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Climb time - Setup time

What takes me the longest is not the climb up and certainly not the rappel down.... its the setup and take down of gear once I'm up at hunting height or back down on the ground gathering everything up. When you didn't make a kill you're trying real hard to stay quiet and stuff and I'm always wondering if I'm hearing something which probably takes me longer because I'm waiting to see. I love it and hate it at the same time.... the transition times. I only want to see game when I'm set up and ready for them..... I don't like surprises when I'm not ready..... I think practicing a lot and having everything in its place all the time the same way saves a lot of time and monkeying around or "fiddle factor" type stuff that goes from minutes to many more.
 
I checked the clock today and after settling in, I was practicing drawing my bow in about 30 minutes. I had to retighten my platform too….I sat for 3 hrs and was pretty dang comfy too! Worked out a few more bugs including taking a leak and shortening my prussiks.
 
woodsdog2 said:
What takes me the longest is not the climb up and certainly not the rappel down.... its the setup and take down of gear once I'm up at hunting height or back down on the ground gathering everything up. When you didn't make a kill you're trying real hard to stay quiet and stuff and I'm always wondering if I'm hearing something which probably takes me longer because I'm waiting to see. I love it and hate it at the same time.... the transition times. I only want to see game when I'm set up and ready for them..... I don't like surprises when I'm not ready..... I think practicing a lot and having everything in its place all the time the same way saves a lot of time and monkeying around or "fiddle factor" type stuff that goes from minutes to many more.
Click to expand...
Yeah this^^ At some point I’ll have a routine and it will be methodical and repetitious……right now it’s not by any means
 
It takes me about 35 minutes. Most of that is prep at the bottom of the tree. I think the actual climb and gear set up takes 10 to 15 minutes. I use knaider/swaiders and two wild edge stepps to reach a pre-set guide gear quick climbing stick which is my “platform”. My set ups are in the 18’ to 25’ range. Leaving is much quicker – 20 minutes from decision to go to starting the hike out.
 
Really appreciate all the replies guys! Keep them coming. I feel like this thread really can help out some newer guys who are starting Mobile hunting.
 
It takes me 18-21 minutes to get to a suitable height from arriving at the base of the tree to being comfy, not adjusting , and being fully focused on the hunt. Most hunts are 22-26 ft up. I keep it simple with a 1 stick. I have 2 gear ties to hold it on my pack. 30 seconds and it’s off. Each time I repel down I coil my rope. Put my safeguard back on at a set distance from the quick link. So after I remove my single stick from my pack. I fish part of my repel rope/tether out and clip my bridge in first and loop the rope over my neck to start my first climb. Once at height I put my daisy chain gear hanger on with the clips/hooks already on. Set it, hang pack , pull up bow. Then I remove my steps and attach those real quick and I’m done. The biggest slow down for me is taking smaller moves to be silent and not work up a sweat.
 
I agree with slowing it down. Last night I used my WE steps. Used 4 with an aider to get to 25’. First time I used this system I sweated my butt off but I was rushing. This time I slowed down and I was fine.
 
I can set sticks a little faster going up the tree then single stick. But the prep time at the base of the tree takes me way longer to unpack the sticks and get my sticks and platform organized and on me to start my climb. Packing as well. When I repel. I grab my stick and while I hang I quick wrap the aider and rope up and clip it to a carabiner on the side of my saddle. Decent to packed takes maybe 5 minutes. Getting my rope out of the tree can be the biggest slow down.
 
Hey all,

I have just ordered my first ever saddle (CRUZR XC).

This year I decided to take my Novix stand and sticks and go completely mobile. I’ve enjoyed the flexibility a ton and have had several sits close to my house in eastern PA. From the bottom of the tree to the sitting comfortably takes me roughly 20 min. That’s taking my time trying not to sweat and being as silent as possible. That was until this past week that I decided to bring my stand and bow hunt my cabin up in Potter County. After four days
of dragging that beast up and down the mountains, it was time for a change.

I’ve been tossing around the saddle idea for a few months so my linesman belt and safety line (tether) have been setup in anticipation of switching to a saddle.

Once the CRUZR arrives, I figured it would be a simple and time/weight saving transition since my setup won’t change much.

The only thing I was thinking that could make it quicker/quieter was possibly using a rope mod if anyone has been running anything similar I’d love to hear it.
 
Im fat I started single sticking this year. As of now in Wisconsin personally if I make more then 3 moves Im above the canopy so usally end up at about 18' to platform. That will change soon but noting that for context. I dont climb with my back pack on. I use my repel line to pull that up and my pulldown line to pull up my bow. That being said, base of tree pack on my back hit timer on my phone to stopping timer absolutely ready to shoot a deer, that is platform set, release on, repeal and pulldown rope wrapped back up put away, gear hanger in tree with quiver grunt call back pack and range finder hanging, completely situated....30 min.
 
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Today I was just under 30 minutes and not too loud, but I forgot my back strap. After putting it on I was asleep with an hour…..man I love that thing!
 
On average for me, once I arrive at base of tree I select, to a hunting height of 15-18' it takes approximately 15 minutes. I am not in a hurry and like a few others, in between transitions, I pause and listen look around, and this as quiet as I can do it. I had two times, that doing this proved success. One after got up about 10' seen a Buck bedded I didn't know was, and another Doe's came running in then browsed around. I got to harvest both of them, because of this system and taking time being quiet. For those who have hunted a long time, you realize that rushing into stand does you no good, always better to "stalk" your stand/tree, then take time, as anytime things can materialize. Keep your string waxed.
 
Sempertodd said:
On average for me, once I arrive at base of tree I select, to a hunting height of 15-18' it takes approximately 15 minutes. I am not in a hurry and like a few others, in between transitions, I pause and listen look around, and this as quiet as I can do it. I had two times, that doing this proved success. One after got up about 10' seen a Buck bedded I didn't know was, and another Doe's came running in then browsed around. I got to harvest both of them, because of this system and taking time being quiet. For those who have hunted a long time, you realize that rushing into stand does you no good, always better to "stalk" your stand/tree, then take time, as anytime things can materialize. Keep your string waxed.
Click to expand...

Exactly what needs to be said . The hunt begins before you exit your vehicle. Great choice of words,
“Stalk to your stand”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Again about 28 minutes and it felt pretty smooth. Gonna
Leave the bow sling in the truck and try using a clothes pin instead of a gear tie on my tether next time…..those two things I fuss with the most. I’d love to get down to 20 minutes.
 
You can do it. The only reason I time myself is because I just wat to make everything as smooth as possible plus it helps with muscle memory. When I;m hunting I take it slow. I just make sure I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET INTO THE TREE. As well as give it time to settle down before first light in the mornings. Which means, I'm usually heading in at about 5 A.M. Yesterday I did that and had about an hour before it got light. Didnt see anything though so better luck next time, I hope
 
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