See this is where we disagree....if your scenario where the case, I would never setup 30 yards off the trail with the wrong wind, only someone with little hunting knowledge would do or think like this. Instead, I would have to put alot more thought into the hunt and figure out where I can hunt, yet still put my buck on the ground.
I was giving an analogy. It is just a simple fact that a hang on will allow you to get in more spots than a climber will. I've hunted some areas where there is one giant gnarly oak tree over a swampy area and a ton of little willows. There was simply no tree there that you could get up in with a climber. Especially if I go into an area blind, I want to be able to hunt the best possible location and not have to worry about finding that perfect tree. You may certainly be a better hunter than I am, but I want to make the most of any opportunities I get instead of handicapping myself. I will still use my climber in areas where there is plenty of straight trees or places where I know a good setup. Any other time my default will be my hang on.
Your awesome! Just one question, do you believe that being limited to a certain type of tree makes deer hunting more difficult/challenging?
Something to keep in mind is that not all hang ons are created equal. There are many sets that are designed to be more of a permanent stand and aren't good for maneuverability. The Lone Wolf setup isn't cheap, but last year I bit the bullet and sprung for a set after reading all the reviews on here. I have no regrets. There are other options out there as well. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Ah I see. So your version of being a "better hunter" is just not hunting unless all variables are perfect. So lets get this straight, lets say you have trail cam pics of a great buck only in this one spot but because there aren't any straight trees you just won't hunt that spot. You have a perfect opportunity to harvest a buck but you'd have to use a hang-on stand and because of that, you instead say to yourself: "i'll make myself a better hunter and figure out somewhere else to hunt". I guess if that makes you happy, good for you. It makes absolutely no sense to me though (and others it seems) since you're just limiting yourself and not actually "improving" your versatility as a hunter. Oh and yeah more versatility = better hunter. Similar to how someone applying for a job is a "better applicant" because they have a more versatile skill set. I'm definitely going to hire the person who can do x,y and z for a certain job as opposed to someone who can only do x or y or z.
I use a Lonewolf handclimber. I really wanted to add a LW hang-on and sticks this season for spots without good climber trees, but it just wasn't in the budget.
I turned my summit open shot climber into a "Hang on" by purchasing a set of climbing sticks. I simply climb up the sticks and pull my foot base up with a rope and "Hang it on" and then pull my seat section up and hang it. Talk about versatility, its the close to best of both worlds.
Everything you say here is true, except it takes A LOT longer than a climber, not a little. I have both the sit and climb and an assault hang-on. They both have their place/purpose, but I can set up and climb any straight tree MUCH faster with my climber. MUCH quieter too!
I have both a sit and climb and an alpha w/sticks. I love my climber and still use it the most but having the ability to go into an unknown area and know for sure I will be able to find a tree makes the sticks worth having.
I'm using the LoneWolf assault and sticks for the first time this year. I've been a climber freak forever. I've simulated hunting scenarios at least a ten times being fully geared up camo bow and loaded back pack, go out and find a not so straight at all tree. I use my HSS line mans belt and start setting up. I carry everything with me up the tree so it's one trip up only. From start to finish meaning with the stand on my back to bow hanging and camera mounted on the arm, it takes me 30-35 minutes, Using 4 sticks up 22-25 feet. How on earth is it taking you guys only 10-15 minutes??? Can someone take the time to make a video of this? Simulate the hunt like I said above, I would love to see it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I use the $40 hang on stands at menards cause they work the same as the stand I spent $100 on a couple years ago
Nope, still stumbling around in the dark. The fact that I use a climber exclusively and have adapted my hunting around those limitations, has made ME a better hunter. This seems to have offended or possibly threatened some, for some reason. I'm really just stirring the pot more then anything else and it's been fun. Which makes me wonder...what is an acceptable amount of limitation or challenge one should put on themselves? I didn't think there was line to be crossed, but a few in this thread have insinuated that there must be. To be honest, I could just have someone drop a deer off here at the house, take it to the processer and be done...doesn't get much easier than that. But I don't because I like the challenge of deer hunting. Or I could use a gun but I don't because I like the challenge of bowhunting. I could hunt private land but I don't, I enjoy the challenge of hunting public land's. I could just go out and kill any deer but I like to chase targets which I believe to be mature. How much is to much?
Trees around here that are hang-on friendly are 1-50. Trees around here that are climber friendly are 1-500. I do feel safer in a climber once I am at my hunting height. However there have been a few times I have been in a hairy situation with a climber. Most of these situations were the result of me attempting to "cheat" and extend my climb height. Bases of trees around here are often huge and taper off pretty quickly which makes it extremely difficult to use most climbers properly. That and I spend just as much time if not more and along with a lot more noise cutting lower limbs as I go up. I also find that trees that are climber friendly don't have enough cover for my tastes. To use a climber I have to scout and prep the tree prior to the hunt which kind of defeats the purpose of a climber all together.
I know with a LW Assault and sticks with Muddy rope I can move right up a tree using a linesman's belt. Take all 4 sticks at my hip, stand on my back, and pull up rope attached to the bow and my belt. One trip quick and quiet. I've wrapped all the sticks and stand to make them quieter, plus the rope is dead quiet. I'm not the biggest climber fan due to a bad experience my first year. I wasn't too big so it was a struggle for me, then I didn't have the weight to set them well. As I was climbing my lower portion came loose and I was hanging quite awhile from the upper part while I tried to get the lower reset. Needless to say, my uncle took me to a built-in stand after that hunt and I didn't use the climber again. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
