Stuck throw bags

[brycelunsford]

While trying to set a line in a red oak this past weekend I managed to get four throw bags hung up!! Three of them were the sherrill tree highballs which I can't stand and won't be using anymore! Anyway I had one left that flew true and did the job. Talk about embarrising, and feeling like an idiot. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just my luck?!

 

[deevo]

While trying to set a line in a red oak this past weekend I managed to get four throw bags hung up!! Three of them were the sherrill tree highballs which I can't stand and won't be using anymore! Anyway I had one left that flew true and did the job. Talk about embarrising, and feeling like an idiot. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just my luck?!

It happens, I haven't ever got more then 1 stuck, seems like it always happens on maples to me! It's a pisser for sure! lol! :biggrin:

 

[Oak Savanna]

It happens. Sometimes helps to take the bag off before you pull it back down if you didn't get the shot you wanted. If you can get it to the ground that is.

 

[jefflovstrom]

It happens. Sometimes helps to take the bag off before you pull it back down if you didn't get the shot you wanted. If you can get it to the ground that is.

:msp_confused:
Jeff

 

[Oak Savanna]

:msp_confused:
Jeff

If you throw and don't get the shot you want and you go to pull the bag back to the ground it usually gets stuck on its way back through the tree. If it made it to the ground, take the bag off then pull your line back down and re-attach bag for next shot.

 

[Grace Tree]

My throw bag retriever. Shoot a bag through the opposite direction and tie it mid line so you can work both ends. Usually works.
Phil
View attachment 294161

 

[jefflovstrom]

If it made it to the ground, take the bag off then pull your line back down and re-attach bag for next shot.

Ah, I get what you are saying,, thought you were joking. (Climb up and untie the bag), lol.
Because if it made it to the ground, you could srt or shoot more balls.
Jeff :msp_smile:

 

[Oak Savanna]

Ah, I get what you are saying,, thought you were joking. (Climb up and untie the bag), lol.
Jeff :msp_smile:

Lol. No no. Should have made first post more clear.

 

[ATH]

Ah, I get what you are saying,, thought you were joking. (Climb up and untie the bag), lol.
Because if it made it to the ground, you could srt or shoot more balls.
Jeff :msp_smile:

I usually end up getting them via climbing...after throwing a second throw line on a second bag. I have 4 bags and 3-4 throw lines (I keep the old ones that I know are going to break soon) just in case. Unless the tree is just too spreading, I almost always aim for the "final tie in", rather than re-throwing. By the time I lost the 3rd bag, I'd probably throw to the shortest branch, and work my way up resetting the line. I guess I don't know what I'd do if I lost all 4...take the hint that it is not my day and go home?

 

[KenJax Tree]

Ah, I get what you are saying,, thought you were joking. (Climb up and untie the bag), lol.
Because if it made it to the ground, you could srt or shoot more balls.
Jeff :msp_smile:

:looser:

 

[TreeAce]

While trying to set a line in a red oak this past weekend I managed to get four throw bags hung up!! Three of them were the sherrill tree highballs which I can't stand and won't be using anymore! Anyway I had one left that flew true and did the job. Talk about embarrising, and feeling like an idiot. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just my luck?!

Sounds like tough luck. I think that "high ball" is sweet when used with a big shot. Otherwise it doesnt matter what type of throw bag I use cuz Im not any good at throwing one anyway . But i got some skills with that big shot.

 

[treeclimber101]

While trying to set a line in a red oak this past weekend I managed to get four throw bags hung up!! Three of them were the sherrill tree highballs which I can't stand and won't be using anymore! Anyway I had one left that flew true and did the job. Talk about embarrising, and feeling like an idiot. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just my luck?!

I can't believe you did the same thing 4 xs expecting different results , does suck though !

 

[jefflovstrom]

:looser:

Because?
Jeff

 

[imagineero]

There's one old trick that works every time to stop you from every getting a throwline stuck; don't carry one ;-) Sometimes you just have those days. I carry two on hand casting reels, and one in a cube. When I buy a new line, it always goes in the cube, and the cube line goes onto a reel. I keep the cube for really high shots with the big shot. I use the reels so often! I use 2.2 zing it, and that stuff is crazy strong. We pull trees over with it all the time. 3 guys pulling as hard as they can still can't break it. It often gets used in combination with rigging too - butt tying a branch, having someone get a throwline into the tip from the ground, then side scarf it and they can pull it round to clear obstacles.

I've had all 3 hung in the tree once. Then you just gotta old school it and re-throw your way to the top. +1 on untying the bag if you didn't get your target. I'm too lazy to do it most times though. I just want to get my line in the tree and get going!

Shaun

 

[sgreanbeans]

I like the Hi Balls, but they suck in a thick tree with a bunch of garbage and tight crotches, they will not contort at all, where as a bag, you might be able to manipulate it thru a tight crotch. The balls,no chance. But they are great on hi shots and nice open canopy, they don't ricochet near as bad as the bags. I am still in favor of training a squirrel to go up and set my line, but they just take the food and leave, a holes.

 

[mic687]

Red Oaks seem to be the worst for hang ups for me, I have had two stuck and had to use the third to advance my way up the tree. This is a bad way to start the day pissed off and cussing at at a throw bag. When using the big shot I will often have someone stand by to grab the line as soon as it clears the spot I am isolating, so that the bag will not continue to spool out and go somewhere unintended.

 

[brycelunsford]

Yea this tree was a tight crotch nightmare! The highballs would either wedge in the crotch or when pulling back the momentum would wrap it around a small limb and virtually tie itself! Anyway the main reason was I was in too much of a hurry. I had a group of concrete contractors ready to build a barbeque pit in this backyard and the owner wanted the tree down at the last minute. So it was the makings of a disaster. But after everything was over the was down and everybody was happy. I really appreciate the positive comments and advice from you guys! I'm probably a little greener than most of you and I really appreciate the help!

 

[smokey01]

Yea this tree was a tight crotch nightmare! The highballs would either wedge in the crotch or when pulling back the momentum would wrap it around a small limb and virtually tie itself!

Just a couple more thoughts to add to the already good ideas.

• I did not read a mention of strumming the line, it amazes me how well that works sometimes.
• If it looks like the tree will be a problem, I secure the throw bag with just a girth hitch that after some persistent pulling will slip off the ring of the throw bag (you won't have to break your line and often when the line lets go, the bag pops out and falls to the ground) but yet it holds long enough during a good shot.
• It is a gutsy move but you can attach another bag to the other end of the throw line and go backwards thru the stuck crotch and get your bag that way. (or you will loss both of them and the line)
• Getting short on throw bags, take a couple of potatoes with you if your using a Big Shot. No loss if they get stuck or hit a stem and make potatoes salad.
• Working the throw bag back thru the tree means so much more than just pulling the bag back thru the tree. You have to watch the bag and walk it, hop it, swing it, boomerang it and maneuver it where you want it to go and don't want it to go.

 

[TreeAce]

Yea this tree was a tight crotch nightmare! The highballs would either wedge in the crotch or when pulling back the momentum would wrap it around a small limb and virtually tie itself! Anyway the main reason was I was in too much of a hurry. I had a group of concrete contractors ready to build a barbeque pit in this backyard and the owner wanted the tree down at the last minute. So it was the makings of a disaster. But after everything was over the was down and everybody was happy. I really appreciate the positive comments and advice from you guys! I'm probably a little greener than most of you and I really appreciate the help!

It was a take down?? I would spured that thing prolly before the first one got stuck. But thats just me, kinda old school I guess. N old timer who taught me alot back in the day said the best thing about a throw bag/line is that it fits nicely in a purse. Not to say I fully agree but I think he may have had a point. I miss that guy sometimes, he was a trip. RIP John Bradstock

 

[ATH]

......the tree down....

Well, that changes my answer...SPIKE the thing!


Edit: TreeAce beat me to it...I left the window open and didn't refresh before hitting reply.