Lineman climbing spurs vs. tree steps

[whitetails4us]

Has anyone used the climbing spurs you strap to your boots for climbing up to your stand? I've been thinking about using a pair since I hunt from a treesaddle. I have multiple trees ready to go in MI and OH with tree steps already in them, but to add more trees gets costly with steps. (I don't use screw in steps on state land by the way.) I figured when I get up to my hunting height in the tree, I take off the strap on spurs and use only a few screw in steps while hunting. Do these spurs really work or should I leave them to the lineman and lumberjacks?

[john warren]

ok......
#1 linemans spurs are not designed for use on bark, you will get broken.
tree spurs would work assuming you get some training.
#2 they invented all this other stuff to stop you from breaking bits off your body.

[Backwoods-Savage]

Has anyone used the climbing spurs you strap to your boots for climbing up to your stand? I've been thinking about using a pair since I hunt from a treesaddle. I have multiple trees ready to go in MI and OH with tree steps already in them, but to add more trees gets costly with steps. (I don't use screw in steps on state land by the way.) I figured when I get up to my hunting height in the tree, I take off the strap on spurs and use only a few screw in steps while hunting. Do these spurs really work or should I leave them to the lineman and lumberjacks?

Yes, I have tried them and sent them back. No, I would not reccommend them to anyone.

I bought them several years ago because I used to use climbers for trimming trees, so I figured I could use these okay. Wrong! They are much different.

Should you decide to try them, first, make sure you buy their safety belt which is top notch all the way. I love it. It is worth ordering alone for installing tree steps.

If you get them, make certain you have lots of time to get used to them as they are very hard on your legs and ankles. You'd probably have to use them daily for a month or more before they would not hurt you while climbing. No. Just don't buy them.

Also, removing them when up the tree and then installing them again when descending would be difficult.

[deerslayer#1]

I will tell you this, if you use lineman gaffs, lock your knee in place when climbing. I used to climb telephone poles in the military and my advice to you is lock your knee's. They have longer spurs made for climbing trees that work just fine. Make sure the area under the tree is cleared out just in case you get caught with your lower knee unlocked...!!

[Sprytle]

I want to watch the first time you use them, so i see how good they work!!:D

Talk to ya soon.

-Bob:)

[roger23]

I have used spurs for years.But I am old school long before all this new stuff came out.also trimmed many a tree with them. never had a problem with them .I did spur out on a 90 ft pole I still have the scars from the way down finally caught myself about 30 feet from the ground ..put up a tree stand with them and not many people will go after it

[benster]

I would stay away from them. I did line clearance for edison for a number of years and was a climber. The gaffs we used were longer then what I have seen for hunting. We only used them on trees that we were removing because of the damage they cause to the tree. We also did not climb in the dark like you would be doing while hunting. It's not worth your safty, better to have your stand stolen then to not be able to climb into a tree stand again. You can't put a price on your health.

[NoWake]

Not sure how common it is but I have heard of infected climbing spurs infecting healthy trees with disease and killing them. It might be something to consider.

[roger23]

I have also heard that but having been a lineman and trimming trees around wires ,I have not seen that now a days they use mostly bucket trucks,only climb where they can't get the trucks in

[walleyechaser]

Leave the climbing spurs to the pros. Every lineman can probably tell of at least one close call and they do it every day.
Go with what works and is the safest

[William H Bonney]

I thought about using those spurs too,, guess I won't now. Here's another question though,,, before tree steps were illegal I had them in 4 or 5 different trees around my "area". Of course, at the end of the season there were always a couple steps that would just NOT come out. Had no choice but to leave 'em,, over the past say,, 7 or 8 years I've been watching these steps slowly become part of the tree, with no apparent damage(these trees grow another foot or 2 every year). My question is this,, can you still get in trouble for "old" tree steps in a tree??

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

forget about the linemens spurs unless you want to know what pain is at 30 foot. those spurs are not designed to climb trees PERIOD! if you want some tree spurs go online to barnets they have a whole line of arborists equipment. with the spurs make sure you get a SADDLE and a CHOKER! (buck strap)
now for the climbing issue practice down low on the same type or size of trees you'll be climbing, this will build some confidence, not to mention you'll see how easy it is to get HURT! all it will take is one slip of the spur or the bark to peel off and mister panic will set in, and that my friend is exactly how people get those spurs jammed into their calf muscle. that makes for a very messy scene and a lot of time off work. and being your in the woods you could bleed out.
now we have the issue of being legal to use:
on private property YES on state or federal land I WOULD SAY ***NO***, and the reason i say no is that this would open up the trees all oaks for sure to OAK WILT and kill off an oak stand real quick and spread like a WILDFIRE!

[rzdrmh]

I thought about using those spurs too,, guess I won't now. Here's another question though,,, before tree steps were illegal I had them in 4 or 5 different trees around my "area". Of course, at the end of the season there were always a couple steps that would just NOT come out. Had no choice but to leave 'em,, over the past say,, 7 or 8 years I've been watching these steps slowly become part of the tree, with no apparent damage(these trees grow another foot or 2 every year). My question is this,, can you still get in trouble for "old" tree steps in a tree??

get in trouble? you mean, because they are on state land? technically, if you use tree steps on state land, regardless of how long they've been in or whether you put them in, you could potentially receive a ticket. realistically, i think the chances are fairly low.

the bigger trouble comes along when those trees are logged, and some poor guy hits those steps with a chainsaw.

[Swamp Monster]

Lets see. Screw in or strap on tree steps......dirt cheap for the most part...even if you eventually invest in 200+

Knee replacement, lost wages, increase in future insurance costs....


Yeah, I'll gladly buy the steps!

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

i would say not trouble, but a nice ticket for the use of them wether or not they are yours. the same goes for all the illegal tree blinds built and left in the woods. if you get caught using it, the ticket is yours and you can also be ordered to remove them if the C.O. WISHS IT! WHAT EVER YOU DO DON'T REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE C.O. that also would be a major mistake as it's their ballpark and their rules.
now as for those screw in steps, not only the guy running a chainsaw can get a major injury, how about that bandsaw operator or the cost of replacing planner blades and possible lose of an eye or life with a chunk of metal being thrown at you at 100 mph not a good smell situation at all.

[SNAREMAN]

I used tree spur's alot back 10 year's or so.Wore'em out and went to tree step's/ladder stand's.They do take some getting used too,the more climbing you do,the better you get.I did have a couple close call's while useing them.Most of my trouble's came while climbing DOWN.Let me tell ya,haveing your right knee touching your chin while your left leg is swingin in the air 15ft. up ain't no fun:lol:

[safetreehunt]

From a safety standpoint, the safest way to climb is:
1. Don't
2. Ladder stand or some type metal ladder
3. Climbing Sticks

After this the list gets not so safe:
4. Tree steps, screw in or otherwise
5. Homemade ladders or boards nailed on trees
6. Branches

I don't remember ever seeing spurs on any of these lists.

You might be able to use any of these more safely with a climbing line.
See more about these on my site.

[Riddle]

you can't use them (gaffs, spurs, etc.) on state/public land.

[Cpt.Chaos]

I've climbed utility poles for 12+ years now and I would highly recommend you not use lineman or tree gaffs for hunting. Lineman gaffs are designed for treated, de-barked, round poles, therefore they are not long enough to sufficiently penetrate the bark of all the trees you may climb
Tree climbing or arborist gaffs are made just for that, climbing trees to cut them down or at least major trimmimg of them. You need proper safety lines, a saddle/belt combo and a groundman to safely climb trees. Plus the damage the gaffs do to the trees probably would not be welcomed by any private land owner, and as others have pointed out, it is illegal on state land.

[Pigpen69]

i tried them sport climbers when they came out, i ,made the first trip up and the first trip down i broke my ankle....still hunted. but it hurt like hell..:D:lol:
never felt the urge to try them again..:dizzy:

[crazyc]

i use climbing spurs yes they r exspensive but so r tree stands and ladder stands.
i had 3 stands stolin from me in my first year with locks on them.
ever since i used spurs i have not had a stand stolin again.

however i am not telling u to go buy a pair unless u get training on them first. some people buy them and dont like them and try to return them
spurs usaully r a non returnable item .. if u buy them from a arborist shop