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prepping trees
- Thread starter martian
- Start date
On private land I place Cranford screw in steps, bow hanger, cut shooting lanes, etc... Just bought a set of bolts and will give them a test run soon. On public land (in PA) I'm leaving my top 4 WE steps (removing the bottom Stepp) on trees that are in good locations and that I would want to hunt multiple times. I use a 4-step aider so 5 WE steps is the most I'll need.
I hunt 100% public land so I don't leave anything behind. This is what I do post season. Prepping trees for me consists of:
-Clearing a climbing lane up a tree that can accommodate sticks or screw in steps. This mainly applies to heavily limbed trees like cedars. I say "lane" because I don't cut anything I don't have to. I keep all the cover I can for myself and my sticks.
- At hunting height, I saw off loud bark if it's a thick bark tree like a pine and I also saw anything that will prohibit me from shooting at my target areas. At height, I take note of what needs to be cleared on the ground for shooting lanes.
- On the ground I cut shooting lanes to my target areas.
When doing all this I try not to over clear, damage, or disrupt anything I don't have to. This helps ensure that deer still feel safe there and keeps other hunters from finding and hunting my spots. Most of the time I don't even tack the trees and when possible I prep the tree on what I consider the back side of it to keep a low profile from other hunters.
-Clearing a climbing lane up a tree that can accommodate sticks or screw in steps. This mainly applies to heavily limbed trees like cedars. I say "lane" because I don't cut anything I don't have to. I keep all the cover I can for myself and my sticks.
- At hunting height, I saw off loud bark if it's a thick bark tree like a pine and I also saw anything that will prohibit me from shooting at my target areas. At height, I take note of what needs to be cleared on the ground for shooting lanes.
- On the ground I cut shooting lanes to my target areas.
When doing all this I try not to over clear, damage, or disrupt anything I don't have to. This helps ensure that deer still feel safe there and keeps other hunters from finding and hunting my spots. Most of the time I don't even tack the trees and when possible I prep the tree on what I consider the back side of it to keep a low profile from other hunters.
Kowi Anukasha
Active Member
One of my primary reasons for going to a saddle was to use a single climbing system. My preferred system consist of bolts and Tree hopper but will use light weight sticks, only in areas I have to. I don't mind a hang and hunt for an evening hunt but going in in the dark and going up a tree around here you may see deer but good luck getting a shot. I prefer to have a tree prepped by drilling and trimming out a few holes to shoot. I try to keep all my trimming minimal and retain as much cover as possible but if you can't shoot when he's in range why are you there. I drop a cheep para cord pull rope if its a tree I think I will hunt more that once if not I just use the one stowed in my pack. The climbing is a tad slower having to install the bolts on the way up. But is better than leaving the bolts or sticks installed in a tree that didn't work out and don't have to go back and pull it to bounce to another spot. Plus I don't have hundreds of dollars tied up in climbing gear in each tree one is all I need.