Big trees

[1simplemann]

Just wanted to ask you guys what you think of big diameter trees for climbing? I always shy away at them but some of the best locations I have the best spots are big trees,any tips on climbing them?

Treefox,

Your situation describes my deer woods almost exactly. Some of the best locations only have huge cottonwood trees available to hunt within bow range. For years I hunted run n' gun w/ my LW's. I couldn't get my stand into those trees so I hunted as close as possible waiting for them to make a mistake. Most of the time I sat on the edge just out of bow range and watched the action w/ some success. Now I hunt those trees. I pre set them w/ bolts and hunt them w/ my saddle. After talking to JE, I have devised a way to safely attach my tether to these trees. I'm in the tree and hanging in less than 5 minutes.

 

[The_Fit_Ness_Monster]

I use JRB dual rope system mainly to get in the bigger oaks, i found my self always wanting to be in bigger trees with my climber but couldnt. SRT,DRT. All would work for large tree.

 

[Bowmanmike]

I got my throwball stuck in a big oak a few years ago and had to climb up with my platform and aiders and it the worst climb ever. I had to put a loop extension on my platform strap and toss it.
I have a 2nd throwball now...

 

[Jammintree]

I like big trees and drt.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

I Like Drt for large trees like red oaks. It's a very simple system and has been a staple in the arborist world for a long time. I second having a second throwball.

 

[Jammintree]

I Like Drt for large trees like red oaks. It's a very simple system and has been a staple in the arborist world for a long time. I second having a second throwball.

A second throwball is a must

 

[Bowmanmike]

A second throwball is a must

Live and learn...I got mine stuck doing presets a few weeks ago and had to make up a throwball...it works pretty good. The dynaglide throw line is wicked strong,I actually tried breaking it because I thought I was never getting my throwball back but did eventually after tying the homemade one on the other end of the line and tossing it in the tree above where my other one was hung up.

 

[John RB]

I love hunting out of giant trees... and it's a natural capability of rope climbing. Did it for years on DRT, and I'm using all of those same presets on my JRB systems.

I didn't take a photo, but last night i hunted on a new property in a new tree, a giant maple, easily 3ft thick and 10ft around at the base. I prefer large trees simply because their bulk helps conceal us... and I can tell you from experience that even when a deer sees you in a very large tree, you get more respect and less suspicion than you do sticking out on a sapling or telephone pole tree. Just sit still... if I haven't been winded, that deer will typically calm down and provide a shot opportunity if I want one.

I did the throwball work 2 weeks ago and it took a few throws to hit a higher crotch, about 45 ft off the ground. I don't use a platform and had two choices for horizontal branches which serve as my positioning and pivot point. I headed for the higher one, but it was close to 30 ft off the ground and when i got there I didn't have the clearest shooting Lanes. I backed down to the one about 17ft up and as I chose my most comfortable and preferred position and leaned back, my doubled ropes were bending around the upper crotch and effectively determining my TIP. And so, my system felt like I had thrown over the branch at 30 ft. I always stay on my climbing rope and do not use a tether. I am comfortable with a crotch way up over my head. If I've got a branch under my feet, I can make room for a shot across basically 360°.
My saddle is very comfortable and I'm able to vary the amount of weight on my legs and the branch without adjusting my friction hitches. Sure, a platform is a handy device. But I don't know how I would have installed one on a tree this thick. I also just enjoy the challenge of not using one, and I hate to carry anything I don't absolutely need, because I have some pretty long walks in and out frequently.

I understand and agree with anyone who would say that we don't want to use a throw ball in the dark. If I was in that situation, I would likely just stay on the ground until there was enough light for me to pick my tree and that I would not be too aggressive and not for try for anything that I didn't think I could hit on the first throw. But I always like to be prepared, and on a morning hunt, I like to know where I am going. Just like it would be difficult to use a throw ball in the dark, and it's difficult to see if we have shooting Lanes in the dark. And that's going to be a problem no matter how we climb. Another thing for us to recognize is that the woods we hunt in might look awfully different. My words are generally pretty thick and shooting lanes are not a given thing. The average Tree in my Woods has zero shooting Lanes or maybe one... On private property, I have permission to trim them, and I do so when I put up my presets on my exploratory walks.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[sweats]

I love hunting out of giant trees... and it's a natural capability of rope climbing. Did it for years on DRT, and I'm using all of those same presets on my JRB systems.

I didn't take a photo, but last night i hunted on a new property in a new tree, a giant maple, easily 3ft thick and 10ft around at the base. I prefer large trees simply because their bulk helps conceal us... and I can tell you from experience that even when a deer sees you in a very large tree, you get more respect and less suspicion than you do sticking out on a sapling or telephone pole tree. Just sit still... if I haven't been winded, that deer will typically calm down and provide a shot opportunity if I want one.

I did the throwball work 2 weeks ago and it took a few throws to hit a higher crotch, about 45 ft off the ground. I don't use a platform and had two choices for horizontal branches which serve as my positioning and pivot point. I headed for the higher one, but it was close to 30 ft off the ground and when i got there I didn't have the clearest shooting Lanes. I backed down to the one about 17ft up and as I chose my most comfortable and preferred position and leaned back, my doubled ropes were bending around the upper crotch and effectively determining my TIP. And so, my system felt like I had thrown over the branch at 30 ft. I always stay on my climbing rope and do not use a tether. I am comfortable with a crotch way up over my head. If I've got a branch under my feet, I can make room for a shot across basically 360°.
My saddle is very comfortable and I'm able to vary the amount of weight on my legs and the branch without adjusting my friction hitches. Sure, a platform is a handy device. But I don't know how I would have installed one on a tree this thick. I also just enjoy the challenge of not using one, and I hate to carry anything I don't absolutely need, because I have some pretty long walks in and out frequently.

I understand and agree with anyone who would say that we don't want to use a throw ball in the dark. If I was in that situation, I would likely just stay on the ground until there was enough light for me to pick my tree and that I would not be too aggressive and not for try for anything that I didn't think I could hit on the first throw. But I always like to be prepared, and on a morning hunt, I like to know where I am going. Just like it would be difficult to use a throw ball in the dark, and it's difficult to see if we have shooting Lanes in the dark. And that's going to be a problem no matter how we climb. Another thing for us to recognize is that the woods we hunt in might look awfully different. My words are generally pretty thick and shooting lanes are not a given thing. The average Tree in my Woods has zero shooting Lanes or maybe one... On private property, I have permission to trim them, and I do so when I put up my presets on my exploratory walks.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Does the angle from the double ropes high overhead interfere with drawing a bow? I've never tried it, but it always looked to me like staying on the climbing rope for SRT, DRT, or JRB rather than switching to a regular tether would create that issue.

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[Bowmanmike]

Does the angle from the double ropes high overhead interfere with drawing a bow? I've never tried it, but it always looked to me like staying on the climbing rope for SRT, DRT, or JRB rather than switching to a regular tether would create that issue.

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Surprisingly enough that is not an issue,at least for me. I could see it potentially be one if your anchor is way above your hunting height.

 

[John RB]

Does the angle from the double ropes high overhead interfere with drawing a bow? I've never tried it, but it always looked to me like staying on the climbing rope for SRT, DRT, or JRB rather than switching to a regular tether would create that issue.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

It could be, but I find it relatively easy to overcome by pushing off from the tree or a branch (or a platform) with my legs. Frequently, my legs are more horizontal than vertical when i take a shot with the bow. Definitely something to practice in the backyard target range!

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[HaunSolo]

I climb quite a few larger trees using MRS, or what is also referred to as DdRT or DRT.

I leave my spots preset. I come in, pull my rope over, tie my knots, and ascend the tree. You can get custom straps for your platform online. I have a 12ft' strap that would allow me to attach my platform to trees that are ~3 ft in diameter.