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Where’s the content climbing harder trees?

Kenyounot

New Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Messages
3
Does anyone know of any content on the tube that showcases how to climb and navigate tough trees? Every single video showcasing saddle hunting/mobile hunting talks about being able to hunt from any tree but only shows the process on trees that I can take a climber up. I’m new to hunting as of last year and I want to start getting into tougher trees with more limbs but I just can’t visualize how I would do it. For instance how the hell do you get your bow up in a tree with a bunch of limbs without smacking it and making noise on the way up? Someone should do a video of tackling different types of trees and how they would handle it instead of just talking about it.
 
First I do not know of one, but a "tough tree" is not that hard as long as take time. One thing people need to think about is, if it is so "tough" and be hidden well, will I be able to get a shot, without destroying why I chose it in the first place. Using a secondary tether or linemens belt makes getting around the limbs a snap.
 
Once I got pretty good at one-sticking I purposely started choosing “tough” trees to climb.
The senarios are endless and I climbed some trees that really sucked!
Not too long ago I picked a leaner to climb, standing at the bottom looking up my intension was to spiral clockwise up the tree. Well, I ended up going counterclockwise and found out that moving my stick up and setting it and getting on my aider all from the opposite side from normal was plain old WEIRD!

Just getting out and practicing is the best way. Seeing someone else do it might help a little bit but there’s no better way than doing it on your own...
 
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Getting up those tough trees is one thing, I always find the descent to be more sketchy especially in the dark so I added some repel gear to my set-up for those situations. Something you may want to consider for safety (and fun) if you’re getting into gnarly trees with lots of branches to work around.


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I’ve
Getting up those tough trees is one thing, I always find the descent to be more sketchy especially in the dark so I added some repel gear to my set-up for those situations. Something you may want to consider for safety (and fun) if you’re getting into gnarly trees with lots of branches to work around.


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I noticed even on semi limby trees that either me or my backpack are getting hung up on the ascent. Usually while i'm taking a step up so it sketches me out a little.
 
I either one stick climb or use wild edge steps with my JX3 Hybrid. I come back down my stick and aider every time. It gets easier as you do it.


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I’ve


I noticed even on semi limby trees that either me or my backpack are getting hung up on the ascent. Usually while i'm taking a step up so it sketches me out a little.

As others have mentioned I prefer a secondary lineman’s belt for going around limbs instead of breaking out the tether. You can make a really light one out of Amsteel. Just need to think about where you are placing the next step/stick in relation to the branches so you don’t find yourself switching between the two belts while halfway up an aider or something
 
I hate to say it but it’s just experience. Second lineman’s belt for sure, I use my tether as the second lineman’s belt. I carry a spare carabiner that is not a screw gate but a two stage. It’s faster too my than screwing the gate closed. Doesn’t seem like much but if you transition a few times it makes a world of a difference.
Then the main thing to me is paying attention to what the tree is doing where you think you’ll be setup. You may need to hunt higher or lower than you want. Everything is situational which is why it’s hard to explain. I like to climb the high side of a leaning tree but the tree itself may not allow for it due to limbs or whatever.
 
I hate to say it but it’s just experience. Second lineman’s belt for sure, I use my tether as the second lineman’s belt. I carry a spare carabiner that is not a screw gate but a two stage. It’s faster too my than screwing the gate closed. Doesn’t seem like much but if you transition a few times it makes a world of a difference.
Then the main thing to me is paying attention to what the tree is doing where you think you’ll be setup. You may need to hunt higher or lower than you want. Everything is situational which is why it’s hard to explain. I like to climb the high side of a leaning tree but the tree itself may not allow for it due to limbs or whatever.
If you climb the high side where are you setting your platform up? Wouldn’t it be comfortable setting it up on the side of a lean?
 
You’re definitely right! I did it a couple days ago and set it almost right above my sticks. So on the high side.
Say the high side of the tree is 6 o clock I put my platform maybe 7 o clock on the tree.
 
I moved to a new hunting area with wet low ground. All of the trees are soft bark (poplar & such) and most have some lean to them.
I had to ditch the aiders and go back to rope on steps.
Not a bad idea to have two climbing methods.
 
A little trick to help with those trees that have a slight lean to them. Don’t be afraid to offset your tether slightly to one side or the other to help offset your body wanting to naturally lean to the other side. I find this especially helpful to cut down on excess weight and pressure on one foot or the other. It also helps to make me more stable to get a shot off.

You do have to watch the leaning trees when moving for certain shots. It can be tricky as gravity tries to take over and send you on a trip around to one side or the other.
 
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