Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

Hey Everyone ,
Well I need some help from yall and this seems like the place for Great help.
Ok Here's my problem. I've been using a climbing treestand and I like too be between 28 and 35 feet above ground when hunting deer for scent reason and so on. But my problem is whenever i'm climbing the tree, as i go up the tree gets smaller than it was at the bottom where i put my stand on and this starts cause mybottom and top part of my stand too start leaning on a downslope ! Sorry So long winded !
But could yall please help me work this problem out ! Thanks Alot and any advice will be gladly Taking.

LungBuster101

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

get scent- lok and don't climb so high;)i have the same problem and only climb 20 ft..

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I hope that you are gun hunting and not bow. 28+ feet is tooo high!!

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

Just about all the trees do that. Atleast every tree I've been up. I usually keep the cables tight on the bottom of the tree so it fits right at the top. Plus I use a Summit Viper which "adjusts" a little just by the way you position it. I've even, in the past, have gotten most of the way up and needed to adjust. So I made sure I was strapped in tight to the tree. Then I adjusted the seat part of the climber, then once that was good, I adjusted the platform of the climber. This is not recommended (by most people and the manufacturers) because there is a high risk of falling if you don't do it right and carefully. Which is why I seriously make sure I'm strapped into my harness tight and it's secured tight around the tree. If you drop the platform or seat part of climber when you are up there.. Then you are screwed. Guess you'll have to bear hug the tree and pray you don't fall while trying to climb down.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

28-35 feet is awfully high IMO. I think a good scent cover and playing the wind would help. The shot trajectery at 30 is pretty sharp, but then again if you are busted it would not matter. You would have to find an absoulute perfect tree to get that high with a climber.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

Thats how high I often hunt, mainly because I like it, I love climbing as high as possible, deer never notice me, and it has never wrecked a shot opportunity for me. I only climb that high when it works out though, like in a stand of oaks or something, if it is not resonable to climb that high or if it is going to hinder my view at all, I stay lower, 20' or so.
ANyways, to the question, the only way to really avoide the problem is to tighten the strap up as much as you can at the bottom of the tree so the stand is leaning way up, don't get it too tight that you can't even get your feet in it or climb with it, but get it as tight as it will allow you to, then as you get higher on the tree it will level out. It is always good to practice climbing a particular tree before you hunt it so you know what to expect when you climb it. Some trees just taper too much and you won't get enough adjustmen out of your stand to sit properly, so you may just have to find a different tree or not climb as high.

There has been a few times when I did what rile1564 is talking about, had to tighten the strap up in the tree. It works with some climbers, but not with others. It it pretty much impossible to tighten up the lower platrform on my Lone wolf hanc-climb combo.
I know I am going to get barked at, but I have never worn a safety strap in a tree. I know I should, and I would like to, but I can never find a good strap, or they seem to get in the way or are a pain to put on. I should prebobly start one of these years though before it is too late.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I hunt that height all the time. I don't know why it would be too high, as long as the tree has the diameter at that height so support you. Start with the most uniform tree you can find, and tilt the stand up quite a bit to compensate for the slack that will be acquired as the diameter of the tree sinks. You will only be able to allow for so much, because if you tilt the stand too much, thus tightening the cables, you won't be able to climb because the stand will be too tight to the tree. Adjust as much as you can, and as you are climbing, when the stand goes past level and tilts down, go back down the tree until the stand is level and stop there.It is quite dangerous to have the stand leaning down, as the teeth don't grip as well. Oh, and you are wearing a fall restraint system, right??;)

edit: The key to using a climbing stand is the tree. If you start with a bad tree, you will get bad results. That is the downfall of climbers, IMO. The tree has to be pretty straight, and uniform in diameter. Some trees are really, really fat at the base. Stay away from those, there is no way to compensate. Be finicky about the tree you climb, and you should be ok. One area I hunt is full of Jack Pine, and those are the greatest climbing tree there is. Just make sure the teeth are sharp, and carry an extra cinch strap to tighten the stand when you are at height.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

What About a Tree Lounge Stand they say you can climb 40 or 50 feet with them ! Sounds kinda fishy too me but who knows ?

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

Steve- I totally understand your preference. In the right place and the right time anything can work and in some instances you have to get high just because the deer are so spooky and are accostomed to the hunting pressure. I just find it to be a lot of work to re-adjust when I get up that high. I usually just try and find a tree that I can get up too around 20ft. with out any adjustments. All that matters in the end is that we all shoot em straight!

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I would probably check a Buckshot equalizer, they have a very nice looking leveling system. Youshouldn't have any problem goingas high as you want. they weigh about 8 lbs less than a tree lounge I think. about the same price. I've heard only good things about it.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I have to agree, you are hunting tooooo high. I like between 16-23 ft (don't ask how I came up with the numbers, it sounds good). another option would be to check out www.buckshot-stands.com they have a leveling system on their one stand called the equalizer.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

If I notice that the tree tapers off significantly, I will tilt my stand and climber upward and attach it that way. As I climb, the stand and climber usually will level out.

Once in place, I feel comfortable re-adjusting the climber/seat but rarely have I ever chanced adjusting the stand.

Once while hunting with a buddy's stand, I attempted to adjust the platform and really got into trouble. While lying flat on the seat, stomach down, I reached down and disconnected the platform, made the adjustment, but like to NEVER got the retaining pin back in place. My abdominal muscles were about to give out when I finally got the pin in. NEVER AGAIN!!

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I've adjusted the cable on my Summit lots' of times.

Try is down low to see how it works but it's pretty easy. For one, on the top you can just put the strap you secure it with one adjust all you want.

For the bottom, I bring it up close to the top like you are climbing and then set it in the tree.
Put your knees in the seat, facing the tree, and pull up the end away from the tree to catch them with your toes and push it against the tree. You will still have both hands free and it's easy to hold it there as long as you need. The cable will be loose and you can do what every you want to with it.
It takes about 4 times as long to type it out as it does to just do it..
Try it. You'll see, it's easy.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I also think that maybe you are going a little high, unless you are hunting on a hillside. I have 7 stands ranging from 6' to 25' above the ground.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

As said before, angle your stand up when you start and it will be level when you reach the top. You'll get the hang of it after a while.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

That's pretty high. I can see doing it if you're scouting but hunting from that altitude would give me a nose bleed. I use an Old Man climber and can adjust those straps while up in the tree. It's a scary thing to do and requires a bit of guts and coordination because to get back down you're going to have to loosen them up again. I usually don't get down until it's too darn dark to see a thing so I'm doing it all by touch. I can think of only one place on my property I get that high and it's only because the tree sits in a valley so the only way to get 20 feet over the surrounding high ground is to get 40 feet up in the tree. I won't even think of using it on a windy day. You can get tossed around quite a bit up there.
I agree with supaarcher that the best move is to start the climb with the stand as tight as possible.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I used to have this problem, but then I used my head. When I put my stand on the tree I put it on so that it is tilted up more than I used to. Now when I climb higher it levels out. Just a suggestion, but you still need a safety harness or belt.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I don't think it is high at all. I generally climb 25-30 feet with my Summit. I primarily hunt public land and the deer know to look up about 15 feet around here. I have been busted many times at that height but gone unnoticed at 25+ feet.

As many have mentioned, you can start with the platform tilted towards the tree and it will gradually level out. My Summit is also very easy to adjust while climbing. You can adjust the seat while standing on the platform and it only takes about 15 seconds. For the platform I do something similiar to Jack Ryan only I lower the seat close to the platform and then sit down facing out. I then hook my feet around and under the platform tilting it to the tree. Then I can just reach down and adjust the cable. Basically the same thing but sitting instead of kneeling. Remember to keep the cord that attaches the platform to the seat in case you drop it. That thing saved me from huggin a tree down 20 feet one time. Always remember to wear a safety harness when doing this. It only takes a split second to fall.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I agree with Rile1564. The Summit Viper is one of the best stands around IMHO. I love the fact that you can adjust it while in mid climb(not recommended unless you are completely strapped in and comfortable with what you are doing). My old Loggy couldnt do that. I like the Viper so much I got one for a relative for his birthday. ANy treestand that is as stable as the Viper gets the nod in my book. Only one more stand I feel as comfortable in and thats a lock on, but ill save that for another thread.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

Its true I currently own and love my tree lounge. I just bought a new one this year I had the very first model and it was way to heavy. They have since re-designed it to be much lighter. As far as the tree tapering problem as you climb, they have a angle adjuster that will level you stand as you climb higher. Check it out http://www.treelounge.com/angle.htm

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

EXACTLY! I just ordered one and got it yesterday. Haven't gotten to go out and play with it,but it appears to be built VERY well. I've never hunted in a tree in 20 yrs of bowhunting because of a small fear of heights and this is the first stand that made me feel comfortable enought to do it because of its features: http://www.equalizertreestands.com/

and

http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=953272&mpage=1&key=Buckshot&# 953272

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I know a guy that spent 6 weeks in intensive care after falling 25ft adjusting his standing platform on his climber 25 ft up. He was not wearing a saftey belt.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

That's is a shame. Did he come out of it OK after his hospitalization?

Was the stand he was using designed to be adjusted in that fashion?

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

I use a Summit and experienced the same problem years ago. Here's what i did and other posters have hinted the same. I size-up the tree, set my stand a little tight at the bottom knowing it will level-out when I get to my desired height. This takes some practicing, but it works. Funny thing is, I have memorized some of my favorite trees where I often hunt from and can tell you exactly how tight I have to secure my straps/guides before even getting to the tree.

I have, however, hunted osme trees that are almost exactly perfect from bottom to 30 some feet. I mean, same thickness and straight almost half way up the tree. Only downside is that these trees are mor eor less out in the open within the woods and not ideal for bow. I use them for shotgunning. It's the trees I use for bow hunting that require some special maneuvering. I have one tree I use for bow which nestles along a tiny pond and swamp area. I end up going up about only 10 feet which is fine as I and sandwiched between two cedars and I have plenty of cover. Opening day last year I had a 7 pointer walk right to my stand and stop. Easy shot, but I needed a doe first. Never saw that buck again last year, but proved my setup was perfect even though I was only 10 feet off the ground.

RE: Climbing TreeStand Problems !
 

This may have been covered previously, but I sometimes have had the same problem when gun hunting 30 ft or so up. What I do is adjust my stand while it is close to the ground where the upper and lower platforms are pointing almost straight up. It is a pain in the butt when you first start up the tree, but evens out pretty fast once you start climbing. Likewise, coming down it can be a pain once you get close to the ground. That is the only way that I have been able overcome that. Once I did adjust the upper platform once I was up, but I don't recommend it unless you've been climbing for years and know what you are doing.