this is my first year using a climber to. practice as much as you can getting the foot rest at the right angle is the one to really learn U want it to be pointing up at a angle and I have also found tree size is a big thing to. I use a small tree it might have been 18 inches diameter and made it hard for me to sit in it ,the sides came in more didn't know this until I put it on a bigger tree and found I had more room to move. And WEAR A HARNESS. I also make sure I have my cell phone on me not in my pack on the ground. hope all this helps you out. Have fun this opens a whole new view on hunting for me.