Tree climbing as unconventional behavior

I feel a rant coming on- again. It’s an old topic but it is a reoccurring topic that I think deserves revisiting. We talked a while ago about taking the concept of “ninja climbs” out of our vocabulary so we could uhhhh…conform and mesh better with our society and present tree climbing as an upstanding activity deserving of societal acceptance. Yes, boot licking and playing by the “rules” does have a place in a culture that probably needs this kind of guidance. But there are a few out there, many of us here, that think outside of the box.

I often lean towards asking for forgiveness when I get caught climbing without permission rather than locating the land owner with liability waiver papers in hand with a prominent signature section for large print benefiting those with poor eyesight. I am not talking about running group climbs here which takes extensive permission and legal foot work to protect the climb leader and land owner.

Here’s the question. How long must the tree climbing community wait for sluggish societal acceptance before breaking out of the mold? We all know it is “normal” for kids to climb trees- and even incur a battle wound from a fall. But adults climbing with a rope? The concept strikes the legal beagles as something threatening. Do we as climbers carry on climbing activities regardless or patiently wait for the public tide of acceptance to turn?

well thanks to the Julia Butterfly incident and the antilogger types that climb trees, we will FOREVER be painted with the same brush as they are, by the land owners and law enforcement types. One of the FIRST things i hear from peoples mouths is "are you protesting something?" , then its "your not allowed to do that here", mostly by the park staff or police.

I am just goin' to keep on climbing where ever i want howver i want(stealth). I will however be politcally correct and ask when need be, but i will climb no matter what wherever. Acceptance or not.

most already think i'm nuts...

hangin on...
and really cold right now (snow***)

To tell ya the truth. . .
I worry more about getting caught hiking into the climb spot than I do actually getting caught in a tree.

As for getting caught “in” the tree, I say. . .
“Inspecting for the dreaded Longhorn Asian Beatle, Sir”

As for getting caught at the end of my climb, re-packing my gear at the base of the tree, I say with an obnoxiously snide grin on my face. . .
“Too late Pal” <snicker>

But seriously now. . .
The thought of getting a hunting license for the purpose of winter climbing is really starting to make sense. I do believe I will investigate this concept.

Perhaps asking the ranger what the rules are for me using a treestand for bird watching rather than hunting is the start of my quest for the legal loop-hole.

Annoying them with a good dose of their own irony.
Yeah, that’ll work, eh?

Originally posted by SRT-Tech
well thanks to the Julia Butterfly incident and the antilogger types that climb trees, we will FOREVER be painted with the same brush as they are, by the land owners and law enforcement types.

We don't have that issue in the northeast. Our Joe Q Public is more likely to say, "that's cool, can I do that?", if they notice you're up there. We don't have the same logging politics. In the northeast the bigger problem is property owners and public land managers fear of liability/lawsuits (lawyer density rivals tree density). It is the biggest limiter on tree climbing above anything else.

I go wherever I find trees that present the opportunity of a secluded and enjoyable climb. As EJ points out, the transition from the road to the woods is the most vulnerable point. I prepack everything so that my move to the shelter of the woods is quick. I stay away from trails when climbing. Explicit permission is very slow in coming because of liability. A flat "No!" is the most expected response.
-moss

Originally posted by Electrojake
Perhaps asking the ranger what the rules are for me using a treestand for bird watching rather than hunting is the start of my quest for the legal loop-hole.

Annoying them with a good dose of their own irony.
Yeah, that’ll work, eh?

You're well on your way to becoming public enemy numero uno It's similar to rules about spending the night on some ocean beaches in Massachusetts. If you have a 4-wheel drive permit and a surf casting rod, you can park on the sand, hangout and drink beer all night. Otherwise forget it. So EJ, you're job is to figure out how we can do the same in trees, minus the 4-wheel drive and beer.
-moss

Yes moss, exactly, EXACTLY!
Your analogy about 4x4 trucks on the beach has me banging on my desk in total agreement!

And yet another recent statement of yours that has energized my synapses. . .
“Generally speaking people often use woods to do things that are not permitted in the public view. Tree climbing fits right in” –moss.

Yes indeed. Tree climbing fits that nitch perfectly!

Reporting from a swamp in Jersey,
in the rain. . .
Dressed in Hunter Orange.
Electrojake

Electrojake- that is a cool slant. Maybe the only prop I need is binoculars and a bird ID book. That might work.

What else does the community here have to say? Any other ideas about how we can have some kind of tree climbing freedom without groundies yelling at us to come down. Ninja climbs does have its rewards, but those park (not national parks) trees are sooo big and inviting. I qualify national parks as a place not to climb because the tourists pose a greater threat to climbers than bears (be they Smokey the bear types or real bears.)

problem solved:



:D:D:D:D:D

Originally posted by moss

Originally posted by Electrojake
Perhaps asking the ranger what the rules are for me using a treestand for bird watching rather than hunting is the start of my quest for the legal loop-hole.

Annoying them with a good dose of their own irony.
Yeah, that’ll work, eh?

You're well on your way to becoming public enemy numero uno It's similar to rules about spending the night on some ocean beaches in Massachusetts. If you have a 4-wheel drive permit and a surf casting rod, you can park on the sand, hangout and drink beer all night. Otherwise forget it. So EJ, you're job is to figure out how we can do the same in trees, minus the 4-wheel drive and beer.
-moss

but we can still surf cast from the trees right? :D:D:D

SRT-Tech, fishing from trees sounds excellent. Maybe from a nice cottonwood or willow along a river.

I've been thinking about participating in an upcoming woodland breeding bird survey in my area. One method is called a "single point survey". Tree climbing is perfect for this. Over a 3-4 hour climb in a single tree all of the breeding woodland birds in the general area of the tree can be counted either visually or by their call.
-moss

How about a bogus permission slip sent from the treetops? The method of delivery could range from paper airplane (force them to chase it) to a paper wad weighted with tree fruits (acorns, pecan nuts etc) thrown at the offending annoyance (person). FBI card enclosed? How about a Homeland Security clearance form? The Homeland form could explain the drab colors used by ninja climbers.

SRT, if you're going to use that card, you had better spell " bureau" right....

hey its not my card....i just found that on the world wideweb

Bird watching from a tree stand & Fishing from trees.

The common thread here is to be able to justify why you are in the tree. The one topic that keeps going through my mind when I climb on public lands is. . .
“What the heck can I say to the authorities if I get caught in this tree”?

To simply be enjoying nature, or doing arboreal maintenance is probably the worst thing to say if you’re caught at height. The first thing that goes thru an official’s mind is; “heck, it must be one of them there tree huggers”!


So the question is; just what sort of an explanation do we use for being up there if we get questioned. (Note: long explanations never seem to work well in these touchy situations.)

What do you say?