• 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

Pre sets

F

Flyerzfan10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Messages
447
Location
Wapwallopen, PA
For those of you who have pre sets out....what's your preferred method? I'm thinking of using bolts to climb.. Not sure about foot rests. I'll be using a Guidos Web when I'm in a tree... Thanks!
 
I use bolts for my presets, generally carry the bolts in with me. Also carry my platform or ROS in and out each hunt.
 
For presets I've always set them up with screw in steps for everything. Recently I started doing the same thing with bolts.
 
I use bolts if legal. If not, I use the climbing sticks from Sportsman's Guide.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-quick-climbing-sticks-3-pack?a=686930

Another good way to use these since I generally need at least 4 to get to hunting height....

I'll use a climbing stick (Lone Wolf, Muddy, Hawk, doesn't matter) with an aider as my bottom stick. Then I'll "permanently" attach the cheap Guide Gear sticks above that before the season and leave them there all year. My mobile stick/aider goes in and out with me on every hunt.

This does several things:
1. It prevents other hunters from hunting your tree
2. It allows you to setup more trees for less money
3. It allows you to hunt higher with fewer sticks
 
Next year it will be...
For a fully prepped tree,
Bolts to platform height, then various platforms that were pre hung.
For a partial prep,
1 LW stick with aider for the bottom (I will remove stick each time), bolts to height, predator platform.



Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
I don't usually preset any trees as I try not to hunt the same tree more than once or twice. Since switching to a saddle I try to stay super mobile and hunt the hot sign. But when I do its bolts all the way. Presets are great when the situation is right
 
g2outdoors said:
I use bolts if legal. If not, I use the climbing sticks from Sportsman's Guide.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-quick-climbing-sticks-3-pack?a=686930

Another good way to use these since I generally need at least 4 to get to hunting height....

I'll use a climbing stick (Lone Wolf, Muddy, Hawk, doesn't matter) with an aider as my bottom stick. Then I'll "permanently" attach the cheap Guide Gear sticks above that before the season and leave them there all year. My mobile stick/aider goes in and out with me on every hunt.

This does several things:
1. It prevents other hunters from hunting your tree
2. It allows you to setup more trees for less money
3. It allows you to hunt higher with fewer sticks
Click to expand...

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense to do it that way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
g2outdoors said:
I use bolts if legal. If not, I use the climbing sticks from Sportsman's Guide.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-quick-climbing-sticks-3-pack?a=686930

Another good way to use these since I generally need at least 4 to get to hunting height....

I'll use a climbing stick (Lone Wolf, Muddy, Hawk, doesn't matter) with an aider as my bottom stick. Then I'll "permanently" attach the cheap Guide Gear sticks above that before the season and leave them there all year. My mobile stick/aider goes in and out with me on every hunt.

This does several things:
1. It prevents other hunters from hunting your tree
2. It allows you to setup more trees for less money
3. It allows you to hunt higher with fewer sticks
Click to expand...

I've had issues even on private property with theft as well. I do the same exact thing but I've found if you buy a can of rustoleum textured brown paint and randomly spray spots of those sticks that are off the ground even the nastiest thief rarely touches them because they look old and rusty.
 
On my private land sets I’ve had issues with other hunters (with permission and without) using my stands. Switching the saddle allowed me to have presets that weren’t huntable to others. I basically follow the John Eberhart method. I use 4 Cranford folding steps to reach my first standard screw step. If I didn’t have as many as I do, I would buy bolts now. But the 6-8 screw ins will get me to my 4 screw steps which serve as my platform. I’m on the fence about buying a Predator and using that in place of the ring of screw steps. Not sure if the benefits (comfort?) would outweigh the hassle of packing it and attaching it each time. Above my ring of screw steps I have another screw step wrapped in electrical tape that I use as my bow holder and a nail opposite that I use to hold my pack. I carry my bow rope with me. As others have said, this keeps my steps out of the line of sight of other hunters. Even if they do see them, it’s a pain in the ass to get to the steps to steal them without having sticks or screw steps with them. The four folding Cranford steps go in SUPER easy and also don’t poke holes in my pack. Used this method all season and it worked great. Again, only thing I might change would be using bolts if they cost less per bolt than screw steps. And possibly using a Predator.
 
I do occasionally hit the screw steps with a bit of spray paint to better blend them with the tree. I usually carry a flat dark brown and a flat gray with me while setting them. I use the paint to cover any branches I’ve trimmed on and around the tree as well. Often I’m tipped off to treestands or other hunters in general by finding fresh cut branches. Using the paint to camo these makes them harder to notice and if they are found, they often appear to be old.
 
RedOak said:
I do occasionally hit the screw steps with a bit of spray paint to better blend them with the tree. I usually carry a flat dark brown and a flat gray with me while setting them. I use the paint to cover any branches I’ve trimmed on and around the tree as well. Often I’m tipped off to treestands or other hunters in general by finding fresh cut branches. Using the paint to camo these makes them harder to notice and if they are found, they often appear to be old.
Click to expand...

I’m always mindful of fresh cut branch’s but I just grab a hand full of dirt and smear it on the cuts to make the fresh look go away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
First year for presets in a saddle. I’m trying to manage a small piece of private heaven . Starting this weekend, I’m using screw ins and cutting shooting lanes. I haven’t had any problems with trespassing or theft that I know of. Good neighbors. I’m undecided on what to do at the top. I have a predator coming soon. On some, I may use a ring of screw ins. I’m also undecided on weather or not to remove bottom steps. Separately I’m going to get a treehopper kit also for changes in the plan. Also undecided on weather or not to set up 7 hang-ons and sticks.
 
Sounds like a plan. I'm fortunate to have my own private land and have never had anything stolen. Between bolts and some cheap climbing ladders I should be good to go. I'm thinking about making a couple crude platforms for areas I plan on doing all day sits during the rut. Only 7 more months till deer season!!
 
I use climbing sticks. generally 3 stagger steps with a muddy or an x-stick tetras. chained to tree to make sure they are there when i get back. I also use the Guido , but have been playing with an aerohunter. Plan on trying the mantis stick for presets. Hunting in Florida, i have to carry ALOT of water at the beginning of season cause it easily in the 90s +. I hike about 2 miles for to get to where i hunt. Presets are the best way to go for me at the beginning of season. I have used the original Guido for 7 years (going to retire as it past its expire date) and purchased a new one when he was closing shop. Working on getting more comfortable with the aerohunter, cause its less to carry.
 
My public land preset choice:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-quick-climbing-sticks-3-pack?a=686930
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07475BGBT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/80mmx80mm-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I will use three or four of the sportsman's guide sticks, and carry one or two sections or two of my hawk helium sticks, depending on the likelihood of other hunters coming across my stuff. If for some reason, they decide to take my sticks, I'm out $20. I use the endless ratchet strap and corner brackets as a ring of steps. 3 - 4 brackets depending on the size of tree. They would probably never steal my platform, most guys would be like WTH?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top