Climber question????

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I have one that I picked up used and NEVER like a climber since I took a slip when my buddie was showing me how to use one way back when. I use it as a fixed stand and I put a ratchet strap on the platform around the tree and suck it up tight. That thing is like a rock and only takes a minute to do. Do any of you guys that actually climb with these things strap them to a tree once you get up there?

[gutpile]

Climb like a monkey with em. The biggest mistake I see guys make with climbers is they don't check the section they just moved to make sure its secure before putting their full weight on it.

[Paulie]

same here...I climb all over and pretty much on any size tree. Obviously the larger the tree the more secure you feel but i have climbed a tree that was about 5 inch in diameter and was fine. Gut, i think you right...as long as you take your time and make sure to set the platform. I do strap the top section to the tree as i have hit it while going to stnad and it has lowered but (knock on wood) haven't had a problem with the bottom. Although i have it tethered to the top so it if does fall it's not going to far. (I climb with the Summit Viper)

[NYBuckHunter87]

i really dont feel safe with a climber, i have one brand new that i bought and used once. to me theres nothing like a nice 2 man ladder stand, or even just a regular ladder stand. i feel alot safer in a ladder stand.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

If you are ok on climbing sticks they work great strapped in a fixed position.

[steve863]

i feel alot safer in a ladder stand.

I doubt one could find any data on it, but I wonder how many treestand accidents involve climbers?  I would think the percentage would be a lot higher than ladder stands.

[nyslowhand]

I'll go you one better.

Bet there are more accidents on hang-ons as opposed to climbers.

What Culvercreek is proposing is dangerous. Up steps, then into a climber with the arm & shooting rails,

Tried that twice and did not feel safe doing it!!! Took that s/u down!

If you pay attention to what you're doing & take your time, climbers can be safe.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I would love to see it too Steve. I would almost bet lock-ons are up there in numbers too. I ahve done it......I know  "I only hae enough steps to get  this high....well let me ust this branch instead...or let me hug the tree to get into the stand." If I had to rank in terms of where i would bet the numpbers would come in... least amount of accidents to most

ladderstands

lock ons

home made

climbers.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I don't think is is unsafe....I am harnessed in.....I lower the seat and swing it out stepping over the rail.....the step out onto the climbing sticks that go up 6' above the standing platform. No differtent than getting in a lock on

BUT I have a rail around me while in it

[Bleitten04]

My dad bought a used climber from a guy he works with.  He didn't really like it probably because it was not aluminum and it was pretty heavy.  He just left it at a base of a tree and would climb up whenever he went to that spot.  The guy ended up wanting it back so my dad sold it back to him LOL!!! 

[nyslowhand]

I have zero sense of security with a lock-on/hang-on stand.

Just me, up on a perch and a rope tether.  ???

More power to any hunter that hunts from one!

Do love the security of my ladders with the wrap around rails.

My climber is a Summit Viper, so it's not one of those $100 Sniper cheapies.

I use it only occassionaly, but it's a secure climber if used correctly!

[WNYBuckHunter]

I have a Summit Viper SS, works great and I use it a ton. I do secure the top section with a ratchet strap when I get to where I want to be just for an added sense of security.

[Fantail]

Do any of you guys that actually climb with these things strap them to a tree once you get up there?

I do not.

However before I 'park' I am duly harnessed and I make sure it has a solid grip. I also avoid certain smooth / hard bark trees.

[Dakota Dog]

I have a self climber and I hate it. I have set it up as a permanent stand and it will stay there. That was my first stand I ever bought 22 years ago. My second one was a buddy stand 16' and so was my 2 and 3rd one as well. I have all of them set up and still use them all. The buddy stand to me is the best in my book. Lots of room for me to move around, shooting rails and plenty of foot room. My 9 year old daughter loves to go hunting with dad as well so we both have plenty of room in the buddy stands.

PS she sleeps most of the time but at least she is in the woods.

[Paulie]

I only secure the top portion. For the bottom, I just watch my foot placement...but once it is set it is very sturdy. The new climbers are great and easy to use

[skyzmine]

i love my climer but i also ratchet strap the top right to the tree '' makes me feel safer''

i also use two 5 foot ropes that attach the top part to the bottom part of the stand.

nothing like dropping the bottom out when your up there.

[virgil]

i've always used climbers and have never had a problem.  also have a ladder stand and two self-made wooden ladder stands on my land.  i'm trying two new gorilla hang-ons this year.  i like the fact that they're so light and easy to carry- only about 11lbs.

[growalot]

I love my built stands...ladder stands and a couple of hang on...builts are checked and re checked and I am harnessed in before stepping on platform...same for all others ..but..they all have chains and ratchet straps holding them in place...the hang ons have 2 ratchets and one chain...even one of my built ones have chains holding it as a back up...it's in a windy area

[growalot]

Opps....... luv my two climbers...ones a Tree lounge ....but We have had healthy looking maples ....big ones...with the tops just blow out of them....the Idea of being strapped to a tree and have it snap off ...has kept me from climbing the last couple of years... ???

[wztirem]

I would love to see it too Steve. I would almost bet lock-ons are up there in numbers too. I ahve done it......I know  "I only hae enough steps to get  this high....well let me ust this branch instead...or let me hug the tree to get into the stand." If I had to rank in terms of where i would bet the numpbers would come in... least amount of accidents to most

ladderstands

lock ons

home made

climbers.

Tree Stand Safety for Deer and Big Game Hunters

Some thoughts on staying safe when using tree stands. ... These days, many of us deer hunters are hunting from above. Hunting from above gives us several ...

hunting.about.com/od/deerbiggame/a/aa120199.htm - Cached - Similar

    The author mentions that most falls from tree stands happened to hunters using hang on stands.

[nyslowhand]

Thanks for the info, wztirem - our site researcher!!

Always thought the combination of screw-in steps or the strap-on ladder sections used with hang-on stands was an accident waiting to happen.

Suppose if you used the life line or were secured to the tree all the way up to the stand you'd be okay.

I won't use them, others love them. Whatever makes you feel safe or secure.

[steve863]

Yes, thanks for the article.  Now, I would like to know why anyone would use a strap on stand over a ladder stand?  Are they cheaper?  If used in combination with those strap on steps I am sure they probably cost just the same.  Maybe they would be a bit easier to bring into the woods and set up, but if they will possibly lead to me to breaking my neck I will surely take the extra time to set up a ladder stand or anything else that will be safer.  A no brainer there in my opinion!

[WNYBuckHunter]

A plain Jane 15 or 16 foot single ladder stand is cheaper than a hang on with the strap on ladder sections. I bought a hang on this year because it was going to go into a tree I couldnt get a ladder stand into. I ended up putting it in a different tree, which I could have gotten a ladder stand into anyway lol. Oops. 

[wztirem]

Thanks for the info, wztirem - our site researcher!!

Always thought the combination of screw-in steps or the strap-on ladder sections used with hang-on stands was an accident waiting to happen.

Suppose if you used the life line or were secured to the tree all the way up to the stand you'd be okay.

I won't use them, others love them. Whatever makes you feel safe or secure.

I mentioned some time ago my experience with screw in tree steps. I do not trust them and have the scar on my leg to prove it when one broke while I was climbing up into a hung stand(yikes).

[brudaman340]

I have a Summit Viper SS and i love it. Not once have I felt unsafe in it. Kind of expensive but worth it. Very light and simple to use. The only issue is when you misjudge the cable lengths on the tree as it gets narrower at the top then the platform leans forward to far. I actually adjusted my climber cables all the way up a tree before and I felt safe. Really good design just have to be careful and make sure its secure before you put all your weight on it.