|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Aug 19, 2017 21:46:29 GMT -5
Public land. Can't use anything that penetrates a tree more than 1/2". Don't want to carry in a ladder. Don't want to use a climber. Any alternatives easy to carry in?
|
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 19, 2017 22:37:29 GMT -5
Tie on steps.
One easy alternative I think about any one could make is get a 4x4 post. Cut it in to 4x4 cubes. Drill a hole all the way through half way between the center and one corner. Get some 3/8 polypro rope and cut about 6 foot lengths. Push it through the hole on each block. Use a torch to melt the ends of the rope so it doesn't separate all the time. Tie a bowline knot on one end with a loop about the size of your fist.
With all your blocks set up like this you can grab a fist full of steps and carry them easy. Or tie the ends and put your head through to carry them all hands free.
Putting them up on the tree. The first 3 or four are easy, you can do them standing on the ground, but it's good to practice for "up the tree".
Grab the tag end, the end with no knot, and swing the end with the block and the loop around the tree and catch it.
Put the tag end through the loop and pull it up tight. It's good if you are on the side opposite of where you want the step. If so just slip the tightened rope around the tree with the tag end still in your right hand and pulled tight so the step is pulled tight up against the tree.
Now holding that tight, grab the line on the tag end in the middle between your right hand and the bowline and just start pushing it under the tight loop around the tree wrapping it around and around 3 or 4 times around the line holding the step on the tree.
Now you should be able to just let go of the tag end and the block should be tight against the tree a couple feet off the ground. I hear you calling BULL ... Step on it a few times. It will sag a little and the rope will actually tighten on the tree from being pulled at an angle.
If you are looking at the rope it should look like you could just pull on it at the tag end and it will all come loose. If that makes you nervous just wrap it a couple times so you can't. It's called a plumber's hitch or pipe knot.
I've tied those with that exact set up ten steps up a tree and then hung a home made wood hang on stand with out even a safety belt in my younger days. Carried enough steps and three tree stands in and out plus a gun many times and not just "in and out of sight" either.
|
|
|
|
Post by firstwd on Aug 20, 2017 6:19:44 GMT -5
They do sell pull strap or ratchet strap steps. They've been around for years because of this very reason.
|
|
|
|
Post by beermaker on Aug 20, 2017 6:58:27 GMT -5
They do sell pull strap or ratchet strap steps. They've been around for years because of this very reason. The technology may have improved by now, but I bought a set of these many years ago and just did not trust them. |
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Aug 20, 2017 7:44:04 GMT -5
I've not seen strap on steps for a few years now, but they may still be available. I have used these sectioned climbing sticks in the past and they worked well. You need to practice with them before heading into the woods, but they aren't too tough to get the hang of. www.lonewolfhuntingproducts.com/shop/climbing-sticks.aspxThere are several different brands out there too... |
|
|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Aug 20, 2017 9:20:03 GMT -5
Tie on steps. One easy alternative I thing about any one could make is get a 4x4 post. Cut it in to 4x4 cubes. Drill a hole all the way through half way between the center and one corner. Get some 3/8 polypro rope and cut about 6 foot lengths. Push it through the hole on each block. Use a torch to melt the ends of the rope so it doesn't separate all the time. Tie a bowline knot on one end with a loop about the size of your fist. With all your blocks set up like this you can grab a fist full of steps and carry them easy. Or tie the ends and put your head through to carry them all hands free. Putting them up on the tree. The first 3 or four are easy, you can do them standing on the ground, but it's good to practice for "up the tree". Grab the tag end, the end with no knot, and swing the end with the block and the loop around the tree and catch it. Put the tag end through the loop and pull it up tight. It's good if you are on the side opposite of where you want the step. If so just slip the tightened rope around the tree with the tag end still in your right hand and pulled tight so the step is pulled tight up against the tree. Now holding that tight, grab the line on the tag end in the middle between your right hand and the bowline and just start pushing it under the tight loop around the tree wrapping it around and around 3 or 4 times around the line holding the step on the tree. Now you should be able to just let go of the tag end and the block should be tight against the tree a couple feet off the ground. I hear you calling BULL ... Step on it a few times. It will sag a little and the rope will actually tighten on the tree from being pulled at an angle. If you are looking at the rope it should look like you could just pull on it at the tag end and it will all come loose. If that makes you nervous just wrap it a couple times so you can't. It's called a plumber's hitch or pipe knot. I've tied those with that exact set up ten steps up a tree and then hung a home made wood hang on stand with out even a safety belt in my younger days. Carried enough steps and three tree stands in and out plus a gun many times and not just "in and out of sight" either. I'd be willing to try this! The only thing I have a little trouble understanding is the securing it to the tree part. A video would be a big help! |
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Aug 20, 2017 10:54:08 GMT -5
Strap on climbing sticks. They have 4-5 steps per each stick.
|
|
|
|
Post by deadeer on Aug 20, 2017 11:18:51 GMT -5
Strap on climbing sticks. They have 4-5 steps per each stick. We used these for years when all we had were hang in stands. They work good. We made our own out of 3/4" conduit. Single pole, 5-6' long, alternating steps on each side. Post at 90deg toward tree, two pieces rebar slipped into post at angles and welded to form a vee. Add as many extensions to go as high as you want. Solid and secure enough for this 300+# to go up and down. Now that age is showing face, its ladder stands or bust anymore. |
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Aug 20, 2017 12:08:08 GMT -5
I bought a fat boy climber, but never used it. The wife was very much against it, so I gave it to a poor skinny fella.
I probably won't hunt anymore park reduction hunts, but will take my 15' ladder stand with me to Big Oaks. I can put this up by myself in short time and leave it up on the two day hunts. I won't have to drag it very far, and might just get someone to help me.
|
|
|
|
Post by nfalls116 on Aug 20, 2017 12:17:45 GMT -5
Ummm hunt from the ground?
|
|
|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Aug 20, 2017 12:30:36 GMT -5
Ummm hunt from the ground? I love the suggestion. Way to think outside the box! I hadn't even considered that |
|
|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Aug 20, 2017 12:50:16 GMT -5
Ummm hunt from the ground? I love the suggestion. Way to think outside the box! I hadn't even considered that Might want to leave the bow at home if hunting from the ground, just too much movement involved. Sure, it can be done, a huge challenge, but an even greater reward. |
|
|
|
Post by schall53 on Aug 20, 2017 13:31:12 GMT -5
Ummm hunt from the ground? Better check with the park you are hunting in. I know Potato Creek you have to be elevated to hunt. |
|
|
|
Post by nfalls116 on Aug 20, 2017 14:00:57 GMT -5
Ummm hunt from the ground? Better check with the park you are hunting in. I know Potato Creek you have to be elevated to hunt. Valid point I had just assumed it was merely hunting in public land and not park hunt. |
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 20, 2017 14:51:38 GMT -5
Tie on steps. One easy alternative I thing about any one could make is get a 4x4 post. Cut it in to 4x4 cubes. Drill a hole all the way through half way between the center and one corner. Get some 3/8 polypro rope and cut about 6 foot lengths. Push it through the hole on each block. Use a torch to melt the ends of the rope so it doesn't separate all the time. Tie a bowline knot on one end with a loop about the size of your fist. With all your blocks set up like this you can grab a fist full of steps and carry them easy. Or tie the ends and put your head through to carry them all hands free. Putting them up on the tree. The first 3 or four are easy, you can do them standing on the ground, but it's good to practice for "up the tree". Grab the tag end, the end with no knot, and swing the end with the block and the loop around the tree and catch it. Put the tag end through the loop and pull it up tight. It's good if you are on the side opposite of where you want the step. If so just slip the tightened rope around the tree with the tag end still in your right hand and pulled tight so the step is pulled tight up against the tree. Now holding that tight, grab the line on the tag end in the middle between your right hand and the bowline and just start pushing it under the tight loop around the tree wrapping it around and around 3 or 4 times around the line holding the step on the tree. Now you should be able to just let go of the tag end and the block should be tight against the tree a couple feet off the ground. I hear you calling BULL ... Step on it a few times. It will sag a little and the rope will actually tighten on the tree from being pulled at an angle. If you are looking at the rope it should look like you could just pull on it at the tag end and it will all come loose. If that makes you nervous just wrap it a couple times so you can't. It's called a plumber's hitch or pipe knot. I've tied those with that exact set up ten steps up a tree and then hung a home made wood hang on stand with out even a safety belt in my younger days. Carried enough steps and three tree stands in and out plus a gun many times and not just "in and out of sight" either. I'd be willing to try this! The only thing I have a little trouble understanding is the securing it to the tree part. A video would be a big help! YEah, I'm not making any videos. If you really want to do it, just make ONE. Try it, figure it out. They you can't wait to make ten more. I made a couple of these at work just to show a guy guffawing over it. Tied them on a vertical 8 in water line and started up it. Never slipped an inch. I had a whole ten post or so how to posted on a couple hunting boards with pictures and everything. Most people today can't even tie their shoes. I don't think a single person ever made a one. But the people hunting in the public woods around me stole every thing I put up out there. Probably couldn't figure out how to use it after they stole it. I KNOW I have a few laying around there I made from steel angle and pipe instead of the wood block. If I run across one of those I'll hang it on a tree and take a picture. The wood blocks work just as good as the iron they are just a little more bulky. |
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 20, 2017 15:12:46 GMT -5
There is a walmart bag with 20 steps or so in it.  |
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 20, 2017 15:14:52 GMT -5
There is one step made of steel angle and pipe. If you can imagine a 4x4 wood block squared up on it, just drill a hole where you see the pipe on that step.  You will notice this has an improvement over just a plain bowline in the end for a loop. This knot allows for adjustment even after it's tied on. You can tighten it every time you clime the tree if you want just by pulling on that loose end you see there. You can tighten the thing until you can't hardly get it loose off the tree. Unless of course you use the other knot I told you about. To make that adjustable knot shown, you just twist the rope backwards against it's self until it makes three new loops out the side just sticking out. Put the end through there and pull the loop tight. It works kind of like Chinese finger cuffs. The harder you pull, the harder it holds. It's nice to have but the steps will work and work easy even if all the knots you can handle is the bowline you learned in Boy Scouts. |
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 20, 2017 15:26:32 GMT -5
Here is the step tied on a persimmon tree. You are seeing the step and the loop with the adjuster knot on this side of the tree. It's a pretty small tree but I've climbed smaller with these. It has only just been tied on. I have not pulled ANY THING at all in an attempt to really make it climbing tight yet. That is just how easy it is to get tied tight. Swing the step around the tree and grab it. Put the loose end through the loop and pull it tight like you are strangling the tree.  |
|
|
|
Post by jackryan on Aug 20, 2017 15:29:24 GMT -5
This is the knot you use to tie the rope to the tree. It just so happens on this tree, this time, it is on the back side of where I showed you the step. After you swing around, put the tag end through the loop, then pull the end like you are choking the tree, now how do I make it stay there? You can pull the end around the rope it's self 2 or 3 times between the rope and the bark. That's a pipe hitch. It's solid, like the other knot, the more you stand on it, the harder it holds. What you see here is the pipe knot "made slippery". Hold on to the end and pull the middle around between the rope and the bark a couple times. You will wind up with a tag end, and a loop hanging down. THAT WILL HOLD BY IT'S SELF. But if you are wearing your fancy panties that day, shove the tag end through the loop. Now it's impossible for it to unwind by it's self. When you want it off and it's all freezing and froze and grown in to the tree after a couple years of climbing it, just pull the tag end out of the loop and yank on it. It will unwind it's self and all come off the tree. If you need a knife or a hatchet to work or unwork a knot, you don't know knots or your knots are no good. These knots are good. I've bet my life on them many times and I'm still here.  IF you get on there and think "dang, that could stand to be just a hair tighter..." you can pull more through that knot on the step end of the rope to tighten it up. The rope don't have to be that big. I THINK that is half inch poly iron or something. I bought one full spool of rope that would work for all the jobs I wanted, so that's why it's on these. I used the cheap yellow junk polypropylene rope you see every where many times. It WORKS fine, it just looks like he... bad... I think. That is a good thing about knowing these knots, they work in that kind of cheap rope every employer is going to buy first. |
|
|
|
Post by thebellcompany on Aug 20, 2017 15:44:50 GMT -5
Great pics they explain a lot
|
|
