Using climbing stand in the dark...

[dataxman]

I have searched past threads, and haven't come across a thread on using a climbing tree stand in the dark. (Please direct me to one if one does exist.)

Does anyone have any tips for climbing in the dark? I love to hunt from a tree (my favorite), but I tend to only hunt my fixed/permanent tree stands in the am. In the evening, I will use the climber because going down is a breeze. I have head lamps, but thought there might be something else that makes climbing in the dark easier. Thanks in advance!

[LeanMachine]

Unless you are having to dodge knobs on the tree, I don't see the problem. You climb by feel more than anything. Lift seat portion, set teeth in tree, brace your arms and pull your legs and platform up, set platform teeth into tree, and repeat. I highly recommend using a lifeline with a prussic knot to keep you safe at all times when climbing.

[muddyfuzzy]

this is what i do. prior to going up a tree for the first time i check it out during daylight hours. if i have time i trim off any branches or broken nubs that may cause issues while climbing. if i don't have time i make a mental note of where i may encounter an issue while climbing.
another big help is to make some dry runs in the dark at the house or a park so you can get your wits during dark climbs. i use a red lens filter head lamp that does not project very far. this keeps my immediate area bright enough for me to safely climb but not broadcast my position to the next county.
take it slow and be careful. you will probably make less noise and will be more comfortable using the stand in low light conditions, it takes time to get used to.
make sure you have your landard tied on the lower so it doesn't drop down during your climb and can't be retrived. you laugh, but as i recall it recently happened to a member here.

[LeanMachine]

Yes scouting and trimming the tree prior to hunting is a must.

[Rather_B_Fishin]

Unless you are having to dodge knobs on the tree, I don't see the problem. You climb by feel more than anything. Lift seat portion, set teeth in tree, brace your arms and pull your legs and platform up, set platform teeth into tree, and repeat. I highly recommend using a lifeline with a prussic knot to keep you safe at all times when climbing.

^^^this^^^ you should climb by feel, once you do it a few times you'll get the hang of it. I'll click my light on once I think I'm getting close to where I need to be but that's about it.

[dataxman]

you laugh, but as i recall it recently happened to a member here.[/QUOTE]

That happened to me 2 weeks ago.

Thanks for the responses guys!

[explorer1]

Best advice i can give is don't climb in a climber in the dark,i have done it but it aint safe at all.

[baldybarton]

I have never had a problem climbing in the dark. Make sure that you scout the tree and maybe have a marker so you know when you are at the proper height.

[progater]

I do it all the time. Once you get tha hang of it, it's a piece of cake.

[mikem]

tie your top piece to the bottom piece ...just in case the bottom piece slips..

[TXZiggy]

I have never had a problem climbing in the dark. Make sure that you scout the tree and maybe have a marker so you know when you are at the proper height.

I've definitely climbed in the dark before, think I must be getting pretty high, and then daylight comes I found myself about 15ft up ... The marker is a good idea!

[Russ79]

One way to know if you have climbed high enough is to figure out how high you want to go, measure your bow pull up rope to that length, and tie one end to your bow and the other end to the bottow part of your climber. Climb until you feel your bottom part feeling heavy (lifting your bow off the ground) and stop.

[flywise]

this is my one and only experiance with a climber
i got stuck

[Tmag]

As most already said, climb it in the daytime. I put a mark on the tree at finish height to help me find my stopping point n the dark. Nothing worse than daylight finding you 14 ft up insted of 25.

[Bowdark]

Height marker and a little LED hat brim light. Know your tree/Practice in daylight. Regurgitory, I know...