After I had a stand and camera stolen earlier this year, I broke down and bought a set up muddy sticks to be a little more mobile with my one remaining stand. I've been able to do a few sits so far and the sticks work great, couldn't say a bad thing about them. My cheap $30 Menards stand is another story. Since funds are a little low to upgrade to a LW, anyone have any ideas to upgrade the stand to make it easier to hang or a little more comfortable or a decent priced lightweight hang on.
Have you looked at the Big Game or the Rivers Edge stands? I have quite a few of them, but I leave them up all year.
I bought the little bigger version of the stand you have. One thing to make it a little easier to hang is get a cam buckle strap and put it around the tree and have a hook on it. Face the hook how you want the stand and when you pull the stand up hook the bar that runs under the seat on the hook. That will hold it in place while you finish strapping it to the tree. Another thing I did to make mine more sturdy was I cut the straps that came on them off and put on a Gorilla ratchet strap. You do have to cut off the rubber coating thats on the hooks. You can buy them at wal-mart for about $15 for two if I remember right. I actually like the seat pads that came on them so I don't have much to tell you in that respect other than maybe just to try some different ones until you find one you like. They aren't lone wolf or Leverage quality or comfort by any means but for 20% of the price I like mine just fine after these couple of minor mods, and if your like me and hunt public every know and again leaving one out and it getting stolen isn't near as painful.
I find adding a foot rest makes it much more comfortable if there's not one on it. Also a thin pad on the tree for a little backrest. I'd like to buy or make a back rest with built in arm rest as well. Great idea above about the buckle strap. I'm thinking that hook to hold the stand up while your securing it is the same strap you'll hook your harness to when your sitting? If I'm following you. I've heard of taking of people taking the sticks down and leaving the stand up if their going to hunt the same tree again soon.
I hope it goes without being said, but using a lineman's strap and harness while hanging your stand (any stand) will make it not only easier but safer as well. Having both hands free to hold the stand and get the strap around the tree makes a world of difference. I have no idea how I ever hung a stand without my lineman's belt.
Great stuff, I have a few of those Menards hang-ons, and they are ok, small, but ok....I like these ideas I would get several of them if I had a set of climbing sticks I could use. Keep the ideas coming!
Not quite what I mean. I stole the idea from Leverage. I think they call it a hanging assist strap. I call it a cam buckle strap with a hook on it. I'll be hanging a stand Thursday and if I think about it I will take a picture of what I did. Another thing I do is take any accessories off the stand. Arm rests, foot rests, and gun rests. This makes it lighter and easier to carry. And one less thing to be in the way. I know a lot of people like foot rest but with me being 6'6" and big feet they actually just get in my way especially on a smaller stand. Wanting to get a set of climbing sticks bad. I decided to move a stand today and all I have are screw in steps. I picked out the perfect tree then tried screwing one of those suckers in and it wasn't happening. Its an old hickory and I may as well have been screwing those things into concrete. Happen to be going to Cabelas tomorrow and if I can sneak the credit card out with me I'll be coming home with a set.
Do yourself a favor and get the Lone Wolf sticks. I know the Muddy's are nice and they do work, but you'll be hard pressed to find someone who has used both and prefers the Muddy sticks. Once you go Lone Wolf you'll never go back.
Just looking at them I like the looks of the Leverage sticks the best. But every review I read say they are good but the Lone Wolfs are better. About how high do you get with a set of 3?
Check out the field and stream lock on. ****$ has it for around $90 right now. It's regular $120. It is all aluminum and pretty roomy.
If your worried about someone stealing your stands try using a sturdy chain and a good padlock. As for the strap on tree steps I don't know cause I use the screw in type. Hope this helps.
I was on some public ground this week. I was stunned at how big some of the chains were on those stands. You cannot use the screw in peg/steps on public land, so climbing sticks or a ladder are needed. I was thinking about 5-7 of those $35 hang-on stands from Menards and one good set of climbing sticks. Then get them set where I wanted them and chain them on with a padlock after they were strapped on good and you could be set, even on public land? Are those Menards stands Big Dog or River's Edge?
They are the Big Dog stands. I have one on public land now and used a cable lock on it. I also used rope steps. Its just a peice of wood with a hole drilled through it and a rope going through. Tie them around and your good. I don't like them very much as they are not really solid and if the wood breaks or splits your screwed. Don't really recommend them but they are cheap and if they get stolen its no biggie. Bought a set of Lone Wolf sticks today. Found a set of 4 for 169. Though it was a pretty good deal. Will be breaking them in tomorrow.
You can get the biggest big dog stand they make for $50 at Menards right now. We have two and they are huge - I am 5'7" and I can't reach the footrest when I sit. The only thing is you need a couple of additional ratchet straps to make it secure.
