44Hunter45 semi live climbing stand hunt

[wweaver79]

I have been using summit climbers for 15 years. I feel safe most of time. Only problem I had was when I learned about tying the two pieces together and the bottom went 15 feet down the tree. I had to do my best black bear impression ever. Lesson learned.

 

[Mallardsx2]

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

At the time, I felt like I had overlooked the obvious and I was a pioneer of tree clinging….

Sadly, I found out there were others who had been victimized…lololol

Safety strap? What?
Stand tether? What?

Lord I’m lucky to be alive based on all of the dumb $hit I did to kill speed beef.

 

[ChaosOneZero]

I’ve been using climbers since I was a young lad. I go about 6’, 240 lbs and currently use a Summit Viper (aluminum version, not steel). I like the mobility of a climber vice a more semi-permanent setup.

Def echo everyone else’s comments, most of which seem to go without saying, but especially the tip about tethering the platform to the climber. Last year I had to jump out of my tree when my foot slipped out of the platform stirrups. I was in a hurry (on my way back down) and just got a bit careless. Luckily there was another tree beside the tree I was in and I jumped onto it and slid down to recover my platform.

 

[Treeshark]

Third Hand Archery stabilizer straps are a game changer. Such an obvious idea, but they literally lock the climber once you’re up there, as well as cinch the top to bottom while climbing.

Straps

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Climbers are as safe as the person using them.

I am 6'4" 265#'s, have used Summit for years. Good as it gets.

Climbers are no different than any other off ground equipment.

1. Use high quality full body harness-inspect every time.
2. Tether to tree climbing up and down.
3. Tether platform to seat climber to prevent aw crap separation between the two going up or going down tree. (Edit added)
4. Secure platform to tree once at height, ratchet strap or similar. (Edit added)
5. Learn to adjust platform based upon tree diameter so platform is level at desired height.
6. Add non slip tape to platform critical areas on edges to climb on easier at base of tree. Careful they can make noise moving feet at height if in wrong spot.
7. Use pull up rope for all weapons.
8. Use pull up rope for packs.
9. Do not climb smooth bark trees.
10. Do not climb any tree that doesn't appear to be fully alive.
11. Inspect platform and seat climber welds EVERY time you use it. Takes ONLY couple seconds.
12. Inspect cables EVERY time you use it. Takes ONLY couple seconds.
13. Replace cables if there is any deterioration of the cable itself.
14. Replace shrink wrap cable coating. You can DIY.
15. I carried bow and small pack on stand.

Climbers give you that edge to attack from different locations based upon wind, food sources, pressure from hunters, change in woods from storms etc. I would set up certain trees knowing that certain times they will be the hot spot! I liked knowing hunting a new spot I prob can attack from a different perspective to deer.

Unfortunately at 75 and fresh off L2-L5 back fusion, treestands are no longer part of my hunting program. Kind of sad since I have used climbers for 50+ years going back to Bakers!

 

[Nick87]

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.

Yup.

Learn to adjust platform based upon tree diameter so platform is level at desired height.

You only mess that up once and you'll never forget after that.

 

[Treeshark]

You only mess that up once and you'll never forget after that.

For sure. When in doubt, “over-tilt.” It’s better to be leaning back when you’re up in the tree than leaning forward.

 

[N2TRKYS]

For sure. When in doubt, “over-tilt.” It’s better to be leaning back when you’re up in the tree than leaning forward.

Slightly leaning forward bites into the tree more than if it’s leaning backwards. I always erred on the side of caution and had mine even or very slightly leaning forward.

 

[Treeshark]

Slightly leaning forward bites into the tree more than if it’s leaning backwards. I always erred on the side of caution and had mine even or very slightly leaning forward.

That’s where the straps come in- they apply a constant downward pull on the top part of the stand.

But I get what you’re saying, that’s a good point. I just do not care for the feeling of leaning forward when I stand to shoot (most shots), so probably just prefer leaning back because that freaks me out.

 

[Steiny77]

Been hunting deer out of stands hard since 1973 and have tried every type of stand imaginable and hunted out of climbers and hang on stands a lot.
Without question, a good climber is a far safer set up than any hang on type stand.

 

[thebestusernamesaretaken]

Climbers are good and it shouldn't be a problem - If you use a lineman's belt on the way up and down and you'll be safer than not.

They've been in use for decades so it's nothing that is radically new or unknown. I've used Summit, Lone Wolf, and Old Man climbers in the past. I think that summit was the most comfortable and old man was my favorite (lighter weight, lots of load capacity and modular used for archery and rifle).

They do have limitations though. You'll be looking for a perfect tree in the woods above an x marks the spot location. I would suggest identifying that perfect tree prior to hunting. It can be done for sure, but mobile hunting can be a pain when looking for that near perfectly straight tree without any limbs in the way, in the moment and in the dark.

Haven't used one in a while (other than practicing archery), - when climbing trees these days I use a saddle which seems substantially safer and lighter to carry.

I believe that someone on here was selling a saddle a while back.

 

[xebadir]

A good climber can be a great setup, provided you have decent trees to work with (unfortunately in selective cut areas, they tend to leave the wonky ones), RealMuddyboots advice is spot on for all accounts - follow those rules and you are very unlikely to have an issue. I use saddles to run and gun more these days given the trees I have available, but still shot my best buck from a climber on opener last year.

Given your weight, you will want a model thats appropriate for that weight, summit has higher weight and large footprint options (Goliath and Titan) that should work fine for you (I use it as I like a little room, as my climber is mostly for all day sits during rut). Always ensure you have the two parts of climber connected - in addition to the typical bungee cord, as mentioned above get a pair of the Thirdhand archery climber stabilizer straps. Its extra insurance and they make the system way more sturdy.

If you are concerned on the safety side, two things might be worth thinking about: Treestand wingman gives you a way to descend if everything drops under you. Replace your tree straps and harness regularly (make sure harness is appropriate).

​

 

[drexal]

I've had a Summit 180 climber for the last 18 years that I use 30+ times a year. Knock on wood, I haven't had any close calls. I was even a knucklehead and only started using a safety harness 7 years ago. With the Summit 180, you can sit with your back against the tree or sit facing the tree. During rifle hunts, I like finding a good tree with a lot of back cover and sit facing the tree to cover my front. During archery, I climb to height, the drop the seat section down to the foot platform and attach a homemade seat section with a rachet strap to the tree. That way I don't have to worry about the top section of the climber interfering with bow.

 

[Zim]

I’m 6’-2”, 250# and converted over to LW & XOP climbers exclusively about 20 years ago. Way, way safer than stix & fixed stands. I wear a safety harness full time yet have never slipped in those 20 years.

 

[thebestusernamesaretaken]

The only thing that has happened occasionally (mostly older units), is that if the lower part (the one that you stand on), isn't appropriately connected via a tether to the upper part (the seat), and it comes loose from the tree prior (or in my case forgetting - a few times), to connecting the safety straps.

You can lose the lower stand down the tree and you would be hanging out feet swinging in the air (judge if you want, we all get impatient with task loading especially the first couple of times up a tree in the season!). It would be unnerving at first, but you would figure it out .

 

[geetar]

Summit Viper climbing stands are rated to 300 lbs vs 250 for a lot of other stands.

 

[Bhoesl]

I’ve used a few different climbers, one had smooth, coated cables that went around the tree, that one felt really unstable and would slip occasionally. The one I use now has basically a heavy-duty bicycle type chain that goes around the tree and it has always been rock solid!

 

[Schaaf]

Phillippians 4:13 brother

 

[Treeshark]

The one I use now has basically a heavy-duty bicycle type chain that goes around the tree and it has always been rock solid!

API climbers have the chain. API Grand Slam Stealth is the best treestand of all time imo.

 

[N2TRKYS]

That’s where the straps come in- they apply a constant downward pull on the top part of the stand.

But I get what you’re saying, that’s a good point. I just do not care for the feeling of leaning forward when I stand to shoot (most shots), so probably just prefer leaning back because that freaks me out.

If you have a lean big enough to feel, you should always readjust your platform to make it more level. Personally, I will never use straps that pull my top and platform together. I don’t like how unstable it makes the platform, when you take your feet off the platform.