44Hunter45 semi live climbing stand hunt

[44hunter45]

I have two ladder stands here on my property. They stay up all year and I trust them completely after my maintenance and safety checks.

With punching my elk tag early, I'm thinking about a September whitetail archery ambush on corporate timber land. Around here most archers are elk focused. I want to slip in and set up on a buck I've scouted. My thinking is that he will still be in his summer pattern. I want to hang a stand, but carry in my climbing gear each trip.

I weigh every bit of 250 pounds. Can I trust a climber or a hanger? I know we've seen some scary pics and stories here about hanger stand failures.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Just hunt from the ground , it’s more of a challenge anyway.

 

[Nick87]

Im not sure i understand you're going to use a climber? Or a hang on with climbing sticks?

 

[Treeshark]

I trust my climber way more than a hang-on or ladder stand. No contest.

Wear a good safety harness and use a rope/Priussic knot slider setup, this allows you to stay attached to the tree the entire time- including while going up and down. Also, Third Hand makes an inexpensive stabilizer strap that locks the bottom and top together in such a way that you can’t get it to wobble even if you tried.

I have a nice hang-on setup (Lone Wolf Alpha w 4 sticks), but that is reserved only for spots where the climber just won’t work. It doesn’t get a ton of use.

Here is the strap I recommend (HSS makes it):

 

[44hunter45]

Im not sure i understand you're going to use a climber? Or a hang on with climbing sticks?

I'm exploring my options

 

[Nick87]

I'm exploring my options

Safest way imo would be the lock on with a harness and a lifeline. Most guys fall on the climb up or down. You coukd always just remove the bottom set of steps if your concerned about someone taking them or sitting in your stand. I won't hunt a hang in stand without one anymore.

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[DFS]

I heard the screams from a climber that had a strap snap last November. Luckily no one was injured. It made me reevaluate how I climb trees.

 

[Treeshark]

Safest way imo would be the lock on with a harness and a lifeline.

Only thing I don’t like about that setup is you have to climb up unattached the first time while setting it up, which is probably the most dangerous part.

 

[TN2shot07]

I’ve never felt uncomfortable in a good hang on with sticks, use a lineman’s belt while climbing and secure yourself once you’re on the platform. Most falls seem to happen going up or down and not being connected to the tree

 

[Bigjay73]

Not sure if harnesses have changed since I used them but you have about 15 mins to get feet back on the ground before you're in trouble. Id get a good harness with drop down stirrups that can allow you to relieve pressure from the harness straps in case of a fall.

 

[Treeshark]

Not sure if harnesses have changed since I used them but you have about 15 mins to get feet back on the ground before you're in trouble. Id get a good harness with drop down stirrups that can allow you to relieve pressure from the harness straps in case of a fall.

Good point- to add: always keep a sharp knife where you can get at it in a pinch.

 

[utah400elk]

I use my saddle gear to set up my hang on stands…but I always feel safer in a climber (still use my saddle harness even in climber) You are literally attached to the tree from the ground up. Even if the climber failed, you are still safe. All of them take time to get use to. I put my son in a rock climbing harness for the climber. Again, overkill but I know he is safe from start to finish.

 

[LCH]

With a climber, make sure to pick the right tree. You want straight trunk, decent diameter, and most of all a soft bark.

I am about your size, my summit is rock solid as long as I pick a tree as described above.

 

[Dave N]

Tie a length of paracord between top and bottom sections of a climber. Keeps the bottom from skittering down to the ground without you. Ask me how I know.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Tie a length of paracord between top and bottom sections of a climber. Keeps the bottom from skittering down to the ground without you. Ask me how I know.

I had a baker stand part company with me when I was about 25 feet up one year when I was a kid…..

It’s a religious experience.

 

[44hunter45]

For the record, I have all the PPE, I just have never used anything but a ladder stand.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Only thing I don’t like about that setup is you have to climb up unattached the first time while setting it up, which is probably the most dangerous part.

Why would you go up unattached the first time?

 

[Treeshark]

Why would you go up unattached the first time?

I setup a hang-on using lineman’s belt, so I suppose that is technically attached. Slipping off a peg would still be very unpleasant. I always have to unsnap to climb into my stand the first time in order to set up my safety strap. My hang-one come down after each hunt in most cases, so no use for a lifeline.

While possible, I find it’s PITA setting up and getting into a stand the first time remaining attached the whole time.

Maybe there is a trick I’m missing?

 

[Treeshark]

I had a baker stand part company with me when I was about 25 feet up one year when I was a kid…..

It’s a religious experience.

Same. Has anyone ever owned a Baker and not had that happen?

 

[N2TRKYS]

I setup a hang-on using lineman’s belt, so I suppose that is technically attached. Slipping off a peg would still be very unpleasant. I always have to unsnap to climb into my stand the first time in order to set up my safety strap. My hang-one come down after each hunt in most cases, so no use for a lifeline.

While possible, I find it’s PITA setting up and getting into a stand the first time remaining attached the whole time.

Maybe there is a trick I’m missing?

I mostly tether myself to the tree without using a lineman’s belt. Sometimes I’ll use them together.