Lightweight tree stand setup

[Bluebill49]

I’ve always just used multiple ladder stands, but I’m looking to move to a very mobile setup. I would like to get something higher end and really see how I like it. Been looking at the lone wolf .5 or .75 along with one of their stick options. Curious folks thoughts on these stands and if there are others you think I should be considering as well. Thanks!

 

[ozyclint]

saddle

 

[Bump79]

XOP has solid offerings for the price as well.

 

[kpk]

I've been using 3 Lone Wolf stands since the original Lone Wolf days and before all of the patent and name change dramas.

In comparison to the current XOP offerings (because they still look the most similar) I have 2 old Lone Wolf Alphas which look like the XOP Ion or Air Raid. I also have an old Lone Wolf assualt which is comparable to the XOP Rubicon or Vanish.

The smaller platforms are nice if you need to pack in/out frequently or get them in the fork of a tree or some odd place. That being said, they're definitely on the small side on the back towards the tree so you've got to be aware of positioning.

They 're all really good stands and stick and worth the price IMO. They don't ping, pop, or creak and they hang solid.

 

[Beendare]

XOP and Lone Wolf....both have good options.

Pair those with some lightweight sticks- multiple good options- and you are at about 15# for a solid setup.

I have a Saddle. I am older, 6'3" 238# and it's not comfortable for longer than about 2-3hr sits. The young/skinny/small guys don't seem to have the same problem with staying comfortable that the bigger guys do.....so it depends on your body style and age whether a saddle is a viable option for you.

 

[PSmit21]

I think you can find cheaper sticks at least that are just as good if not better. The xop sticks are inexpensive and have worked great. In terms of the stand itself, seems like a lot of people love the lone wolf, but I have heard good things about novix as well.

 

[Jermh]

I really like my Novix Helo. From what I understand, it's very similar to the Lone Wolf Assault? It does everything I need it to and I really like it but I've never had hands on the newer Custom Gear stuff. I'm sure it's in a different league but I can't justify the cost difference for my uses

 

[Bluebill49]

For a bit of context, I’m 50, about 180, 5’10”. I live up in Alaska, so most of my big game hunting has been on the ground for caribou and moose the last couple decades. I grew up in the Midwest so I’ve done a bunch of tree stand hunting in the past. So now that moose season is wrapped up here (unsuccessful for me this year), I’m headed to South Dakota for about a month in a few weeks (sidenote - if anybody has any public land whitetail advice for an old guy doing his first deer trip to South Dakota, please PM me

And for you saddle guys, I would love to know what you’re using. What you’ve tried. And what you think is the best set up you’d go with today if you could start over again (since I would be starting from ground zero). I’m not at all opposed just going straight to the saddle route, it just seems a leap given I just haven’t spent much time in a tree stand in recent years.

Thanks much for all your input!

 

[Yoder]

Dan Infalt's Beast stands are pretty sweet. His stands and steps are about the same price as the LWCGBTQ stands.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Dan Infalt's Beast stands are pretty sweet. His stands and steps are about the same price as the LWCGBTQ stands.

They are super loud and flex though. I had one of the first production ones and chaulked it up to that, sold it, tried another one a year later. Same issues, crazy flex and loud on smooth bark trees. I’m 5’6 155lb and could get it to flex easily.

Lwcg .5 is the goat for portable, lightweight, bulletproof stand. Paired with the foldable double steps, priceless to have a 11lb set up.

 

[ATL]

I have hunted from a saddle since approximately 2008. I did the climbing sticks with a ring of steps for a while. I then single step climbed, rappelling down from the tree at the end of the hunt.

For the last few years I have been using a hybrid system, which has allowed me to adapt very easily to different situations, making me more successful. I single step/SRT climb to the proper height, and then set up an XOP Retrograde stand with no seat section (to save weight). My current saddle is a Cruzr XC. For climbing gear I use 35 feet of 9mm climbing rope, several carabiners, cord hitches (prussics), and an ATC device. The mix of a small stand and the saddle is very comfortable, effective and safe.

The most important reason I climb the way I do is safety. I am tethered (not just a lineman’s belt) to the tree for the entire hunting event. No slack line during climbing, tight line during the hunt, and a safe rappel to get down to the ground. I would have to experience a major equipment failure to experience a fall now.

What ever system you develop for tree stand hunting ensure it is safe. I did experience a fall in 2005. “Luckily” I only fractured my jaw, broke my nose, had a concussion, lost a finger nail and some superficial cuts/scrapes. No long term injuries.

 

[mlawrence125]

XOP and Lone Wolf....both have good options.

Pair those with some lightweight sticks- multiple good options- and you are at about 15# for a solid setup.

I have a Saddle. I am older, 6'3" 238# and it's not comfortable for longer than about 2-3hr sits. The young/skinny/small guys don't seem to have the same problem with staying comfortable that the bigger guys do.....so it depends on your body style and age whether a saddle is a viable option for you.

I'm the same height, but got a bit of weight on you and I am the opposite as you, my lower back is jacked up and a climber was the worst for me. Couldn't do more than 2-3hrs. The saddle allows me to shift positions very easily and quietly. Everyone is different I suppose

 

[Maverick1]

Dan Infalt's Beast stands are pretty sweet. His stands and steps are about the same price as the LWCGBTQ stands.

Those stands have been sold out for like 8 months. Was supposed to come out with a new / upgraded stand - that has been pushed back several times now and allegedly won’t be available until November. No stands in stock, can’t be counted on for this season. Would probably be better to look elsewhere that has items in stock.

 

[Swamp Fox]

I’ve always just used multiple ladder stands, but I’m looking to move to a very mobile setup. I would like to get something higher end and really see how I like it. Been looking at the lone wolf .5 or .75 along with one of their stick options. Curious folks thoughts on these stands and if there are others you think I should be considering as well. Thanks!

You are not a tiny guy. The .5 is a small stand. You probably know if you like to have some room from your prior life. The .75 gives you some room. The 1 gives you even more for negligible extra weight from there.

I like a larger platform, and don't see sticks as the best mobile option. YMMV. The LWCG site gives you some weights and dimensions of various combos you can ponder.