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First try with Treehopper drill and bolts

briand60

briand60

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
48
Location
Sussex County NJ
This will be my first year in a saddle. For 20 years I used screw in steps and a lock on or a Summit climber. Last season I started using sticks with the lock on. Since post season this past year I have been practicing with Hawk Helium full length and WE steps. Today I used a Treehopper drill and 10 bolts for the first time. Probably took 20 minuets and 10 bolts got me to 16 or so feet no problem. I was using a Vortex pouch as a bolt holder and that was a fail. Too floppy and loud. That said I am hooked. In my state its not an issue on public to use screw in steps so this will work. The thought of trying to get into the marshes and thick stuff with my sticks on my pack is not appealing. This is a winner. I felt totally safe and it was not an issue at all using the hand drill. I put them in a "V" in front of me so no issue with the lineman's belt. I'm sold!
 
I really want to try them.
I have been practicing with sticks but just don’t care to carry that much.
 
Bolts are awesome I buy bolts on eBay 50 for $32 I have tons of prepped trees.. the only thing better than carrying drill and bolts is walking up to an already prepped tree.. do yourself a favor and buy the drill bit attachment for the spring while your scouting u can set a tree.. I paint mine camo just to help hide them some from other hunters.. I will never go back to sticks. I would prolly risk the fine over carrying them if I had to hunt public lol.


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Jimmyfunk60 said:
Bolts are awesome I buy bolts on eBay 50 for $32 I have tons of prepped trees.. the only thing better than carrying drill and bolts is walking up to an already prepped tree.. do yourself a favor and buy the drill bit attachment for the spring while your scouting u can set a tree.. I paint mine camo just to help hide them some from other hunters.. I will never go back to sticks. I would prolly risk the fine over carrying them if I had to hunt public lol.


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Click to expand...

I used to paint mine, too. However, I left some unpainted in a tree in my yard and once they rusted, they were really well camouflaged. I usually don’t bother painting now if I’m going to leave them in a tree. It’s worth it to me if they are bolts you will take out and carry just to not have to deal with the rust on your hands and in your pack. I have carbon and Titanium for that job, though.
 
Over the last 40 years I've used everything from landscape spikes, screw ins, sticks, and ladders, this is the second season in the saddle and I'm trying out the tree hopper and bolts I'm liking that so far. I must say I like my modified Hawks but there is the bulk factor so the bolts are convenient and it's nice to have the pre drilled trees ( walk up and climb ) this saddle thing is a continuing learning curve for me. Thanks to this forum and YouTube there is a lot of info. Last year was the first kill out of the saddle although it was not a bow kill it was slug it was exciting all the same. Good luck to all this season stay safe and good luck.
 
If you can, use a cordless drill with this auger by Alfa Tools part# AUG61373 and a collar from Mcmaster #9414T8
You will be up the tree in a jiffy, no sweating, just run the auger in and out a few times to make bolt insertion easy.
 
Jimmyfunk60 said:
Bolts are awesome I buy bolts on eBay 50 for $32 I have tons of prepped trees.. the only thing better than carrying drill and bolts is walking up to an already prepped tree.. do yourself a favor and buy the drill bit attachment for the spring while your scouting u can set a tree.. I paint mine camo just to help hide them some from other hunters.. I will never go back to sticks. I would prolly risk the fine over carrying them if I had to hunt public lol.


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I’ve used them for years. That’s a great price. How can I find then on eBay?
 
what's drills easier, the regular size treehopper drill or the mini?
 
Personally only have experience with the mini and I think it works just fine hopefully someone with experience with both will be able to chime in
 
okccj said:
what's drills easier, the regular size treehopper drill or the mini?
Click to expand...
I've had both. The mini drills just fine and is probably the better choice. There are times on certain trees that you might be drilling in tight spaces due to limbs, multi trunks, etc. Sometimes the spot that needs to be drilled in order to place the bolt where it has to go is very defined. You might be forced to have to drill right there, not an inch or 2 to either side or higher or lower. There can be obstructions that make cracking close quarters without busting knuckles. You might need every fraction of an inch clearance while cranking. Which is another reason to get the folding handle. It takes less room to crank the folder than it takes to rotate the standard handle.
 
I use the treehopper drill with 10 bolts and love the option of carrying only my bolts back to an already prepped tree. Once the holes are drilled they stay open for at least the rest of the season. I do not have the folding handle but really need to purchase one.
 
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