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Bolt Users: Treehopper is bringing back an improved hand drill!!!!!!

Love my bolts. They are great for run and gun.
I've always despised Ameristep screw in. I can hand drill bolt holes faster than I can install Americrap. I will be selling a hundred or so Americraps and the install tool.
I still like my EZ Climb screw in and will keep 50 of those, but, honestly...I don't know if I will ever use them again since I got bolts.

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Vtbow said:
This is exciting! I spoke with Mark Cama of Treehopper LLC, and the hand drill is coming back, new and improved!!!!!

"We are using a better material for the new bits. It’s a High Carbon Steel that’s being imported from the land of the Samurai. It’s #60 steel instead of the #45. It should lastly longer and maintain a better edge...higher tensile strength, ductility and yield. Not that there was anything wrong with our previous generation, it’s just, as we reintroduce it, we’re going to be using a little bit better materials where we can "

It will be the rectangular shape and have the features of all the one I currently love. Here are some pics he sent:
View attachment 7583
They are also coming out with what they are calling the "elite" climbing belt which will be lighter, stronger, and quieter. He expects some of these great products to be available in the next few weeks! I'll bee checking https://www.treehopperllc.com/shop/ regularly, I'm sure of that!:)
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I like it, bolts are nice and sneaky for this silver hunter, lol.

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I kinda hate you guys right now I just pulled the trigger on an EZkut drill lol

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GodsCountry said:
Obviously there are trade offs here, which you fellas have weighed. About how long is it taking you to drill out a tree to get to 12 feet?
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I am about 20% faster with sticks, but I MUCH prefer the bolts... especially after making a carbon set.

Read through the thread on the carbon ones before you decide on using them though. Two guys had one break during testing. I have already put 30-40 hours on my carbon bolts in real hunting situations and have yet to have the slightest issue. But, I am a small guy and don’t pack much in with me.

My go-to setup this season for run-n-gun has been 22 carbon bolts, EZ-Kut hand drill, and some @DaveT1963 ground blind PVC pieces. That way, I’m covered for a ground sit or a tree. Total weight for both is 2.3lbs.

Add to all that, once I have prepped a tree, it will be good to go all season, and I can be at 20+ feet in 2-3 minutes on a second climb. The only thing better is spurs. I just feel more stable on bolts, and with CF they are lighter than my climbright’s.


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Thanks for sharing the video. I think it convinced me that I won’t be using bolts. To each his own!
 
I wouldn’t mind giving this a go. Question, have you noticed any of the trees you’ve drilled in the past dying? What’s the longest time you’ve used a tree you’ve drilled?
 
jakefromflorida said:
I wouldn’t mind giving this a go. Question, have you noticed any of the trees you’ve drilled in the past dying? What’s the longest time you’ve used a tree you’ve drilled?
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@WHW whwhas been doing this a loop time. Think he has a practice tree in his yard and has the best insight.
 
Vtbow said:
@WHW whwhas been doing this a loop time. Think he has a practice tree in his yard and has the best insight.
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Yes, a real long time.

8FlCuCp.jpg


Actually, I've been drilling trees since 1983 and can only remember one tree dying. It was a poplar and I had drilled it three years straight. Don't know if my drilling killed it or maybe something else. Not sure the most times that I've drilled the same tree, but I do know that I drilled one particular oak 10 consecutive years without any negative effects.
 
WHW said:
Yes, a real long time.

8FlCuCp.jpg


Actually, I've been drilling trees since 1983 and can only remember one tree dying. It was a poplar and I had drilled it three years straight. Don't know if my drilling killed it or maybe something else. Not sure the most times that I've drilled the same tree, but I do know that I drilled one particular oak 10 consecutive years without any negative effects.
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Glad to hear it. Looking for a drill now, I’m liking this idea for those trees I’ve been hunting awhile. Thanks


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jakefromflorida said:
Glad to hear it. Looking for a drill now, I’m liking this idea for those trees I’ve been hunting awhile. Thanks


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If you don't already know, be advised that a tree has to be re-drilled each season due to the trees growth during the spring and summer. Most of the time the holes are completely closed up, but too mushy to drill out. It's not a problem to drill another hole near the original one. For most trees, a couple of years after they have been drilled it's really hard to see where the hole had been.
 
WHW said:
If you don't already know, be advised that a tree has to be re-drilled each season due to the trees growth during the spring and summer. Most of the time the holes are completely closed up, but too mushy to drill out. It's not a problem to drill another hole near the original one. For most trees, a couple of years after they have been drilled it's really hard to see where the hole had been.
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I did see that. That’s what lead me to ask about the health. I work with forestry and based off other knowledge, I just assumed the trees died. But based on your above comment, that lead me to believe otherwise.

Thanks for the information.


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jakefromflorida said:
I did see that. That’s what lead me to ask about the health. I work with forestry and based off other knowledge, I just assumed the trees died. But based on your above comment, that lead me to believe otherwise.

Thanks for the information.


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Click to expand...
I look at it pretty simialr to sugaring. We have been drilling the same trees on our farm for 50+ years... the rule of thumb is left or right 3" and vertically 12" ish from the previous hole. I"m going to stick to that with bolts too and just alternate whether I start left or right foot first every year.
 
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