how do you all do it
 

Use a climber. Today I tried one for the first time. Climbing the tree and all that is easy, its the other things Im worried about.
I bought a Summit Bushmaster to follow the deer around this season, and it seems like a great stand. I want to know how you guys carry out your climber (.5 mile-1mile) with a bow in one hand and your backpack(harness, outer layers, binos, rope, etc.) in the other. I am not saying its physically impossible, Im just saying how do you do it totally quiet and with out sweating?
I have been told that if you sweat you have ruined your chances, but everytime hiking out I sweat, plus setting up the climber makes a little noise. Will these two factors keep the deer away from me?
any tips on effectively using a climber?

Thanks
Jim

RE: how do you all do it
 

I backpack my stand, then hold my bow in hand. I usually use either a backpack or a waist pack. I prefer the waist pack, but if I'm out for long periods of time, then I use the backpack. For short distances I usually carry my bpack in one hand and bow in the other. For long distances, I'll tie my backpack to my treestand and hump it all together to my location. Do whatever makes you the most comfortable.

RE: how do you all do it
 

Extra clothes get tied/tucked on the climber, gear is in a waist pack. This year I bought one of those bow slings and it makesa world of difference. Little postioning needed to keep the bow from banging the stand but it works. I also go extra slow to avoid sweating. On longer walks in it could be 30 degrees and I'm walking in, in a T shirt.

RE: how do you all do it
 

how do you not sweat? and make no noise at all?

Jim

RE: how do you all do it
 

You can try wearing less clothes while hiking. this will help you not get so hot and sweat during the hike. I always carry a bottle of scent eliminator and spray myself before I walk in and spray myself once in my stand. I've had 3 treestands in the last five years, and the first 2 were very loud cable climbers. I had to stick a pin in the hole in the stand , then through the hole in the cable, and through the second hole in the stand. This design is very clumsy and causes a lot of noise. Howver, I shot 4 deer in one year with this stand. I even shot a 96" 8pt setting up within 100 yards of a his bedding (my biggest buck and bowkill). Give yourself plenty of time to get to your stand, this will allow for the noise, and allow the woods to "settle down" after your in stand. I don't think it caused me to lose that many deer, but who knows. It still bothered me, with the noise that I made. I finally broke the bank and bought a lone wolf sit/climber. It is so quiet compared to my others. IF your that worried buy a new climber that is quieter, and also look into scent suprressors/eliminating clothing. I believe in the carbon stuff, just too expensive for me. I do what I can. I use scent eliminator clothes wash, scent eliminator soap, and scent eliminator deodorant, and scent eliminator spray. You can also try climbing higher to get your scent above the deer. I'm afraid of heights, so this isn't an option for me I never go above 17' and usually hunt 12-15'. I shot my 8pt 12 off the ground at 10 yards, he never saw me. I've also gun shot 2 deer 8' off the ground. The closer to the ground the better hunter you need to be though. Hope this helps.

RE: how do you all do it
 

In reference to Paco97's comment "I believe in the carbon stuff, just too expensive for me.", go to ebay and purchase a MOPP suit, also known as a NBC suit. These are carbon lined and used by the military for protection against chemical and biological weapons. Work just as good as Scentlok and cost way way less. I purchased a brand new set of trousers and jacket with hood for $10.00.

RE: how do you all do it
 

Yeah, I did that a few years ago, but wore the thing out. I really should get another one. its the best kept secret out there. I was referring mostly to my desire to give in to the marketing monster and buy a nice new camo carbon suit.

RE: how do you all do it
 

oh i have the carbon camo suit. It is too expensive. Thanks for the advice tho guys I appreciate it. Today was my first time with it, maybe I will get used to it and get quieter!
Anyway it should help me pack on muscle man its a work out carrying that baby out there.

Jim

RE: how do you all do it
 

I fasten my backpack to my stand, and carry my bow, used to carry a flashlight in the other but just purchased a petzal headlmp and love it. Pack in your camo , take your time and rest often.

RE: how do you all do it
 

Ditto. A headlamp is a big help, going in and coming out.

RE: how do you all do it
 

I bungee strap all my gear (minus bow) in a camel back bag onto my stand. I also use a headlamp for morning hunts. I wear usually bibs with a t-shirt. I spray down with home made scent elimination at the truck and tree. Once I get to the tree, I hook up my lowering line to my bow and get to climbing the tree. Once I'm set, I change my t-shirt, put on any additional clothes, and raise my bow. Works for me.

RE: how do you all do it
 

I have a big fanny pack that I strap to the stand for the walk in/out. Yes, you do sweat a little more. Try and be as quiet as possible. It does make a little noise even if you're careful, but it doesn't carry through the woods if you don't clang around. I have had deer come in before while I was climbing.

RE: how do you all do it
 

I do about all of the above plus force myself to get out early enough to reach my tree a solid 90 minutes before shooting light. This gives me plenty of time to hook up my climber, stash my sleigher, get dressed, fart,put out some scents, climb up, hang my pack, secure my quiver, snip a branch,cough, eat an apple, get my binos out, put on my hood, nock an arrow, sneeze,nock another arrow, etc. I'm all set an hour beforeshooting light.

Tryingto do the above fast, turns into a Chinese fire drill and really gets me sweating.

RE: how do you all do it
 

you don't your going to sweat and your going to make nosie, try to keep things at a minimum..

RE: how do you all do it
 

THIS...is how i do it. if you get there early enough and prepare the day before. use a strap,rope or bungie or some sort of fastener.fasten your stand to your backpack.Wear just underwear and overalls,take a large air tight bag and a towel. pack your hunting clothes in the backpack.acring your bow in hand and you gear on your back.hike to your spot quietly yet quickly. Put your climber on the tree the, change be sure not to step w/ sweaty feet onto the ground towel of place towel directly into the air-tight bag. spray with some "vanishing hunter" or something like that head to toe.rub it in. get dressed.make sure you put you towel and overalls away in the bag then into your pack and up the tree with you. the higher the better.at least 20' i have one stand at 30' at the seat.(for god sake wear a harness). wait til you get to the top to put your coat,hat and gloves on.(if it's hot out).get up quietly yet quickly.take a breather put your gear on and hunt.I have a holder for bow on the stand i sit more still that way. good hunting. I shot an eight pointer this way couple years ago. I don't bait....not saying you shouldn't but i don't get out enough to keep the bait replentished well enough.