Howdy guys, I have been using this type stand for 2 years. I have really enjoyed it. It took some getting use too at first but I can't hunt without it. Shooting down at game in a rock solid stance is really a huge advantage over fix stand stance. This stand is from Guido's Outdoors..Check them out for 360 degrees shooting......similiar stands are TreeSuit and Tree Saddle. I use 3 Lone wolf climbing sticks and 2 screw in steps place on either side of top of climbing stick.. These straps are rated at 6000lbs ( which I need)..absolutely the safest stand out there.....My friend Hogdancer took this pic on a recent hunt...he's not bad company for coonass.
http://www.guidosoutdoors.com
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/swamprooter/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
Never tried one, but I've always liked the look of them. Several years ago, I got the bright idea of making my own with some rappelling gear. I ended up with one strap around my hips and one around each thigh going through my crotch.
Needless to say - I hunted from the ground that day and never tried that little experiment again. :-p
I have, and use one, I must say that I can sleep comfortably in one for a length of time. You should have shown them the backside of the stand, then they would truly see the unique difference between the other suspension stands.
nice pic, just the same.
Trapper
Your right Trapper, the Guido's is the cadilac. One can lean back and sleep a slow moving morning away! heres a pic i clipped off their web site. It tells this but you really can't see it but there is a 5" metal brace that sticks out and keeps you off the tree mounted under the seat. This stand is extremely comfortable. i shot a doe last weekend at 11:30am. i have never been able to stay in a stand that long.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c114/swamprooter/Guidosbackside.jpg)
I have been a Treesuit user since they came out. I like the looks of the back rest on the Web. Might have to get one and try it.
Would that be comfy on a hunt from sunrise-sunset? I'm 6ft 235lbs, would that be an issue?
I'm 5'11" 245...I sat last year 3 days for 8 hour stretches.......It's the most comfortable stand out there IMO...but you have got to practice a tad with it.
SOLD!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:
Waiting4fall...PM me if you buy one and i'll tell you some little adjustments I do with mine..good luck
Joey, You have got me interested....I really like my treesaddle, but the Guido sure does look comfortable. I especially like the fork that keeps you away from the tree. With my treesaddle I have to use knee pads. I agree with you shooting is much easier out of one of these than a treestand. This is the third season I have used the saddle. I leave for Indiana Fri and my tree stands will be staying at home.
Howdy Keith, your a bowhunting traveling man..Gosh I remember when I use too...I have the TreeSuit and the Green Saddle also....Guido's is the cadilac..Treesuit gives you a little more freedom for shooting but............you can alter Guidos to give you the same freedom..Basically I cut my leg straps off my Guido.. Main difference is Guido has a back rest which is divine....2nd difference as you noted is the aluminium bar that keeps you off the tree..huge plus......3rd is Guidos is the safest..... Schuster has one for sell, go up there and buy it from him then call me..you'll going to love it..
I was looking into getting a treesuit, I also like the looks of this stand but it is a lot of $$. Would you guys say it is worth the additional cost?
it's worth a 100 more $ just from being safer. If you already hunt this style, then this is the stand. I modified mine a tad, you can PM me if you buy one.
joebuck, I guess I would pay $100 to keep from falling out of a tree. That is one streak I would like to keep going. I just placed an order for an XL tall, how long did it take to get yours after you ordered?
Joe, looks interesting.....is the instructional DVD worth getting to see it in action? I have thought about treeslings etc but my back aches just looking at em. This looks alot better for bad backs. YOu said shooting out of one of those is easier/better than a regular stand??? Can you expand on that alittle. I got a bunch of questions...care to come up to MD and go huntin for a couple days and answer em all for me :saywhat: :thumbsup:
jbb..I had a buddy drop by his shop and pick mine up. Tip here is I put three screw in steps 1 foot off the ground in my back yard...i practiced swinging around for a day or so but I had been using the TreeSuit so i was familiar with this style. The instructional DVD is tops...step by step...My wife will scream if she's hear Guido's voice one more time!
Yohon...don't tempt me..i fly to BWI alot. Thats a gagger in your avatar....Guidos close family friend is a Chiropractor. It has a lumbar strap that heavenly on the L5 and 6 vertabra. This stand really suports your back. Shooting is a easier because you have the "Web" supporting your body rock solid.It's hard to explain unles you have shot from a TreeSaddle,TreeSuit or Guidos.. Plus you put screw in steps around the tree and you go shoot 360degress. I move 180 degrees last year on 2 does i killed..The video puts it all together. But I'll warn you...once you hunt a couple of times in this...you can't go back to a fix stand..it's that addiciting..PM , please if you have any more questions..hope I'm helping
You've got me looking. What does it weigh when your packing it. Safety in getting up is an issue for me as well. How do you protect yourself?
God bless,Mudd
Thanks Joe,you've helped me alot, I'll give em a call for the DVD.
BWI's only alittle over an hour away ;)
Mudd...howdy , the stand weighs 7.5#s...The best way i like to climb is a tree with no limbs. First i put the tree trunk tether belt loosely around the tree enough for it to pass over my preset Lone Wolf Climbing sticks....Then hook up the 2 carbiners to the stand.....then I grab the right side of the tether belt with my right hand and the left side of the tehter belt with my left hand. As i step up on the first step, i flip up the tether belt another foot higher on the tree.. it's like how a lineman climbs a telephone pole......then i take another step and flip up the belt higher again...If the step breaks or i loose my footing..The stand catches me...it is really really safe...When i reach the top of where I'm going..i simply tighten the tethter belt around the tree snug. That takes 2 seconds to do that....
Yohon...let me know if you have any questions. I hope I can help.
For the record, i have never met Guido in person but have talked to him several several times on the phone. He calls me from time to time to see how things are going with the stand and if i have any questions.How about that for customer service..Guido ( Butch) has been a bowhunter his whole life..he's got this figured out.!!!!! i love this system.
JoeBuck. Biggie and I are leaving for Kansas on Friday, instead of borrowing your BadBoy Buggy, how about fixin us up with one of these each. Do they come in men's sizes?
Maybe Guido can drop ship ya'll one at..??.....which Hooters between Macon Ga and Kansas?
All of 'em, and the Dunkin Donuts too!!! Chicken wings and donut holes, good stuff.
I'm pullin the swamp buggy to Kansas,I've spoiled Biggie so bad he won't go unless I take it! It sure beats luggin those Desloge stands all over the property, but it's cold in the mornin.
Weather is getting nice up here in KS:
(http://www.koamtv.com/images/KOAM7DAY_medium.jpg)
Thanks jbb, but Biggie won't let me look at the weather anymore he says" we're goin anyway, what's the difference!" A month ago, I told not to come down for the weekend cause of a rainy forecast, we never got a drop! He wasn't happy with me at all. So I quit lookin, but it looks good.
a coonass huh? thems fightin' words. That's some fine photography if I do say so myself. never mind the stand where would a fellow get a hat like that? You and Terry Green must shop at the same place.
Your right you are definitely not a coonass.I haven't seen any white rubber boots in your garage. Hogdancer,Your a special photographer to make my camo glow like that!?..TG would love a hat like this..then there would only be 2 of us that would wear an ugly hat!...I love an Ugly Hat..
Anybody started hunting out of guido's since this thread started?
I don't remember ever seeing this thread before, but just read through the whole thing and also the Guido's website. Sure does look like a fantastic stand. And I know for sure that if something makes Joey happy is has got to be good!
I have a lot of stands already, but can sure see situations where this would be perfect.
I'm a faithful Tree Saddle user. Can't imagine going back to a typical style stand. Once my LW sticks get here this week, I'll have endless stand sites.
My buddy has one. It's the Cadillac of saddles no doubt.
Yesterday was my 1ST hunt out of Guido's Web.
It was VERY comfortable. ( I am 5'10 / 200 lbs. ) I had to work 2ND shift and only got 1 hr. of sleep. I had no problem getting a few naps in the web. I hunted 7 hrs. strait and could have set all day.
I did have a few issues setting up , but that was my fault. You need to iron the bugs out and have plenty of time to get used to your set up. I am using 4 Lone Wolf stick with 3 Step Ladder steps as my platform.
I will probably us some of my other stands but the Web will be used the most.
Yea, Joey got me intruiged by this one back when he made this post. I never did buy one but have been considering it. Looks like a great mobile setup and looks more comfortable than a conventional stand.
I look forward to hearing more. Not trying to be a naysayer- but I have some experience here. . . hope to hear others.
I hunted out of a Treesaddle, but found a few issues:
-Though you can sit in different positions for sure, I still found my feet hurt on tree sticks or pegs all day.
-I am much more versatile out of a standard stand, being able to move slowly and change position easily for a shot if a deer comes from one side to the other (it takes a lot of movement in the saddle/web).
-I also have found with a 28-30" long stand I can shoot out behind me pretty easily- so I figure I still have 270 degree of shooting.
- To shoot 360 out of the saddle you have to be on a telephone pole-tree. I like limbs around me and I don't want to clear every limb on a new sit.
-With the saddle or web you have to face the tree, which means looking through the tree as you hunt. It was very distracting to me. As a deer approaches you have to decide which way it is going and maneuver for that shot.
- The saddle works great when I take another guy- as I don't have to shoot. I can lay around and even safely take a nap in that thing.
As far as portable and lightwt.- I hunt portable already- rarely hunting the same place twice. And honestly, I can get up and set a stand faster than the saddle. It takes UNDER 10 min. to get from base of the tree to hunt ready. My stand only weighs 4# more than the web or saddle set-up (and I still carry LW sticks whether saddle or stand). 4# is negligible on my back.
Look to see more experiences.
Interesting points Dan. I was seriously thinking about pulling the plug and ordering one of these. But you've got me to thinking.
If you're facing the tree and it looks like a deer is going to pass on the right side of it, seems like you would need to manuver 180 degrees around the tree for a shot? Or is it possible to swivel to the right and have the tree on your bow arm shoulder? (for a right handed shooter) I'd love to hear more from those that have used them.
I'm going to be spending a week at the cabin hunting next week. As I sit in my stands I'm really going to think about the saddle and see if I could put it to good use in my existing locations. I'm still thinking it would be great with the right set up, but am going to think it through a little bit before plunking down the cash.
I agree with KSdan...again :thumbsup: his points that he made above are one's that I agree with. I had a GW and wanted to like it but in the end my little loc on and sticks seems to be what works best for me. My utter respect for Joebuck and his hunting experiences certainly gave me alot to chew on and think about but in the end its all in what works for YOU and thank goodness we arent all alike but it sure is great to talk about it all!!
I hjad a tree saddle for several years. I hunted out of it quite a bit. I decided it wasn't for me. It was just as much work as putting up a stand. I use a couple original Loc-On stands when I am moving day to day.
Trying to get a shot if the deer did not come on the right side of the tree involved too much motion and I would get picked off. When a deer is 50-60 yards away and headed for you, you cannot always tell which way it will go.
In a stand I was more comfortable and found it easier to maneuver for a shot. I also like trees that have limbs and crooks for cover and the saddle doens't work well in those.
End result, I felt I gave it a fair try but went back to a hang on stand and am happy with that.
Whip- you almost have to use the thing to see how it swivels; it really does have a lot more swivel than you would think! To shoot to the right, just imagine you are first facing the tree- bow is in left hand (bow arm). Now in a semi-seated position with your feet on pegs, just literally spin to the LEFT (not around the tree but in the same seated position). The pivot point is on the strap and you will now be facing 180-270 degrees away from the tree as your waist is still almost facing the tree. As you are facing away from the tree you can actually lean out with only you right foot on a peg (all your weight is suspended on the pivot point of the strap). Does that make sense?
As I stated- it can be done, but also imagine all the movement you have to make to swivel around. I like standing on a regular platform and slowly moving my feet and body into position.
Hope all who read my posts know that I am not disparaging others who are using it with success. Lots of different ways to do things.
I too heard on the front end all the positives, and tried it for a couple of seasons. I do think it would work much better for the compound guy.
I am surprised how many guys do not realize how portable, efficient, and quiet a simple lightwt. stand and sticks can be. I have been hunting with one set up for 15 years. Set up and take down every sit- keeps me mobile and adjusting continually as I need to. Virtually every mature deer I have taken or encountered was first time on stand. Once guys see me hunt this way- more times than not they start doing the same thing.
Good Hunting
Dan in KS
This is what I use as a platform with the web. The steps lock in tight and do not move. These give you more surface area for your feet.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/warrenjr/P1010533.jpg)
Dan, may I ask what lightweight stand you are using?
this has been a fun thread and topic to discuss on. basically you have to divide this topic into two categories. TreeSling type stands versus Fixed stands and then Guido Web versus Treesaddle.
I advise anyone contemplating buying a Guido Web to first look in the classifieds or borrow your buddies first. this is a totally different way to sit a tree and is not for everyone. the ones it is not for well they know right off the bat usually. it takes a season or two for most to get confidence. I have been in one for 8 years and I am constantly tweaking still my setup
First reason I switched to a Treesling facing the tree type approach versus a fixed stand ......concealment.....I hunt low... 10 12' feet.. it's hard pressed for a deer to pick me off when my torso is behind the trunk. this advantage was noticeable on my very first hunt . I was in a Tree Suit. ( y'all remember them?). It's pretty neat watching deer routinely walk under you because they have no clue.
accuracy......I just shoot better out of Sling type stand. I use the quido web. because I can shoot with a straight torso like the way I practice on the ground, my shooting stance is the same out of web as it is in front of the bale. Unlike a fix stand where you have to bend at the waist. pretty simple when you lean off the tree with a straight torso. no vodoo or Kentucky windage to compensate for . It's one of those things you have to try it first
Safety .. Guido is Bomb proof.. You ever heard of anyone falling from a Guido?
I get sleepy......a lot.....sleeping in my web is one of the best part of the hunt :) .
Weight. 10 lbs with my EZ steps.. I have been Around the circle on all types of climbing stuff....back to basics.. Screw in steps with a platform at the top Batman made me.. I love it.
Quite....a nylon strap is pretty quiet versus my old climax chain on . Never second guess switching my weight and fearing the CREAK!
Trophy line Bridge System is an attachment some Guido guys are using which is basically a trophy line hook up on a Guido web.. really opens up the right side shot more.
CON
definitely the right side shot from 1 to 5. However it is so easily corrected.. MOVE... I always set up for left side shot.. However if that right side shot is developing , I simply move my feet to left over one peg each.. I mount a screw in step over my head on left side for what I call a grab bar. When moment arrises, I take that quick step around the tree to get in position. THIS is where I have found through conversation where most disgrunted treeslingers get hung up. They won't MOVE.. It's like they are locked in. Not me, I am a 230 lb orangoutang up there.
Another Pro.
Climbing.... Like I said before , when dust clears , I am a screw in step guy.. Only use EZ steps... They are the best. I have sewn 2 extra loops on my tether strap where I simply sit in my Guido and screw the step into the tree, then step up sit down and screw another.. Talking about comfortable... It is the way to go...no more lineman belt to do this. I just hang
from my tether.
Warmth? What? Absolutely. I hunt downwind so it sure helps when I put that tree trunk between me and that north wind ripping off the Mississippi river in Jan...
shade.. Vice a versa.. In hot early season, I will move around the tree to the shade side before magic time to keep cooler.
Hopefully these are some tips to ponder to those seeking knowledge on this style of hunting. I must warn you however, once you start hunting this way it is extremely hard to hunt out of a fixed again. personally I feel like I am going to fall right off the front of a fixed stand when I tired hunting them.. Of coarse I wasn't but it was weird.
Have I mentioned my L 4 and L 5 quit hurting? :)
I own all the Treesling type stands except the Anderson. I am a Guido Web man all the way.
Good luck
Good summary JB. I think I'm seeing where that right hand shot can work. And I can visualize some spots where that set up would be perfect.
On my own place I set up a bunch of stands and they stay up all fall so that when I have guests they could hunt as well. I don't see changing that very much. But there are still always a couple of spots that pop up throughout the fall where I wish I had a stand in place. It also would be great for out of state hunts or anytime I am anywhere but on my own land.
One other question - can you wear a pack of some type over the top of the Web when walking in to your stand? I usually carry a daypack with all the odds and ends that I seem to need or at least like to have with me. Or would it be easier to strap the Guido's to my pack and put it on at the tree? That's how I carry a stand and steps in now.
hey Whip my turkey hunting buddy, I carry two different packs ,one and then the other.. Fanny pack or 2000 sq in light back pack.. To tote , I simply fold them in my Guido. I simply undo my web and place pack between seat and back rest then fold back and snap. I have a grappling hook pull line and when I get where I am going I grapple up my bow, pack and what ever. The new Guido have some room on back of seat but it could be a better design.. I asked Butch to do this but he rolled his eyes.
Heres a link to another site thats shows the Trophyline style tether rope used with Guido. This has helped some with the right side shot
http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1615264&highlight=guido
Ok, I'm sold. Just completed my order. I'm thinking this is going to be just the ticket in Kansas next month!
Be sure to pack your thermos , you can sit all day and catch a nap. call me when you get it...we will start on the Cliff Notes :)
I used my Guido's some last year but felt very limited in the movement on right hand shots and staying ready during one encounter with a young deer that kept hanging around for a while before I could take a shot. After talking to JoeBuck again about the stand, he and a couple others mentioned the bridge set up. I made a bridge to use this year. It has made a world of difference in the versatility of the stand and I think with the bridge set up, it will be my "go to" stand.
hey Greg I was wondering how things were working for you! Good deal
I have talked to Butch ( inventor and owner of Guido Web). on two different occasions about the bridge and his thoughts. I will just say he wasn't that open. I can understand so , Guido is his baby and to have someone "suggest" sutle statements on product improvement, well it wasn't my best sales pitch :)
but the Bridge is real.. definitely I encourage all Web owners to make one or buy one. it really makes the Web Trophyline Like! now with that being said....I have alot of confindence moving on deer in the tree so I will walk over a step or two to get that right side shot simple but for those starting out. The bridge is a great adjustment. But let me interject here........I maybe have 1 out of 30 shot opportunities that develop into a right side shot... Factoring in the anticipated deer travel, food source and wind...a left side set up is really not hard to implicate and Most of time ,deer behave like they should.
Again my 2 cent advice for Guido guys is.......strap it on and dance with it....move around in the tree...
I used to be a dealer for the Treesuit years ago. I sold and used them. I recently bought a web and made a bridge out of an old Summit harness. I did not care for the harness anyway and almost threw it out but I have a hard time throwing anything out because I just might need it. Paid off this time. I really like the web. Safer than the suit although it was pretty darn safe. Much more comfortable. I am using muddy sticks to go up with some plastic ameristeps on a ratchet strap.
Joey:
You gotta picture of this "bridge"?
ho, follow the link on archery talk and look on page 3. Pretty simple, u could make one..Basically you hook your left and right caribiner to a 16" strap...this strap slides back and forth through a carbiner that is secured from the tree.. Allows you great movement left and right. this is how the old Trophline or Green saddles use to work.. great and safe system.
The hip rotation allowed with the bridge has helped me be more versatile with the GW, but the extra length it adds has helped me just as much. I made a fairly short bridge but the extra length has made it easier for me to move around the tree for shots. Still have not taken a shot at an animal but definitely works better for me with bridge than before.
I made my own bridge from some poly rope. I tied a loop in each end then half hitched the tag end around the main line and then tied another knot in the tag end to lock it off. I made 3 identical bridges and use all 3 twisted together prior to hookup so it forms one round batch of rope. Probably overkill but makes me feel safer and I notice no difference in how it works.
I will try to take some pictures when I get a chance and post them in case anyone is interested.
I think Guidos web is superior to other saddles I've used, but I have one that sits because it makes too much movement and noise when you have to position for a shot. I love it for Gun hunting but for the longbow or recurve I found it to reduce my shot opportunities. I use a lone wolf climber or the sticks and stand and these two stands serve me well 99% of the time. I reserve the web for long sits with a firearm. It is really comfortable. The other slings and such I found to be just as problematic.
Just my .02
I'm just reading this to learn my Kansas hting partner is sneaking in a new tree stand set up without my knowledge! That does it...I'm looking up Guido's Web tomorrow. Joey tell me more about L 4&5 as I had a laminectomy in July. Sounds like it maybe a comfortable sit with back problems...tippit
Might as well just have it shipped here Jeff so you don't have to fly with it. :D
I received a confirmation of my order that said they were about 2 1/2 weeks out on shipment. Don't delay! :readit:
I got Guido's number in my phone. I'm calling him today and get mine coming. Also getting my son to buy out the local supply of the cranford EZ climb steps at the store he works at. Got to get me some 3/4" tubing and make me up a few platforms and after I learn how to shoot out of it, I'm in business.
Joey, anything you would do different on the platforms if you had to do it over? I still got a pattern from when I built yours.
Oh what I would give to be retired, glove compartment full of tags and a camper shell filled to the brim with bows and arrows and assorted gear !!!!!
Jeff , your in luck because Guido's technical partner is a chiropractor who helped in the back design. It has an adjustable strap that for lumbar support. Also it has adjustable straps the let you lean back like a lazy boy or up right . You would be hard pressed to find. Guido thread where the word comfortable is NOT used. It is PERFECT stand for an ailing back.
Ok with my sales hat off. Guido web is not for everyone. First time in one it's weird be ause your facing the tree plus the straps .. I have hunters that have them love them or sell them. Butch builds about one or two a week. I have been to his shop and believe me it's all handmade. In fact the stand is overbuilt but he is big on safety . I like that. Now if your in a pinch for time. Try archery talk classified I saw a couple over there. This is my eighth year for the Web. I hunted off and on before that with the TReesuit and greensaddle (trophy line) with tree spikes which I eventually realized spikes aren't for a fat man. So there is learning curve so don't go cold turkey!!!!
Don , I would not change a single thing. Your platform just compliment the web perfectly. I showed it to Butch and he said that was exactly the stand he has wanted to build for years but because of insurance he has decided not to offer a base . Tort lawyers!! The Bedliner I coated my stands have been great with no rust. I will be in mine tomorrow morning over a persimmon grove. Be my first time up. Can't wait.
My web came in a few days ago...I am goint to go with the no sticks method using webbing to climb but I feel a pair of LW or muddy sticks in my future...I'm using crawford ezy rope on sticks put on a single ratchet for a base.
I've shot a quite a few arrows out of it with my old Martin Recurve (shortest trad bow I own) at 58" but I have had no problem putting an arrow through the pump station of my foam targets..
I have a 10 foot stick ladder and a few old screw in steps that Im dying to put up on an old crooked oak tree next to a nice bedding area. I feel the web is going to be perfect for this...
Looking at the tree has been different by I'm kind of use to it...I was in the habit when I was a compound hunter of using a tomcat to shoot my bow out of on an uncle's land.... (trees were too small for my API)
As far as comfort and ease of use...My dad is 57 years young and after 10 minutes of sitting in it he is trying to talk me in to letting him use it on his Indiana hunting trip in November...
I'm hoping to get a little blood on it in the next few days but time will tell.
That's great Beauleye. Please look at the archery talk thread link and try the bridge strap. Very simple to use. Really opens up that right side shot.
Great idea on. Cranford rope steps on ratchet. I ah e used API before but. Or ez ropes
Don or Joey- any pics of this custom platform? Sounds interesting. I have all the parts needed to make a bridge, so will definitely be doing that.
Joe I'm a little ahead of you I've read the Archery Talk form quite a bit and actually is where I picked up my stand from...
As far as the steps I'm not one to pay 100 bucks for something plastic, I'll give a few extra ounces of weight up for a solid metal platform...
I'm debating on investing in a gorilla strap on seat to use as a platform...
I'm going to wait and give it a few sets before I invest though if the strap on steps work fine I'll sick with them...The fold up and fit nicely in my fildline packs I added to my stand...
As far as bridges go I went with a 60cm piece of webbing from a rock climbing site that I'm thinking will work out fine and has a stronger working load weight that the original strap...
I'll post some pictures when I get it all together but so far I'm extremely pleased with hows its coming about and think its going to be nice on my Piedmont Nation Wildlife Refuge hunt this year.
A buddy of mine uses ONE LW stick with the extension strap with his guido. Not the fastest, but three or four setups and he's plenty high. Guido keeps you attached to the tree at all times. Very light pack in when going deep.
Just a thought for y'all
I need a coach so I'll try Joe's in Kansas...maybe just maybe if he tags out early :rolleyes:
I got a treesaddle from a guy here on TG two years ago.Gonna use it this season to hunt with.I've only practiced in the yard with it and set up trees with it and I absoulutely love it.I def want to give the GW a try as well.
The best part of any of the sling/web type stands is all you need is tree steps and you can have a TON of locations ready to hunt,vs. a 100-300 dollar stand at every tree.
I also love it because it is so portable and light weight.I wish I'd have got one of these alot earlier. :thumbsup:
You guys are the WORST!!! Just ordered a web... :readit: :D
Nathan
I can't believe I posted this 5 years ago!! Just flipped over to first page and saw date.
Bueleye. Good luck on the ractchet step set up around the base. I never trust the ratchet plus no matter how tight I got it, there was some stretch. Be careful about the EZ step rope steps being threaded through a fabric strap. Metal and fabric???..you never know. I weigh 230 and just too big for it I guess .
Thoughts and ramblings
Lone wolf sticks. I used them one season and love them.. Jimmy rigged a double step for the top to use as abase. Probably my second favorite setup. But I hunt the same ole trees every and sometime leave stickson. Well squirrel love them too and eat the knobs off.
Bases....I have put oil on here of different bases from rope rachets to homemade custom half stands but I do use the bottom sometimes of a chain on stand as a base like a climax stand. Man ole man is that a sweet set up for a tree you hunt a lot
Right side shot....I can be a challenge to shoot from 12 to 4 o'clock if you are facing the tree. There are several ways to skini this cat, old days I cut the leg straps off so I could spin my butt in the seat and shoot that way, then sometimes just let the deer walk off and him for a dump shot at 7 o'clock. Or this is what I do now, I grab my grab step and walk around the tree clockwise 2 steps and shoot him them. But you have to get confidence to move on the deer when he is like 70 yards away or further..got to be thinking
The Brace....it really opens the hips around for the right side. It is the same set up as the old trophy line... It is a great setup. I advise you give it a try however Guido does not sell it or endorse it.
Screw in steps... Never like them till I read a book by dr Robert Shepard. He has a drawing of a PVC pipe he use to install his.. Bingo!!!! I love them now I can fly up a tree using them. If I am going to rove the woods with no clue where I am going to hunt till I find a acorn tree that is hot, well I take a dozen steps in a fabric fanny pack and shoulder my Guido, then I am off.love this light way to hunt.
Sweat... U hunt humid hot places, I advise to routinely spray your web with a good scent killer. I do it every hunt. Your back my sweat and you butt. Didn't know I was leaving scent till one of trail camera took a shot 15 sec clip of a doe jumping out of her skin when she smell where I laid my web on the ground 4 hours before...treat it like your clothes and you will be great
Why do they work? Forget about deer busting you and looking up. They just don't anymore. The tree trunk hides you so well if you set up that way. I am throughly convinced if the Wensels had been using this stand when they started bowhunting..well they would be famous by now.,!
Do you need the lineman's belt. I do for crossing limbs but I do not climb with it. If you have ever slipped off a step with just a loose lineman belt holding you. ? You will lose some skin and a tooth or two.. I use the Tether belt to climb. I walk up to the tree an tether around it then hook up.it get my tether just loose enough where I can use it sort of like a lineman and go up the sticks or ladder like that.. I am locked in and this is a extremely safe way to climb... If I use screw in steps then I tether up again but I sewed two extra loops on my tether belt that keep me extremely close to the tree when I screw the steps with most of my wait in the seat of the not my legs.. Man ole man what an easy way to put in steps. Take note if your reading Butch..haha.
Good luck to the Guido mafia guys.. I going up my favorite tree in the morning for my eight year in a Guido... Trying to think how many deer I have bowshot out of my web ?
I change up something every year on my web..but that's just what I do and that's is another thing about Guido web. They are fun to hunt out of.
Any chance we can get pictures of the pvc step mod? Please and thank you.
Whip here is the only pic I have. this was taken while I was building them. The top would be covered with expanded metal just like other tree stands. It's just a small version of a climax stand base.
Got mine on order yesterday. Don't call Butch unless you got some time. Good luck in Ks.
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c222/526don/DSC00167.jpg)
That is a concern of mine Joe, so far they have worked good in the yard but I've thought about drilling a hole in them and putting a bolt with a point through them to make them dig in the tree when I ratchet them down to the tree...I'll have to tinker with it though... I'm kind of like you Joe I'm never satisfied with my equipment...No matter how well it works.
Amen to that. Heres one of my 3 types of bases i use for the Guido setup. This was the Stepp Ladder ingeniuosly made by Jim Stepps of Maine which is out of production unless you call him direct. His original Stepp was a 3 pt contact with One prong that dug into the tree for botton support and other top at top. My 240 lbs would rock this and never could get that piece of mind ROCK SOLID setup. Jim also weigh 160lbs!! So i got a welder to split the prong, add horizontal bar and BINGO i got a 4 pt contact instead of original three....Love them now!....Just another Joebuck jimmyrig.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/SteppAdjustment.jpg)
Heres the platform i use for trees i hunt very often. Don Batton made it for me and i can not find anything to change. Of coarse i am so OCD i made one out of wood and sent to him to copy and for a redneck welder, he is pretty dang good!!!
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidoplatform.jpg)
Plenty of room for 2 feet...Its the Cat's !@#$
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidoplatformlook.jpg)
The Don Batton Platform which i call the Batform! is my favorite.
Second favorite is the Jim Stepps Modified with Cranford EZ Steps.. Paul Brunner put me on this company in 1989 . These are the ONLY screw in steps i will use..
So this system is 2 Stepp Ladders with screw in step. I climb with screw in steps, Notice how my last screw in step is over my Jim Stepps ladders. I like to step down on my stepps.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/steppladder2-1.jpg)
When i get some time i will post pictures of a typical Guido Web tether system and a Guido Web Tether System modified with the Bridge ( homemade strap to open up right hand shots)
OOOPPS i forgot..to mention.. Don made those platforms for me as a favor . he doesnt sell. he grows hay for a hobby and hunts and cooks for a living so in short....Get Your Own Friend to weld!!.....seriuosly hope this help those that want to improve their equipment.
I was thinking in the tree other day and i have killed 19 deer out of Guido in 7 years so i have a lot of Guido time in short but always love learning from others , so chime in!
Hey Joey, is that fried chicken on your right shoe? (LOL)
It is Ho and a Yellow Jacket is licking the chicken grease on my left ankle. even our yellow jackets in Mississippi are fried eating coniseuors !
I don't want to registar in the archerytalk forum to see the pictures. (too distracted with the few boards I am a member of :thumbsup: ) Anyway someone can post a picture on this thread of the bridge?
Thanks
Hey Christ..here is a pic of my Joebuck Bridge. Same technique as Trophyline set up but I keep my Guido Web Tether. I sewed two extra Short loops on my tether i use to screw in steps. So i hook a carbiner up to those two loops with about 14" of climbing rope ( using climbing rope that is made to slide through carbiners!!) and that is it.....I adjust the Bridge ( climbing rope) that is perfect to lean back, twist hips to the right and shoot anything from the right as easy as a left shot. It makes the Guido almost 360 from one foot position.
So you dont want to sew extra loops? you could just take a big carbiner and hook Over the tehter belt but climbing with it could be bothersome..
Thats it basically.. you can look at Archerytalk pics without joining...go to search and type in Guido Web... then answer security question ..then hit search...Look for thread that says Guido Web with Trophyline set up Rocks!....
or just copy mine.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/Joebuckbridge.jpg)
So basically when you twist to the right at the waist, the bridge slides to the right to open up that side of the tree. U determine how far it slide by lenght of the climbing rope Bridge.. SIMPLE....it is huge tweak for a great stand. I bet 90% of people that sold Guido stands after they tested them would have kept them if they knew about this homemade adjustment.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidorightshot.jpg)
Here you go Speir Hunting.....
Like i have said before i only use Cranford Screw In Steps. They are head and shoulders above the rest becasue of several reason. Big one is they go into the Tree FAST with self tapping case hardened steel screw. I have 100% confidence when i use EZ screw in steps. I know i am going to come home every night after i hunt. sermon over.
Just take some 1" ( i think) PVC and cut off 8-12 inches and take a small bungee and loop attach to keep screw tight when you BANG it into tree to stick. I use the EZ step that the screw can fold into the sleeve but the fix screw step is just as good and honestly goes in faster. Then i basically use the PVC pipe as a cheater bar for leverage..
Notice on the step the tape. That is reflective tape. When i come down, i do not use the pvc pipe but hand unscrew. I drop every step on the ground. When i get on the ground , each step is easy to find with the reflective tape. If i leave my steps in to hunt the next morning etc...reflective tape on steps is easy to find the stand...
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/screwinstep.jpg)
Bridge benifit Explained.
In the below picture, i drew some red arrows. Under a normal Guido Web Tether set up, that BLUE caribiner would be hooked up to the loop on the strap coming from the tether. Now look at that gap or Lenght the bridge allows for the Web to slide to the right thus opening up the shoulders and torso for a right shot. it's a huge tweak. If you were attached to the tether the Guido way, you would have to move around the tree or wait for deer to walk by you then to shoot.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidorightshotexplained.jpg)
here is the TrophyLine set up for a Guido Web they talk about on archery talk. They do not use Guido tether strap at all but climbing rope with a prussic knot and a strap for a bridge.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/archerytalkbridge.jpg)
Okay I spent about 13 hours in my Guido web hunting this weekend and now I have a few thing I've learned and few things I want to change... My bridge supplies should be in today so I can get rid of the original strap, Butch had a good idea but not for me, not enough range of motion, bridge should fix that problem of not being able to shoot with easy on close shots... my question is how do you guys put on jackets in the web? I like to walk to the stand with a light tshirt or shirt and then put a jacket on once I'm in the stand, I couldn't figure out a simple way to do this, my best idea was to put it on at the base of the tree and just take my time to deal with sweat? Is that everyone else's way?
Other than that I really enjoyed my time in the stand I let a nice doe walk on my second sitting but was able to draw my recurve on her and feel I could have shot her with little ease....
Now you cooking! Just a couple things i want to throw at you that you might want to try. THESE ARE NOT GUIDO ENDORESED..and if you knew ME Beaul..you would say No !@#$
1. I shoot with right shoulder strap off....sometimes with both shoulder straps off :) BUT my legs straps STAY on. This secures me in the stand. Tons of freedom this will get you.
2, I always climb up and down totally strapped up.
3.Backyard homework. Get one foot off the ground. meaning put steps in tree at 3,6,9,12 oclock. Tether into tree and get in stand. now swing like a dang oranatang or monkey all around the tree. twist ,turn, take your shoulder straps off, put one back on, undo leg straps, twist in seat ...Just abuse it....This will give you light years of Guido experience safely one foot off ground.
4,. Outerwear.. If i need to put a jacket on in the evening. i just sit on it partially and have it snugged up around my lumbar, then take off shoulder straps and put on...its easy...KEEP leg straps on.
Or look at pictures below.. I drilled a hole in my seat and rigged up a crossing bunge to hold my heavy coats. When i want to slip off or put on, then i reach under and remove. I do not like laying or sitting any garment on the ground dispencing scent.. hope this helps
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/Guidobunge.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidobungeflat.jpg)
Yea, I had thought about having the jaket kind of already on to say and then putting it one so yea that will work...
On the monkeying around the tree... I did that...I wasn't about to get 20 foot up just dangling and no know what I could do...I felt safe the entire time and I really don't see a way to fall out of the stand....
One more question the Y bar.... mind I have sat in oak trees only this past weekend but I know the time will come for a pine and I feel that bar will make some noise... Do you tape, wrap, or anything else to your bar...I've read great things I've read bad things...personally I've never been one for putting things on the part of a stand that touches the tree...But all advice is much appreciated...
Thanks Joe, I will have to give that a shot.
I'm writing all this stuff down for future reference.
Posted by joebuck - "I like to step down on my stepps".
This is the single greatest flaw of the "stepps" joebuck. They will uncam with VERY little upward pressure. I thought I had found heaven when I bought a set until I was letting an older gentleman test them out and he barely bumped the step lifting his foot up to step on top of the step and the thing instantly uncammed.
Great tip on the bungee cord! The web is all I have used since '06.
Joey
Great tip on the bungees. I think I will add that to my Web.
I have been using Climb Paws as my base to stand on. I think this is the best way to go if you are not going to have a mini stand similar to the pictures shown previously. I rig 4 on a ratchet strap and they work great!
I rigged up my bridge exactly like JoeBuck's picture, except I made up 3 of identical length and twist them together to form one unit. Just did not trust the one piece of rope. It does not affect the function but sure makes me feel safer. If all 3 happen to give way some day, then it was just my time to leave this world :biglaugh:
https://www.climbpaws.com/productcart/pc/climbpaws-default.asp
ole Green Jeans ...chimed in..He is an ole pro fellows.
awbowman..... Absolutely.... Taking my Stepps from 3 point to 4 pt contact point to the tree was huge. if the tightness of the rope is just not so, it will possibly uncam. there is a learning curve to getting them tight
Greg,.... I stepped on some climb paws at Butchs shop and they were really solid. So do you climb with climb paws and use as a base? How is the bulk? I think they are a great product.
Those Climb Paws look interesting. I haven't settled on what I want for my feet yet. I quit using screw in steps a few years ago. We have oak wilt problems where I hunt and I was losing too many stand trees. So for me something light that straps on would be ideal. The Stepp system steps look great, but no longer made?
Looking forward to getting my Guidos and playing with it.
Whip, ...I will say the Stepp system for climbing is Slow for me but I like for a base. for portable climbing , Lone Wolf sticks are as fast as any. I would fold mine up in my Guido side ways for walking then for climbing i put up 1 and 2 on the ground and use the Gator Grappler to lift the 3 and 4 sections up.
I purchased a second set of Climb Paws so I would have enough to use them to reach elevation. They make a GREAT base layer (very stable and comfortable to stand on) but imo take a lot more time / effort to reach hunting height than a climbing stick. The bulk of carrying is not bad to me but I can see where some folks may find it disagreeable.
I have been using a set of of Rapid Rails as my mobile set up, but just received a set of Muddy Sticks late last week. I have not had a chance to use them for real yet, but just messing in the yard they seem like the perfect compliment to the Web. Much shorter @ 20" than the Rapid Rails (~36") and soooooo easy and quiet to attach to the tree. I carry them horizontally on my right side strapped over my shoulder and the Muddy should be much easier navigating thru the woods and no problem reaching my preferred height of 13 to 15 feet with the 4 pack plus my Climb Paw base.
I own several sets of inexpensive "Rapid Rail" knock offs I purchased from Cabelas that I use for areas I will hunt multiple times. I can already see the potential for the Muddy sticks to replace all those set ups as they seem that easy to carry and install.
Right, I am just looking for what I will use as a base. Climbing will be with LW sticks- already have plenty of those.
Are the Top Paws a set of two steps on one strap? If so, it seems like two sets of them would make a great base. I am also curious about the weight.
In my opinion, LW sticks cannot be beat for a mobile system. After that I would think that the stepps would work great as a platform.
Just wanted to add how much I am enjoying this thread! Good to "kick around" ideas with other guys using the WEB or thinking of jumping into this type of tree stand hunting.
Thanks to everyone for sharing there knowledge :clapper:
Whip
The Top Paws have angled tops and are not flat like the regular Climb Paws. Personally, I did not think these would work as well as the regular Climb Paws if you want to walk around the tree but have no personal experience to base this opinion; just a gut feeling.
I will try to get a weight of the Climb Paws for you this evening.
I picked up 15 EZY Climb screw in steps today for a song. If my plan works out, I'm gonna use the sticks that I have (about 12 sets) for my regular spots and use the screw ins for the occasional walking in the woods found a hot spot application.
I also have a set of tree gaffs but It's been a long time . Can you say thigh burn?
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Right, I am just looking for what I will use as a base. Climbing will be with LW sticks- already have plenty of those.
Are the Top Paws a set of two steps on one strap? If so, it seems like two sets of them would make a great base. I am also curious about the weight.
Couple of options you can use Whip -
If you can still find one, look for the old Gorilla aluminum tree seat. They're half the weight of the new steel seats and still plenty strong enough to stand on (rated at 300 if memory serves). It's small, but it's enough to stand on next to the LW sticks. I use it with my Tree Saddle.
If you don't mind the penalty of weight, the newer HX steel seat gives a little more room, just remember to take the seat pad off.
Another even lighter option is to use the Hand Climber seat as a platform, but I'd recommend being under 230# for that one, also make sure you've secured it with a bungee or strap in addition to the belt, as if you move weight off of it, it will go for a ride. Definitely lighter than the Gorilla seats, though.
I've been playing around with other platform options also, trying to get everything down to a smaller, more compact size.
I have an issue with "trimming" weight with my Treesaddle. :knothead: I even made a climbing rig for it and used it for a season. It worked, weighted next to nothing, but man was it a pain to use.
Always looking for a better mousetrap!
ETA -
I do have and have used 5 of the old Ameristep strap on tree straps hooked onto a single ratchet strap. I don't know if you can even still buy them anymore, but in my opinion they were a pain. Even if you ratcheted the snot out of the set, they still would twist and rotate on you a little bit. I tried all kinds of things to make them more stable, but in the end I just lived with it until I moved to a solid platform.
If you're thinking about going the footpeg route, definitely go the screw in route over the footpeg on a strap route.
Whip
The weight of the Climb Paws is 10 ounces per step/strap.
Greg
Thanks Greg :thumbsup:
TTT for BowPlinker
Thanks :)
Am I correct in thinking that most of the people using a Guido's style sling use bow quivers?
I use a bow quiver but I don't think the stand type would prevent using any type quiver a person preferred.
I have been just out of ease but I practed in the yard using a cat quiver and it was not a bad addition, just and extra step during set up... One I was strapped in I just used a carbiener to hook the top d loop of cat quiver to the back side of my web...
Okay, I got my bridge in last week and hunted out of it for the First time Sunday... I went with a 24 inch webbing and a rope hook up on the tree! I love it! I actually had a doe come in at 6 yards to I flat out just missed on... forgot to pick a spot... but I was able to lean to her side and had full range of motion on her...
The stand has been a great tool in my arsenal! I'll be adding a set of muddy sticks to it for My piedmont hunt next month! Boy is this a great way to hunt!
good stuff Beul!
Bridges.....let's talk about them for a second. basically there are two types of bridges. flat web and climbing rope.
I personally like to use two sections of climbing ropes identical lengths.( 14-16 inches) this slows down the "sliding of the bridge rope through the carabiner" when you twist side to side. the web for some reason slips Fast and kind of throws me off balance. So in short I added a section of bridge rope ( i use 2 sections of 16" rope) to slow it down for my bridge rope connection. I do not use the web bridge but plenty of guys do with great comment.
original Guido Web equipment has no bridge accessory. You just cross your chest straps and hook up from tether caribiner. The Bridge technology came from the the TRophyline Tree Saddle set up. It really opens up the right side more.
Yea, it was amazing at the amount of Freedom I instantly had with the bridge.... I decided to go with the rope and webbing system because of the ease of hook up and how fast and easily I could move around the tree one handed with the rope.
Now I hate to keep beating a dead horse but platforms I like my strap around the tree with my crawford steps a little heavy but manageable... May go back to screw in steps but still not sold on which I like more...
the platform design you guys are using does that cause your knees to be in the tree? I'm not a huge guy but my legs seem to be touching the tree with screw in steps I can't imagine with a platform...(I am on one very large oak tree) but I still don't see how your knees wouldn't touch)
Also bow holder, I'm using a HME long accessory hook but I still have problems with my arrows touching my knee but my holder is as high as I can get it and still grab my bow? Any advice on a different holder?
When I sit , my knees straddle the tree. The strap steps for a base is a neat setup but ratchets scare me and I am too heavy to get a tight fit. 2 foot diameter tree is about the biggest I will climb. Bow holder is the cheap screw in however I screw an EZ step head high over left should as a grab bar
Grab handle that is nice mention I noticed this past week while hunting and thought that would be a great add on, especially with this rope hook up I'm using now...
I agree that it seems a smaller tree is a better way to go... I've seen that when practicing...
So what side are you hanging your bow on...I've been putting mine on the left since I'm right handed with an arrow already nocked... Is there a better way?
The same.. left side for bowholder...i carry about 4-10 extra of those things.. what is neat is climbing a tree and seeing one you left years ago not knowing you have climbed that tree before!
next add on is a pocket sleeve or two on backrest the side my back touches so i can add so heat pouches.. i will just slip them in. one around lumbar and other mid back
Not a bad idea I have been using toasty toes for years stuck on each kidney, liver, and pecs they have drastically cut the amount of clothing I wear...
What about the whale bar? Do you think a little padding would help with any quietness I have had it pop a little sliding on the tree but nothing really bad...
I can't decide if its worth putting some padding on since that is what is touching the tree and I kow it will wear out...
You can but wear and tear whatever you tape on will come off. Pine trees are just loud.. I love a sweet gum . It's quiet. I am going to get butch to make me one 2 inches longer.
Yall have many sweet gum in ms?
Ordered a bridge rig from Keith for my web.
I use a typical bow holder. I put it on the left side about level with my strap and around the tree (away from me) far enough so the bottom of the bow is not in my way since it will swing back towards you a little.
You guys should try the ThermaCare Heat Wraps made for the lower back. I purchased a box last year for my hunts in OH and IL and they worked great! Attach around your kidney area and stay warm all day. A great way to get some extra warmth for cold weather hunting.
DB , we have a lot and basically thats all they are good for.. to climb and deer hunt.! we mostly have hackberry ( or sugarberry) pecan, sweet gum, water oak,cottonwood, locust, a few red and overcup, ash, piss elm,a little beech,persimmon, touch of hickory. thank goodness no pine ....now thats on the river.......cottonwood is my second choice. Water oak is last choice
what ever i climb, when i get to top where i will attach tether.. i give it hell back and forth nocking off bark under tether to quiet it.
I've always done my best to stay away from pine trees the noise and the sap are not worth it to me...
I've been on a Water oak my first few hunts and was back on it this morning when I called this guy in to 6 yards of me... Small seven but could be something great next year!
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l484/Beauleyse10/Deer%20twenty%20twelve/PICT0003.jpg)
He thought he was the king of the woods, I let him go in favor of better deer on camera.
Shot was there though and with my bridge it was amazing how easily I could turn towards him for the shot, quiet and leathal two very important things to me in the deer woods.
Thermacells I can't find a good spot for it I normally set up with my down wind side on the right so its not the best place to hang it...I've debated getting one of those lanyard holders and hanging it on the tree right in front of me...Any suggestions...
I hadn't thought about simple moving the hook around the tree some to keep the bow off me great idea....
And Joe that step at shoulder height as a handle is amazing! one of the better things I've learned makes standing up to loose rope to climb down so much easier! let me know about that extended bridge you may be on to something there I was texting with a friend this morning who has been debating getting a web after the praise I've given it and I was telling him I wonder if a longer bar would be better. I think maybe worse for climbing down on stick ladder but that is the only negative I could see.
any pics of you good looking models in the seat taking the off side shots. i really want to see that!
i love to use my woodpecker drill, i go out mid summer, find my spots, drill my holes, set up my seat, then i come back when and where i want take my slip in bolts and seat. a little nip and tuck on the shooting lane, and i am hunting. we dont have a problem with screw in's or woodpecker drills here- legally that is.
and i like to set my stands in alder trees- lots of branches and cover-front and back- i leave the back cover and open up the front cover. movement is a little restricted, but its a tradeoff.
gonna start using a rope and prussics from now on as well!!!- very next time out!!!
who's got pics in the seat
fuj.."..I got some coming but I have to get my wife to take pictures.. But will get you some right side shooting pics....one thing that makes right side shooting a breeze especially with the rope bridge is I cross my feet.....its so easy
thank JB, really look forward to seeing the pics- i am definately gonna use a bridge from now on.
thanks for all the info- and a great thread
Gave the GW another round of real world tests this weekend. I continue to get more comfortable and enjoy the GW more with each sit.
I absolutely love the Muddy Sticks with the GW. I was carrying them strapped on my right side as I walked in but this weekend tried sticking them between the seat and back. This works GREAT! At 20" long, they are just a hair wider than the stand itself and I had no issues with them hanging up on brush.
I also switched the GW webbing that goes around the tree for one of my ropes from a safety harness. I really like being able to use the prussic knot to adjust my seat height and angle. I feel this modification will further increase the versatility of the GW.
I am really growing fond of the GW and many of the initial difficulties are quickly becoming non issues as I become more familiar with the stand.
Joey
Look forward to hearing more about your right hand shot strategy. I think I understand what you are saying about crossing the feet but would love to hear more details.
Greg
Greg can you post a picture of your sticks packed up in the back of your stand?
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn22/gclark_photo/Untitled.jpg)
You can just barely see the ends of the sticks beyond the seat.
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn22/gclark_photo/P1010081.jpg)
Shot from above
Wow I have been debating these sticks and thought the measurements seemed close but now seeing it first hand I just sent the money in sticks should be her by Friday... Is that 4 or 5 sticks?
Four sticks.
With my Climb Paw base I can easily get up 12 to 15 feet which is exactly what I like. Folks that prefer to get 20 feet or higher will need to buy extra sticks or really stretch them out up the tree.
Okay, thanks for the heads up I'll probably pick up one more stick I prefer to be over 15 if possible so 5 and my base will probably get me close I would think... How are you liking those climbing paws? easy to set up? stable?
I love the Climb Paws for my base. They are very stable and pretty easy on the feet also. I have had less trouble with the ratchet strap slipping with them than the Ameristeps. The only thing I think would work better is a small platform but that would be more weight and more bulk.
I used the Climb Paws to reach elevation for a while but have come to the conclusion that I prefer a set of sticks over the CP.
So you are doing four paws on one strap?
I havent tried the GW, but i do use the muddy sticks along with a hang on and i love the sticks. Might have to look into the GW a little more after this season as i would love to make my setup even lighter.
Great thread. Great conversation.
Mostly just "listening", but as folks are looking for base options, I would think a hand held climber is not a good choice as suggested, as most don't have any decent looking mechanism.
Likely not a safety issues as that is the web's job, but you might not appreciate bumping that platform and having it jingle to the ground.
Fun stuff...
Keep this one going. I have a tree saddle, and use 4 ameristeps and a ratchet strap for my base, with 3 lone wolf sticks to get up the tree. I use a small length of climbing rope with a prussik on it. The prussik has a locking beaner that I clip to my bridge. I will probably never own a climbing treestand again. The web definitely looks more comfortable, but it looks more restrictive.
I wish I had one or two more steps to use on the ratchet, or a better platform idea.
Yep using 4 Climb Paws on a ratchet strap.
Ground to hunting what do you think your time frame is? As I know you know as well as I do its hot down her in Ga and sweating is a problem so hunting scenario is it faster than a climber?
Guido vs my old man. Ol Man twice as fast as my tree step method and 1.5 faster if I am using Lone wolf sticks. but with my Guido since it so comfortable , I arrive early and leave late! However most stands have sticks or steps already in tact so I just tether and climb, now that scenario is faster than a climber.
I agree, I know there is a pay off for each method and a sacrifice in weight for speed...I just like to know how much earlier I have to be there...I'm one to be in the stand well before the sun rises and stay till it is well set...
As for as pre set trees you are right I have set up two already and it is amazing how fast and quiet I can slip in climb up the ladder and buckle in to be hunting.
I will say I climbed a new tree I set up last week yesterday evening that was forked and I was able to get the strap in the fork kind of above me and that was by far my favorite way to sit I felt like I had the most freedom and boy was it so much easier to hook up to with my rope! really is amazing all the ways this stand surprises me each time I hunt out of it.
Beul....i ballpark say ....ground to stand...no prehung ladders/steps/etc...........plan on 20 minutes.....i am 2 minutes per screw in taking my time ..i go 15 feet with 8 steps
That isn't too bad and actually around where I figured...For a nice morning hunt that isn't a bad set up...my walks are normally twice that long just to get to the stand.
Yeah, I'd say its about 15-20 minutes to get set up. But I can pick the tree that I want, even if it has limbs, not just the straight tree with no limbs! I also prefer the smaller diameter trees that would be too small for a climber. My best setups are where I can sit just above a couple limbs that give me cover.
It takes about 2 minutes or less if you already have a tree ready to go.
My Guidos is here and I've been playing in the yard with it. As expected, there is a fairly steep learning curve. I haven't hunted with it yet.
So far have tried a set of Stepps for my base. Learning curve on setting those as well. For a bridge, I'm using the tether with a locking beinner hooked directly to the tether. But I climb by first using the tether as designed but hooked into the secondary set of straps on the seat, then hook in my bridge set up, and disconnect the climbing straps. Seems to work pretty well so far.
Big adjustment getting used to moving around, especially without using my hands as if I had a bow in them. Hope to put the setup to a real test in the next day or two.
Alright here it is> Bridge and right shot explained.
Set Up: this is using my Bridge setup Tree Rope with my Bridge climbing ropes. This set up is homemade obviuosly or order from guy on archery talk. Mine is a little different where i use rope for my bridge instead of straps. Knots in rope stop my designed lateral movement. I can shoot 360 degrees comfortably with this set up.
here is pic of my setup.. Everything is backed up. 2 hooks up on everything.. I am COMING HOME!
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/GuidoBridgerope.jpg)
If you are using the supplied Guido Tether strap and everything by the Guido book.. Your right shot will be somewhat constrictive.
The following pictures are of me using my Bridge Hook up with 2 different foot placements.
First Foot placement is what i call the stationary. deer comes to right side and you do not move your feet.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/Guidonormalfootplacement.jpg)
This pic is 90 degree shot. Not to hard.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidonormalfoor90degrees.jpg)
Here is the shot about 2 oclock! watch your bow limb maybe smacking your knee! However with the original Guido hookup, this shot is very hard too do.. This is where bridge pays off
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidonormalfootstraghtonshot.jpg)
Here is the second method of foot placement i call the Crossover. If i see the deer and he is for sure coming to right side, i grab my grab bar ( notice tree step overhead in third pic) and switch my feet or you will get good enough to just swing your feet around. This crossover with the Bridge is a must...
Foot placement
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidofootcrossoverrightshot.jpg)
Right side shot 90 degress. piece of cake. Now compare the stationary foot 90 shot with this shot crossover 90 degree shot. Notice in crossover how much further my limb is away from my body... tons more clearance in the crossover
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidofootcrossoverrightshot90degrees.jpg)
2 oclock ...the impossible shot? not no more.. Love this shot because the tree is directly blocking your profile..Limb clears knee beautifully...MONEY SHOT
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidorightshotfootcrossover.jpg)
Stationary Foot shot versus Crossover foot shot
Stationary 90 degree shot...notice bottom limb tip in relation to my knee.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidonormalfoor90degrees.jpg)
Crossover foot 90 degree .....Look at the clearance of bow limb to my knee
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/guidofootcrossoverrightshot90degrees.jpg)
Nice Post Joe...I like the cross over method as far a I feel I have best base... But I still alway hope they read the script and do like they are suppose too... This post just keeps getting better and better! I'm like the amount of room you have on those stepp ladders there lot more than just a screw in step.
I climb with EZ steps and base with 2 Stepp Ladder modified with a four point touch ( I show pics of that in this thread) . If the tree is larger than one shown , I will use Stepp Ladder as a base at 9 and 3 o'clock with long EZ step at 6 o'clock. Those Stepp Ladder steps are a Godsend to hunting in a sling . If my stand is permanent for the season meaning i will use multiple times, i stick ladder or Lone Wolf to it and use a Batton platform
I haven't been on a tree as small as the one in your picture is that the size of trees' you normally look for? Is it a better sit? I've enjoyed my larger trees but I'm starting to see some advantages of a smaller trunk.
I think the main advantage of smaller tree is less platform steps for a base. I just use two Stepp Ladders on smaller tree as shown.....larger trees, i use use two Stepp ladders and 1 to 2 screw in for my base. Preference tree.........sweet gum about 16" diameter...bark is quiet, steps pop into bark easy, they grow straight with few lower branches to deal with...
I have been following this thread from the beginning and am quite interested. To anyone currently using, from Joe's pics above, it looks like you could slide out of the seat? Is there a waist strap?
Thanks in advance.
beyondmyken
The stand has leg straps that Joey did not have hooked up while taking the pictures. I think it would be impossible to fall out of this stand unless some part of it failed.
Thanks for the pics Joey.
I checked my watch the other night and it was 15 minutes from time I hung my bow up to quit hunting to the time I was throwing stand on my back to hike out.
beyond...I wear them climbing up to keep my web on my back higher but not when I hunt. Notice the shoulder straps and the rib straps. my arms are through them. There is no way I could slide through the web. When you fall ( which I have ) your butt hits the seat and you slam into the tree but only so hard since the bar keeps you off. That might be the next YouTube! how about it Dave
This Is Great stuff. I was in a stand to day and Butch called to tell me that my web had shipped. I'm off to northern Va in the morning to try and kill a big buck on video. I can't wait till I get back and try out the web . I got a place close to my back door that it's gonna enable me to shoot the biggest buck of my life. thanks Joey for starting this up .
good luck Don...keep us posted... Hope you miss the hurricane
Joey, for the two o'clock shot, I usually just ease my way to the left around the tree. I put my tie off rope (I use the same type you do), just about as high as I can get it. This gives me the freedom to move almost all the way around the tree.
The crossover move is definitely the way to go if you want to shoot to the right. I don't have those nice steps, so it is harder for me to do. Do they still make those steps?
JJ ... they sure do but Jim sells them one stepp at a time for insurance reasons.. You can reach him by email. You Tube ... Stepp Ladder.. and his email pops up on the video. Howwever mine are a little different than Jim's where i made mine a 4 pt touch where his is a three point touch. i bought mine and had a welder split the bottom contact point to make two...HUGE improvement. 3 pts work obviously but i am 230lbs and it always had a little wiggle.
here is my modification.. notice bottom strut. on Jim Stepp original, that is one bar contact, you can see where i split it to make a 2 point contact for bottom
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/SteppAdjustment.jpg)
I use the Treesuit and find it to be comfortable, stealthy, and versatile. Takes longer to strap in than my lone wolf climber, unless I have a climbing systom in place. I'm still looking for that fast and easy portable climbing system; tried LW sticks, Stepp Ladder, Ameristep strap ons.
So far I have settled on Sportclimbers spurs for compactness and light weight, when going into an unknown area. I use screw in steps for my repeat setups, but had 5 steps removed and my haul line cut last weekend...
it sure has gotta be tough to try and hunt areas where there is a lot of human traffic. i sure like the woodpecker hand drill and the bolts- quick and easy set up, and the bolts are real cheap. its also so easy to pack into the bush- all you need for a stand setup fits easily into one pocket!!
-affordable- no theft- compact!!!
Fastest climbing aid system i have seen and used besides my Buckingham tree spikes...is a Lone Wolf climbing stick...Rapid rails close second..Summit Buck steps third...Woodpecker drill close fourth ( I could be faster but cant drill fast left handed).Millinium Stick ladder (BULKY)distant fifth ...Jim Stepp Ladder sixth..EZ Screw in Steps seventh and .........dang i just realized i have spent some money over the years but still own all.
Okay joe do you have trouble with the back sliding down when you take the straps off? I mean not like flapping in the wind but sliding down?
The back has a hard plastic plate in it to keep it rigid and upright on it's own.
It just seems to be riding a little low... Not bad, I enjoy the freedom without them. But on another note, I did miss a deer this morning from it, stand preformed perfectly deer came in behind me I drew she ducked, I got to sharpen a broadhead.
I just received a Lone Wolf Stick Ladder to use with the Web. For us older - over weight guys , it will be a lot easier than the sticks. It is a little more bulky than the sticks to carry but worth it to me.
Just got home from a 3 day trip to Va. My Web and Bridge were waiting on my back porch. When this hurricane gets on by and it quits raining, I'm gonna start playing with it. May have to wait a few weeks because the bucks are starting to move a bunch here and I got to go with what I know right now.
Joebuck, where did you get this Gator Grappler you were talking about to haul up sticks?
http://www.blueridgeoctober.com/grapnel.htm
Worth every penny.
Joey, I can't believe this. John Freeland is a friend of mine. He's an equine vet and live in the Ashville area. I have one of his Hitchiker target throwers. A real intovative guy and pretty good banjo picker as well. Didn't realize he sold these grappler hooks.
Remind me sometime, got a funny story about John and Dickie Betts.
Thanks Joey, need to get or make one of those. I've hunting out of the web since I got back from out west and love it. I shot a nice Buck from it the other night. One thing I've been using an (A.R.T. Positioner) insted of purrsik knot. Very quik and easy to position even under tension with one hand.
Sounds neat Scotty! Not familiar with that knot . Can you show a pic?
Joey, I google searched it and it's right down your ally. Only $163 . I'd get two if I was you. It really does look neat.
Don, LOL I didn't know they were that much. I had a couple at work that I use for climbing trees(always adjusting the length of your scare strap for diff. size trunks and limbs) they sure work great though. One hand adjustment even under tension.
I have to go lean how to post pics and get up to speed on this computer stuff.
Im just a little puzzled on the feet situation. Simply keeping your feet on a few tree steps would seem to make feet sore after awhile...I see that bracket or platform in some of the pictures - does that come with it?
Jerry, good question. The sling / web style stands your basically sitting down in the seat and feet relaxed on the pegs. I sit mostly then stand only to shoot. There almost a dozen ways hunters use different sticks,platforms, homemade , screw in steps, rope steps etc for bases. Guido web nor did Trophyline sell bases. lone Wolf has one and it's pricey but well made. Hope this helps
Joey, this is the buck I shot last week out of the web. Also the only pic of the A.R.T. I have. Ther are diff. kinds out there and you may be able to pick up a used one cheap. Loving the Web and way more comphy then my tree saddle. Thanks for the help.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s625/ScottyRalph/2012-11-25_15-36-52_699.jpg)
Sorry only one pic came thru, still trying to get the hang of photobucket. Here's the Buck.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s625/ScottyRalph/DSC004091.jpg)
Scotty , thats a nice buck. congrats
Don, thanks you should see the one that got away ..LOL
Beautiful buck! That A.R.T is cool but does not come cheap.
what a TOAD. Way to go Scotty. Thanks for the tip. So the ART is the metal pulley looking thing? You made your own bridge?
Yes it is a spring loaded cam of sorts. You pull up on rope coming out the bottom to go up and down on the finger tab to go down . Slick and easy, hanging in it as I type. I made my bridge just like yours. Works great, only thing I liked better about the tree saddle was I could add and remove clothing. I didn't wear the shoulder straps. Might still be able to do it in the web, just need to try it on the ground first.
Heres the best way Ive found to keep the feet comfy.
For my platform I use 4-5 tree steps or bolts from the Treehopper system.
Go to Wally World and get the cheapest bicycle pedels there less then $10 for 2. Take bolt cutters and cut the bolt out.
Those pedels fit perfectly on the bolts or the small dia tree steps. If your steps have a step upward curl on the end you cant get them on. I think its the Ameristep brand of step that works best. You do want the step to curl some though or the pedel will slide off.
Ive kept that tip to myself awhile now but thought it was time to share.
Now that is innovative! great tip.RG! may have to try that
QuoteOriginally posted by wihill:
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
[qb]
I've been playing around with other platform options also, trying to get everything down to a smaller, more compact size.
I have an issue with "trimming" weight with my Treesaddle. :knothead: I even made a climbing rig for it and used it for a season. It worked, weighted next to nothing, but man was it a pain to use.
Always looking for a better mousetrap!
[/b]
Wihill,
What are you doing to trim weight?
Can you describe the climbing rig you were using that was lightweight?
Thanks,
James
Cool thread.. gotta re- read it!
Since seeing Don's video of the Lone Wolf hand climber approach, I haven't been able to shake my interest in the Guido. I think I'm going have to try it next season.
Hey guys after reading this I got to thinking I have some strap tree steps that I mounted on one strap for a platform when I had a treesuit. If any one is interested in it shoot me a PM we work out something I dont use it anymore.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/ckanous/IMG_20130101_170444_383.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by ckanous:
Hey guys after reading this I got to thinking I have some strap tree steps that I mounted on one strap for a platform when I had a treesuit. If any one is interested in it shoot me a PM we work out something I dont use it anymore.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc244/ckanous/IMG_20130101_170444_383.jpg)
PM Sent. Thanks!