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Climber Stands & Wet Trees?

DirtTime

By DirtTime,
in General Hunting

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turkeyfeathers Veteran

turkeyfeathers

Posted
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Hope you don't intend to find out tomorrow as it's going to be wiiiiiiiindy !!

Never had a problem with mine. But I think it has more to do with what type of tree your climbing, smooth bark versus large bark trees.  Freezing rain was another thing though. May have crapped myself a little when bottom slid out as I was climbing.

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Five Seasons Grand Master

Five Seasons

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it seems like something that would be an issue but i've never had an issue. I still wont climb some of the really rough bark pines or real hard trees though regardless. If our climber can bite, than the wet doesn't seem to bother, if it can't bite it's tough no matter what and some water isn't going to make it any easier.

 

always tie off with a prussic not and cinch as you climb!

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turkeyfeathers Veteran

turkeyfeathers

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With my stand......no problem.  It REALLY digs. 

 

Treewalker.......................

 

Belo's last sentence is a "no brainer" but I'm sure many here DON'T use a lifeline with their climbers.

No lifeline is simply playing Russian Roulette.  I would hope there aren't too many who don't use a lifeline. They call it "lifeline" for a reason. Wear a vest here. Don't want my family to have to spoon feed me and wipe my ass the rest of my life.

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ants Newbie

ants

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No problem with mine. ….One thing to watch for is that certain smooth barked trees loose their grip (bark gets harder) as it gets colder out. I have set climbers early and noticed later in the season that the stands slide a bit because of the frozen bark.

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turkeyfeathers Veteran

turkeyfeathers

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I don't have one yet. But, man, I'm really starting to think about it. My big issue is a fear of heights, and using a climber gives me some anxiety. "What if it slips?" that sort of thing. Just keep thinking it might be good for mobility on state land. 

If you climb up in the dark it ain't so bad until it gets light :rolleyes:

I'm not a big fan of heights but this doesn't bother me. Bottom platform is tethered to top so you're good there. Doubtful both would ever lose their grip at the same time. Once you get to set height you use your transport strap ( strap that you cinch around both pieces to carry in ) around the seat portion. All the while wearing a lifeline. No worries, you'll be fine. Practice in your yard a bit. I did before actually taking it out in the field.

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Red Experienced

Red

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birch trees and climbed see fun a few years ago I went out we're a few of my friends hunt picked a tree in the dark climbed up when they came to get me to go do a drive they said why are you up so high I said Its easy to go up as high as you want with this thing and easy to come down lol there was a few feet of frozen snow on the ground and the tree was covered in Ice I came down very fast as soon as I lifted.the bottom platform with my feet the top and bottom and slidingand I went down with them I kept my feet locked in the styrups and hands on the upper platform I gribbed stand back into the tree about 2' before hitting the ground I stood there for a minute and didn't say anything my.buddies were going nuts lol

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Lawdwaz Grand Master

Lawdwaz

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Does anyone remember the Baker tree stand elevator ride? It used to wake ya up.

 

Sure, I remember the Baker Stand but fortunately never rode the elevator.

 

My first non-semi-permanent stand was a Loc On.  I think I bought it in 1984 or so.........what a POS.

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VT Outfitter Newbie

VT Outfitter

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So a life line and a harness? I thought the lifeline was the harness?

I have never climbed or sat in a stand without my harness. Even back when the harness was just a strap from the tree to you just under the arm-pit.

The life line I use when climbing a tree with a climber is very simple but safe. It is a 6' piece of heavy duty para cord black in color with a loop tied at one end and a knot tied at the other end. On the main line I have attached a special grip knot that all life lines use that coils around the main line. Basically this grip knot is a big loop tied. If you google "life line knots" I am sure it will come up. Once I am standing on the platform at the base of the tree, I run the para cord around the tree and into the loop. Then attach my karabiner to the grip knot which is now on the tail end of the life line. My climbing sequence is: Slide life line above me up the tree and cinch, raise the upper section of climber, raise the lower section of climber and repeat. You will be attached to the tree at all times in case of a slip or fall.

As far as wet trees go's, if the tree has bark that stands off from the tree trunk then it usually isn't an issue. Trees like white pine, red pine, spruce, hemlock, white oak, and white ash trees have this bark. Trees like red oak and smooth bark hickory can and will slip now and then because the tooth bar on todays stands aren't sharp and are designed to be tree friendly. So I avoid these type trees if I can which usually isn't a problem. About the only problem I have found with climbing tree stands and "wet days" is the water running down the trunk and down your backside as you sit and hunt. I always try to pick a tree that has an angle away or tipped away from the direction I want to look. This way some of the water has a chance to run down the sides of the trunk and not down the back of my pants. Good hunting and stay safe!

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Carbonelement Newbie

Carbonelement

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stick to something with thicker bark stay away from birch and beech trees, and just make sure you dig the climber in.  I like to jump on the edge lightly to really make sure its dug.

 

Be careful with the ash trees this time of year, if you dont remember seeing many leaves dont climb it. when the ashes die from borer insects the bark tends to peel right off. it can get slippery!

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Water Rat Mentor

Water Rat

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Does anyone remember the Baker tree stand elevator ride? It used to wake ya up.

I remember when mine gave way ! I was hanging on for DEER life. Slid down that tree like a fireman on a station house pole.

Landed on the F- ing thing and bent it. Left it right there at the base of the tree as it was too heavy and cumbersome to carry all the way back to my vehicle. Thanks for the flashback !

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Five Seasons Grand Master

Five Seasons

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So a life line and a harness? I thought the lifeline was the harness?

I have never climbed or sat in a stand without my harness. Even back when the harness was just a strap from the tree to you just under the arm-pit.

You need to tie your harness to something. What I was referring to is a rope you wrap around the tree and tie to. You adjust it as you climb up and down.

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