What's the secret? I used my LW sticks for the first time while hunting Saturday and let's just say "it was not pretty". I bought the shoulder strap from LW and did like they showed on a video of hanging the first stick while on the ground then putting the other three on your back, hanging one at a time while you climbed the tree. I found the shoulder strap didn't close real secure so I play with that a lot while hanging each stick Seems like they should make a plastic bracket that they all can clip into and, out of quickly and quietly. I may have to make one Also it seems like I'm struggling with the linemen's rope and the prussic knot. As i'm climbing the tree and have to tighten the knot, I have to hung the tree with one arm while holding the rope and tightening the knot with the other. Luckily the tree was not very large and i could get my arm around it. When I finally got in the stand I just sat there thinking "I've got to be doing something wrong" it shouldn't be this awkward. How do you guys hang your sticks? Thanks
It will get easier the more you use them. I like to put the first two steps on the tree right off the start. Then I take the other two steps and place them over my shoulders. By that I mean, I put my arm through the straps. Then climb the first two steps and then hang your third and then your fourth step. Yes, a linesmen belt is a must. Just practice with it and you will get a good method for yourself.
I agree with the above statement....and it will take practice to get use to it. Last season was my first with a LW and the first time out was horrible. You will get more efficient the more you use the set-up.
As they say - practice makes perfect! The more you do it, the easier it gets. As for the lineman's belt, you shouldn't have to adjust it too much on your way up. In the cases where the tree gets considerably smaller as I climb I usually just put my lineman's belt at a higher angle to take up some of the slack. In most cases that will get you by. Also, the more you use the lineman's belt the more the prussic knot will "wear in" and it will become easier to slide. New ones are always a little stiff. When it comes to hanging the sticks on my way up, I prefer to detatch them from one another and sling them over my shoulder instead of using the carrying caddy. For me, that system works better as it doesn't require me to unlatch and relatch the caddy every time I take a stick off. By no means is this entire process of hanging a stand as easy as some people think. It still requires a good amount of work - especially when you're trying to be quiet. Depending on the tree and your familiarity with the equipment plan on 20-40 minutes to set up, and 15-20 to tear down and get the stand/sticks ready for packing. I'm sure you can do both in less time, but while hunting you need to use some extra caution to be quiet.
Thanks, that makes sense and would never attempt w/o a linemens rope. I also realized I should pre-tighten the straps to the size of the tree before I start climbing.
Thanks, I did realize that I could adjust the rope a little tighter on the ground and let it get looser as I climb and it's good to hear the prussic knot will wear in and get a little easier to adjust. When I got done I just thought, I need a climber
I was actually going to make a thread about this also. I bought some LW sticks also a few weeks ago. We went out to our timber on Monday and I brought my sticks to give them a shot because I knew it would take a few times to get used to them. I was pleasantly surprised with how fast they go up. I had all 4 sticks up in less than 10 minutes. I most certainly see why there is such a buzz about them being worth the money. My Lone Wolf Alpha II is on it's way here as we speak. I will be using that setup before my climber this year.
It just takes time. If the tree can be hunted from a climber - I'd rather do that. But the flexibility of the sticks and stand has me sold. Only time will tell! Practice practice practice!
I honestly have tried carrying the sticks up with me and all I do is just fumble them around and make so much noise that it isn't even funny. My best method is hanging the first stick and then leaning the other three against the tree at the base. I then just come down and do one at a time. It is much much faster and quieter for me this way and it is the way I feel safest. I can honestly go from having the pack on my back to hunting in anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes depending on the tree. This includes being very quiet in the process. Everyone is going to have their different ways of doing it. I would try it this way and see how you like it. You can always go back if it doesn't work good for you. Like the others have stated too, the more you do it the better you get at it. My first time probably would have spooked all the deer out of woods if I was actually hunting. Good luck and just remember it is a practice and confidence thing. You just have to master the art.
you guys hit this one pretty good. the only other thing i would say is practice hanging your stand at ground level by your house or someplace other than the woods. you'll get good at it and be able to put it up with no hassle sooner than you think. the way i started a few yrs back with the LWs is that i hung every stand that year for me and my two buddies. got pretty frickin good. i do mine a bit diff and head back down the tree for the next stick, or have a buddy hand it to me. lineman's belt is a must though and YES i feel your pain with the difficult knot from time to time. safety first!!!!!!!!
As with anything else, the more you use them, the better you'll get. You'll pick up a trick or two along the way and make it that much easier.
Good point. That was the other thing, as I was hold the top of the stand to secure the first strap, the seat came down and pinched the @#%& out of my hand. That really hurt Sorry about the language. Don't know if I'd want to climb up and down for each stick but I think if I can hang two from the the ground, I can carry the other two/ or three up to hang. I got some Leverage Sticks in that I think I'll like better than the LW sticks but the LW hang on is cool. Just need to make the bow lock in better and add a pad for the seat. May look for a climber in the future.
