Just scored myself a Brand new summit Viper SS for $200
I have a couple of questions.
I know practice makes perfect but how long does it take to set up and climb up/down a tree?
About how high does one want to climb.
I will be using this for coyote hunting also so I want to plan my stands well.
:confused: At first I had to ask myself what a Summit Viper SS was......I mean yeah sounds like a tree stand but.
Now that I see what they are, which one did you get? Because Summit's site has several models listed, all for what appears to be less then $150 :shck:
It doesn't take too long with some practice.
I try to get about 20-30 ft high to keep your scent up.
I love stand hunting from my Tree Lounge. :biggrin:
I have had several different brands of tree stands over the years. The most comfortable one (you can actually sleep in it) was the Tree Lounge. It takes a little more time to set up but worth it I think. I usually hunt at least 20 feet off the ground. 30 feet is better especially while gun hunting.
Semp
Especially if you have the padded nest and steep angle pad. :eyebrow:
Quote from: FinsnFur on September 13, 2007, 09:03:15 PM
:confused: At first I had to ask myself what a Summit Viper SS was......I mean yeah sounds like a tree stand but.
Now that I see what they are, which one did you get? Because Summit's site has several models listed, all for what appears to be less then $150 :shck:
http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=viper
cheapes I could find it was $250 dealer cost.
We don't use many climbers around here, not as many trees that work well with them. I have several stands that stay up all the time, and just get checked real well yearly. The main use for them is for deer archery, they get used some one or two weekends a year during deer shotgun season, and I do some calling out of them also. Most all of my stands are up 16 ft high.
never hunted from one meself but it looks comfy :biggrin:
I'm lookin at a portable tower for coyotehuntin nites out here cabelas has one just pricey
yes I do hope it is comfy, I hear the trick in the east is getting up off the ground to increase visibilty.
But as we all know, we don't have the coyote #'s here in the East as in other places. So I am to assume if I shoot one then I should climb down and move to a new spot.
I don't think I can sit up there for hours and just keep sniping coyotes.
It'll take ya a little while to get used to it. Just Make sure you keep the 2 parts tied together. If you drop the bottom your screwed.
I have an API bowhunter, I can set it up and climb to 25 feet in less than 5 minutes. That's in the pitch dark too. You'll see, after so many times it'll become natural.
Have fun!!
JD
When I got tired of my hang on stands being stolen, I went to a summit climber.
I can make a couple suggestion for you.
First, always wear your safety harness. The first thing you do before you even attach your stand to the tree is put on your harness.
Always tie your stand parts together before you go up the tree.
I normally go anywhere from 12 to 15 feet while coyote hunting. The rules dont change just because you are up in a tree. They still try to come in down wind, so plan your stands that way.
Keep in mind that in rolling hill country, you may be 15 feet off the ground, or more, but you may be directly in the line of site of an approaching coyote if he is on top of a hill. In more open areas, the further you are from where the coyote will first approach from, the closer to eye level you are to him also. Movement is still key.
You want good camo in a tree stand just like you do on the ground. The mossy oaks and other dark brands wont serve you well. I like Predator Camo with it's large open areas. ASAT is also good. In the late fall and winter here, Predator Fall Gray can not be beat in my experience. A cover all suit will run you 100 bucks and last for years.
If you plan to hunt out of your stand in the late fall and winter, you might want to pick up a Welcome Mat at the store, and cut it to fit the strips on the bottom of your stand. Attach the strips you cut with House Hold Goop to the slats on the platform You will need to let the stand sit out side for at least a week to get rid of the smell, but the goop will hold the strips on forever. If you dont do this, the metal stand will make your feet cold. The strips insulate it for you.
Setting up a stand makes noise. So plan to take your time and be as quiet as possible. Once you get used to it, you can be attached and up a tree in less than 5 to 10 minutes.
Be very careful with smooth barked trees in the rain or in sub zero temps. Your stand could slip.
Use a haul rope for your gun and other gear. Always unload your gun before you start your climb up. Load it once you are situated in the stand.
A tree stand belt is nice to hang your gear on, but always leave your haul rope attached to your pack if you use one. Climbing down to get your pack is a pain.
The large camo pouches they sell at WalMart can be attached to the side rails of your stand with some Zip Ties and will hold a lot of stuff. Much cheaper than the pouches Summit sells.
Summit uses a rope with a pursic knot to attach your harness to the tree. Always check that rope for wear, and I like to replace mine every season. They cost about 10 bucks.
It's wise to keep your rope as short as you can. If you fall, getting back in your stand is going to be the key. If you hang there for any length of time, you might pass out from constriction of the harness around your body.
Finally, put a whistle in your shirt pocket. If you fall and can't get back in your stand, it is great to be able to have a signalling device to alert others that it is time to come to your rescue.
I can say that if you hunt out of your stand, you will see twice as many coyotes up here as you normally do, and will get many more opportunities to shoot just because you can see them coming from a further distance. With your WT caller, you should be a coyote killing machine this season.
Good luck
Al
One last thing, Don't hunt out of your stand during the deer season. People will look at you in your stand through the scope of their rifles. If it happens, whatever you do, do not holler or startle them until they take the rifle off their shoulder. You dont want some nut pulling the trigger out of reflex because you startled him and you can be assured they dont even know what a safety is.
Al, as always good advice.
I was thinking on getting something to put on the base for insulation. I just need to see if I can put that thing on my back along with my caller and gun without my skinny butt tipping over!!!
I hope this is the key to at least seeing more critters, all the guys "in the know" here in the east seem to think that getting up is key.
I don't have any trees in my yard to practice on, I will have to go to my parents house in Derry to practice!
Did I here you have a WT now???
Hey, I am in Bedford now, not to far from you. if you go outta your street and go right, go to the TDbanknorth and go right, I am down there. This place is skunk hunting heaven!!
oh ya, if I shoot one outta the tree stand, should I then move or stay up since they will be less likely to bust me?
Bring your stand over and i will show you how to attach your pack to the back of the stand for packing in.
You can also see how I put the strips and pouches on my stand.
Mine is a Cobra, with the open front for bow hunting. But you will love your stand once you get used to it. They are very comfortable and stable.
If weight is a concern, summit stands are modular. You can buy a smaller climbing part that will work with your platform for about 75 bucks.
ok, getting out right now to do stuff is hard. I gotta bring the baby with me. Which is totally cool but when I am not working Krysten is.
After the second baby comes in January, she will get a job working nights so My days off will be free up.
Thats why I am buying all this crap now!!!
Browning 204,
+ 1 to what Al said about the safety rope with the prussic knot. Even though it may take you a little longer to go up and down, you will stay attached to the tree at all times. The extra time you spend being safe is a small sacrifice to prevent being in the hospital or paralized the rest of your life. Good hunting.
Nelson
I got a summit stand this year and have been happy with it so far. It is easy to set up and climb with once you do it a few times..... using the safety harness is a must and becomes a natural part of the process quickly. There is a small noise factor setting up. Like Al said, take your time. I'm thinking I may give a little longer 'quiet down' time at the beginning of a stand for yotes because of this, but I haven't used it for them yet.
Oh...... when you set the loops for around the tree, set them for the diameter for where you'll be positioned at the top or you may find your platform is sloping down away from the tree. You will quickly get to the point where the hardest part is the carrying in, unpacking and packing.
I'll be going to the hospital this afternoon to visit one of my good friends. He had a little mental lapse while putting up a tree stand last Saturday. One careless second and now he has two stainless steel rods in his leg and nine screws in his ankle and heel :readthis: Be very careful up there!l
so what do you guys do with your safety harness and stuff while in transport??
Do you guys climb with your weapons or pull them up later?
Go back and read my 1st post -
You NEVER EVER climb with a weapon. Attach a haul line and pull the gun up after you are in the tree and where you want to be height wise. MAKE SURE IT IS UNLOADED - and that does not mean it has rounds in the mag or one in the chamber with the safety on. Load up once you are situated and have everything ready to go. You dont want to drop a loaded gun out of your tree stand. (by the way - I heard that they were going to start cracking down on people heading out to their stands with loaded guns before legal shooting time this year)
I normally put my harness on at the truck and wear it in. They are not constricting and you wont even notice you have it on. Just tighten it up when you are ready to climb.
Al
Yup....what Al said ;yes;
My 19 year old brother in law fell sunday. Shattered T 12 and cracked T11. He has surgery on wednesday and if everything goes well will be comeing home today. The doc said if he does exactly like he says for 3 months he will have 95-98 % mobility back but if he screws up all bets are off. He didnt have a harness on while hanging a new stand and fell flat on his back from 30 plus feet.
Ouch, that hurts just thinking about it.
Thoughts and prayers sent my freind.
You know, the safest way I ever found to hang a stand was to have someone esle do it.
If you can't get a buddy to risk life and limb for you, the second safest way I have ever found to hang a stand is from a climbing stand. Climb up, then haul the hang on stand up and attach it. Then climb down. More work, but a whole lot safer.
The easiest way I have ever found to take a hang on stand down is the way the thieves do it here. Chain saw the tree down and just carry away the stand.
Al
Cut the tree down and taker all :roflmao:
Quote from: FinsnFur on September 15, 2007, 01:13:51 PM
Cut the tree down and taker all :roflmao:
Hey..... that might not be a half bad business decision. :eyebrow:
They are a nice stand i got a summit last year. You should take your stand and your safety harness out in your yard and find a tree and practice going up and down it takes a little bit getting use to using a climber.And always be safe I hang around 25 fixed stands every season.Summit seat of the pants safety harness and the fall restraint ropes and the lines man rope are the way to go.
so I went out to try my new stand and I got one thing to say about it, FORGET THAT!!
What a pain in the A$$.
first of all, it is a pain to keep moving the safety rope up, the base it fine to use but the top kept sliding down and it all was way to unstable.
I got 5 feet off the ground then I gave up.
way to much work for what it is worth!!!!
Well come on then Leto... whatta take for it? I could always use a 4th one.
He's not going to sell it. He is going to spend a couple hours with someosne who knows how to use one and he'll be fine. Remember back to the first time you ever tried to use a climber - well, in your case JRB - I am sure you went right up with no problems. But some folks have a hard time with them at first, like with anything new. Unless of course they are born experts.
Al
THO Game Calls
after going home and taking a bit of a nap and clearing my head, I decided that I will give it another go.
I will re-read the directions and try to find what I was doing wrong. I have the next two days off.
But man I tell you, strapping my backpack with the E-caller onto it kinda makes it heavy!!!
QuoteBut man I tell you, strapping my backpack with the E-caller onto it kinda makes it heavy!!!
sheesh
Al
Well if you change your mind, again, let me know... I want to get another one of last years models before the new ones overwhelm the market.
Al, tell us more about your Wildlife Tech purchase. Why not a Foxpro?
I have a Summit Viper too. I love it as a tree stand. Yeap! A pain in the posterior end until you get the hang of it. (Oops, a pun :laf:)
If ya want to get good at it practice on a Shagbark Hickory. :innocentwhistle: I tried it twice once ... first & the last time! :madd: Hey, the tree was in a perfect spot. :shrug:
Quote from: THO Game Calls on September 14, 2007, 03:43:28 PMI normally put my harness on at the truck and wear it in.
Now why didn't think of that? :confused:
Does yours have the solid stirups & not the strap type? What about a flip up foot rest?
browning-- I went thru the same thing with mine. :laf:<< Laughing with you & not at you OK?? :biggrin: After a few more attempts I finally got it dialed in to where I can unpack it in the dark & go right up the tree. These things aren't the easiest to get the hang of right away for some folks but they can be overcome. Good Luck with it & Be Safe!! :wink: You'll love it!! :wink:
Quote from: THO Game Calls on September 17, 2007, 06:12:18 PM
QuoteBut man I tell you, strapping my backpack with the E-caller onto it kinda makes it heavy!!!
sheesh
Al
WHAT???
Quote from: vvarmitr on September 17, 2007, 07:19:52 PM
I have a Summit Viper too. I love it as a tree stand. Yeap! A pain in the posterior end until you get the hang of it. (Oops, a pun :laf:)
If ya want to get good at it practice on a Shagbark Hickory. :innocentwhistle: I tried it twice once ... first & the last time! :madd: Hey, the tree was in a perfect spot. :shrug:
Quote from: THO Game Calls on September 14, 2007, 03:43:28 PMI normally put my harness on at the truck and wear it in.
Now why didn't think of that? :confused:
Does yours have the solid stirups & not the strap type? What about a flip up foot rest?
Mine has the solid foot stirrups and the flip out foot rest. And the gun/ climbing bar.
Quote from: Jrbhunter on September 17, 2007, 06:27:11 PM
Al, tell us more about your Wildlife Tech purchase. Why not a Foxpro?
Oh God, why did you do that?
Jason, probably because the WT has the best Coyote vocalizations.
But you already know that.
That's just my guess.
Browning, Give yourself time. You will get the hang of it.
I hope so!
Browning,
I haven't read the hole thread and maybe someone help you out but if I can get my 350 lb up 25' I shore you can pal.
See if this helps,
First thing I always do is pick the right tree by pre scouting the area.
then I get my tree stand squared away for caring it. I have found that some short extra tie downs around my stand help with the noise it makes caring it on my back.
I also put the tape the kid use for there skate board decks on my bottom plat form of my stand.
sometimes a long peace of pipe installation around my shooting rail or just a short peace that you can move around to were your going to need it.
A short peace of rope that you can attach your top part of your stand to the bottom of your stand , this will help prevent you ever loosing you bottom stand on the way up a tree. why practicing with your stand see just how much of a movement you make while you inch worm your way up the tree and make the ropes length to
fit your movement and add about 10'' this way if you loose it the bottom will only fall as far as the rope lets it.
I DIDN'T SEE were you posted your style of climbing that you used but here is what big old me dose,,,,
first a tree get smaller as it go's upward so you must MUST set your stand on the tree at a angle that when your at your desired height the platform will be 90% from the tree trunk. I axially like my platform to still point up a little when I am at my height I find it a little more comfortable to sit with my feet at a small angle .
most of my setups I start off at the bottom of the tree with my seat and platform at a little more then 45%
but it will depend on the tree you pick. A little thing to remember when picking a tree is MAKE SHORE the tree you pick and the tree's around it are in good shape nothing like havening your tree start to brake while your ascending it, or having another tree brake and fall into you. tree's with leaves are good trees with no leaves are bad....
ok now I have my stand around the tree, I will raise the seat part of my stand as high as it will let me.
this way I can use it to help me get my boots into the bottom of the stands climbing straps.
Also mike shore the straps fit snug! most are mad so you can get a hunting boot in them so when you try and use a worm weather or thin boot there may be slack.. I like them to fit good and snug .
Ok your in your stand, I am guessing but I hope at this time your are facing the tree and sitting on your rail.
if so then you almost ready to start inch worming your way up,,, BUT FIRST NOW IS THE TIME to attach you safety harness to the tree before you move a inch up!!!!!! IF your using a total harness witch you should be!! attach it to the tree right in front of you face high it will not need to be tightened up all the way to the tree you can leave it loose with it just snug enough to keep it in place. there is always something that you should keep in the back of you head that being HOW DO I GET MY SELF DOWN IF ALL GO'S BAD AND I FIND MYSELF HANGING IN THE TREE!!!! I carry a good heavy tree step and a length of rope just in case.
I myself all ways leave a map to show were I am hunting,,, some kind of nose maker so people can hear you.. this is something that you should have in your pack anyway while out hunting or just out in the woods.
you wouldn't Bellevue how fast you can loose your voice , so a small wissile is good to have.
Ok your ready to climb,,,
Now your sitting on your rail that is front of your seat(shooting rail)your facing the tree with your feet in the straps and your safety harness hook to the tree , all I do from here is,, stand up,,move my rail up to it is right under my butt ,,, then I sit down on it and then pull my legs up,,,how I do this is ,I point my toe's down witch will release the pressure of the strap that go's around the tree and I pull up on the platform of the stand,,,
I move it up about a foot to 16'' then put my weight back on it ,,, then I stand up and repeat the prosses
moving my safety harness with every move.
try and hang your bow and pack with enough rope that you never move them from the ground till your at you desired height.. know sense in trying to work the wight of them up the tree while you are climbing
Also as you are climbing, your stand will start to work it way level ...
Now that your at your hunting height, first thing is to drew your safety harness titer to the tree,
I like mine to be head height if I were sitting down.. 2 thing is to make shore all is well with your stand give it a good looking over.. know for your seat ,, I like my seat to be set were my butt is a little lower then my knees when i am sitting down.
this can be done by making your seat set at a little bit of a upward angle .. I find this to be the most comfortable way to sit ..
HOW HIGH SHOULD YOU GO? what ever your comfortable at is the best height ,, height will come in time
pick a good tree that will give you cover is all you need to do if you don't go high
I know I mist some stuff , and you may need to read this a couple times to hear what I am saying
THE BOTTOM LINE IS
BE SAFE & HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
here something to also keep in the back of your head as your working your safety strap up the tree
Better to loose a minuet in life then life in a minuet,,,,,
so take the time and use your safety equipment please
George
sorry about the spelling :eyebrownod:
Thanks for the tips, I am gonna go out in a little bit and give it another try.
My summit came with a strap with an alligator clip on it. Once you get to where you want to be and before you bungy your seat back to the tree, use that strap to hold the seat portion of your climber tightly to the tree so it won't come loose or wiggle when your moving around.
mine has the same strap. sounds like a good idea.
Oh.... and try practicing on a nice straight ash. You get a pretty good latch on to their bark. Some species bark can be a bit challenging.
tried it again on a big ole. red oak. I was able to climb but it took me a while. Everyone says how comfy the summits are but I found it weird.
The seat seemed small and like I was just waiting to drop. Maybe I will angle the seat into the tree more for that reclined feeling.
So you got up the tree - and once you sat down, you had that "what the hell was I thinking buying this thing this aint natural and it's a long assed way to the ground and I must be CRAZY damn I hope no one sees me up here looking like a squirel the neighbors will call the cops" feeling?
Yup, been there done that. You get over it. Mostly anyway.
Glad you are making progress. Wont be long now before you get up there, sit down, pour yourself a cup of coffee, lean back, relax and just enjoy the view. It's not so bad once you get the hang of it.
Al
the feeling of being up there was pretty cool other that the "is it ok to scream like a girl if I fall" thought in my head.
like I said is was ok but I need to angle it so I am more comfy.
That was the best part of the day, My brother in laws shotgun got messed up, I ran over my E-caller with my 4-wheeler
(it still works fine) and my brother in law hit a dog on his way home!!
does anyone recommend a different safety harness? the harness that comes with the climber is kinda goofy.
it is like a bunch of seat belts thrown together. it works fine but I am sure there is an easier, less goofy that works well.
My safety harness is an old one, I bought it years ago. Just a belt with a rope attached to it. On the rope is sliding hook type of thing. You wrap the rope around the tree, hook it back to itself and pull tight.
It is not up to today's safety standards but I'm here to you, LITERALY it did work!!!
I've been looking at the newer body harness type.
a body harness would be fine, just maybe a better one.
I really think Al hit the nail on the head..... you just need to become acustomed to the harness and all. I used a climber 30 years ago and the summit is way better than what I remember. I've been using mine pretty steady every day for the last week and a half and have become very comfortable with it. I suggest you stick with it and see how ya feel at the end of the season. There may be other full body harness designs, but I'm guessing they all amount to pretty much the same thing. I don't even notice I have mine on anymore.
Had a nice big doe walk right under my stand tonight..... came in from the down wind side and never noticed my bow which was about half way down as I was breaking watch. :madd:
your probably correct. I will give it more time. I hope to climb more trees soon. and then LOOK OUT CRITTERS!!!
Summit made it's reputation not by having a great stand, which they do, but by haveing the best fall restraint in the industry. The Seat of the Pants harness you got with your stand is one of if not the best made.
To tame the loose straps, get some big rubber bands. Undo one side of your harness at a time and slip the rubber bands over the buckle up the straps. When you get your harness on, and tightened up. slip the loose ends of the harness under the rubber bands. They will keep them from flapping around on you and looking goofy.
You can get a fancy body harness or even a vest harness. But off roader have a saying "chrome don't get you home"
That goofy looking harness will save your life. and let your kids have a father who can play catch, go to the beach, kick a soccer ball, and do a host of other things you wont be able to do in a wheel chair, or a casket.
Besides, you're still young. You will "grow" into that harness over time LOL
Al
is that a skinny Joke?? :confused:
The good thing about me is, if I do fall outta a tree, I will float down like a feather!!
No skinny jokes. Those harness straps are pretty long, even for me. But the Seat of the Pants harness system is the best you can get. Just like anything else, there are little tricks and tips you pick up over the years that will make life easier.
I climbed into my first tree stand before you were born. We didn't even know what a saftey strap was back then. We didn't even have seats. Just a platform. You wrapped your arms around the tree to climb up and down. Shot a crap load of deer in those old stands. Never had a problem. Looking back on it, I'm just glad I CAN look back on it.
Al
hahahaha, just like cars with no seat belts or no one used baby seats. ya'll were crazy.
I wanna climb more trees but the g/f will be out all day. I will be on baby duty.
There is a vest with a safety harness sewn into it. It is camo/blaze orange reversible. The straps around your legs are seat belt style buckles & are actually made from metal. The sternum strap is still plastic tho. The harness vest is heavier but it is much quicker & I feel safer wearing that then I do the one that came with my climber. HTH
Here's a link to Cabelas with a few different styles.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat20053&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat21424&parentType=category&parentId=cat21424
I can relate to what Al says. I started out 30+ years ago with a Baker stand, no seat, hug the tree, no safety belt, and if you got your weight too close to the tree, the stand would drop like an elevator. Ask me about climbing wet Sycamore trees some time. :biggrin:
Today's stands and fall restraint systems are light years ahead.
Quote from: Semp on September 20, 2007, 05:22:19 AM
I started out 30+ years ago with a Baker stand, no seat, hug the tree, no safety belt, and if you got your weight too close to the tree, the stand would drop like an elevator. Ask me about climbing wet Sycamore trees some time. :biggrin:
I tried my old Baker on a sycamore too about 30 years ago. I was 20' up and been setting there for an hour before it fell down the tree. When I hit the ground I thought I broke my back and it knocked the wind out of me. After 1/2 hr the feeling came back to my legs and I could get up. :whew:
WEAR YOUR SAFTEY HARNESS !!!!!!!!!!
I started out with the first Summit made. Learned which trees not to climb the hard way like these other guys. I like a pine tree better than anything else now. Dropped twice once about 20 ft and the other about 12 feet. One tree was a shaggy bark hickory, the other was an oak . Luckily I was climbing both times so I was facing the tree and didn't get hurt. It does scare the heck out of you though. Lots of other close calls. Get your angle right when you put the stand on the tree, look up and try to figure where your stand will even out at when you reach your hunting point. Always wear a safety belt. You climb enough, and you will see why.
funny cuz I was wondering about pine trees earlier.
I like poplar trees the best. The bark is soft enough for the stand to bite into it and there's very few limbs for a ways up.