2 questions regarding Hang on stands and Climbing sticks #1 I see they make sticks that are open designs and also a normal ladder design. I assume the normal ladder designs are safer and easier to climb? How safe do you feel going up the open design type? Note: Weight is not a concern for me as this will be a permanent location. #2 What do you use to keep you safe while climbing up the sticks and stepping over to the stand? I assume this is what a lineman's belt is for? Note: I have a HSS pro series vest and don't have to worry about this with my climber due to just sliding up the strap as I climb. Thanks.
1. I feel pretty secure in either of the two options. The stick design doesn't quite have the stability as the ladder does but the steps on the ladder are too narrow. You can't get 2 feet on one rung at the same time. This only makes a difference when hanging the stand for the most part. I prefer the ladder but both options are good ones. 2. This is one of the downsides of hunting a lock on. There are tether options such as fall guy and a few others but it I just keep my tree strap in the tree above the stand and hook on when I get to the top before entering the stand. It's a little risky but watcha gonna do? It costs me $20 for extra tree straps but if I got an extra tether device for each stand......well that wouldn't be very affordable since they start around $200 each. JMO
Camp, I've used both types....and I've never really felt any difference in "percieved" safety. I guess the ladder type are probably a little safer, as your foot can't slide off the steps. If you are not flying up the sticks, its not really an issue anyhow. My buddy picked up some of those ladder type at Gander a couple years ago dirt cheap, so you can find them sometimes, but they are typically a little more than the sticks. Re: being safe climbing....the best thing to use is the rope and prussic setup. I'm gonna put them on all my setups next year. I've never fallen or even come close, but as I get older I worry more about something going wrong. With these you are hooked up and safe the whole time. Where most folks fall is on the transition from the steps to the stand, not while they are hunting in the stand. Here is a good place to get them...also summit and other companies make them too. You could also buy the materials and make them yourself if you wanted. http://www.safetreehunt.com/sths1.html Mike
My only problem with the ladder type are that they are seeming too narrow. I know you don't want a wide ass ladder up a tree, but my big feet really have to be careful on them.
So I take it you use the Lineman's belt for hanging stands and once your stand is hung you put the prussic know system on. That would mean you need a prussic system for every stand correctt? I suppose it doesn't work to just use a lineman's belt for climbing and that way you could use it on multiple stands.
Correct. I only use my linemans belt when hanging my stands, then set up the rope from there. You hook your safety belt to the prussic knot when you are on the ground, and slide it up as you climb, and back down as you come down. You are always hooked up. Yep, you need one for every stand....but to me, its worth it. I will have them on all my stands next year. The linemans belt could certainly help some, but honestly...I don't climb with it on. I only use it for hanging stands.
Never tried the ladder type, but the one thing I always look at when buying sticks is the step design. Some sticks have a straight rung that you put your foot on and some have a rung angled upward. These are safer in my opinion because in wet conditions, your foot can easily slide off the straight rungs while the angled rungs your foot slides down into the joint. I use the Seat O the pants harness, and they have a climbing system with the prussic knot. The only time your not fully connected is when you intially put up the rope with the prussic, after that you are connected from the ground to the stand and back down again. Cabelas sells these "climbing systems" for 3 for $100, but if you do some searching you can find the 3 pack for about $80. I think my are great and wont hunt without them again.
