re: Climbing Tree stand: what the hell was I thinking?

I have hunted out of Summits for over 22 years now. Never had a break, never had an incident.

To the OP, it will help to get a routine established to make things safer/easier.And it is always a good idea to climb with a safety belt attached, especially starting out.

AS an example (not that I recommend anybody else do it this way mind you..)

My typical routine .
Walk in with climber on back, single under armour short sleeve unless it's below 25 F', then I might put on a long sleeve for the walk in. Under shirt, thermal shirt wrapped around waist or stand, carrying cold weather jacket and bow

Get to tree of choice, connect climber (Summit Open Shot), tie on bow and heavy jacket to pull up rope get in stand and start climbing. Get to hunting height (bottom of stand anywhere from 18-27 ft high, depending on terrain/cover. Secure stand, double check for sturdiness and noise. screw in bow hook to tree as well as quiver hook.(Unless they are already there from previous sits) Pull up bow and jacket, hang bow and quiver, place arrow at the ready nocked on bow. Proceed to unbutton pants, put on first layer (Cold gear Under armour mock turtleneck, followed by looser fitting thermal,both tucked for warmth/scent minimizing. Heavy jacket then goes on, followed by safety harness/belt. Facemask is next, release strapped on.
Pull up rope then wrapped/stashed out of way, bow in hand, prayer said and let the games begin.

Been doing it for 24 years now, strictly bowhunting and pretty much have it down to an art. Fun part is picking a new tree in the dark and getting close to optimum height until running into a main branch. Then, with EXTREME care, I will take the top of the climber loose and reposition it over the limb in order to gain a few extra feet and cover for drawing the bow. BTW, FWIW I'm 6', 245 lbs so this is all quite the eloquent dance in the predawn dark.

Big game for both.

Got an original Tree Lounge. Love that thing

I don't think Big Game makes climbing sticks. You may be confusing climbing sticks with a stick ladder.

These are climbing sticks

Were you hung over?

Nope

It is. I did that last year, dropped my bottom half. Thank goodness the leash worked and I didn't panic too bad and got it back on. I won't do that again.

quote:

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I do this. It's pretty much the scariest thing I ever do

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I've adjusted the top before but now I use climbers with sling type seats so it's not an issue. One time when I was young(er) and dumb(er), I adjusted the bottom by balancing myself on the climbing bar of the top portion. I lost hold of the bottom and were it not for the rope tethering them together I wouldve been in a real bind. Even still, retrieving it and positioning it correctly while it was hanging below me all the while balancing on the climbing bar scared me enough to never try that crap again.

I had a pin fall out on me year before last, on my bottom section. I lifted my legs and the blade swung out away from the tree. Luckily all I had for a pull string was thicker nylon rope I had in my truck as a tie down. I had to haul it up and wrap it around the tree several times and tie it off to form a strap, all while lifting the bottom section with my legs. Puckered tight all the way down. I now keep all my pins on string and have two extra in my bag.