I have been making and using my own Loc-Ons for decades. I don't know what got into me but I tried using a Summit Climbing Stand this weekend. I am 6'2" and 210lb and felt like I was locked into a roller coaster at Six Flags with these metal bars all around me. I have a Tree Lounge which is a little better but it takes two men and a boy to carry and no matter how hard I try, I end up level somewhere around 16-18 feet. I usally shoot for 22-25 feet or so. To make matters worse, there are always limbs in the way on the trees where I want to hunt. What a pain... Loc-Ons for me from now on but I have always used the screw in steps and my new property won't allow screw in steps... What can I use that is portable and practical for steps? Ideas from the pros please?
While I've not used em yet,I've been thinking about some type of the climbing sticks.Probably gonna go with a couple sets of Ameristeps. http://www.basspro.com/Ameristep-Non-Typical-Rapid-Rail-Ladder/product/54444/61580 These are the ones I'm looking at.
I use 4 Lone Wolf climbing sticks and have been for years now. I would not consider using anything other kind. http://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Products/Climbing-Stick-3pc-Set__77042.aspx
Okay... I re-read the rules for Corp of Engineers property. It says "portable stands" and no "climbing spikes." Opinion time... are climbing spikes the same as the screw in steps that I remove after each hunt? I am thinking climbing spikes may be the things linemen use or maybe nails driven into the tree which never get removed. I am digging the climbing sticks you mentioned but I am supposed to take my stand down, so how much would they add to the bulk I am carrying in and out? I am being told that taking the stand down daily really has not been enforced as long as the hunter is coming back the next day and does not try to use his stand to "mark" or "defend" his territory.
I would assume that if spikes are not allowed neither are screw in steps since both can damage a tree. Besides, the sticks will be about 100 times faster than screw steps. I hunt public property most of the time and all stands must be taken down at the end of the day. I am sure I could leave it up but someone could find my sticks and stand and take them. If I were to leave the stand up then I would take the sticks down anyway. That way it is likely no one could get my stand and the sticks go back up really fast. The sticks are 2.5 pounds each, I think, so that is the additional weight you are dealing with. I typically go about 3/4 of a mile, often times more, with my pack, stand and sticks. The weight doesn't bother me but we are all different when it comes to something like that.
Yeah, that's kind of what I am thinking. The steps do get to be a pain after a while. I think I will leave the stand if I am coming back but bring out the sticks. Hang a lock on the stand... maybe? I haven't really seen anyone else to speak of so that's probably unnecessary for me but I guess it won't hurt either. Thanks
Loc-ons I use loc-ons all the time.And what I use are Summit Treestands Bucksteps,there small,light and easy to carry I made up a carry strap to carry them in and out of the woods.I put my stand about 10 to 12 feet up on the tree just to keep me just below the tree canopy but just enough to hide me with natural cover.Also once I set my stands in which I have 6 in different locations,they are up high enough they will keep a honest man honest(all are chain lock)All I do is grab my bow,rifle,shotgun,Bucksteps,backpack and off we go quick easy and light weight.
I am in the process of building my mobile set ups for next season and i've kind of narrowed it down to a Millenium stand and multiple brackets, 4 lone wolf sticks, and 15 of these: http://www.shopatron.com/products/category/9003.0.1.1.107125.107057.0.0.0. The rope steps are a little pricey at 9.50 a pop but they seem really versatile, light, and cause no damage to the tree and in reality no more pricey than good climbing sticks. I can lessen the price if I replace the millenium with a cheaper hang on and the Hang On buddy system. But the cheaper hang ons almost always weigh between 5 and 10 pounds more than the millenium. Replacement stand I like: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/ol-man-the-roost-hang-on-stand.aspx?a=828191 Hang on buddy system: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/hang-on-buddy-pro-pack.aspx?a=796943 The stand, the sticks, the steps, hang on buddy system with 4 mounting brackets, and the lonewolf sticks all in all came to around $475 + tax & shipping. Add about $200 more with the millenium products. I am very cheap and that is a lot more than I want to spend but it gives me 4 stand set ups and I can pull whatever I want when I go out, either the stand or the sticks/steps or both. I have lost 4 hang ons in 3 seasons and I feel like spending the money now might save me money in the long run. If I had access to a machine shop I would definitely buy a Millenium stand then just make a bunch of brackets for it. I guess the short version might have read "Check out these rope steps", but I am incapable of a short post.
word to the wise: if you purchase climbing sticks don't get the stagger step, because it never fails that you will need the step where it isn't. I'd also stay away from the stackable types. they are cheaper, however, a pain n the ace when packing in about out with everything else.
