Tree stand

[Newtosavage]

There is a growing 4th category of stand hunting between a fixed setup that folks often leave up for weeks or even the entire season on private land....ladder stands that stay up for years...and climbers that you go up and down the same hunt. Some call it "run and gun" or "bow and go"......a lightweight stand that is easy to set up with lightweight sticks. The idea is that the best hunt from a particular stand is the first.....so you scout and set up on the spot for a one shot deal. That is where the Lone Wolf or XOP setups really shine. They are lightweight, but not as comfortable for long sits as say a Millennium with mesh seat and large platform. It is really an alternative to a climber because the function is really the same......just some feel it is quieter and easier than a climber.

Yes, the best hunt from any stand is the first. Some of us have known this for 20+ years and set our stand game accordingly. Scout, locate sign, play the wind and pick a tree. It's a fun and productive way to get shot opportunities on public land.

I modified this strategy on frequently hunted public areas by scouting 4-6 trees and never hunting one twice in a row. That's when I started killing deer on heavily pressured public land.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

If I had 300 to spend on one set up I'd buy an xop vanish w/ 3 lone wolf sticks. Hangon's can go anywhere a climber can but a climber can't go everywhere a hang on can. Climbers have a place in my arsenal but if I was confined to one, it'd be a good light hangon with lw sitcks.

xop and LW were both designed by the D'Aquisto's hence the similarities.

 

[Newtosavage]

Some hang-ons really taper down at the tree. I learned that this doesn't work for me as I stand a lot, with the seat folded up, and I stand as close to the tree as I can get. It helps with concealment and it's more comfortable. So if a stand tapers too much at the tree, there isn't enough surface area for my feet. A little taper is fine, but it's something that will get downright annoying if you have a stand that tapers too much and you stand a lot.

 

[jspradley]

Finally took the plunge and ordered a hang on and sticks.... as much as I like being super mobile and there is nothing like being at eye level to an animal the effectiveness is a bit suboptimal.

Hopefully I don't die...

 

[mikear]

Finally took the plunge and ordered a hang on and sticks.... as much as I like being super mobile and there is nothing like being at eye level to an animal the effectiveness is a bit suboptimal.

Hopefully I don't die...

Practice, always wear a harness, and have a self rescue plan in case of a fall.

 

[MGade84]

I have a couple of hawks and really like them except for when its time to take them down . That part sucks lol .
Looking at Lone Wolf next . Seems to be the best of all worlds .

I have to agree with you, Lone Wolf is the way to go!!!

 

[NEhunter]

Finally took the plunge and ordered a hang on and sticks.... as much as I like being super mobile and there is nothing like being at eye level to an animal the effectiveness is a bit suboptimal.

Hopefully I don't die...

I much prefer to hunt from the ground too but bit the bullet and bought a LW and sticks this year. Just ran them for the first time last week and once I got used to climbing with the lineman’s belt and setting up I feel like this will be an awesome set up for WT on public ground. Wear your harness and you should be gtg.


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[AntlerAddict76]

I have an xop vanish and an air raid. Both are really comfortable for me. Modded some Hawk heliums for climbing.


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[Chordeiles]

It takes a fair amount of athleticism to safely hang a hang-on stand and steps. I did this for years but then I also had a tree service when I was young so I was used to climbing and moving around in trees.

When I was in my 20's and 30's, a lightweight hang-on stand and steps were my preferred option. Light and versatile. My stand and steps combined weighed less than 15 lbs.

Now that I'm at the 1/2 century mark, I really think climbers are the way to go. Much safer when used correctly.

Having said that, I'm looking at ground options more and more - the way I learned to hunt before tree stands became a "thing." That's the safest way of all, but also the most challenging for sure.

Same here.
When I started bow hunting, I hunted from the ground. Then hunted from a lock-on for a few years. Got tired of that and bought a Summit Viper. Now I’ve come full circle back to hunting from the ground.

I’ve actually had more chances to shoot deer while on the ground......but I’ve screwed up more times while on the ground.

 

[jspradley]

I much prefer to hunt from the ground too but bit the bullet and bought a LW and sticks this year. Just ran them for the first time last week and once I got used to climbing with the lineman’s belt and setting up I feel like this will be an awesome set up for WT on public ground. Wear your harness and you should be gtg.


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You don't have to worry about me not wearing a harness... lol

 

[Newtosavage]

Same here.
When I started bow hunting, I hunted from the ground. Then hunted from a lock-on for a few years. Got tired of that and bought a Summit Viper. Now I’ve come full circle back to hunting from the ground.

I’ve actually had more chances to shoot deer while on the ground......but I’ve screwed up more times while on the ground.

In some places, you can actually see more from the ground than you can from a tree. Scent control is the big issue on the ground, and movement in the field of vision of the animal. Those two are darn tough to overcome on the ground. Sure is nice not having to pack in and set up a stand in the dark though. When it's warm, that also keeps the sweat down.

 

[jspradley]

Well...Field and Stream done goofed again. I just got the shipping confirmation that the package is 57lb, that definitely seems like a 12 pack of sticks for the price of one to me. Lol



Checked again today and they took them off the site..

They are so horrible about pricing errors, but that's how I got a DD5 rifle for $2300 and a First Lite Woodbury for $60 so I wont complain too much

 

[1000yrds]

I will tell you what I don't recommend: I have several of the inexpensive Ameristep ones from Walmart (about $70-$90 range). They are not very roomy for bow hunting for two people, so definitely get something bigger if you can find them in your price range. I got them because I like more room than a 1-man stand gives, so I don't hunt 2 people in them.

 

[Brendan]

I think I've used every type of stand on the market.

If you are only buying one setup to carry in and carry out every time there are only two choices in my opinion.

Traditional setup: Lone wolf alpha hang on (or maybe XOP alternative) plus Hawk Helium or Lone Wolf Sticks.

Alternatively, buy a saddle, platform, and hawk helium sticks.

You can alternate other types of steps if you want (Wild Edge), but I'd recommend sticks first.

Those setups are pretty mobile and you can climb any tree. Climbers limit you to straight trees without branches, ladder stands are Pre set locations only, and the cheaper / heavier hang ons are designed for preset stands as well.

My current quiver is a tethrd mantis saddle, hawk helium sticks or wild edge steps, tethrd platform, a lone wolf alpha hang on, and a lone wolf assault hand climber.

Saddle, steps, platform will get the most use.

 

[jspradley]

Not a bad haul for $15. I should have ordered 10! LOL

Now I can live my dreams of a 47 foot tree stand!

 

[unclerichie724]

I shop at a lot of garage sales in the summer and buy em cheap. Ladder stands, climbers, hang ons, I'll take em all. I have a half dozen climbers I leave in the tree and use as hang ons. I can usually find 'em for $20-40.

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[Btaylor]

Not a bad haul for $15. I should have ordered 10! LOL

Now I can live my dreams of a 47 foot tree stand!

View attachment 124902
View attachment 124903

SSSCCCCOOOOOORRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

 

[jspradley]

SSSCCCCOOOOOORRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

The whole time I was thinking "There is no way they are gonna send the whole case"

...then I got the shipping notification...


my buddies have already tried to claim the extras lol

 

[Btaylor]

The whole time I was thinking "There is no way they are gonna send the whole case"

...then I got the shipping notification...


my buddies have already tried to claim the extras lol

I bet they did.

 

[Shakeandbake]

For that budget you can get into the higher end stuff. For a mobile set up go lone wolf or XOP. For good ladder stand look at X stands.