How many old timers still climb trees
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: RD
29-Feb-24
Been bowhunting since 1965, I like 12-15 ft for a good shot angle.
From: Husker
29-Feb-24
Don't know if i classify as an old timer yet, but i sure like 15' ladder stands more every year. Trying to put in screw in steps is scary. Much prefer the strap on steps better. Used to be a monkey with screw in steps and hang on stands, but i'm like you where falling is on my mind now.
From: Carbon Defiant 34
29-Feb-24
What is an old timer? I am 66 climbing 20' up on screw in steps all the time. Never an issue and so enjoy being above.
From: Boatman71
29-Feb-24
At almost 53 years old, I now prefer ladder stands. I used to be like you Husker when I was younger. Not quite as agile and sure footed as I was 25 years ago :-) Ill stick with the ladders.
From: Bou'bound
29-Feb-24
i am still climbing like always, but do pre-prepare certain trees with permanent screw in steps so not spending time both setting new trees and setting stand at the same time in the heat of the hunt. Using a batter power drill to get tap holes into trees makes getting a screw in set up so easy.
When the season hits just choose the area you want, the tree is only awaiting chaining the stand on.
From: Catscratch
29-Feb-24
Used to climb trees and sit on a limb. If no hand-holds I hammered in some nails. Then moved to hang-ons. Now it's either a ladder stand or from the ground.
From: midwest
29-Feb-24
Can climb just as good as 40 years ago. Height is determined by available cover and shooting lanes.
From: Mint
29-Feb-24
I'm 62 and still love hunting from tree stands or saddle. I'm always attached so feel safe. When I can I use a lifeline but otherwise use linesman belt in conjunction with harness strap while climbing.
From: Salt
29-Feb-24
At age of 71, I still hunt from hang on stands. However I now use ladder sticks exclusively. Anyone wanting a good deal on screw in steps pm me
From: casekiska
29-Feb-24
79 yo, and now hunt from homemade ladder stands. I used to hunt from ground blinds constructed from available vegetation and sticks, then went to climbing tree stands about 1974 and about 1995 went exclusively to ladderstands. Now considering going back to ground blinds,...balance issues beginning to develop.
From: KHNC
29-Feb-24
Im 54, still hunt from a saddle, a lock on and climbers.
But, I also have a motocross track in my backyard and ride a YZ250f over triple jumps.
From: steve
29-Feb-24
73 here , most of my standards are 15/18 ft ladder stands . but I did take 1 of 2 nice bucks out of a 20 ft hang on this year with climbing sticks. .
From: Bowboy
29-Feb-24
I’m 63 and like to be 15-20ft off the ground when possible. I also use screw in steps and ladder sticks. I always wear a safety harness.
From: Zbone
29-Feb-24
Last time I was in a tree was November 2021 at age 62... I fell out of a tree when I modified a treestand that broke around November 2014 or 2015... Don't remember the exact year but do remember the date of November 5th, because it was peak rut and landed on my head and shoulders and was all busted up and was pizzed I couldn't bowhunt the rest of the month... Was in my mid-fifties at the time and took a long time to heal... Matter of fact my shoulder still isn't right... Had a 43-year career in communications and climbed hundreds of telephone poles with hooks and belt and never fell, but have fallen out of tree stands... Go figure...
Have gained too much weight since so now I'm a ground hide kind of guy, although I probably will still get in a low hanging stand if the tree and stand are right, but none of those daredevil stuff I used to...
From: VAMtns
29-Feb-24
Born in 55 and climbed some this year , old screw in steps and hang on stands ,tree's had grown and covered half the steps, all stands up about 25ft up , no harness and got scared . Bought a harness but it's still in the box ,use it next year for sure
From: Mhg825
29-Feb-24
54 and still going but with smarter decisions. Thinking back on too many sketchy stands .
From: 12yards
29-Feb-24
I'm a hang on hunt hunter at 61. I use a LW Alpha and 3 or 4 LW 32" sticks. I feel very safe climbing this way still. Usually gets me up 14-18 feet. I will continue to exercise and keep weight off my body so I maintain the agility to hunt like this. I despise ladder stands as my experience is they are noisy as heck.
From: Dale06
29-Feb-24
I just turned 73, I use lots of hang on stands and some ground blinds. And just bought two latter stands. I don’t leave the ground though with out a harness and safety line. And I don’t consider myself an old timer, but you can if you like.
From: bentstick54
29-Feb-24
Going on 70 and still hunting out of hang on stands. Anywhere from 10’ to 16’ is my normal height depending on location and cover. I hunt with selfbows and like my shots as close as I can get them, most measured in feet instead of yards, so like to keep shot angle low. Have gone to using climbing sticks and definitely feel safer getting into and out of stands. Also converted to using a safety harness.
From: KHNC
29-Feb-24
Oh yeah Timex, you got that right! I had plenty of injuries through the 90's when i was racing. Didnt have an MX from 2002 til Jan 2023. Decided to get one again and build track at the house again too. I dont plan to race again. But i still love to ride the track.
From: dnovo
29-Feb-24
68 here and still use some hang on stands with strap on steps like Rapid Rails or similar. I have gone to some ladder stands on my property but still hang 3 or 4 stands every year yet. I prefer 14-16 foot depending on terrain.
From: IdyllwildArcher
29-Feb-24
It's more dangerous for a 50 year old who is 100 lbs overweight to get 20 feet up in a tree than it is for a 70 year old who is at his ideal body weight.
For all of you 300+ pounders out there, consider this as you age. Also, take a look around and and see how well the 300+ pound crowd is represented in the 80+ year old demographic.
From: scndwfstlhntng
29-Feb-24
Approaching 72, and spent at least 3x/wk x 6months in the trees this season. I find 12-14 ft good for the shot angle. Did have to quit early to have a hernia fixed this season though
From: scentman
29-Feb-24
15 - 18 ft. ladder stands are my go to perch, I would like to purchase a redneck or something in that area of box blind next season. scentman
From: Mpdh
29-Feb-24
Next season I will be 72. I use hang ons, ladder stands, a climber and a saddle. No more screw in steps though. It’s either a ladder or sticks to get up the tree, unless I’m using my climber.
From: ahawkeye
29-Feb-24
Not as old as most here, 47 and still climb. Love hang on set ups, walk in put my harness on, clip my harness to a lifeline, climb up and hunt. Works pretty well.
From: ahunter55
29-Feb-24
I'm 82 & have used 15 foot ladder stands since I was in my 40s. I have arrowed at least 100 Whitetails & a Dz wild hogs from that height. Never a problem. My adult daughter bowhunts some & is afraid of getting 15 foot even in a ladder. I have a Double ladder, 12 foot that we've arrowed several Whitetails from. No problems either.
From: keepemsharp
29-Feb-24
80 this year, my 54th bow season, don't trust my balance so only hunt ladder stands or from the ground.
From: Woody
29-Feb-24
76 y/o and hunt from hang on's, climbers and a saddle. My sticks get me to 12 or 12 feet. Climber I'll go higher. 6 feet tall, 197 pounds and exercise daily.
From: jjs
29-Feb-24
72 been on the ground since 91, had both knees replaced in the last 2 yrs after having 7 knee ops, made a better hunter but no doubt have let some big boys walk due to the restrictions but all is good.
From: jjs
29-Feb-24
72 been on the ground since 91, had both knees replaced in the last 2 yrs after having 7 knee ops, made a better hunter but no doubt have let some big boys walk due to the restrictions but all is good.
From: jjs
29-Feb-24
72 been on the ground since 91, had both knees replaced in the last 2 yrs after having 7 knee ops, made a better hunter but no doubt have let some big boys walk due to the restrictions but all is good.
From: fuzzy
29-Feb-24
Never been afraid of heights. Still hunt from a ladder stand occasionally. Mostly setting stands isn't worth the strain on my old joints
From: Jebediah
29-Feb-24
My understanding is that when hunting from an elevated position became more common, the common height was about 8 feet.
From: Jebediah
29-Feb-24
Probably don’t quite qualify as an old-timer. However, I have horrible balance. Have found that the saddle is a godsend—almost totally takes balance out of the equation.
From: Gileguy
29-Feb-24
I'm uncomfortable in the ladder stands I own, can't get your back tight to the tree while standing up. I have hang ons with sticks in a few proven spots but lone wolf climber is my go to stand. I like my feet about 20' up unless I'm tucked close to balsam or pine. 69 this year, my wife worries but I tell her I'm like a big cat:)
From: BC
29-Feb-24
I'm still hunting at 20' but now I use lifelines on all my setups. I'm more cautious than I was in those wild years so long ago. Back the we didn't even use a belt or harness...crazy. Thought we were bulletproof.
From: Kingntuff
29-Feb-24
Chit im going on 40yrs old. I much prefer being on the ground. If need be ill climb up a blow down. If and ever a person could create a the best climber built in the usa. I might go to 16 foot max. Shot placement gets really crazy. The highs the lows!
From: ILbowhntr
29-Feb-24
Be 63 this year and still use my LW hand climber. Changed the way I go up and down, use a tether from the ground up now. Haven’t had any issues in 40 years, since I left that POS Baker in Mississippi.
From: Two Feathers
29-Feb-24
I'm 77 and about 70% of the time I'm in a tree and 30% on the ground. I use ladder stands, hang ons and 2 climbers - my Lone Wolf and my Tree Lounge. How high I go depends on my background cover. I use the Lone Wolf more for bow hunting and the Tree Lounge more for gun hunting.
From: fisherick
29-Feb-24
Will turn 71 this month, and use two ladder stands, 4-5 hang-on stands with sticks, strap on steps or screw in steps. I am always harnessed in on a life line from the ground up. Just don't like climbing stands.
From: TREESTANDWOLF
29-Feb-24
I like to mix it up. Tree stands are fine, but I believe it tends to put forth a mindset that you hope they come by.
On the ground, a bit more mobile, keeps them and me guessing.
Climbing is IMO the same a being on the ground mobile.
It has its advantages .
From: WV Mountaineer
29-Feb-24
I’m a baby in comparison. Many of you are older than my dad at 70. I commend you all for the commitment it took on your part and, the health you were given by the Lord above, to be in the position you are. Heck yeah gentlemen. That fires me up!!!
Congrats to you all!!
From: TREESTANDWOLF
29-Feb-24
I like to mix it up. Tree stands are fine, but I believe it tends to put forth a mindset that you hope they come by.
On the ground, a bit more mobile, keeps them and me guessing.
Climbing is IMO the same a being on the ground mobile.
It has its advantages .
From: cnelk
29-Feb-24
I don’t consider myself an Old Timer quite yet (60). I still climb up some of my tree stands. I prefer sticks. I have an XOP climber that I also use on occasion.
I will say though, just over a month ago I fell off a ladder. About 10’ up. The ladder slipped on the frozen ground. Fractured my sacrum and got a concussion.
Definitely always use caution when climbing.
From: buckeye
29-Feb-24
I'm only 43 so I got like another 50 years or so...lol.. I used to hunt high ,20' plus, cuz that's how dad did it... but the shot angle sucks in my opinion , so now I hunt anywhere from 6 to 15' . Whatever the cover and situation dictates . it works.
From: 2Wild Bill
29-Feb-24
75 and lovin my climber.
From: btnbuck
29-Feb-24
I get way up in my API climber if I need to. I'm very comfortable in that stand. I also use hang on's with ladder sticks in some of my more frequented places(I usually use 6 sticks to get where I want to be depending on cover or lack of it) and always use a lifeline.
I bought a ladder stand this year but never put it together. My buddy has the same one and it seems pretty comfortable.
I'll sit on the ground from time to time but I really cant stand a blind. Seems like I'm just not enjoying my surroundings tucked in a little box. To each their own.
From: jjs
29-Feb-24
After multiples knee surgeries and finally double replacements I've been staying on the ground 95% since 91. Admit it no doubt saved some wall hangers but made hunting more interesting and satisfying when it all comes together, I to do not like a tent blind.
From: loprofile
29-Feb-24
72 and go to stands are hang ons with ladder sticks but still use a climber from time to time and this year have been trying a saddle. I do use lifelines on all of my hang ons.
From: Ursman
01-Mar-24
Been treestand hunting for 63 years. First stand l used was a Polar. At 84 l still enjoy being up above the game, about 15 to 25 feet.
From: Ursman
01-Mar-24
Been treestand hunting for 63 years. First stand l used was a Polar. At 84 l still enjoy being up above the game, about 15 to 25 feet.
From: Stringwacker
01-Mar-24
I'm 66 and probably used a climber 30 times last year. I also use some hanging sets each year but have changed almost all my sets to use the Rapid Rail system. I like my foot to be enclosed within a step)
I also usually have 10 to 15 ladders I move around.
From: Kanati
01-Mar-24
64. Summit open shot
From: Lewis
01-Mar-24
77 and after knee replacement and then I dislocated it and had to have another surgery I just don’t have the balance or leg strength I used to have I will use one of our ladder stands occasionally and I use our ground blinds.All these birthdays create some issues.Good luck and stay safe Lewis
From: Jaquomo
01-Mar-24
I do occasionally but prefer to hunt on the ground. The problem with a lifeline is that you first have to climb the tree without one to attach it, then eventually have to climb down without it to move.
Fell once during the latter process and am lucky to be walking. I've never fallen out of a ground blind....
From: stagetek
01-Mar-24
I'm still doing high steel rigging at 75' - 100+' at 71. Climbing into a 18' high tree stand is no issue what-so-ever.
From: RonP
01-Mar-24
wow, some of you are not letting the old man in and keeping after it. what an inspiration.
i do not do a lot of stand hunting anymore, when i do i use a ladder stand.
From: TGbow
01-Mar-24
I hunt on the ground..occasionally I hunt from a tree stand..I'm thankful I can still climb if I want to
From: btnbuck
01-Mar-24
Jaq. Don't or didn't you use a line mans rope around the tree when setting up and taking down the stand? I know with trees that have branches on them that you have to take it off temporarily to go around them.
Glad you weren't seriously/permanently hurt.
From: hunterjoe
01-Mar-24
At 59.5 age is not yet a determining factor in how I tree stand hunt. Just retired and plan on putting some extra work on setting up stands this year!
From: Dale06
01-Mar-24
Jaquomo, I’m sure you know, but wear a linesman belt when climbing to install and remove the lifeline. I was installing a hang on about 15 years ago, in the boonies and it was very cold. Nobody knew where I was. I had a linesman belt on and fell from about 20’. I was slammed into the tree trunk, but fell only 2-3 feet. I did have some chest bruises. Had I not been wearing that linesman belt I’m sure I’d have been seriously injured or worse.
From: RutnStrut
01-Mar-24
I'm 52 and still climb great. Hell I hang stands for my 23 year old son and some younger hunting buddies. I do like a good ladder stand for all day sits though. Have resisted box blinds on my land until this year. I will be putting in two.
From: huntr4477
02-Mar-24
I'll be 67 next season. I used a lot of hang-on stands in my younger days. Nowadays I just use my Summit Viper. I carry it in and out every day during the season, and usually hunt 18-20 ft up.
From: Ricky The Cabel Guy
02-Mar-24
never liked hang on stands....just too small. 98% of the time i use ladder stands from 12-15 feet. i have 6 of them set up on my property. i will use a climber on occasion but prefer not to.
From: Papadeerhtr
02-Mar-24
I'm 63 and use my summit climber 95 percent of the time. Like ground hunting to buy climber is favorite.
From: Olde style
02-Mar-24
68 years young and I am the opposite as I hunted most of my life from the ground until my son started with tree stands and compound bows.I tried them a couple of times ( both ) but never could get comfortable with either.I have been blessed with my land and areas where the deer aren’t so spooky by people in the woods.I do my management part during the off season and I shoot plenty of deer.Again I have been blessed
From: Basil
02-Mar-24
In my 63rd year. Use mostly hang ons. Really prefer my climber but very few straight trees around here to use it. Adding a few more ladders every year. Been dabbling with a saddle but haven’t hunted out of it yet. Wish I had one years ago. Too stuck in my ways I guess. Hang & hunt is not as easy as it used to be.
From: air leak
02-Mar-24
I'm 67 and in good shape.
I use ladders 90 percent of the time. Each one is 12 feet to the platform.
I also use my Viper, and climb to 12-14 feet max.
Better shot angle.
From: Shoeminator42
02-Mar-24
Still do, ladder stands, steps and hang ons, and a summit mini viper. Glad i still can!!
From: BOHUNTER09
02-Mar-24
I’m 72 years. 13 ladder stands 15-20 feet
From: Bobbinhood
02-Mar-24
At 75 yrs. old, I'm still climbing trees! I've gone from climbing sticks to ladder stands! Easier and work just as well!
From: drycreek
02-Mar-24
Never used a hang on in my life, too big and clumsy for them, but used climbers for years. “Graduated” to ladder stands and quit them 6/7 years ago. I don’t bounce so good anymore !
