hand on stand help
Connecticut
Contributors to this thread:
I have always used a ground blind, ladder or climber. Would like to install a hang on with screw in steps. This seems like a lot more work than I expected. Any suggestions? Seems like I will need 3 hands.... Also, how far apart do you guys put in the steps?
Andrew,
In all honesty if you want to put up a hang-on stand I'd go with stacking sticks over screw-in steps, largely for safety reasons. If concealment is key I can see the screw-in steps being the way to go; if this is the case space them only as far apart as will allow you to COMFORTABLY move up or down as needed. The last thing you want, especially when descending is a long stretch to reach for the next step.
Again though, if low visibility isn't needed I would highly recommend stacking sticks; more points of contact equals a safer route up and down.
I would use a climbing stick they are much safer that the screw in steps besides if you are hunting state land, i believe screw in steps can be used.
Sorry -- I meant to say, I believe screw in steps can not be used on State land..
Thx guys. Private land. The intended tree is a very large diameter oak. Would need to modify the length of strap on sticks to use them, but worth a thought. Not worried about concealment from deer, but I suppose theft from humans is always possible. Was mostly wondering if there were any tricks of the trade for the hanging part.
If you are choosing a tree without a lot of limbs to navigate I would use my climber to get up to the height you want to hang your stand. I pull my hang on stand up with my tow rope and hang it while I'm in my climber. Climb down and then attach climbing sticks up to hang on. Using the climber allows me to move around a little and I feel a lot safer. Obviously I have my harness and am connected to the tree. Good luck and be safe.
How many hang on stands do you have?
Start screwing your steps from the ground and go as high as you can. Hang one stand as high as you can (5-6 feet). Climb on using the steps you already screwed in. Screw in more steps standig on?the hang on stand. If you have more than one hanger, pull the second one up and set it up. Allways screw the steps while standing on your tree stand. Repeat until you reach your desired height.
You can leave one on the tree or take both down to go set more screw in steps on other trees.
You should just get an extra hanger just for this purpose so you can just leave it up and always be able to set it from a safe flat platform. They are cheap enough at the end of the season or get on sale/used.
I never trusted screw in steps..climbing sticks if you can..paint them what you think the tree will be.in the fall light..you do have to sorta be part monkey,i use a pull rope and kinda wrap a leg between the stick and the tree when i get to where i want to be..deffenitly use a harness
I would think if the tree is too big for climbing sticks, it's going to be too big for a hang on stand also. I used to use screw in steps. they work well, just takes a while to get them screwed in. Better options these days are the climbing sticks, I have lone wolf and they seem like a good system, the straps are long enough that they will go around a fairly large tree, you might have to get a little creative to get them around the tree.
Pre drill the holes with a electric drill,I always used screw in steps but have since changed to sticks and now ladder always use a climbing rope around the tree for YOUR safety you will have to screw the straps out a couple of turns at the end of the season or the tree will eat them up .Steve Might be better to by a pack of longer straps for sticks
Actually now that I think about it, On State land it may not be legal to use screw in steps. I'm not going to bother to look it up but it may be worth checking if you plan to hunt state land.
Space steps with one at the knees, one at the waist and one at mid-chest. A lineman type attachment to the tree from your harness allows you use both hands when attaching steps. Install a safety line (7/16" or 1/2" climbers static line) and attach your harness tether to it with a prussic knot(9mm or 10mm line)/carabiner combination. Move the knot up the safety line ahead of yourself when climbing.
"Would need to modify the length of strap on sticks to use them" - The knot you would use to extend the length is dependent on what line/strap is already there. IMHO, if you can't reach around the tree, seeing behind your position will be difficult also when in the stand. The radius of a large tree might allow the platform, at the point where it touches the trunk, to shift to a side and dump you out. Another strap for the platform might be in order. Is the attaching strap/chain/cable for the hang on at the seat level or the platform level?
N8tureboy, I strongly encourage you to use something besides screw in steps. A screw in step will greatly reduce the quality of a tree for saw timber or veneer even if the step is removed the day you use it. Even if a land owner doesn't think they will ever harvest timber it is hard to guarantee they or someone else never will in the future. So please preserve the commercial quality of the trees you hunt in. Seems like a good way to endear your self to a land owner that you care enough about your privilege to hunt that you will be to ensure you don't damage their valuable timber for your convenience. As a consulting forester, I am always amazed at the number of times I see people build stands (with spikes, screw in steps or nailed in steps) in the straightest tree in the woods without a feature to break up their out line. I have been a lurker here for many years and this is the first thread I have posted to. I have enjoyed reading most of the posts and getting to know all the regulars. Why is someone from Maine following the CT site ? I have family in Bozrah and Preston and have sampled some venison from the nutmeg state !!!!!!!
Erik
I use climbing sticks. Screw ins are bad in all areas. Muddy makes some that are about 3 ft. These can be used on less than desirable trees. The ones that you put together to form a 20 ft ladder also suck. Keep them close and you should be fine. Hang on stands are another category.
Mission accomplished! Thanks for all the suggestions. I opted for 25' stick instead of the screws. As Soapdish would prob agree, the thing was awkward as hell. I didn't think to assemble it as I climbed.... After it became apparent that there was no way I was going to be able to raise the beast up against the tree by myself, I tied a rope to the top when it was still on the ground and looped it over a high branch (after several failed attempts. Turns out a screw in step make a very good weight at the end of the line for doing this). Was able to hoist the top of the ladder up that way while pushing the base towards the tree. Home Depot had 1" black tow straps w/ ratchet for 3$ so I was able to go around the tree. Also, as Wild Bill suggested, I put an extra strap at the base of the stand in addition to the standard one. Had enough time to pull up my pole saw and trim a few discreet shooting lanes. Hunter Safety Systems climbing rope with prussic knot set up so I can click in before I leave the ground. I wonder if the Swiss Family Robinson people ever had this much fun?
Oh, forgot to mention, I saw a few Gypsy moth caterpillars up there. Hopefully there will still be some leaves left up there by the end of summer....
N8,
If you are installing steps on a regular size tree, climb up with your climber and screw the steps in your way down.
wilbur's Link
Get yourself a good climbing harness with a flipline. Use your 5 pt. safety harness and snap onto the D rings. Check out the link. Any questions let me know.
Hawk or rivers edge strap on steps are great. You can get 3 packs or individual steps. I used a 3 pack last year but I am planning on getting some additional ones as a 3 pack limits how high you can go.