• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Climbing method

RTRhunter

RTRhunter

New Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Messages
29
I am new to this site and I am fixen to get into saddle hunting. I am wondering what are everyone climbing method for private and public land that y’all use? I hunt both but mostly private.
 
Look through the “climbing methods and platforms” section of the site. There are a ton of threads about climbing methods with mods to existing gear, new ideas, pros and cons, etc. There’s too much to list in one thread.
 
drew13 said:
Look through the “climbing methods and platforms” section of the site. There are a ton of threads about climbing methods with mods to existing gear, new ideas, pros and cons, etc. There’s too much to list in one thread.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
There's a kind of flowchart progression.

Spurs and bolts are great, but for the vast majority not legal on public.

That being the case I think most of us start at climbing sticks. Then it gets into various modifications of sticks and using aiders, etc. Then maybe trying Stepps or something similar. Then maybe trying rope climbing techniques. As you progress you can shave some weight or bulk, generally at the expense of more hassle and less flexibility in my opinion.

I've tried just about all the methods out there but keep coming back to my heavily modified Hawk Helium sticks with aiders. I subscribe to the K.I.S.S. philosophy.
 
Yeah sorry guys somehow I didn’t see the thread for climbing methods until to late. Me probably going with sticks to move around and have some pre set trees in my spots I see deer in year end and year out with screw in steps since I hunt mostly private.
 
Hey RTR. I modified hawk helium sticks by cutting them short and putting the versa button with Amsteel rope. I also have the climbright aluminum spurs I found cheap on eBay. The weight difference isn’t really much and the hawks pack up tight. With the hawks I run 3 sticks with a single aider that hangs from the top of my step and dangles below the first step 23” to get to about 23ft. I’m 5’10” ish and do it pretty easy. The climbing spikes have a learning curve but are great when you get the hang of them. I am definitely interested in the wildedge steps with some type of aider mod. You tube is great for all that.
 
elk yinzer said:
There's a kind of flowchart progression.

Spurs and bolts are great, but for the vast majority not legal on public.

That being the case I think most of us start at climbing sticks. Then it gets into various modifications of sticks and using aiders, etc. Then maybe trying Stepps or something similar. Then maybe trying rope climbing techniques. As you progress you can shave some weight or bulk, generally at the expense of more hassle and less flexibility in my opinion.

I've tried just about all the methods out there but keep coming back to my heavily modified Hawk Helium sticks with aiders. I subscribe to the K.I.S.S. philosophy.
Click to expand...

I was excited about carbon bolts until I saw the 3/8” carbon bolt that broke. I understand the guy was trying to break it, standing on the end and bouncing! It would have probably never broke under normal use climbing a tree. Yet it caused concern and rightfully so. I am 68 years old standing at 300 pounds. I use my tree spurs when and where I can and grade 8 bolts as an alternate climbing method. I wanted the carbon bolts to lighten my load so I opted to go to a 1/2” drill bit and 1/2” carbon bolts that would drastically increase the strength over 3/8” carbon. I ordered a Milwaukee 1/2” Ship auger bit and prepared it for my 20 volt DeWalt drill: I didn’t see a significant difference in drilling effort between 3/8” and 1/2”. I then got a 1/2” bolt and it didn’t slip into the cylinder hole. This was a surprise to me. I then purchased a couple 12mm bolts and they slid into the holes without wobble. I am glad I checked this out because I would hate to pay $100+ for carbon bolts and find too late that they don’t fit! 12mm bolts are just .7mm smaller than 1/2” bolts and are much stronger than 3/8” carbon bolts. Just thought I would relate my experience with the 1/2”carbon bolt path to tree climbing. Maybe it will save those who go to 1/2” a costly mistake.
 
I just picked up a Lone Wolf hand climber seat. I've climbed with it three times and really like it a lot. It's a climbing method and platform in one and under five pounds. I haven't tried going around limbs yet but that's coming. Practice, practice ,practice.
Bob
 
rutjr said:
I just picked up a Lone Wolf hand climber seat. I've climbed with it three times and really like it a lot. It's a climbing method and platform in one and under five pounds. I haven't tried going around limbs yet but that's coming. Practice, practice ,practice.
Bob
Click to expand...

Under five pounds? I thought the climbers were 15 # or so. Intrigued.
 
Attach the climber seat to your seat with DIY straps, then set your tether. Use the tether to hold yourself while you pull the seat up with your feet. Then reset tether higher and repeat until you're at desired height. Make sure to tie the seat to your harness in case it slips off your feet.
 
Thanks, guys. So many choices...
Rutjr- I'm headed back to RI (Bristol) in May. I'd love to meet up w/you and pick your brain if you wouldn't mind. I'm still very much a learner.
 
Lol sure! I’m a long time hunter but only just started a saddle.
Bob


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I think the key to any climbing method is to have a polished system. From the time you leave the truck, the carry method, the unwrapping, the climbing, and the undoing after the hunt, don't judge any method until a solid system is developed and practiced.
2 guys can utilize the exact same system and one guy tics like a fine watch, and the other struggles and curses.

I hunt private land so I'm really liking bolts. I do have sticks for the times bolts aren't allowed and I have to say I hate sticks. Packing them, carrying them (especially thru brush), climbing with them, and then repacking them after the hunt...I hate every aspect of sticks. But I don't use them much so I've never developed a well practiced system. There are other guys here that love their sticks. Whatever method you choose, IMO it's more about being organized before and after the climb than the climb itself.
 
RTRhunter said:
I am new to this site and I am fixen to get into saddle hunting. I am wondering what are everyone climbing method for private and public land that y’all use? I hunt both but mostly private.
Click to expand...
I use knaider and swader method and 5 wild edge steps 25 foot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top