Who hunts only using a lock on? How do you pack it to carry and what kind of steps and stand? Please post pics.
That depends on the area. Each year I will have 15-20 predetermined stand sites on my main farm. Some of these sites will be preset with both a 20' stick ladder and a lock on. Some will be preset with only a 20' stick ladder. For the sets with only the stick ladder, all I do is pack in my Lonewolf Assault, climb the stick ladder, hang the stand and hunt. Quick and easy. There are several areas that I make a decision to hunt each season where I don't have a stand prehung. For example, last season I had one corner of the woods get very hot all of a sudden. I didn't have a stand there, so I took my Lonewolf in and hung it with 4 or 5 sticks. I killed my buck from that spot the 2nd sit. Lock one don't need to be packed in and out every single time. You can however buy a mobile set like an Assault 2 and 5 sticks and never HAVE to buy another stand again... Ever. I chose the Assault over a climber because climbers limit you to certain trees- tall and straight and typically have a lack of cover. With the assault and sticks you can get into some pretty gnarly trees with loads of cover!
Lone Wolf Alpha 2, & four sticks. I use three mil surplus lashings to attach sticks, backpack, and coat (when its cold out) to the stand. 10-15 minutes and I'm settled in. Approximately 20' up.
If i had a nice place yo hunt I would practice more with my Alpha and 3 sticks. O would love to slip into a spot a couple hrs before sun up and be ready in no time!
Not having a nice place to hunt is exactly why you should practice with your mobile set up. You can try and find better places to hunt and have your mobile setup ready to go as soon as you find a spot. A lot of times I am hunting new areas and that lone wolf can set up in any tree in just a few minutes.
