Went over to a buddy's house to try his Lone Wolf Alpha hang-on and LW sticks. I gotta say I am impressed. I've always used my Summit climber but I have been rejected by soooo many trees over the years due to it's tree specific nature. It will be nice to have more options this upcoming season with the LW. I hung this stand the "hard way" or shall I say the unsafe way. I'm still alive and here to tell you guys about it but I'll be using a lineman's belt from here on out. It was a little difficult to say the least but it was my first time and I wanted to test the setup before making the purchase. I'm about to place my order and get the LW alpha and a set of sticks. Is the lineman's belt that comes with the stand any good or should I try the treehopper?
I use the belt that came with mine...and I also purchased a Summit quick band or such (forget the name). when I get to the top of the 4th stick, I hang the stand, then I put the band around, hook up my harness so I don't break contact with the tree... I used to hug the tree until I got the lineman around the tree...scared the crap out of me.
What exactly is the quick band and why doesn't LW sell sticks in sets of fours? :D Raceway....I read an older post of your review of the treehopper? I'm gonna give the LW belt a try before buying the treehopper. They both perform the same job, correct?
HSS Quick Strap... You could do w/o it, but I didn't like being 15-20' up with nothing on the tree as I undid the lineman and then redid it as an over head. Big bag Marine, I am queasy with heights. Being tied into the tree makes that easier for me. I wish they did 4 sticks. I scored two packs and sold the other two on eBay. Wish I kep them now for my son.
I tried hang-on's as well for the first time early this spring. For some reason I could not get over it being so open. Now I am sticking to my summit climber and ladder stands. Good luck with the hang-ons. It's something I just could not do.
Seriously? Your first experience with a hang-on after all these years? Wow! Dude... you won't hunt the same any more... you'll have SO many options opened up to you now. How old is your Summit? If it's new enough to have come with the "basic" Seat O' The Pants harness they include with them, with the cotton rope and prussic knot around it ... that's all you need. That cotton rope loops through one of the loops on the side of your waist and you pull it back through itself. Throw the rope around the tree, and use a carabiner to quick-clip through the other loop and the prussic knot on the rope and you're done. It doesn't get any easier than that. I've got a couple LW harness systems, and I still use the Summit harness instead.
How so? I'd think that you could be in more cover with a hang on than a climber, unless I'm missing something?
I didn't feel safe in it. I need some type of rail or something going around me. yeah.... I'm a wuss.
Hey Donnie... While you're in the ordering mood, go ahead and order you up a few rolls of Ultimate Camo tape. The PERFECT pattern for those big sticks left exposed down there at eye level to keep them hidden
Yep...believe it or not. I've climbed some questionable trees with my climber but a hang on would have done the trick and been a heck of a lot easier too. My Summit is an '05 model and yes I do have the harness that you spoke of. I always wondered what those loops on the sides were for. So, you still use the basic harness that came with your stand. I had you pegged for an aftermarket harness. BTW...I'll look into some of that UC tape. Looks awesome! Thanks.
damn...how many rolls does it take and does it quiet the sticks down? I bet that takes any clank out if it. There was a video on the net where some folks wrap theirs in duct tape...but yours looks better.
Duct tape? Haha...sounds like it may have done more harm than good....as far as visibility is concerned.
LW actually has an option to buy them in sets of 4 on their website. I recently ordered myself an Alpha Hang-on and 4 sticks from their site, can't wait for them to get here!! Oh and I use a Treehopper belt when hanging my other stands.
lone wolf all the way, I have the alpha assault hang on and 4 climbing sticks that is all I use very light and portable, comfortable too!
Since 1968 99% of my hunting has been done from hangons. I Love them. Most I leave setup and use Cranford detachable steps to enter & exit. Quick, and Quiet. Dan
I've got an aftermarket Seat O' The Pants harness that I wear most of the time because it's got a built in pouch on the rear for my lineman's belt that's handy, but feature-wise the one that comes with it will be just fine for you. You'll need to make a pass down each side of the sticks with the tape and then overlap it in the middle; one roll will give you three passes... for example, two rolls of tape will let you do three sticks. Like Dan said, when you REALLY want to get mobile and stealthy, pick yourself up 11 Cranford steps (don't EVEN bother with any other brand)... and a pouch to put them in. That's the ultimate in mobility.
