you're coming from.

 

[mattsteg]

I take as long as it takes to get up quietly and with little movement. Seriously, I just do not understand the obsession with how fast - that IMO should be one of the last considerations. There are times I stand at the base of my tree for 15-20 minutes watching and listening before I set my first stick. And I cannot tell you how many times I pulled my bow up, while standing on a stick setting things up, and either shot a deer or had a close call.

IMO the folks worried about setting up quickly are also the ones that tend to have really sloppy approached to their stand. I think we all would be amazed if we knew how many bucks we educate on out set ups.... I often set a trail camera up at my stand location after a hunt, especially if I do not plan to come back that season, and I often get pics of nice bucks moments after I leave.... I honestly believe in those cases the buck was in his bed I was hunting and heard or saw me.... and I am careful on all aspects of approach and setting up.

Quiet is essential, but time is useful as a reference, and plan to take say double the fast time in practice. If you feel like it takes too long, you're probably rushing and making noise. It's good to have a streamlined, efficient process that you can feel comfortable slowing down. A 5 minute process that you can stretch out to 30 minutes probably beats a 30 minute process for stealth.

So I guess I say speed is important, as long as you ignore it and don't try to go fast.

 

[DaveT1963]

if you are hunting does that probably works. if you are hunting mature bucks on public land would not be my choice of set ups. my closest AM spot requires a 2:30 alarm clock

 

[Plinker22]

I had my first hunt yesterday with the saddle (mantis). I EzKut my holes and used bolts. I was hunting in 27 minutes and was very pleased. Like Dave said above, I went slow, watching around me and "Hunting" as I went up. At any moment, I could have pulled up my bow to shoot!

 

[Nutterbuster]

if you are hunting does thaty probably works. if you are hunting mature bucks on public land would not be my choice of set ups. my closet AM spot requires a 2:30 alarm clock

I am an unabashed nanny-goat annhilator. I'm not nearly masochistic enough to hold out for big boys on the local public. But I do have a little spike bedded on a riverbank within earshot of my house. I may use the DaveT approach on him this Friday. He's close enough that I don't even need Crocs. I can make that hunt barefoot.

 

[skell]

IMO the folks worried about setting up quickly are also the ones that tend to have really sloppy approached to their stand. I think we all would be amazed if we knew how many bucks we educate on out set ups....

This has been historically, ME. Part of my reason last year for only using WE stepps as my climbing method is I knew it would force me to slow down and be more methodical in my setup. And it worked. Between converting to a saddle and using RS aider/stepps, I was significantly quieter and seeing deer much more quickly after setting up.

To the OP...I was easily in the 30 minute neighborhood at the beginning of the season last year. Each time I figured out how to tweak my setup to be more efficient. By the end of the season I was around 15 minutes. And the more I think about it, the less I worry about it. I would rather it be drawn out and quiet than clank something together because I was rushing.

 

[Aeds151]

Ya. Where i had the buddy in the climber beat was trees i demonstrated that are to skinny for climber.
How about cold weather in the saddle. My concern is being able to change shirts and layer up while on the platform. I found that it was hard to tuck shirts in and get layers situated comfortable while bridge is connected and saddle on. I would hate to have to wear layers while climbing my aider and all. Would be pretty sweaty. Any tips?


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[KCbuckeye22]

Ya. Where i had the buddy in the climber beat was trees i demonstrated that are to skinny for climber.
How about cold weather in the saddle. My concern is being able to change shirts and layer up while on the platform. I found that it was hard to tuck shirts in and get layers situated comfortable while bridge is connected and saddle on. I would hate to have to wear layers while climbing my aider and all. Would be pretty sweaty. Any tips?


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My active plan is to hang the setup first. Get back down cool off and then layer up. This will no doubt add time to the "setting up", yet it will avoid being sweaty and cold. If the weather is good and I only have to add top layers then I can put them on in the saddle. Yeah it takes some movement and some pulling and tugging to get it under the saddle, however its better than being a sweaty mess.

 

[kyler1945]

My active plan is to hang the setup first. Get back down cool off and then layer up. This will no doubt add time to the "setting up", yet it will avoid being sweaty and cold. If the weather is good and I only have to add top layers then I can put them on in the saddle. Yeah it takes some movement and some pulling and tugging to get it under the saddle, however its better than being a sweaty mess.

I know everyone is different, and there are some people who sweat just sitting still in 60 degree weather. I am very sweaty person. But if it’s below 60 degrees, I don’t sweat regardless of climbing method, platform used, or amount of layers.

My opinion is that if you’re struggling enough to sweat on a 20’ climb in cold weather, it’s because you don’t have your system down well enough. Or you’re walking in with all your layers on, and your body temperature is elevated pre climb.

I pack my layers in. And I make sure Im calm and breath caught before I start. I’m practiced in what I’m doing going up. On a rare occasion I get a tree that whips my butt, but it’s rare.

I know people say it a lot here, but practice at home!

 

[DaveH]

Getting up the tree safely, quietly, and efficiently without working up a sweat is my goal. Fortunately, I'm an early riser so I'm seldom rushed for time.

 

[KCbuckeye22]

I know everyone is different, and there are some people who sweat just sitting still in 60 degree weather. I am very sweaty person. But if it’s below 60 degrees, I don’t sweat regardless of climbing method, platform used, or amount of layers.

My opinion is that if you’re struggling enough to sweat on a 20’ climb in cold weather, it’s because you don’t have your system down well enough. Or you’re walking in with all your layers on, and your body temperature is elevated pre climb.

I pack my layers in. And I make sure Im calm and breath caught before I start. I’m practiced in what I’m doing going up. On a rare occasion I get a tree that whips my butt, but it’s rare.

I know people say it a lot here, but practice at home!

I take my time packing in wearing just base layers. Most packs in are between .5-2 miles in. I only sweat when I don't take my time to cool off. I've a very active and fit person, I run 15-20 miles a week. These are Missouri and Ohio temps. I think my body know when it starts to labor and needs to sweat. I'd never make it if I wore all my cold weather gear in or when hanging.

 

[Aeds151]

Must be nice. I just layed out 1 timber sale unit 30-40 acres with a thin pair of pants and LS shirt on in 43 degree temp and I am soaked. I imagine my forestry gear weighs as much as all my sticks and platform/ hunting gear. No doubt that the cool off/ layering will add some time but well worth it to not freeze out. My plan was to hang then climb down and layer myself as well. Earlier alarm in winter for sure.


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[Wirrex]

From taking my backpack off to completely settled in the tree I am at 15 minutes. I am exactly the same 15 minutes from hunting to walking out. This is using spurs and a platform. It still feels like a long time. I say it every year but I really need to do more presets.

 

[Swanny]

This is a good thread. As it is my first season hunting in the saddle, I was wondering the same thing about the amount of time it took others to get set up. Obviously, getting in familiar trees/locations made the process much quicker for me but I wondered about the run and gun approach and how long it was taking others.

 

[10essee]

It was so hot in Florida this bow season it wouldn’t have mattered if I climbed naked sweat was a given. I generally took a long time to slip in then climb as quickly as possible relative to the noise being created in order to have the first part of the sit to stop dripping. Then wipe down with scent wipes and change shirts. Hunted some 107* index days that were absolutely miserable but did manage a doe and have passed a bunch more and several small bucks.

Knowing travel patterns and playing the wind like a long range sniper can over come some noise providing it’s not metal on metal. To each their own but I try to get set up ASAP and spend my time elevated. I’ll spend my slow time for creeping in. Anyone in the Deep South knows that a brown palmetto frond is the loudest possible vegetation in the world.