I have this giant maple tree on my place. It sits right on the edge of a creek bed that I can walk in below grade so I don't get daylighted. This tree is right on the edge of a bedding area that I know one of the bucks I have on my hit list has been using. The problem is the base of this tree is literally more than 6 feet across. It goes up about 5 or 6 feet, then branches off to a more manageable diameter for ladder sticks. I'm thinking my only option is to use screw in steps on the base of the tree, then transition to laddersticks up the rest of the way. What do you guys do when climbing those big trees?
^^^ What he said. Use a ladder stand or at least a ladder you can tie securely to the tree to get up to a manageable point on the tree and then use your sticks to continue on. I used to use steps but broke on once and won't trust them anymore.
We use long ratchet straps for the base stick/ladders and then transition to the shorter once once becomes manageable.
Long ratchet straps are cheap at walmart. If you don't have a ladder stand, use the long ratchet straps for the sticks.
I do like the idea of the longer ratchet straps, hadn't considered that. I don't want to use a ladder stand because I feel like I will need to get higher than that in this tree. I'm going to want to get at least 20 feet, maybe a little higher.
Went up a HUGE oak this season and had to use ratchet straps on the 24 feet of ladder sticks due to it's size...I skipped the second ladder because honestly you'll notice with the ratchets you don't need as many straps those suckers freaking lock that ladder tight....now that is using the interlocking ladder stick type steps obviously.
Screw ins. I've used them for years and never had a problem. Keep yourself attached while putting them in via a linemans belt, and if your really concerned with climbing and one failing setup a rope w/ prussic hitch knot that goes from bottom to top and that way your attached at all times. Last thing I'd be doing is stumbling into a known buck bedding area at this time of year to setup a ladder stand or some other contraption.
I've never used it, but it sounds like the Treehopper Climbing system would be good for you in this specific tree. It's a bit/bolt climbing system. Use a power drill with the Treehopper bit and place the lag bolts in on your way up and take them out by hand on the way down. I've talked to several guys that use the system and seem to think highly of it.
