I"m not going to go into why its stupid to hang stands without being tied in, I believe most of us know better. As for hauling gear into the woods, here is my method. I use a LW and a Badlands monster fanny pack combo. I put the fanny pack on as normal, then over that goes the stand. This really makes a difference in felt weight on your back as its distributed over two sets of straps instead of one. Also, once you get to the tree, no need to worry about anything other than attaching your stand, hooking a bow rope and up you go.
I've noticed that many of you have several portable stands. As I'm just getting back into bow hunting after a long time out of the sport, I've only got the one stand that I had during high school (a rivers edge hang-on I believe). How many stand does a person need/want and is it recommended to leave them on the tree for a time to get the deer used to seeing them?
I have 2 tree stands. One LW sit and climb and a LW Assault hang-on with sticks. This covers any situation I might encounter.
Get Third Hand Archery stabilizer straps. If you have a fanny pack (while the stand is standing up) put fanny pack on top of cross bars and open your jacket up and lay it in the middle of the stand put your bow inside your jacket. since down the stabalizer straps. Everything is nice and tight and your bow is protected along with the site inside your jacket and both your hands are free for light and GPS. If your pack is a little larger put it inside your jacket (cause your going to get dressed at the bottom of the tree) and carry the bow.
I agree with you. However, I do not film my hunts so there is less to carry. Also, I am fortunate enough to have a short walk back to my jeep to get my equipment for gutting and processing a deer. I do not have to carry that in. I value simplicity and comfort so staying organized is key.
Climbing Rig I've always been a climbing stand guy because I bow hunt all over the Midwest and like to be highly mobile and not burn out spots. I wear a fanny pack and also strap a duck decoy mesh bag filled with clothing layers camera bag and a call onto my climber. If the decoy bag is too large, I just shorten it up with string or thread and needle. The decoy bag is lighter and takes up less room when you hang it or lay it under your seat on the platform.
This video shows how to attach your backpack to the stand while carrying as well as how to stabilize the treestand and retrieve the platform.
Climber on back, my pack on chest I wear my pack as I'm climbing. It's easier and faster to climb to climb with my pack, then I put a tree hook in place and hang my pack. I carry my pack and my stand using a technique one of my marine friends taught me. I put my climber on my back, then I slide my arms through my pack and carry that on my chest. It equalizes the weight, is easier on my back and is actually quite comfortable. I put together a terrible picture but hope you get the idea.
I have a summit viper, I hang the pack from the top handle with the clip for the back pack straps, I pass the clip around the stand frame and through the top handle. Then I secure it by using the cinch strap around the stand and the pack. This holds the pack tight to the stand and avoids and noise from the pack banging into anything. It is nice that it doesn't require any additional gear.
When walking into the woods with my climber I wear the back pack on my chest.. It seems to work pretty well for me.. When climbing the tree, I just wear the back pack in the normal position.
I'm with the fanny pack guys. I don't need to carry a lot with me because I don't kill deer anyway. You'd be surprised how little gear you need when you don't get anything.
If you cant setup and climb a tree quieter, faster and with less movement than a hang-on with sticks... You're either doing it wrong, need more practice or you're a treestand ninja. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
