To Big Shot or Not To Big Shot

[mikecross23]

Ok, I've done a search and I have read up on what arbo-site folks have to say about the big shot. Honestly I'm tired of monkey-n around w/ my throw bag aggravatin' and cussin at it b/c I don't have the skill to place my bag and line over the perfect crotch when the tree is so thick a mosquiter couldn't find his way through it. It also makes me feel like a doof when the paying customer is watching. Tell me folks, w/ a little practice will the big shot be a time saver?

 

[treeman82]

I am just heading out the door here when I saw your post. In my words, the Big Shot makes setting a throw line as easy as "one crotch, one shot" for the most part. There are those times when it will take more than one shot... but those aren't too often. The learning curve is also very short. I was hitting my target at 50 feet on the 3rd shot. If you do invest in the BS, make sure you have a throw line that is at least 200 feet long. Also a few different throw bags will help you.

 

[TheTreeSpyder]

Yes, especially for punching thru dense foilage, and/or distance. Store mine in an ammo box atop of the throw line. Quicker learning curve for accuracy to i think, i like throwing what i can.

 

[Menchhofer]

You could also try using the sling shot method or the crossbow for setting the lines.

Been using Big Shot several years...it is great. Thinking about adding the crossbow to the insertion tools just for the fun.

 

[treeclimber165]

After having my BigShot for 2 weeks, I'm astounded that I manged without it for all those years. After using it a month I was still overshooting by an average of 30', so I went to a heavier bag. This had two benifits- I wasn't overshooting as far and it was easier to get the bag to drop down to the ground. I used to dread having to set a rope higher than 30-40', now I have no problem setting lines up to 75' or higher. Besides my Pantin, it's the best investment I've ever made.
BUY ONE!!!!

 

[Tom Otto]

It's well worth the $ and a definate time saver. I still throw about half the time.

 

[mikecross23]

YEEE HAAWWW! ! !

I think that you folks have given me the answers I wanted to hear! I've been wanting one for a while but put it off for the simple fact that the thing ain't cheap! ! ! I see a vision of my future. . . It includes the Sherrill Catalog, the Pantin, and the Big Shot

 

[Greg]

Get one... I found the learn curve to be a bit long, but things like a heavy bag and knowing some branch isolation tricks is a must. It is very easy to get over the branch you need, and at the same time you'll pick up 10 others that you didn't want. Carry extra line and extra bags. Within my first week I was down 2 bags because I tried to pull off of several limbs I didn't want to hit.
Let the bag drop, remove it and pull the line down, shoot again. Try to short cut by pulling the bag back up and my odds are about 50/50 in the tree keeping my bag.
Greg

 

[budroe69moni]

get one and you'll wonder what you ever did w/ out it!!!!

hey bro,
i got my big shot this fall after climbing w/ 165.
man oh man is it sweet!!!! hit a honey crotch about
40' up on my 1st shot this morning!!! it's worth the
money!!!!
peace,
budroe

 

[treeclimber165]

It may seem obvious to most, but I recently figured out how to attach my bag so I could remove it without untying the knot. I simply tied a large loop in the end of my throwline and I can girth hitch the bag by passing the line through the ring then pass the bag through the loop in the end of the line. That Zing-It doesn't come untied easily and I used to get my bag hung because I didn't want to mess with untying it. Now I can remove the bag in 10 seconds so I'm more likely to remove it rather than getting it stuck.

 

[Greg]

Brian,
I've been using that method for about a year but recently changed because that loop got snagged twice recently. (I think when I bought a 120ft spool of fly lite I got a bunch of bad throw bag luck along with it. That 120 is now about 20ft and in the trash because is snapped so many times) I now tie my bag on, untie it completely and pull the rope down. A big bowline loop is handy for hand tossing the bag when I know I"m not shooting into a bunch of sticks and stubs. I take the bag off and tie an overhand knot in my line, use the bowline loop to girth the throwline on behind the knot and haul it up --When I'm not using a FC that is.
Greg

 

[murphy4trees]

My first shot with the BS was at an arbo day at the local saw shop. At the time I couldn't throw 35'. The target was a hoola-hoop at 65'. I missed by inches. That was love at first shot and our relaetionship just keeps growing.
One of the first jobs I used it on was a 120'+ hollow tulip removal. I set 2 climbing lines, a lowering line in the tulip and a lowering line in an adjascent ash from the roof of the house which was about 10' from the trunk. Later I used it to set a climbing line in a locust to remove some branches from the tulip's felling path.
What other tool can you think of that can pay for itself sveral times over on any one job?
I respectfully believe I can now outshoot for distance and accuracy 99.99% of hand throwers. Especially in real work conditions from tight angles, through undergrowth and thick brush.
I've had zing-it in the truck for over 6 months and still haven't botherred using it because I haven't needed the extra distance.
THE BIG SHOT... DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.
God Bless,
Daniel

 

[mikecross23]

Ordered it today!

The deed is done, it should be on its way! ! !

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I tie my bag on with a slip know for easy untie, slip anchor to be exact, but I've seen cloves bo'lin and others used.

As others said, have multiple lines and bags just in case you snag or have a rupture. Duct tape will ehlp for the latter though.

I have several bags of variouse weights and will frequently double them up when isolating. Use a lighter one to shoot high then add weight to isolate.