Climbing stand or Hang-on stand w/ climbing sticks

Many parts of PA are very conducive to climbers, unless of course, you are hunting pines. I have multiple climbers and hand-ons. After a few years I have personally found the climber is a lighter, quieter, and easier overall setup. I do a lot of long hike-ins (up to 1.5 miles one way). I also do a lot of setups in the morning before light.

Climbers do limit you at times however, that is also why I have multiple hang-ons.

My advice, you know the woods you hunt better than anyone. Are there a ton of trees where a climber will be great? If the answer is NO, then you lean a hang-on and steps. If yes, I would go with a climber.

I find more risk and sweat in using the steps and placing the hang-on then I do, climbing up and down with the climber.

If you go with either LW or XOP, by the mollie straps and back pad.

Also, for a hang-on on public land, you can choose to lock your stand in place. Then you just need to carry the steps. I do that a lot with my hang-ons.

 

I still use both, but it depends entirely on the situation and the area I'm hunting (what types of trees). I use a Lone Wolf Hand Climber and a Lone Wolf Assault with Sticks.