My history has been climbing stands, sticks, one sticking and have settled on a cinched SRT system that I keep coming back to. I did throw a 2tc system that I like also . As I age being connected all the way up and down plus being able to descend at any given time is a bonus. It has become second nature and I use the system when I do things like setting ziplines or accessing bird feeders.
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Multiple Climbing Methods and Sets of Gear
- Thread starter arm breaker
- Start date
Except I don’t think you should log off this site, just stay away from the latest and greatest type threads and posts. I’m pretty much dialed in with four sticks, a three step aider for the bottom step to get me higher when /if needed, simple saddle with one dump pouch, my LB girth hitched and Daisy chained to the LB specific loops on this saddle, one tether, a pursuit platform, a hys strap with a hero clip, and another small clip to hang my pack, and of course my pack. This system will do 98% of the mobile hunting I need to do.
Lots of stuff looks better on paper, on youtube, or in your head on the chitter than it does in real life. I have no problem with ironing out those wrinkles, but the key is to doing it in the yard, not in the woods at go time. Season is too short to be fooling around with that stuff. Some of this gear just has a cool factor too. I wanted so bad for rope access to work because I enjoy doing it more. It just doesn't though, for me. Being a realist about stuff like that is important too, if you it matters to you.
I do have different setups/backups, but not pointed at specific climbing methods etc... I am a bit of a gear junkie (who would've guessed??), but gear for me is a means to an end, same with climbing methods (if I wanna climb for fun, it happens during the off-season). My gear has to work for me and meet my criteria, otherwise I sell it. Finding gear that works for ME in order to increase MY performance, comfort, and efficiency is my goal (not gear for the sake of gear specifically).
Only you know what you want to get out of this whole experience, don't let anyone tell you you're doing the process wrong as long as you're getting enjoyment out of it. We all have our quirks and requisites, if it was ONLY about killing deer I can tell you the picture would look a whole lot different (legality notwithstanding lmao).
Only you know what you want to get out of this whole experience, don't let anyone tell you you're doing the process wrong as long as you're getting enjoyment out of it. We all have our quirks and requisites, if it was ONLY about killing deer I can tell you the picture would look a whole lot different (legality notwithstanding lmao).
How’s the Sladder working for ya? @kyler1945 seems to be really enjoying his. Lol.
We may not need the latest and greatest, but it doesn’t mean efficiencies can’t be had. What to do about it is personal choice.
I like having multiple systems. I’m proficient with multiple systems. That’s not for everyone.
I have 4 LW sticks that I used and abused for years. They’re still in great shape but I “replaced” aka added a set of 4 XOP sticks last year because they stack better. I rarely hang and hunt these days, and most of my trees are preset with either cheap Walmart ladder sticks or screw-in steps, but I like the lighter weight of the LW and the way the XOPs pack, so they’re both staying in my inventory. Plus, I have no gripes about leaving the LW in a tree for a bit if needed. I could one-stick but that crap’s for the birds IMO. Some of y’all make it look easy and fun, but still nah for me. I’m already a sweaty mess when I climb and have very little time to hunt, so any climb that takes more than 10 minutes from ground to bow ready, takes way too long.
I hate putting screw steps in but I love having a tree just ready to climb, and I can usually find a dozen or two on sale for $1 each at the end of the season. Just grabbed another 16 last week for $18 in fact. That’s two trees prepped. so my little tool bag full of steps and drill bits will be here for the foreseeable future.
What I’m excited about though is this year I added a rappel/SRT setup. Haven’t climbed SRT yet but I’ll be practicing soon here and hopefully I can get another 6-8 trees prepped for SRT this off-season. A hand ascender and a hitch with a Fig8 is a lot easier to lug in than any sticks at all. I’ll have to use my sticks to hang presets because most of my trees are limbless under 40’, so I’ll probably use the XOPs in this case and set paracord or even maybe some of that KM III Max that @TreeRecon leaves in his presets. On my home property, that would really turn the tide in my favor as far as waking up, rolling into some camo, grabbing my bow and platform and hunting within 20m of having the idea to do so.
What I’m getting at is, I think if you have one way that works every time (for me it was 3-4 LW sticks for almost a decade) then go for it. But you also shouldn’t shame yourself for wanting to try new ways to get into new trees and renew your vigor for hunting these deer. Like @Exhumis said it can become a chore if you let it, so anything’s good to spice up your hunting life a little.
I hate putting screw steps in but I love having a tree just ready to climb, and I can usually find a dozen or two on sale for $1 each at the end of the season. Just grabbed another 16 last week for $18 in fact. That’s two trees prepped. so my little tool bag full of steps and drill bits will be here for the foreseeable future.
What I’m excited about though is this year I added a rappel/SRT setup. Haven’t climbed SRT yet but I’ll be practicing soon here and hopefully I can get another 6-8 trees prepped for SRT this off-season. A hand ascender and a hitch with a Fig8 is a lot easier to lug in than any sticks at all. I’ll have to use my sticks to hang presets because most of my trees are limbless under 40’, so I’ll probably use the XOPs in this case and set paracord or even maybe some of that KM III Max that @TreeRecon leaves in his presets. On my home property, that would really turn the tide in my favor as far as waking up, rolling into some camo, grabbing my bow and platform and hunting within 20m of having the idea to do so.
What I’m getting at is, I think if you have one way that works every time (for me it was 3-4 LW sticks for almost a decade) then go for it. But you also shouldn’t shame yourself for wanting to try new ways to get into new trees and renew your vigor for hunting these deer. Like @Exhumis said it can become a chore if you let it, so anything’s good to spice up your hunting life a little.
THIS! If you think of 25' @ 30-50$ of rope the same as you would buying 4 cheap heavy sticks to leave as a preset you'll see it differently! You can even put 4' of cheap tubular webbing over the girth hitch part and hang the rope on the side away from the sun(north side of the tree). Even if you bring a platform every time, its crazy efficient at getting up the tree!
This is where my head’s been at too. Rope is the BEST bang/buck in gear, bar none. Able to preset 25’ of it for half the cost of a Walmart ladder stick (the most expensive rope I’ve messed with was about $1.85/foot), ability to ascend AND descend with honestly a couple lengths of cord and some carabiners if you’re going full Rambo minimalist, and the safety factor is a non-issue if you’re inspecting the rope before (and during) each use. Even screw in steps struggle to be that efficient and they’re a hassle to put up and not very safe to lug up a tree. Plus you can totally de-nut yourself on them—ask me how I know. And they might be stuck in that tree forever if you don’t take them out a few turns every season or two. I still like climbing them cuz they’re easy but rope presets just seem like the cleanest way to any height you want (which you can adjust accordingly). And you can get into almost any tree in existence with enough rope and a cool attitude.
Damn, I’m just selling myself now.
I’ll see y’all in the support thread…
In response to my own post above…
Idiotic question, just humor me before you go telling the internet I’m trynna disprove science or something:
Has anyone ever actually seen a preset rope, ie HSS lifeline all the way up to a high-quality climbing line, even webbing, get chewed by squirrels or something else? To the point that they honestly wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving it for 4 months (while likely using/inspecting somewhat regularly over that time period)? I get UV damage—let’s dock that argument. Strictly a critter question.
I personally have never seen it, can’t refute it’s a possibility but I have straps and ropes that have been out for 2 years that I maybe wouldn’t climb on a third season without replacing (maybe I would, I dunno, I don’t recommend anyone else do it) due to UV exposure or poison ivy or sap, but definitely no evidence of critter damage. Of course, I do get a little nervous and I think about it/feel for damage any time I use those preset straps or ropes, but I just want the truth: who’s actually seen something gnaw a rope or strap or clear evidence?
Idiotic question, just humor me before you go telling the internet I’m trynna disprove science or something:
Has anyone ever actually seen a preset rope, ie HSS lifeline all the way up to a high-quality climbing line, even webbing, get chewed by squirrels or something else? To the point that they honestly wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving it for 4 months (while likely using/inspecting somewhat regularly over that time period)? I get UV damage—let’s dock that argument. Strictly a critter question.
I personally have never seen it, can’t refute it’s a possibility but I have straps and ropes that have been out for 2 years that I maybe wouldn’t climb on a third season without replacing (maybe I would, I dunno, I don’t recommend anyone else do it) due to UV exposure or poison ivy or sap, but definitely no evidence of critter damage. Of course, I do get a little nervous and I think about it/feel for damage any time I use those preset straps or ropes, but I just want the truth: who’s actually seen something gnaw a rope or strap or clear evidence?
I have had multiple straps and ropes damaged or completely chewed through by critters, presumably skwerls.
It's against pretty much every best practice to leave life safety ropes in areas where animals or other things can damage them, at least for extended periods of time.
That being said, there are tons of squirrels where I have my ropes out and I've never had one damaged. Some ropes are more UV resistant than others. Animal damage on ropes is pretty easily seen if you check. And this is the ONLY reason I feel comfortable leaving them: I can inspect them before climbing. Can't do that if your tie in point is 50' up.
The ropes I leave out have a 7900mbs. I'm having them break tested in August. By that time, they'll have been out for almost a full year. I'm expecting to be around 7000lbs for the break strength. Rope construction is also a factor. Industrial ropes are more resistant to UV and chemicals and generally wear like iron.
Sap doesn't really weaken climbing ropes btw
This is not me officially saying to leave ropes out. Do things at your own risk
I've personally had it happen... Both treestand/stick strapping and bow ropes.
How long were they out before it happened/how long did it take you to notice?
Measured response as always. Thank you sir.It's against pretty much every best practice to leave life safety ropes in areas where animals or other things can damage them, at least for extended periods of time.
That being said, there are tons of squirrels where I have my ropes out and I've never had one damaged. Some ropes are more UV resistant than others. Animal damage on ropes is pretty easily seen if you check. And this is the ONLY reason I feel comfortable leaving them: I can inspect them before climbing. Can't do that if your tie in point is 50' up.
The ropes I leave out have a 7900mbs. I'm having them break tested in August. By that time, they'll have been out for almost a full year. I'm expecting to be around 7000lbs for the break strength. Rope construction is also a factor. Industrial ropes are more resistant to UV and chemicals and generally wear like iron.
Sap doesn't really weaken climbing ropes btw
This is not me officially saying to leave ropes out. Do things at your own risk
Some were out months and some for a year and twice that I remember, a week. The week instances were a climbing stick strap and a bow pull up rope. Have had stick straps and stand straps damaged. Seems like they will chew the seats up before the straps on stands though.
Seat on my LW can attest but they left the straps alone for two seasons. I just took it down in October. seat is gnarly but I replaced the straps anyway cuz I had some laying around.
One theory about squirrels chewing rope is they are after the salts left behind from sweaty hands
Your resident squirrels must look like this
Attachments
Kinda, pecanasaurus rex I think is the variant around here.