slugman

Will be buying a stand soon and wanted to see what your guys views are. I will be hunting on public land , so I wont be leaving my stand in the woods. What stand would best fit my needs ? Are the hang ons a pain to put up and remove on a daily basis ? I was thinking of a lonewolf climber and some climbing sticks. What does everyone use and why ?

NY Bowhunter

ladder stands. I'm probably the only hunter on planet earth that doesn't like climbers at all!!! I scout my arse off in the off season and hang lots of ladder stands around. I like how quiet and easy they are to get up and down. I have enough around my property and well concealed ( i think) to have the mobility of a climber. JMO.
Do you guys worry about the noise the climber makes?? How about carrying the darn contraption in and out?? Sweat your butt off and sound like a freight train getting up a tree. And the tree has to be just about perfect. It probably gets a heck of a lot easier with practice, but I just don't see it for myself. I tried one ONCE!! Got so pissed off with it, it's in the bottom of a pond right now. Let me know if I'm missing the boat here climber guys.

slugman

c'mon guys , I know most of you use stands. No replys ?

dog1

Slugman,

I haven't used or owned every name brand on the market, but since 1968 I think I've used every type, from homemade to store bought.

When I was younger I loved the lock on type with a stick type ladder (we made our own back then). The seats on most of these are terrible and you have to consider that you'll be carrying at least 3 items, your gun/bow, ladder, and stand. I don't care how careful you are, you're going to make some noise puting it up and that ladder has a habit of jumping out and grabbing every limb in the woods.

Some of the climbers are great, but you've got the weight with most of them, most seats are better on them. You can normally get higher with these, what I like to call the, nose bleed height. You'll make noise with these too.

I like to think that I've been lucky over the years, I've been in as many as 4 hunting clubs at the same time, now only one, which we have had the land for 21 years. What I now like the best is home made or bought ladder stands with seats and armrest on. Getting older and arthiritis has made a lot of the choices for me. I have several up and don't move them because each one I have put up produces for me, my family, and friends .

Now take either type, lock on or climber and try carrying them thru the woods in the dark and find a suitable tree, put it on the tree quietly and level and you'll find none are perfect, some just better.

dog1

Tree climber

slugman : said he would not be leaving it in the woods.

(1) a hang on will be a big problem to put up and remove every day![:'(]

(2) Carring a ladder stand into an area befor day and putting it up in the dark is a Bitch ([:'(]).

(3) A good well built climber with the size for you,and the knowledge to use it, is the best way to go.

go to a place that has a lot that you can look at and try out,like Bass-Pro or Cabelas, or a good large sports store.

I have three climbers, one summit , two warren and sweat. I have been using them for about 25 to 30 years and can climb a tree with you watching from 25 yards and you will not hear a sound,not a squeek or clink.
It just takes time and pratice to learn how to use them.

do not cheat your slef and try to but something just because it is cheap.(You get what you pay for).get one that fits you and is comfortable,if you are cramped and a hard seat or setting leaning back against the rough tree bark ; you can't hunt very long. go prepaired to spend a couple 100 $$$$$,from $125.00 to $200.00 to get a "GOOD" stand.
JMHO , [:-]

osiris

I have more stands than I care to admit of many brands and variety but what I would suggest to you is exactly what you are already inclined to... Lone Wolf. I will give you a few of my thoughts on your Lone Wolf choices as they are both silent, light and easy to use. The Alpha climbers are great but as someone else mentioned you need a relatively straight tree with no branches (or a good pruning saw). (no they are not noisey when climbing, NY Bowhunter) Where as, as the Alpha hang ons can go up in many types of trees including those that are crooked and have branches. We have both styles and use both and they are both AWESOME and worth the extra cast that they cost. Overall, IMO Lone Wolf has though their designs out and made them not only hunter friendly (quiet, easy to set up, light etc.) but very safe as well. Many guys say that these stands are so easy to set up that they can set both the climber and fixed position in the same amount of time. They are both easily carried in and out on your back and weigh under 20lbs and fold very flat offering no back strain what so ever. My only suggestion is to invest in a good set of padded back pack straps for the sake of shoulder comfort on long walks. Basically, assess the types of trees you hunt most and then decide which style of stand works better for your style of hunting and areas. Or if you have the cash, get both! We love ours... Hope this helps a little. TGK

slugman

the seats on the lonewolf look pretty small. I'm 6'3" and 250 lbs so I need something a little more accomadating. Any suggestions ?

osiris

Become shorter

Well, actually I think you would be ok with either but maybe better off with the Sit and Climb as you can adjust the seat height for your comfort level and leg length. I find it very easy to use and very comfortable for the most part (you could be sitting in a La-Z-Boy and it would be a little painful after 8 hours[:-]) contrary to what most say. All I can tell you is I really like mine. Took a little while to get used to but now I wouldn't use anything else....

Clint.

I have ladder stands and four or five hang ons with climbing sticks for each.
I have one hang on and climbing stick from Cabelas that are aluminum.
I hunt my own land, so I place all these stands before the season.
However, I save the aluminum combo as a mobile stand.
When you get used to a hang on, I think they are as fast and quiet as anything.
And you can hang it on any kind of tree.....with limbs or leaning.
I have carried that aluminum combo and my bow/gear more than a mile into the woods on many occasions.
This is the combination I use if I choose to hunt on public land for the day.
I am 52 years old, and I weigh about 210 lbs.
The aluminum hang on is rated for 300 lbs.
The one drawback is the small seat, but I stand once in a while for an hour or so and then sit again. Hey, works for me!

Clint

brucelit

I wouldn't mess with a fixed hang on on a daily basis I can tell you that. I have an Ol Man Multi Vision and love it. It is reasonably light, packs fairly flat and is extremely comfortable. I also have a Summitt which is equally light, quiet and flat folding. The only reason I prefer the Ol Man is the net seating is more comfortable and doesn't absorb water or moisture giving you a case of the wet a$$ if you leave it hanging on a tree for a few days. There are many manufacturers of well built climbers out there so do a little research and find one YOU like. Many threads have been done on this subject and I think you'll find lots of satisfied Ol Man and Summitt users there. If my recollection is correct which it may not be They seem to be the most often talked about brands as far as value.