To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

What do you do if the tree has branches in your way? What do you do if the tree is crooked?

It seems like the only way a climber makes sense is for "telephone pole" type trees. That's fine, but what do you use for cover?

I don't know about your area, but around here those telephonepoletrees are very few and far between. And if you do find such a tree, odds are it's not where the deer are going to be.

I've considered buying one but I can't see it being that useful for the reasons above. How do you guys handle these issues?

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

Branches? I carry a folding saw.


Crooked? I keep climbing or adjust my stand accordingly.

For repeatitive hunting spots, I prefer loc-ons with climbing sticks.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

limb saw;), use the natural cover of the surrounding trees and undergrowth, i have climbed trees that have a little crook in them, i can useally find a goodtree within 10-20 yards of the trail, and the rest will take care of itself, i love portable climbers, been using them close to 30 years, great tool, but always, always, always use safety devices, all you got to do is read some of the first huning reports from here or your local paper every year and you'll read where it has happened again[&o], some one has fallen

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

Yep, Gerber makes a fantastic little folding saw which can cut through branches as thick as your wrist in less than a minute.

Like Rob said, you can adjust your stand to be level at huntingheight before you ever start climbing; that simply takes some experience.

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RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I don't think cutting all the branches on the way upthe tree is a good option for me.For starters, talk about working up a sweat. On public land, it's illegal to hack up a tree like that. And on private land, it's disrespectful to the landowner. It's one thing to trim a branch or two for a shooting lane. But to take out every branch from the base of a tree up to 15 or 20 feet just so you can climb it seems unreasonable to me.

I'm not knocking climbers, I'm just looking for somebody to alleviate my concerns about them so I can justify buying one.

What about cover? You can't have any cover below you because you cut it all down on the way up, right?

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I never think about it because almost all of the trees thick enough to use have no branches below the height that I hunt from. A good thing to think about though.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

gzg, you're right... when you're talking about trees like you defined in your last post, climbers are not a good option. I find a different tree in cases like that.

You may want to consider an option like a nice light fixed position with some of the newer climbing sticks. Summit and Lone Wolf are among some of the best I've seen, and I think Ameristep has some good ones as well. I'm sure there's others as well.

I bought a climber originally to hunt public land where inserting a screw-in step (my favorite method; I've got about a hundred Cranford EZ steps), but I'm thinking of going the way I just mentioned soon.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

They have their place, but there are places were lok-ons are much better. I've climbed right past small limbs, not recommended and takes some doing. It is difficult and time consuming. I also hunt various places were things cannot be done, but I've never hunted a places were I couldn't use a climber or be in an effective spot. I often pick a tree that has a Y or several and get into that, plenty of cover. Hunted one place were. in 70 acres there was one tree that could have any stand in it. I hunted it, had 4 deer in 20 yrds that day, They bustedme, but I could have shot them.It took them some time to stare down the point of my shaft.:DI never released.

Stands are one thing that require diversity. I think you'll like the freedom! Maybe you won't:D

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

Sounds like climbers may not be for you.

But for coverI usually attach brushy limbs to the base with zip ties (if you leave them loose you can reuse them) then I climb to the lower portion of the canopy. Tree selection is the key- if the canopy is 30' up and you don't wish to climb that high pick another tree.
Ilike to climb between 20& 23' at theseat, so a tree with a canopy ~30' up is just about right. I'll go lower if the wind is right.

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[:-]

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

Find one that doesn't or cut the limbs if you can legally do so and/or have permission(private only) .

If the trunk is wide enough it can provide silhouette break up , as can the background clutter . BTW , ever wonder why 15' is considered the minimum height by most hunters ? It's because a deer's vision extends in a truncated cone whose maximum diameter is only about 12' tall unless they look up , if you don't move or otherwise draw attention to yourself they won't see you anyway .

If you can't alter those trees to suit a climber then a climber is not for that situation and a lock on and climbing gear is what you need . If there are no deer there anyway then you're wasting your time hunting that spot .

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

I usually do not find a problem locating a good tree. Sure there re times when the other tree is perfect, but you have to decide if this tree is good enough. Regarding cover, I try to find a tree that is surrounded by other trees. I get high enough to have a nice "roof" cover and have scrup trees to my right, let, and rear.

An ideal situation is to have several fixed locations set up and a climber to move around. I never seem to find myself in ideal situations, so I use the cliber, a blind, or just still hunt.

RE: To all you guys that use climbing stands:
 

An alternative suggestion (via Tom Miranda) is to buy a climber AND a set of climbing sticks. If the tree is suitable for use with the climber, go for it. If it is not, attach the climbing sticks, climb to the desired height, pull up the climbing stand, and attach it as though it was a hang-on stand.

This is somewhat less convenient than using a true hang-on stand, but it allows you to make maximum use of your climber.