I have used them a few times for work related climbing and would never consider them in the woods.You have to drive the spikes into the pole (trunk). Rather noisy, and I could never really get comfortable with them. There are guys that use them a bunch more than me that may feel differently though.
Really? I climb poles for a living and I'm betting I could climb a tree and you wouldn't hear me from 20 yards away. Well, a soft bark/tree. But ya'll do have a point if your really thumping/spiking the tree. The first thing you have to consider is tree damage. Is that going to be legal where you are hunting? Carrying them is not an issue, strapping them to your pack or whatever will be light and simple enough. Strapping them on, simple enough and climbing (experienced climber) is simple and quick enough. The major issue here is tree damage. If you utilize the same tree, extreme tree damage. The key to safely climbing is keeping your butt and knees away from the tree/pole. Experiment at ground level. You'll quickly see that the closer you put your knee to the tree/pole, the quicker the gaff will cut loose. Thank about the angle of the gaff itself when your first trying it. We're taught NOT to strap off to the pole when climbing and if a gaff/hook give out to push away from the pole, yeah right. LOL Fortunately for me, it hasn't happened and I hope it never does. Trees are different however, they don't have the splinters that poles have and the gaffs are longer so make sure you don't buy spikes/gaffs made for poles. The ones for trees need to get through the bark and into the meat. Consider your trees too. __________________
It would only take one time to slip, fall to the base of your tree and impale your other leg. Besides being too loud, I believe that they are unsafe for bow hunting. They are for me anyway.
Pretty much my point.........someone (you) who does it for a living "probably" could..........everyone else with no where near that level of experience would most likely sound like a one man band and be at increased risk of danger. Neither of which are desired (by me anyways). The tree damage would be enough to keep me from doing it as well.
Like Rob said, if you're buying a set of climbing gaffs, make sure you buy the longer spikes to get through the bark and into the meat of the sapwood. I have a set of Buckingham tree spikes that I really like. Keep your checkbook handy, b/c a good set of buckingham's with a quality climbing belt... It ain't cheap. It takes a while to get the hang of things, and it's not an activity for a nervous individual. I use my climbing gear to hang all my stands, but it tears the hell out of a tree. Given the right scenario, I'd consider using them to get up there. They only weigh a couple pounds.
Tru dat! I actually (stupid me) climbed a tree with my pole gaffs, twice to rescue a cat for a guy, yeah a guy whose wife was a wreck. It was up for days but I did it and after the second time I said I'm bring the shotgun next time. Never asked again. Pole climbers are shorter than tree, like quik said, make sure they are tree climbers/gaffs and NOT pole. Also, boots are something to consider. If your on them for any length of time, make sure you have boots with steel shanks in the soles for support. Your feet will go numb in no time.
HCH, if a set of sticks weighs 8lbs... strapped to your back, how much weight are you actually saving? You aren't packing a stand, LW or Muddy sticks are extremely simple, safe, and quiet. IMO the additional 6lbs would be worth the advantages of sticks.
Somewhere in this whole discussion, there are a few "Pole Climbing" jokes, just ripe for the picking.
A buddy of mine used them alot about 10 yrs ago. He would go into the woods with a lightweight hangon he called a windwalker, his bow and his spikes. He hunted with them on and did not seem to bother him. He was pretty experienced but did make a misstep one time and put the gaff through his other boot as he was bracing to hang the stand and climb in. He sat up there for a couple of hours and on the way back to the truck after dark he said it was like walking on a sponge...I guess he had a fair amount of blood loss . He always wore good leather boots with steel shanks and a pretty tall fit. Whatever you do DON'T buy those so called "Sport Climbers". They are a joke IMO. Get the BEST you can find...your life/health depends on it. GOOD LUCK this season.
You don't think? Yeah, I'm a male stripper and I can do things on a brass pole that would make your women melt.
I tried the whole climbing spurs thing one year...it was much harder than I thought. I still have the spikes. I felt very unsafe and will not use them again.
I, nor my women want to see you do anything with any type of pole... And I thought all male strippers were gay. :D BTW, when you're in Gillette, check out "Bryan's Place" in Rozet (about 8 miles out of town) 1416 Highway 51 in Rozet, WY 82727
