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Climber vs Portable

deadeye

deadeye

Active Member
Looking for input here:

I have a climber and have not used it much. We mainly hunt a 50 acre patch of a big timber along river bottoms. Having only 50 acres to range it always seems easier to sneak in along a beaten trail and hop into a portable.

I have always worried that our stands get overhunted. Would it be better to hunt in a portable that you just hop in - leaving scent in the same spot to get patterned, but easy. Or would it be better to hunt here and there with the climber - leaving scent all over the whole 50 acres?

Portable you just climb in vs the climber - finding the right tree, assembling it, and climbing the tree.

ANY INPUT???
 
Deadeye,
I used to think that guys were crazy to drag a climber in with them every day, until last year when I bought one myself. I haven't had a problem finding a tree yet to put my climber in. Carry a small pair of pruning shears, and you'd be suprised just how many trees there are available to you. Use your climber enough, and you can be up in most trees in less than five minutes. I like having the option to change stand locations any time I want, especially during the rut. As far as leaving your scent around, hunt one place to much and it won't matter if you're in a portable or a climber. Probably the best thing to do is to make sure you're saving your best spots for the rut and not hunting them in the early season. Hope this helps you out a little.
CRITRGITR
 
I've thought of trying a climber for the same reason. I hunt a small tract of land just outside of town and wonder if I'm over hunting my stands. It's tough to find new spots in a small area. It would be handy at times to be able to make quick adjustments.
 
I use a climber on numerous occations throughout the season. I have my regular stands setup but when I notice a travel pattern I did not anticipate with portable hangons, I quickly revert to the climber. It has paid off with more than one mature deer. The only recommendation I have with climbers is become very proficient and quiet climbing with it and setting up. Those can be costly mistakes.

One other point, if your area is relativly devoid of straight trees to use a climber and I am aware of it ahead of time, I will take in a regular hang-on stand along with 3-4 Gorilla climbing sticks. With those, I can climb nearly any narly tree quietly and as fast as using my climber. Weight difference to me is negligible.
 
I GOT A CLIMBER LAST YEAR. IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS I MADE. BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE NO MATER HOW MANY STANDS YOU PUT UP YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT YOU DIDNT SEE WHEN YOU WHERE PUTTING UP YOUR PORTABLES. AND SHREDDERS RIGHT YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE SETTING IT UP AND CLIMBING WITH IT TO CUT DOWN ON THE NOISE.
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Hear being as quiet as possible. That is probably why it takes me so long to set it up.
One thing I have noticed is you can't lean back flat against the tree as well as out of a portable. I feel like I am going to get skylined. That and without screwing in a bow holder to the tree I can't have an arrow on the string. The bow lays across the climber part in front of me and seems like it is in the way. With the portables we use really nice bow holders. Miss that option.
 
WHAT KIND OF CLIMBER DO YOU HAVE? I USE A SUMMIT GOLIATH AND I MADE POCKETS THAT I HANG OVER THE SIDE TO PUT MY GEAR IN AND I HAVE HUNG MY BOW FROM A BRANCH OR SCREWED IN A HOOK
 
A couple of years ago I was sitting in my treestand and noticed that a lot of deer seemed to travel through the same area across the field from me. The next afternoon I went over there with my climber. I was a little disappointed because the only tree in the area that I wanted to be in had a large fork in it fairly low to the ground. I went up anyway and found that the highest I could get the standing platform of the stand to be was a bout 8 ft. I usually like to be between 15 and 20ft. I stayed anyway and had 4 bucks walk right underneath me. I shot a 120 class 8 point that afternoon. Lucky they didn't see me? Sure! But at least with my climber I could get into that area quickly and fairly quietly.

I like climbers.
 
I have a Baby Grand. Actually it is my old man's, but he really doesn't like to lug it around that often. Seems like branches are never at the right height to be of any use. I have little bow holder hooks, but try not to use them unless I have to. I usually take a fanny pack with my gear and clip that over the stand once I get setup. Saddlebags for a climber is a good idea though...hmmmm...

THANKS
 
i like the option of the climber, but you already knew that deadeye!!
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by the way, you have the API grandslam climber i believe. the baby grand is one of API's fixed/portable stands i am pretty sure.
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I have the Summit Goliath as well. I bought it last year I have used a lot of tree stands but the Goliath by far beats them all with comfort and safty. It packs nice and is not noisey to walk with, and it is easy to climb without making noise, and when you get to the desired height just rock back and forth and it locks into the tree and you can stand up freely without the top section falling back down. Makes hunting all day during the rut a blast just be carful not to fall asleep it is much like a lazy boy when adjusted to your likeing.
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I look at climbers as just another tool you should have to be complete. Certain situations dictate how you should hunt and having a climber in your possesion might be the key. I don't find myself using mine a-lot, but when I come across certain situations I'm sure glad I own one. Personnally I find it hard to get climbers into those perfect setups. Climbers are limited to trees of certain sizes and straightness, so they are not near as versitile as a-lot of people think. My opinion is, find the perfect spot and then use one of a variety of stand designs to get into that spot.

I like to use Non Typical "Rapid Rails" ladders and a Screaming Eagle "Eaglet" stand for mobility when a climber just won't fit.

My climber is a Summit Bushmaster. It has been enjoyable to use.
 
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