I’ve been hunting with climbing spikes for a couple years and love them. I repel out of the tree so I don’t have to worry about dropping my spurs. Food for thought!
I am 74 years old and do not use tree spikes anymore. But when I did use them for climbing I did not use the Lemans belt while I climbed I only used it when I hung my lock on stand. When using tree spurs You don’t have to walk around the woods looking for that perfect tree if you find good deer sign just climb in a tree when the wind is right.
Thanks for the video. Great to have another tool. Climb up to set a paracord loop and rappel down after that, then climb SRT . I could see using them gently and slowly.
Using the spikes are so efficient and quiet...so much faster than any other climbing method...Jared does make it look super easy putting the spikes back on while up in the tree...hes young and has 4 ft arms and 6 ft legs...and no belly or heavy clothing...I rappel down so I dont put them back on up in the tree...plus rappelling is fun...awesome job awesome vid !...you guys rule...
I climb trees for a living. When I hunt, I’ll be in a climbing stand or lock-on. I’m not sitting in a saddle to hunt after sitting in one all week. And spikes damage trees, no matter what anyone tells you. It’s just a matter of whether or not you care.
I've been climbing this way since 1986 and I'm still climbing the same trees. Only thing that has changed is that the trees have gotten bigger (and so have I.)
love this, it just proves even more that the snow flakes saying " you cant spike a tree unless its getting removed" is total bull LOL sure its not healthy for the tree but its not gonna go punk. awesome comment.
I'm an arborist and the issue is the spike holes may insects and diseases to enter. The outside of the tree is where are the nutrients is flowing up-and-down through the roots and canopy. In the industry it is frowned upon. But if you're not doing it the Trees close to houses or prize trees okay I guess. Just don't tell an arborist. Spike holes may be an issue on trees that are dying. Also please be careful with slip outs and please have a good way to get out of a tree fast in case of emergency. Figure eights are good for this. I would use my spikes but they are way too loud. But I have no problem spending eight hours in them.
alexp703 I am too, but if you hunted, youd realize how non invasive this method is compared to using climbing treestands, which the vast majority of every day hunters use. Climbing treestands poke several hundred holes in the cambium layer per climb up and down. There’s 10-20 teeth per each section on the treestands, so one step up with the top and bottom peice will put anywhere from 10-40 holes in the cambium layer. Then at an average of 20 ft per climb, that could be hundreds of holes in a tree compared to 20 or less in most cases using spurs
Funny how I've come full circle on hunting. I was a lineman 35 years ago, used spikes and my linesman belt for several years. Then went with a Lonewolf climber for 20+ years, and now saddle hunting and using spikes again where I can.
M Kaz I'm an arborist and I once saw someone learn the hard way not to use tree spikes on a pole. I had to pull out a 2inch shank of wood out of his hand which made me queasy.
@@alsnipe I’m an arborist as well I definitely have had my share of my spikes kicking out but I climb in a treemotion saddle and I set lines since I’m an SRT guy lol but if it’s just a pine or something no rigging I just spike up blow the limbs and blow the top but I have used my spikes in my lone wolf lock on, but the Velcro on my gekos is loud when you take them off 😅be safe climbing bro!
Nicely done. Just ordered a saddle & based on your presentation... I will be adding a set of spikes to my arsenal. So, glad you addressed, “What if you drop your spikes”?
Great Video, can you please show a close up or give a description of how you have your bridge attached to your Kestrel and how you have it tied out of the way when it's not being used
I’m a saddle hunter and a climbing stand hunter who hunts a lot of public land and I agree that climbers cause as much or more damage to trees. Good point. I use a climber in the cold months when I have on heavy clothes. God made the trees for us, so don’t be so apologetic. I’d already have a pair of spurs if I had access to good private land. Great video!
I've been hunting with spikes for over 20 years, I love them but I really like the modifications you've done with the quick release buckles, I would love to see them up close to exactly how you did that.
Do not use those buckles! They are not rated for your body weight abd you move around in those spikes so much you will break those plastic clips, they came with velcro and leather buckles for a reason, it has to support your weight
@@TheCrusher2468there’s no weight loaded on the clips. The clips/ velcro are primarily to secure the shank to your leg. the weight bearing is distributed through the bottom potion of the shank
Hack berry trees In the south are notoriously risky to climb like your maple comparison except the grain cork screws and slippery thin bark and extremely hard. Only thing that ever worked well at the time were those summit stands That had the D loops on the back.
This video convinced me to get some spurs. I have been hunting in them this season but taking them on/off as they came from are a pain. What webbing and buckles do you recommend?
As a certified arborist I climb on spurs nearly every day, but only on dead or dying trees identified for removal. They should not be used on live trees as they open up wounds for pests and diseases to enter otherwise healthy trees.
As a lineman spurs are the best for the run and gun setup. I climb alot of dead trees in swamps that climbers and climbing sticks have alot of trouble gripping into since then I use spikes in dead trees with no bark. I know some will say it's very unsafe to climb dead wood but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. For public land use..... use at your own risk in states that don't allow it. I know my summit climber rips the hell out of trees where I usually have inner wood exposed so make your own call and don't judge to hard
Did you make that lineman's belt yourself? The one I have is the flat strap version which really sucks constantly rolling up on itself which makes it harder to adjust. And can you use a normal harness 2 saddle hunt or do you have to have a certain harness?
Bill Armstrong you can use most 11mm and even smaller climbing rope for a linemans rope. I use a Ropeman1 ascender to adjust it. They are much easier to adjust than a rope with a Prussic knot. The strap belt is harder to advance up the tree for sure. There are several options for a saddle, check out g2outdoors and DIYsportsman they have some great videos on different saddles.
Thanks for this video man! I noticed your running a similar boot to what I use (Zamberlan Guide) do you have any issues with rubbing from the pad on your legs with those boots or do you typically where a knee high rubber for hunting? Thanks!
Sitka Gear Fanatic I typically run boots like these (don’t care for rubber boots much) and don’t have any issues with the pads rubbing. I climbed yesterday wearing shorts and regular shoes with no issues. Not the most comfortable but for the short amount of time on them it was ok. Lol
I see all the videos using hiking boots with the tree spurs, but how well do tree spurs work with knee high hunting boots? Where I hunt you usually have some water to walk through. Any advice on using them with knee high rubber boots?
it's the excessive sweating that gets me as it never gets cool until about December. I setup a double snap system so that the spurs are either connected to my belt or the tree so i cna't drop em
Grizz Friction Wood calls I’m using a new set of spikes this year and have been using the short pole spikes. I like those a lot better! Much easier to climb with them and they work better for the trees I hunt
Ok good I'm new to the saddle hunting and spurs. Getting older and need lighter gear. I picked up a couple pair of spikes. Ordered a sit drag and my lock on climber totin days are over. Happy Huntin! .
Richard Fowler I have two ropes that are identical. When I have a tree with branches I will hook both up to my saddle before I climb. When I hit a limb I throw the second line above the limb and unhook the first. I try to climb trees with a good amount of limbs as well just to stay hidden.
It's Range I actually use pole spikes myself and have no issues with them. They are actually easier to use on most hardwood trees. Just be careful if you have trees with big thick bark then you may want to consider tree spikes
I started using spikes at 16 (30 years ago) and actually thought it was normal. I stopped along the way and bought a new pair last season and it was like riding a bike. However, I HATE the straps that mine have. How did you modify the straps and can you provide guidance? Thanks!
Same in Arkansas. When I hunt public, I use climbing sticks. When I use private, I will use them occasionally. They are no longer my 'go to', but I agree with the concept.
Quick question on those quick connect buckles, obviously they held you in the video but is there a weight rating on them? If so can you share which ones you got thanks
I now have a new set of spikes and have switched things up a bit. I am now using a Sea To Summit compression strap on the bottom with an aluminum open hook buckle. That buckle is rated at over 220lbs which is more than enough for the bottom. That strap/buckle setup is super light and makes zero noise. The top I am using a 1.5" plastic quick release buckle. I'm not sure of the weight rating on that but I tested it with my full body weight and it held just fine. I would recommend the ITW Nexus buckles. eBay or mil surplus stores usually have them.
Thats a great video!! Years ago a company came out with climbing spikes that were made for hunting. They only had straps that wrapped around the ankle, nothing around the upper leg. I bought a pair. The spike was too long, no bar going up the leg for support. It was a bad product...needless to say that was the beginning/ending of me using spikes. This video has peaked my interest in climbing spikes again... .
Would it be possible to post a video of how you would climb a more "realistic"/ irregular tree? I think a climbing stand may be the best option for the tree shown,
What kind of spikes are you using big guy? They’re legal on public land in both states that I hunt. Seriously considering a purchase. Just wanna make a good one though.
DixieCrat94 Depends on the tree type but I will say that I like the shorter pole spikes a lot better after using them for two full seasons. They just feel more secure to me with my feet closer to the tree. If you have a lot of thick bark trees like cottonwood or pines I’d use tree spikes. For hardwoods pole spikes work better
For all you guys worried about the trees, every set of climbing sticks I have owned have left 4 spots on the tree where the bark was peeled off. That's the same as spurs would do climbing up and down a tree. If your not peeling any bark, you dont have a good purchase on the tree.
Like Alexp703, I'm an arborist. In my work, I only use my hooks on trees we're going to remove. You're really doing some serious damage to most trees when you spike them. A much better alternative that I use while hunting (and working) is climbing SRT using a climbing line and ascenders. It's quiet, fast and does not harm the tree. Plenty of SRT vids out there.
Hoping this doesn't happen but what is the backup plan if for whatever reason you bump or accidently knock off your spikes? What is your options to get down?
