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DIY Tree Squeeze/Choke.

So is it just me or is anyone else picturing the amsteel adjustable bridge concept making some big improvements to the tree squeeze?
I would be concerned about having my bridge rubbing up against the tree every climb up/down. The linesmans belts are a lot simpler to replace.

Sent from up in a tree
 
You need to reverse what you have in your pic. Move the squeeze to the rear of the tree and the linemans belt to the front of the tree. Your linesman belt does not go around this tree in this setup. When you lean back or fall, the linesman belt will cinch up the squeeze around the tree by pulling the carabiner and Blake's hitch towards each other, hence the name tree squeeze. Just make sure that you slide the Blake's hitch far enough away from you so that it can't reach the carabiner. You'll need to keep doing that as the tree diameter decreases.

This pic shows the black rope squeeze around the tree and the predator linesman belt run through the biner and ring.
382766abb01703d58bbd78d7b1a0b5e8.jpg
I understand how the squeeze is put together and functions in the photo you posted. What I'm talking about is an altogether different setup. And perhaps I didn't explain my question, or maybe I totally misunderstood what I read. What I mean is what is linked to here: https://www.treestuff.com/rope-logic-monkey-tail-by-odis-sisk/

And, I saw someone else's similar setup in another thread on here: https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/monkeys-tail-tie-in.10559/post-157802
 
I understand how the squeeze is put together and functions in the photo you posted. What I'm talking about is an altogether different setup. And perhaps I didn't explain my question, or maybe I totally misunderstood what I read. What I mean is what is linked to here: https://www.treestuff.com/rope-logic-monkey-tail-by-odis-sisk/

And, I saw someone else's similar setup in another thread on here: https://saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?threads/monkeys-tail-tie-in.10559/post-157802
Gotcha. That looks like it could eventually catch the tree, better than a linesmans belt alone. But like you said, there's nothing from stopping the carabiner from sliding down when you introduce slack.

Sent from up in a tree
 
Gotcha. That looks like it could eventually catch the tree, better than a linesmans belt alone. But like you said, there's nothing from stopping the carabiner from sliding down when you introduce slack.

Sent from up in a tree
I guess if the cross-rope (monkey tail) was shorter than the distance between the two sides of the lineman's, the tension on the lineman's in a fall would cause the monkey to bite?? I don't know. I suppose you could just put another blake's hitch on the side that currently has the carabiner. You'd have to tie it every time, but that's no big deal.
 
So I wonder what way is better the tree squeeze or the monkey tail...
Which is better to move up the tree?
Which is cheaper?
Which is safer?
Is one better for spurs and another for other methods of climbing?

Interesting thread but I just have more questions. Maybe I will have to try both. Has anyone tried both?
 
So I wonder what way is better the tree squeeze or the monkey tail...
Which is better to move up the tree?
Which is cheaper?
Which is safer?
Is one better for spurs and another for other methods of climbing?

Interesting thread but I just have more questions. Maybe I will have to try both. Has anyone tried both?

I'd say the tree squeeze is easily the safer of the two, but I just don't seeing it being too practical with sticks. And heck, the monkey tail might not either. If I'm standing on my aider, the top of the stick it's hanging on is staring me in the face. My lineman's isn't going to be quite that high, so the monkey tail wouldn't be able to be slid all the way snug up to the tree (the stick would be in the way.). The more I think about, the more I think it'd be safer and less to contend with if I just used my tether in conjunction with the lineman's as I ascend/descend.
 
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I'm thinking the climbing method is going to dictate which method is best like you said @Ontariofarmer. For spurs and bolts, the squeeze looks like it should be safer and easier. Never tried sticks so @SecretAgentMan is probably spot on about using a tether that you can keep above the sticks.

Sent from up in a tree
 
So is this tree choke mainly used with tree spurs? Any videos of using the tree choke with bolts?
 

You know what this makes me think of? What if you used climbing rope for your bridge and then connect the lineman belt to this bridge instead of the side loops.

You’d have exactly the same setup as you see in this picture and be carrying less rope and have a choker setup!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’ve followed this thread quite a bit since I’ve gotten started on gathering gear, practicing in the yard, and I too have come to the conclusion that I’m not comfortable with a lineman’s only. I climb on sticks, so best I can tell, a squeeze isn’t going to work too great. But I did come across some threads on using what I guess is called a monkey tail. I’ve got a carabiner in a strangle poacher’s knot on the left. (Wiregate in the photo. Maybe I should switch to a screw gate to up the safety.) Blake’s hitch on the right with a stopper behind it.

I assume you keep the hitch pretty snug against the tree, but if you’re keeping the lineman’s above your hips, what keeps the carabiner from sliding back down the lineman’s back toward your loop? I guess I just can’t envision how it cinches onto the tree in the event of a misstep.

Just looking for input on ways to improve it, make it safer, and just generally understand how it works. Not opposed to trying the flingin’ X method or just using my tether as I go. Or just tie a Blake’s on each side...
When you're trying to figure this out by trying different ideas, which is great, try it only on the ground or a couple of feet off the ground. I feel when you are really not sure which is best and you're 15 feet up, stop put your tether around the tree attach your bridge and think about what's going on and make adjustments if needed. This past year hunting I was going up a tree and needed to go by some limbs. This was my first time doing this. Of course it started to rain, just to ad to the climb. I stopped and attached my tether before using my tree squeeze that I use also as a backup lb. and figured out my best and safest move up rotating linesman belt and tree squeeze. I felt secure and safe.
image.jpeg
 
When you're trying to figure this out by trying different ideas, which is great, try it only on the ground or a couple of feet off the ground. I feel when you are really not sure which is best and you're 15 feet up, stop put your tether around the tree attach your bridge and think about what's going on and make adjustments if needed. This past year hunting I was going up a tree and needed to go by some limbs. This was my first time doing this. Of course it started to rain, just to ad to the climb. I stopped and attached my tether before using my tree squeeze that I use also as a backup lb. and figured out my best and safest move up rotating linesman belt and tree squeeze. I felt secure and safe.
View attachment 23849
Oh yeah. Absolutely. I got two daughters I intend to come home to in the same shape I left. I work it at ground level several times before I move up. The more I dig into it, the more I think I’ll one stick and wind up rappelling down, probably negating the need for a LB.
 
I'd say the tree squeeze is easily the safer of the two, but I just don't seeing it being too practical with sticks. And heck, the monkey tail might not either. If I'm standing on my aider, the top of the stick it's hanging on is staring me in the face. My lineman's isn't going to be quite that high, so the monkey tail wouldn't be able to be slid all the way snug up to the tree (the stick would be in the way.). The more I think about, the more I think it'd be safer and less to contend with if I just used my tether in conjunction with the lineman's as I ascend/descend.

A traditional lineman's lanyard and a tether with a climb spec steel screwlink (so you can easily get around branches) works well with sticks and gives you all the safety you need (just get used to reaching up and sliding the tether ahead of you). I almost made a tree squeeze, but figured it would get in the way of placing the sticks right in front of you. A piece of sliding rope tied around the tether (cut fisherman's knot) works to keep the screwlink from sliding down the tree as you advance/have a little slack at times (this is easier than doing a double wrap).
 
I was wondering if a Tree squeeze might be used as tether to reduce hip pinch from a saddle. It could widen the tree hook up.

I may try it


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
Did you ever try it?
 
I was wondering if a Tree squeeze might be used as tether to reduce hip pinch from a saddle. It could widen the tree hook up.

I may try it


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I am doing something similar with a highly modified Treesuit. It doesn’t suck. [mention]Bwhana [/mention] got to see it today.
 
Do you lose the ability to shoot 270* or better around the tree with a tree squeeze'n tether strap?

I think it’s about the same range of motion. The difference is that with a traditional single point bridge/tether when you have to rotate around the tree, you experience a lot of resistance that is trying to pull you back to the center. If the deer isn’t cooperating and you have to hold that position for longer than a few seconds, your legs/core start shaking. Having that load spread around the tree with a squeeze tree or ‘reverse bridge’ helps to lessen that resistance.
Don’t know if that makes sense, but it works.
 
I am doing something similar with a highly modified Treesuit. It doesn’t suck. [mention]Bwhana [/mention] got to see it today.
Let's just say I'm planning to switch to this for all saddle use (will work for more than just the Treesuit) next year after trying it today. This is legit!
 
Let's just say I'm planning to switch to this for all saddle use (will work for more than just the Treesuit) next year after trying it today. This is legit!
Pics or it doesn’t exist
 
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