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Buckingham Tree Spurs

drew13 said:
I know earlier in this thread it was said to use tree spurs rather than pole spurs (tree spurs are longer to get through the bark). I read elsewhere that tree spurs are harder for beginners because you have to balance on them (so to speak). Any thoughts from the experts?

Thanks [/Really unless you are climbing a tree as big as your leg. Your feet still touch the tree with tree spurs. Not really any balanceing to do. Skinny leg size tree yes. But normal tree we saddle hunt from no. If you got thin bark hard trees pole spikes are ok. But thick bark pine tree i'd rather have tree spurs.
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I take mine off and use Ameristeps for a platform. Nothing wrong with leaving them on as long as you are standing on limbs. You could puncture any nylon strap used as part of your platform so I take them off. Climbed with both "pole and tree" Spurs and prefer tree Spurs. I suppose there must be some degree of balancing but I assure you that you can do it. Just get ya some and practice.
 
I have more experience with the pole spurs, but use my tree spurs fairly often. I alternate been climbing systems depending on mood, weather, location, etc.
I would say that the biggest difference to me between the pole climBing and tree climbing for hunting is just the stealth aspect, I never tried being quiet at work. You get accustomed to spurs just like you get used to boots or any other gear you depend on, so it's a matter of spending time in them. Just practice and stay in your lineman belt.
I put my Klein's on over my scent lock boots and pull the pant legs over them. I put the sheath on each spur and walk through the woods with them on. It just takes time. They are most definitely the fastest way up a tree once you get used to them. I still use my platform once I'm up. Either strap ameristeps or screw in or the stepp ladder steps (I'm growing more find of them this season) . You can't get your entire foot on though out you'll make noise with the metal on your feet against the step. I only try to put my balls of my feet or only my heel on the platform, so you end up swapping positions more than you'd like. If I could find a way to silence them at height so I could stand and sit normally in my saddle, I'd probably use my spikes a lot more often

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bioguy said:
I would certainly use tree spurs if they were legal to use on public land here in FL...
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I emailed fwc before I bought mine last year. They have no problem with the use of spurs for climbing on WMA's. Just no screw ins or driving spikes. They did say that damaging trees was not allowed, so I think it would depend on the officer as to that.
 
NWFLBowhunter said:
bioguy said:
I would certainly use tree spurs if they were legal to use on public land here in FL...
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I emailed fwc before I bought mine last year. They have no problem with the use of spurs for climbing on WMA's. Just no screw ins or driving spikes. They did say that damaging trees was not allowed, so I think it would depend on the officer as to that.
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It does depend on the officer, because the officer at FWC that I asked said he'd hit me with a ticket for tree damage. Personally, I see no difference in the amount of damage done to a tree using tree spikes vs. using some climbers. If you've got it in writing saying that you can use tree spikes, I would make a digital copy to store on Google Drive (or other cloud based system that you can access from your phone) and print off a hard copy and keep it with me at all times. If an officer wants to give you a hard time, show them the proof that they said it was OK.

Just curious, where in NWFL do you hunt? I'm in NWFL too, near Tallahassee.
 
bioguy said:
NWFLBowhunter said:
bioguy said:
I would certainly use tree spurs if they were legal to use on public land here in FL...
Click to expand...
I emailed fwc before I bought mine last year. They have no problem with the use of spurs for climbing on WMA's. Just no screw ins or driving spikes. They did say that damaging trees was not allowed, so I think it would depend on the officer as to that.
Click to expand...

It does depend on the officer, because the officer at FWC that I asked said he'd hit me with a ticket for tree damage. Personally, I see no difference in the amount of damage done to a tree using tree spikes vs. using some climbers. If you've got it in writing saying that you can use tree spikes, I would make a digital copy to store on Google Drive (or other cloud based system that you can access from your phone) and print off a hard copy and keep it with me at all times. If an officer wants to give you a hard time, show them the proof that they said it was OK.

Just curious, where in NWFL do you hunt? I'm in NWFL too, near Tallahassee.
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Yea I keep a paper copy in the truck of the email. I'm in Pensacola.
 
Hello from the new guy. This is my first post but I was hoping I could shed a little light and maybe a few tips here. I'm a lineman by trade so I've climbed alot. I was thinking as I was reading all the comments and I was wondering why several of you feel like you need to hitchhike up the tree? Have you ever just free climbed with no belt? As long as you have a good handhold on the tree you can climb to position before ever having to put your safety belt on. My next suggestion is go to a lineman supply website, man they have so many nice comfy cousins pads now that there should be no reason for your pads to be uncomfortable on your legs. Also the biggest reason to go with tree gaff over pole gaff is the length of the gaff itself. With the tree gaff being longer you want to make sure the gaff goes into the meat of the tree and not just the bark. One other suggestion for you new climbers is alway climb with your butt stuck out if that makes sense. If you clb in to much of an upright position you are more likely to cut out of the tree and down you go. Thanks for letting me post and so far I'm really liking this sight. Keep up the good work.
 
Hey Jasboj

I've done a good deal of climbing and have no problem doing so freely without a flipline/ lineman's belt. You can fly up the tree that way. I'm not sure anyone just beginning to incorporate this method to their hunting should prescribe to it though. If you get a good semi-rigid rope flip then it isn't inconvenient at all. And of course it is certainly the safest application. In another post you suggested a particular about the soles of your boots. That is so true and great that you said that. I've climbed in LaCrosse , Rocky Alphaburly, and several other rubber boots and none of which were friendly with Spurs. Welcome to the site!!! Look forward bro hearing more from ya!!
 
I do have a question. Although I have lots of experience in climbing poles I have only used pole length gaffs. That's all I have. How many of you climb trees with the shorter pole gaffs? I know they make tree gaffs for a reason but have you had any problems with just pole gaffs? Thanks

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I have used them both. I have been in several different makes and models and the only thing I have experienced different in pole gaffs as opposed to tree gaffs is I very rarely have any cut-outs when in in tree gaffs. That's not to say that pole spurs don't work in trees but the additional length in tree gaffs is just there to make sure you find the meat. I'm not opposed to any of them because they are all specifically bdesigned to do the same thing. Once you learn a repeatable technique then it doesn't matter much in my opinion. Just glad to be huntin' .
 
I maybe have less experience than you guys who do it for a living. I did have to do it some in my job years back, but even then a ladder was usually the method I used. I have climbed with spurs for recreation and tree trimming around the property on occasion for years since then though. Even if it was only once in a while.And for hunting, I've been rotating this method in for a couple seasons. I don't know whyi never thought to do it before.
My thoughts on the difference between pole and tree gaffs are that sometimes it is very beneficial to have the longer spurs while in some trees. But at least half the time, the spurs don't really go in all that deep anyway.but they seem to keep me from screwing up with the edge of my feet. Plus I still have a tree spur let loose on me one in a while. So I firmly believe in a flipline /lineman belt at the least. At least with one, you can lean back and catch yourself with various body parts and stop your fall if you do gaff out as long as the tree isn't outrageously small or large. Granted, my form or technique probably wouldn't be correct if my old trainer saw it. While I do believe this, I'll still use the longer spurs. Better to have and not need. ..


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Let's see some photos of your spurs guys. In particular how you silence them. I picked up a pair last year that I am going to integrate into my climbing arsenal after I get a chance to practice with them more. I'm thinking camo form around the metal should fit the bill.
 
I'll post a couple tomorrow Red! I use cloth tape (camo) made by Allen. It deadens the clanking
 
There ya go Red. I use this all the way up the shank to the pad!
 

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Getting ready to order my first set of spurs! I am wanting to make a lightweight flip line to take the place of the linemans belt I currently use. Would really just like it to be a stiffer rope with sewn eye splice on one end. Any rope you guys would recommend for this task? I really don't want to get into the steel core lines, trying to keep weight and cost to a minimum. Any suggestions?
 
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