Would it be safe?

[curlis]

Would it be safe to use a climbing stand on an old telephone poll? Would it be able to hold the weight?

[Michael Arnette]

man that a risk I wouldn't take. Especially if there is electric anywhere connected

[Roy from Pa]

I wouldn't do it.

[Pat B]

It's illegal if it is still in use or on the power company's ROW. Not much cover either.

[monterey]

A friend of my son in law died when a power pole he was using fell over.

[curlis]

There are no lines connected to it.

[Xtreme007]

I work for a power company and just wanna say a lot of times those pole will rot at ground level or right below the ground.

It may be fine but I would check it out good before I climbed it.

[Shadowhnter]

It's very very risky using a climber on anything that is a hard barkless surface. Even some hard, thin barked trees are bad enough. The stands gripping teeth cannot properly dig in. Slippage is almost a guarantee... I recommend not do it. I've got a spot where I could do the same and solve a lot of my problem there, but will not trade a deer for risking injury or death.. If you absolutely must do it....at least use a hang on with steps or a ladder stand...but I'd find another way period.

[Warden609]

I wouldn't do that. I worked a hunting related accident one time that involved an old power pole. That hunter was forever changed.

[curlis]

How about a ladder?

[Webbbowhunter]

Friend of my dad's did this years ago.  One day his climber slipped all the way to the ground.  He attempted to climb down by wrapping his arms and legs around the pole.  He slid all the way down.  He had to have 5 inch splinters removed from his chest, arms, inside of his legs, and his groin area.

[Possum Head]

The worst thing that can happen is DEATH and you'll go out doing what you love the most  

[Possum Head]

On second thought i see the little ones in your pic probably out to stick around and make hunters out of em! I would be most concerned with how hard and slick those boogers are. Not sure  my Summit would bite into one.Ladder would be your best bet.

[Sam McMichael]

I had a friend try that ONCE. It slipped and he grabbed the pole to keep from falling backwards. It was early season, so his clothing was quite thin. He had creosote splinter in his arms, chest, and face. I just couldn't resist laughing when I saw the splinter in the end of his nose.

It is dangerous - don't even consider it.

[ron w]

NO...........  

[The Whittler]

What would happen if you didn't use the telephone pole. If you have no family then don't worry about it, what's the worst that could happen.

[Butchie]

I would advise against that for sure.    

[jcprintz]

Ditto ron w

[JohnV]

I did that once when I was young and foolish.  Each time I shifted my weight the stand would drop a good 6 inches.  Most climbing stands are dangerous to use on hard surface trees as they are not getting enough "bite".

[curlis]

Thanks for all of the advice. I went a different direction.