petasux

Pines a softwood, lotta knots and sap in it.Its one of the few trees I wouldnt trust using the branches on to get up it.For the same reason I wouldnt use tree steps in a pine tree.A ladderstand may work better, youd have to do a little pruning but it would be the safest route.

il coyote

Take 2 of the 'tree straps'...keep onearound the tree at all times on the way up.
Personally, if I felt good about it I'd just give it a go. People have been climbing trees for generations, and it only became unsafe a few years ago.

isatarak

I always thought the "climbing sticks" looked kinda risky, but on a tree that has no limbs for 30 feet up, there's not a lot of choice unless you use a climber. I've had the screw in steps move when I stepped on them. It's not a problem, but sometimes it will surprise you a little. All this stuff has risk involved in it. It is never totally safe. You just have to make it as safe as you can.

I've thought about making a steel "hook" that you could attach to your harness tether. You could hang it over limbs as you climb the first time to put the stand up or hang your safety rope.

stikbow26

Find someone with some lone wolf climbing sticks and after the first time up you will have your saftey rope in place. Walt

Red Lion

I agree with Charlie P. Climbing sticks or screw-in steps or you may end up taking a "header" and then hunting means nothing.

Rhody Hunter

I was trying to come up with something like that useing two straps or hooks . I 'm not a new comer to climbing up and on stuff i run a construction company and i'm always up on trusses and ladders.

petasux

That isnt a bad idea, even if you could attach it to a belt with a ring on it or something it would beat falling clear out of the tree.

isatarak

I believe it being safe, but I've been climbing trees since I was 5 years old. I've done many things in my life more dangerous than climbing a tree. Farming and oilfield rig work among others. I just think if a tree has substantial limbs and they aren't dead it's OK to use them for steps. I would trust them ahead of climbing sticks.

Red Lion

Even if someone has experience doing riskier things, it only takes one fall to ruin your life temporarily or permanently. It just is not worth it to take unnecessary risks.

bowman III

use a grapple hook or a ladder to get where you want the stand to b, than strap yoreself down and drag the stand up on a rope-thats how i get my stands up