Climbing Treestand vs Hang On Treestand w/ Sticks

I am yet again seeking input from all of you on this difficult decision I have to make. I am absolutely tired of ground hunting on public land and am trying to determine which stand is better for me: climber or hang on w/ sticks? I've done research on both and each have their own pro's and con's that are supportive of that specific type of stand. Apparently, WI DNR will NOT allow a hunter to cut limbs off of trees on public land (I cannot find this information on the DNR website, but I've heard it numerous times). Therefore, I would think that a hang on w/ sticks would be better. Subsequently, I could see that much equipment being cumbersome and would lean towards a climber. Any input by you guys would be very much appreciated.

 

For me, it's hang-on & sticks. My priority is versatility. A stand does me no good if I can't hang it in the tree I want to.

 

Real men use climbers... :D

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I think you will be fine either way you go both have their pros and cons....

 

One thing to look for is to really scout the land you're going to be on before purchasing. If its bottom ground with a ton of straight branch less trees go for the climber! But if you want more versatility stick with sticks and hang on. I have a line wolf climber I use primarily but will be purchasing the sticks and hang on soon for some other options this year. They both have ups an downs but really you need to decide based on the land you are hunting. Good luck!

 

well for me i just got both set ups both being Lone Wolf so im ready for anything. but ill be hunting out of my climber mainly on public land the trees are great for climbers. but either way you go practice with it. i would just go out and use my climber in my back yard to get use to it, just find what your comfortable with and what works for you. good luck

 

haha i didnt even realize what you said i could of saved myself alot of typing if i read your post well put^^

 

I hunt private ground and I've scouted it well enough that I have my stands hung where needed. A climber definately gives you versatility.

 

Well if your hunting public land you have to go climber. #1 you cant leave stands in tree's over night on public land and that's a lot of work to set up a hang on with sticks just to have to take it down when you leave. you figure 30 mins to hand a stand and sticks. where with a climber you can be up 20ft in 10 mins tops. #2 your very mobile with a climber. you can move around that public land. hunting bedding in the morning and food at night..

 

I pack a climber in on public land hunts. A hang on and sticks would be more versitale if you spend the money for a light weight set up that backpacks easily. I have a Big dog hang on and sticks which would be around 50 lbs. and difiicult to pack in versus less than 20 with my climber that straps right to my Badlands 2200.

 

I hunt both depending on the trees. With a good set up steps I am about the same time up with my lone wolf steps. I use a M100 stand and just leave the mounting blocks on the trees. Makes for quick setup time. Like the climbers for ease, but the trees are the real limiter.

 

Depends on the type trees you have. I like trees with limbs so I use hang-on stands. If you have tall, straight limbless trees, near the trails you want to hunt, they work fine. Me, I have two or three in the barn that I never use, even a tree lounge, which is very comfy but useless if I don't have the right type tree.

 

Agree that it depends on the trees you have to work with. Hang on stands will give you much more versatility, and if you are walking very far Climbers are generally heavier and more cumbersome than the smaller hang on stands with sticks. I use both, but I hunt private ground mainly and can leave my stands without worry of someone taking them.

 

I personally use a ladder stand because I've found I am too inexperienced and noisy when using a climber. I am thinking about using a hangon and sticks/pegs for another setup on my property though because my current setup doesn't provide the best wind cover. We have 3 people hunting a 8.5 acre wooded lot that butts up against someone else's 120 acre partial farm/wooded lot so I don't have many options for multiple stands.

 

Both will get the job done, just in different ways. Im going to start using the Lone Wolf hang on stand with sticks. Ill put it up where I want to hunt and move it if I have to. After a couple of times practicing with the set up, it wont be that difficult to hang it in less than 30 minutes. I used to love climbers but slowly starting to dislike them.

 

I find it very disturbing all of you saying just use a climber. That is a very easy way to send a fellow hunter out into the woods and ruin his hunt before he ever gets up a tree. I agree that climbers can be great. However depending on the land and location that he is hunting and the type of trees climbers in many cases can be completely useless.

When I started hunting I looked at all the different stand and decided to get a climber. Based on what everyone was saying it was the way to go just like several of you have already said. I quickly learned that on public land in illinois it is illegal to trim or cut any branch regardless of it's size. The public land that I was hunting was covered in limbs and absolutely impossible to climb with a climber. Here I was a new hunter standing on the ground with my brand new climber and no trees to climb.

How about instead of telling everyone what to do and that your way is the only way to go you suggest that he gets smart and heads out and does his homework. Look at the trees that you will be hunting from, check the laws as far as trimming and make an educated decision. Either climber or hangon are great options but not for everyone. If you find yourself in a simular situation to what I did a few years back go hangon with a good set of sticks. Time getting them setup and into the tree will be minimul compared to what you think it will be with just a little practice but the versatility it provides is great. Best of luck in your decision.

 

very well put. i was lucky enough to be able to purchase a lone wolf climber and hang on for any situation. and the trees on public land in champaign ,IL are great for climbers.

 

Agreed ferg...that's what my first point was...you HAVE to do your homework or else your stand is very limited to what you can do with it. I've been in places where my climber worked in one tree...but I had better cover two yard away in a tree full of branches and decided to go with the hang on and sticks!

 

Well, thanks for all of the input guys. I have done my homework and I did state that WI DNR says it's illegal to trim trees on public land. The majority of the trees were I hunt are pine with a few oak trees and over various hardwoods mixed in. In actuality, I have been researching this decision for quite sometime; however, both stands have their own unique pro's and cons. I do have something in the works for a few spots of private land to hunt that do not have any permanent stands on them. I have not scouted these areas to determine what type of trees are on the property but given the land is within 20-30 miles of where I currently hunt, there can't be that much difference in foliage. More than likely, I will go with a Lone Wolf hang on with sticks, as I have been leaning more towards that stand due to versatility. Unfortunately, I asked my dad and other people who have been hunting for far longer than I (and have numerous trophy bucks mounted) and they all said climber. Again, thanks for all the help, gents. Greatly appreciated, as always!

 

I use a climber for public land. Hang on stands are too much work quite honestly, especially if you a. haven't scouted out specific areas as it is your first time b. can't get in there ahead of time to hang it.

I don't know about climbing a tree, installing sticks and a stand in the dark. I know I can walk in during pitch black and climb in my Summit.