Since I am going to NE on a whitetail hunt this fall, I invested in the LW Alpha 2 and a set of 4 sticks. First off let me say...the most bada$$ stand and sticks I have ever used. Expensive, but awesome. Solid, light, comfy, and versatile (understatement). I used the set for the first time last Sat night, and was setup within 15 minutes. Now I know I will need practice to get quicker, setting up and taking down/packing out especially. So here is my question(s) to you LW users. I searched on the forums before posting this...found some but not all answers. I also wanted to share with you what I have found out thus far... 1) How do you strap your stand and sticks together? I used the main stand strap(goes around the tree) to go around the stand and sticks once the sticks are properly in place... found out it was kinda a PITA. better suggestions? I know on youtube Dan Infalt uses bungies to hold the sticks.(HUNTING BEAST LONE WOLF STAND SET UP PART2 - YouTube )....not a bad idea either. Will try this as well. How do you strap all your gear together? 2) Do you always go up the tree just 1 time? (How to Hang a Tree Stand in 5 Minutes! - YouTube) Found this helpful... 3) Are there any mods you make to your LW equipment? ---There is the "stick stirrup" which I think is a pretty good idea for a few extra feet. ( Hunting Climbing Stick Modification - Higher, Faster, Lighter! - YouTube) ---Adding some cloth where there is metal on metal like where the seat hits the platform when folded up. ---Using a different bow holder, or surrounding the LW holder with cloth/tape etc. My Mathews does not sit right in that thing....and its loud if you touch the platform with your cam at all. ---padded backpack straps Looking for any other mods / advice! 4) When packing out, are you louder and quicker with your equipment than when you are packing in? Do you not care about how loud you are when leaving the woods in the dark? Or do you be as careful and quiet as you were when you went in...? I always try to be quiet as ever on my way in and out...but this sacrifices time when packing the LW gear out. I appreciate any and all help and advice!
The sticks can be a pain to pack out in the dark, especially getting them tied in to the stand. Seems like after you walk a while you have to tighten everything up a bit. I picked up a baseball bat bag, oddly enough, in a camo pattern. I secure the sticks together and attach this to my Alpha. Work pretty well for me.
I'll start with #1 by pasting my response to a thread this Spring... This is how I route the stands straps which crisscross and loop onto the tree bracket. For packing the sticks, I like to wrap the loose ends nice and stack them tight with the buckle cinched good. Then, either using the strap from the top stick or one off the stand, I begin to thread the strap to the base of the stands from the top across the bottom then back through the top again. Now you can place the sticks on the stand with the top feet in their resting places both at the top of the stand and the seat (note All LWs but the original Assault have dimples in the seat for the sticks feet to rest in). Then cinch it down using the top stick's versa button If you do it like this, they will be tight enough that someone could pick you up by the sticks! No bungies could ever get it this tight. I've also never had to retighten them.
2- I go up & down for each stick. I'm not sure it would save me any time, and I'd be worrying about the sticks banging against the tree as they're dangling there. 3- The only mods I've really done was to dip the outside of my buckles in that plasti-dip stuff you use for tool handles. It softens the noise a bit but the square tubing is what is really loud anyways. Not sure if I'd go through the hassle again or not. I've been looking to tape the sticks, but I just haven't gotten around to it. 4- I'm not as neat going out ( I don't wrap the strap ends), but I try to be as quiet or even more quiet leaving. Most of the time my stands are where I think I'm going to see deer at dusk. There's a good chance that if I don't see them, they are still on their way, so I need to be quiet on my exit. I sometimes end up leaving my stand hanging, just so I can sneak out faster and quieter.
Thanks for all the good info Fitz! That is exactly how I packed mine in the first time...and it was solid. Just not sure if I would pack it out the same way...trying to thread that strap through in the dark...but time will tell. FULLY AGREE I did pickup a couple bungees, and if I tie a few knots in them they will be tight. I guess I like the fact that you could bungie in your jacket, cam arm, etc.... Any others care in advise?
I always tie my jacket on the stand with it's arms. Then it hangs over the stand, covering it and keeping brush from clanging against it Also, thread the strap end, not the buckle end, then you don't have to worry about noise.
My most helpful tip is to carry your sticks in your free hand instead of packing the stand and the sticks together. It makes things a lot more easier while walking in and out. Plus I find it very hard to wear a backpack while walking with the stand on your back. Hope you get the idea and it helps out a little bit.
I strap everything with three military surplus lashings, backpack on one side and coat on the other. Same way going in or out. I also come down for each stick, until I get to the last one. Then I put on my backpack, bow sling, stand, and go up with the last stick.
Great info so far guys, and thanks for sharing! I found that 3 bungees I bought at menards for like $8, get the stand & sticks super tight together. I will snap a pick to show it. Not sure if this is how I am going to roll yet, but will test.
So you can see I use 3 bungees. 2 I cross over the versa button on the sticks in an X-ish form. Then an adjustable bungee right across the middle. The adjustable may be nice to add things to the stand (jacket/pack/etc) right before I put that last adjustable bungee on. But who knows. Will find out.
Btw the bungees the way they are setup are rock solid. No unwanted movement. (2) 24" bungee (1) 16-24" adjustable bungee
I did something basically the same this weekend, just stuffed my jacket in between the bungies. It worked great, was also quicker packing up at dark IMO.
