can you put up a hang on tree stand and then just set up tree sticks or is a hang on like a climber???
First you use sticks to get to where you want the hang on, then you strap it to the tree. It is not like a climber.
On thing not mentioned, safety first. You don't want to be hanging sticks and then trying to hang a stand without a harness. The easiest way I've found to hang hang-on stands (which I hate) is to use a tree climbers belt and rope. The rope will stay loose around the tree while your setting things up, but will grab if you slip or fall. You can find them online, or from a local tree maintenance company. Also try not to climb the sticks with the stand, your balance will be difficult at best. Get to the top of the steps once installed, and hoist the stand up with a bow rope or other cordage. Makes it much easier, I've had to setup more of them than I would like to admit, usually two, to film. IMHO, God Bless. Hope this helps, and stay safe. Getting paralyzed over a stand isn't worth the biggest buck. Take care.
I have both climbers and lock ons. I use the lock on stands as permanent stands. Next season I will be using my climber to hang the lock ons then take sticks in and out to try to make theft of my lock ons much harder. Normally if you use the stand as a mobile unit, you must first hang the sticks as you climb the tree then hang the stand. As said above always use a linemans belt and safety harness.
Where I hunt I have a 3/4 mile walk from my truck to my stand but when I am putting up a stand or after I shoot a deer the landowner allows me to drive to within 50 yards of my stand & for the last few years I've taken an extension ladder to use in putting up my stands & climbing sticks. I find with the ladder you have an angle you can lean against so if you need two hands for stand installation your good to go. It's also alot more comfortable than the linemans belt.
If you want a really comfy hunt, you can use sticks and a climber in combination. That way it's easy to get up to your climber and the climber is more comfortable than a traditional hang-on stand.
Definitely safety first...Know enough guys hurt bad by freek accidents some pretty unbelievable. 1 fell and broke his back and paralyzed waist down at 45...1 broken ribs and arm after landing on his friend who tried to break the fall and ended up with a cracked skull and serious brain injury(they were setting up)...this year in Price Co WI man who works for my dad slipped off 2nd to last screw in step and landed -impaled scrotum(ripped semen tube out)- upon last step - luckily, being the last step and on his knees on the ground, he was able to free himself and get to help (and yes they were able to reattach). BE SAFE!
