Set one tree up today. Not crazy about my lineman’s belt hitting the bolts. It was very odd and a little discouraging. Like the idea behind it but just don’t think it’s doable with a lineman belt.
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Treebolts revisited
- Thread starter justsomedude
- Start date
Going up or down? I have to work the belt around the bolts going down but haven’t noticed it going up. Are the bolts already in or are you placing them as you go? You can also try depending on size of tree this may not be an option but to put bolts more on the face of the tree towards you instead on left and refit sides of that makes sense.
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It’s a good idea, but I believe the old ez Kut is going to collect dust. I placed the bolts in going up with my drill. Climbed down and pretended to do a mock hunt, and just am not liking it. Only thing that’s stuck so far for me has been the lone wolf sticks. I can’t set as many of them as I only have 2 sets, but it’s ok, there’s not that many mature bucks to pursue anyways. I was using my hunters safety harness, so maybe it’ll be easier with the mantis.
I put a good saw mark in the tree above and below my bolts before removing them. Makes all the difference.
Mr. Womack creates more of a v than a t on the tree and it looks like that might be a little easier to get your lineman built around.
Good luck, keep asking questions until you are comfortable.
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I have gotten really consistent in my spacings, that has been my biggest help. It has almost become second nature at this point. A decent headlamp will make it easy.
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I forgot to mention, I have set up a few trees since shrink wrapping them with the wrap I linked to above. The wrap is absolutely solid. This stuff will handle some rugged use.
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Well I think I figured out a system for me. Carry 5 bolts and the hand ez Kut crank with 3 lone wolf sticks while scouting. The bolts will go on the bottom and I’ll hook my lineman’s belt at my sticks. I will also carry a picture viewer in to my cameras with this set up to see if a set up is worthy or if I come upon some killer sign. If it’s an evening hunt I’ll carry my bow and predator platform along with these. The biggest draw of this saddle hunting is being able to hunt any tree. I’d say this setup should give me around 25 feet or so
It does sound dangerous. Most aiders have some element of danger. @IkemanTX here is what I had in mind. Either an adjustable aider or two step aider with longer lead. Drill a bolt hole at waist height and just above head. Both on same side. Hook aider to bolt at head height. Step into aider and onto first step. Then step into second step on aider. It should be level with the bolt your foot is on. Drill next bolt above head move aider and repeat. That will cut down on the number of holes you have to drill. When you say cut down on bolts are you considering two bolts with aider attached and just moving those two bolts up the tree?
What I am considering is a swaider on each foot. The first bolt is at about 54" or so, with the next bolt 18" above it on the opposite side. Using the swaider on the first bolt will put you high enough to use a swaider on the second one. After stepping up on the second swaider, the first bolt will be a single step up, as will be the second bolt after that. Then, you just start the whole process over at the 54" above the second bolt. (I use an 18"-20" step average.)
That should let you get 6 feet per pair of bolts... So, 24 feet would be only 8 bolts instead of 16.
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I don't see how it would be much more dangerous that the knaider/swaider on climbing sticks, or possible even on Jim stepps.
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I think he may have thought you may have intended to use only two bolts. Basically swaider on two bolts and lift foot stick bolt in hole then lift other foot and repeat. Technically you could climb to the top of any tree that way. If you had trouble getting a bolt in a hole and were getting tired it could get sketchy fast.
I just think it’s a lot of ropes, aiders and lineman’s belt to snag on the bolts and possibly pull them out. Me personally,I’m not going to use the lineman’s belt with the first part of the tree. Falling from this height at least wouldn’t kill me.
Just thinking out loud. What if you get a kick out? Could the aider pull the bolt out or slide off the bolt? On Jim Stepps, the steps are strapped around the tree. If they un-cam it’s still attached to the tree and the aider is locked on to it. It can’t slide off.
We take risk with everything. Just pointing out a few things I see COULD happen Incase you haven’t thought of them. If you feel safe, that’s your decision. Good luck.
I’ve had bolts pull out when my pull up rope got hung up on them and I jiggled it free. As long as there is downward pressure, they should work. It’s just what happens in a kick out or aider snagging one on the way up is what you have to be concerned about.
I need a sling like that for my drill. That would be a real difference maker. What are you using there for a sling?