Bought a new climber from Dick's last night.

I've never had any luck climbing with them but for the price I figured I'd check it out, besides they have a 30 day return policy if I don't like it.

Anybody have some good tips for using the climber? Seems I can't get the seat and foot rest sections level and the more I try the more they tend to slip.

How tight should the straps be?

I have the Hunter's View Trophy Buck Hunter Lite

First off, you have to have a tree that is the same cercumfrence from the bottom to where you plan on sitting at, it's hard to find that, so what I do is have my stand at a small angle up, that way when I get to the spot in the tree I will hunt from, it level's out as I climb, as the tree gets smaller towards the top. If the stand you have diddn't come with a tighting strap for the set part of the stand, (to secure it to the tree) I would get a ratchetstrap, they work great. Does yours have a self adjusting foot rest and set rest?

(pleading ignorance) not sure what you mean by self adjusting foot rest or set rest.

The seat section does have a small strap with a buckle for securing it to the tree but I think I'll replace it with a larger ratchet strap.

I will tell you my experiences with climbers. I have a Summit. My friends and brother have API. My other brother bought a Warren + Sweat that was on clearence.

#1 You get what you pay for.

I have no idea what you paid for your stand but it's a pretty good estimate of it's quality. If you got a $100 climber then expect it to perform like one. That doesn't mean it's junk but it's probably gonna be a little heavier, a little louder and a little less secure on a tree then a top shelf stand. Just a general comment.

Now let's get to helping you out.

You have to pick a good tree first. Don't climb a gigantic monster..........but don't strap onto a sappling either. You will get a good idea on sizes in no time.

A tree with a similar trunk size as high up as you are gonna climb is a nice bonus but if the tree you want isn't the same all the way up jus set your platforms on an upward angle so they will level out when you reach the thinner tree above. This will take some practice to get good at.

As far as your platforms slipping on you I don't like the sound of that one bit. If your platforms are slipping when they are level then you need to return the stand before getting hurt or killed. A platform has more of a chance of slippage if slightly angled upwards vs downwards.........emphasis on SLIGHTLY. You don't want to be angled noticably in either direction but stabilty wise very slight down should hold the tree better.

When I get to my desired height I sort of "dig in"..........I put my weight on the platform and slide a couple inches side to side so the teeth really grab. I do the same with the foot section. I do my best to not saw through the bark though to avoid damaging the tree too bad.


Most importantly is ALWAYS have a safety harness on.........ALWAYS!!!

Especially when you are learning the ropes of climbing and moving around on a stand.


I am not crazy about heights but I am as comfortable as can be in my Summit. I wouldn't climb 2 feet up with that contraption my brother has...........make sure your stand gives you comfort and peace of mind.........two very important things for long hunts 20 feet in the air



Stay safe.

What I mean is, some climbers have a adjustment bracket on both sides of the foot platform, so if you are not totaly level you can remove a pin and slid the platform up or down to level it as you sit in the seat, and the same for the set, you can stand on the platform and move the set up or down to level. I would not recamend that type of climber, not to safe in my book. Always remember to wear a safty harnes..

If the other tips do not help your slipping problem then look for another stand. I use an OL'man. Works well, does not slip, wedges on tree tight, can sit for hours in this baby. Net seat is a little cold on the backside some days.

The slippage was due to no weight - I was standing next to it as i was attaching everything. Did some practicing this weekend and sort of getting the hang of things - no slips. Its a little noisy and takes longer than just climbing some climbing sticks but i imagine I'll get better with more practice. lots of time before Oct 1.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Also make sure you have the 2 sections of the climber connected via a rope. Just in case the bottom section should decide to slide down the tree while you're on stand.

LOL been there done that - the only other time I've used a climber that happened to me. Had to shimmy down the tree - wasn't pretty! I've got a rope attached now!

atlasman gave you some good advice.

Here is a link to a Bowhunting forum thread that will discuss a new stand.

[link]http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=722466&mpage=2&key=&#723471#723471[/link]