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

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.

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

Jim

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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