RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

Horse hocky about cutting branches. No, I won't do too many over and inch but I will do one up to three inches. This is the first I have ever choose to say screw the law on this site, but come on, cut that branch. It won't hurt the tree one bit. Your tree steps are much worst. If you follow the "law to a tee, you better not step pee or run over a single tree on public land. It doesn't meean to cut willy nilly but a branch or to saw away.

I've had a few areas where that perfect tree has branches. I carry steps to over come them. I've climbed as high as 10' before I set my climber up. I have also used my climber as a loc-on, because the loggy is designed to be both. Most of the time I just move a little and find the right tree. Never a problem.

I see where your going with this about the tree saddle. I'm not willing to over spend for 1, an item over priced to build. 2 for something in my area I can't see working when 2 dozen deer are bleow you and the big one walks up. It's hard enough to think about a shoot with a fixed plat form, how could you get one off with a moving platform.

For the record though, I've never tried one so, I don't know. I can only give you my doubts. Given the opportunity I would love to try one. I might become their biggest fans. But, I would only do it if I was offered a money back offer to do so. It's way over priced for me to set it a if it doesn't work.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

in the south where i hunt the pine is the perferred tree, straight as an arrow, with minimun branches, hardwood trees, really don't like to climb, but iwill. when their wet their slippery, only limb up a small amount, be very careful when re-adjusting climber once your up the tree and perfer not to climb a crooked tree,REMEMBER ACCIDENTS DON'T HAPPEN THERE CAUSED. good luck, hunt hard and hunt safe.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I use a small folding saw made by Gerber. The thing works wonders... As far a trees you have to be alittle picky but as long as you stay on the outside of the lean I can usually squirel my way up most tree's. Large bracnches can be an issue but again tree selection can generally rid you of that problem. But I have been able to disattach and reattach around a large branch but always with the harness on and It ussually is still a little hairy..

Tim

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I'm still waiting for the day when I have 2 dozen deer under me AND the big one walks up. If you really have 2 dozen deer under you on a regular basis then you've got a helluva spot. I don't see how a climber would help you draw on a deer when there are 2 dozen deer under you. Especially since you've got to pick a tree with NO COVER to use your climber. At least with a saddle, Ican get up into the leaves for some concealment.

As far as the saddle, I do like mine alot. I think it's without a doubt the most economical and effective way to hunt. But alot of people think I'm nuts about that and swear by climbers. So I'd like to try one for free. I'm in the same boat as you - I can't see dropping hundreds of dollars on a climber only to be limited as to where I can hunt. Maybe I'd like it but so far "I can only give you my doubts".

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I don't have to worry about branches until I'm about 15 feet or higher in most of the trees I have climbed. I don't see the big deal about cutting a few branches off to get off the ground a bit. I have the Gerber Tree trimming combo. It has pruning sheers and the folding saw everyone is talking about. You can't beat that for $18-25, depending on the time of the year you buy it.

Ideally you want to climb a tree and get situated before you actually hunt from that spot. However, I have climbed an unfamiliar tree and killed deer from it. I would not reccommend that though b/c its just luck to have a few shooting lanes with no previous work. (At least in the woods where I hunt.)

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

qzq,

That's why I put my disclaimer. I can only give you my objections. I've never used the product. I admit, I can never give anyone one this board a thumbs up/or down until I do. This board is all about discussing things. I encourage you to continue to promote it. There is nothing better out there then a raving fan. You are that raving fan!

Good luck!

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I use both a climber and stick ladders w/clamp-ons. I usually set my clamp-on stands before the season starts and make few adjustments accordingly. But instead of moving a stand and going threw all the work I just take my climber for quick hunting to make adjustments if necessary.

Now, the hiding part...there aren't that many telephone poles stands here either but when I find them I won't hunt them with out some type of cover. A lot of times I use it in-between two trees, whether the tree next to it is big or small. I generally like the smaller trees, next to those "telephonepoles"with just enough smaller limbs coming out to hide me.And crooked trees do sometimes work if you're safe and make the right adjustments while climbing.

If you have the money to buy a climber, I'd getone. It was thebest investment I've made on a treestand.Don'tget me wrong I love my clamp-on stands and I hunt them75% of the time, but it's nice to be able to be so versatileon a moments notice.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I use a climber and use surrounding trees for my cover, which usually works. By the time the deer are directly under me, they aren't likley to look straight up. And by then I may have already had a chance at drawing and shooting them (in which case they may be looking straight up between their legs!).

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

For those of us who are old enough, do you believe we used those old "Baker Boards" and lived to tell about it?

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

we called'em baker death traps[:@][:-]and to think at the time i thought it was the greatest thing on earth

BTW, i think i know where one is, i could probably get you a super deal on it[:-]