Climbing into a tree stand - best options?

kodiakjack

kodiakjack

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Planning to get out 3 or 4 times this winter to try to fill my tag (week long November rifle hunt was cut short to only 2 hours, thanks to siht hitting the fan at work)

Anyway, I picked up a hang-on tree stand on the way home, and this will be the first time I've bow hunted from a tree stand. It's set up in the back yard at the moment for practice, and installed quite easily with the aid of a 20' aluminum ladder.

I haven't bought (or made) a climbing "system" for it yet, and wanted to pick your brains about the pros and cons of the dozens of options out there. Also, I'm sufficiently equipped with handiness and tools, so a DIY success story would be good too.

So what do you think?

Pegs? Sticks? Blocks? Jet packs?
 
As a lineman, I never worry about this part. Strap on my spurs and away I go. Hung my tree stand in about 5 minutes flat this year.
I know a guy that buys the screw in climbing pegs when they go on sale. Canadian tire, or the other box stores. They work good for him.
 
If using screw in pegs, predrill the holes first with a cordless drill. Use plenty of them and keep screwing them in a good 3 feet above the stand seat. Use one for a bow hanger as well, the more handles up there the better for getting in and out. Be careful.
Much better prices on these pegs when bought in the States in bulk kits such as Ameristep.
 
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I normally use a climber, but I setup my first hang on this year. I bought some Rivers edge sticks from CT, they were $69 and included straps. They've been working well, they seem solid (I'm about 225 lb), and are a easy climb, mines about 20' up. For the price theyre really not much more money than buying a bunch of steps, and seem a bit safer.

Like others have said, wear some sort of safety harness. I tie lifelines with a prussik knot for all my stands. And I wear a RC harness.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
If using screw in pegs, predrill the holes first with a cordless drill. Use plenty of them and keep screwing them in a good 3 feet above the stand set. Use one for a bow anger as well, the more handles up there the better for getting in and out. Be careful.
Much better prices on these pegs when bought in the States in bulk kits such as Ameristep.
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Yeah you're not kidding. $30 for 12 plus accessories in the states. $50 for 3 lonely pegs on amazon.ca. Crazy!
 
Trimmer 905 said:
Don't forget your safety harness.
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Yeah, the stand came with a chintzy little harness but it barely fits me in a t-shirt, let alone over winter hunting gear (6'4", 265lbs)

I've got some work harnesses they will to the trick. Just need to tape up the buckles so it doesn't rattle and clang.
 
I've used every option over the past four decades... spurs rip the crap out of trees, the gashes let in bacteria, mould and fungus and the tree dies... I had a perfctly placed tree on the corner of a fence cutline on the edge of a swamp, four or five years of using spurs on it, killed that tree.... spurs are also not fool proof... they can slip out of soft wood or stick into bark that sloughs loose particularly awkward when setting the stand, as you will often have to pull your body in close to the trunk and loose the angle of bite on the spurs.

I have been using folding screw in treesteps for about 15 years and they are the best option that I habe found.
 
I'm a fan of strap-on climbing sticks. Way faster than screw-in pegs if you want to move. Lone Wolf is great stuff.

HSS (Hunters Safety Systems) makes some very comfortable harnesses, in the event that your work one is too bulky or noisy.

I also second the post above about the life-line with sliding prussik knot. That way you clip in at the bottom and you're tied in all the way up and while you hunt. Fast, quiet, safe. It's a bit of an investment in gear, overall, but a few years ago I had a slip that would have been a fall. Even then I scraped my shin, banged up my hand and needed new underwear, but aside from that, I was glad I'd spent the money!

-Dave
 
kodiakjack said:
Yeah, the stand came with a chintzy little harness but it barely fits me in a t-shirt, let alone over winter hunting gear (6'4", 265lbs)

I've got some work harnesses they will to the trick. Just need to tape up the buckles so it doesn't rattle and clang.
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I have the same issue with size. The only problem with a commercial harness is that there's no quick release. With winter clothes on,you can be stuck dangling until someone helps you out of it. If you stay hanging too long (over 20 mins.),all kinds of bad things can happen. A buddy of mine almost lost both legs after being stuck in the harness for over an hour. Because 90% of the time I hunt alone,I avoid tree stands,altogether.
 
Gents, do yourself and have a look at the Livewire Descent system. It's a single use cable system that lowers you to the ground if deployed by falling. I bought one and they are great and alleviate the concern over dangling for hours if you fall.
 
buy a stand with the ladder incorporated, no problems. easy to climb in and out. used a two man stand for 5 years and enjoyed it. mind you I am on private land and it stays there all year.
 
I to gave up climbing about 7-8 years ago for health reasons. I bought a Rancho Safari gillie suit and haven't looked back. This and my ScentLok base clothing has deer in kissing range regularly. Poked a 7 pointer with the muzzleloader two weeks ago that was 40 yds straight down wind and didn't have a clue I was set up in a clump of golden rod. The smoke blew right over his stone dead self so there was no question he should have had me but I have depended on this combo for many years now and it has never let me down.

I will point out I am on the second set of Scent Lok in 30 years as when it wears out you know immediately as deer that shouldn't bust you start doing the 100yd "I can smell him but don't see him". My gillie suit I will not trade for love nor money. Deer, turkeys and people are all fooled
 
kodiakjack said:
I was set on a climber, but talked myself out of it when scouting last year as a lot of the perfectly placed trees were gnarly low down, or had large branches between the ground and where I wanted to be.
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Precisely why I bought a hang on for my one spot, it can be tough finding the right climber tree sometimes. Love my climber, but a hang on is great for the tricky trees.
 
Have a look a the muddy tree steps they are a bit pricey but you can buy on set and pack them in and out.They strap around the tree and a 4 pack would get you to about 18-20 ft. The work really well if you hunt public land. strap them on hang your stand then pull them down when you leave. Always wear your safety harness and get a lineman rope or strap for hanging stands and steps!
 
Descend all the ways to the ground by your method of descent. A pine needle floor looks close but looks can be deceiving and you may end up on the ground with the wind knocked out of you. Yes, personal experience!
 
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