Ok so I realize this is probably an age old question. I am looking to purchase a treestand this season, Ive only ever hunted from a blind before. What style do you guys suggest? A ladder type is out of the question because I will be hunting public land and a little bit of private land so I cant leave anything sit out. Obviously the hang on w/ sticks and climber are the types that will work. I live in Pa and everyone knows the types of forests we have here, thicker than dog scat in January. I like the ease of a climber, but the versatility of a hang-on sounds good too. Any hunters in Pa got any suggestions/tips?
Climbers are nice. Now, with that said, there are many brands out there. I think a lot of people will direct you towards a lone wolf alpha, or hand climber II. If I were going to buy a new stand, those are what I'd choose from. I personally have 5 climbing stands. I bought them all on craigslist for a combined total that is still substantially less than what a lone wolf alpha costs. So, if you're budgeting, craigslist, if not, lone wolf. :D Could always go to cabelas/bps and test some out. http://allentown.craigslist.org/spo/2569855081.html An example of a nice stand for a reasonable price on craigslist. Oh, and it's in your area's craigslist. :D Probably take $75-$100 for it.
The only problem with Climbers are that they leave you with very few options for placement. I'd purchase a hang on that is leight weight, and DO NOT use the screw in step's. They will have you worn out by the time you get them in the tree, and then you will still have to hang the stand. Good luck getting this done before shooting like and while keeping your scent down. purchase the strap on sticks. worth every penny.
Climbers and hang ons are both equally effective. But as noted climbers can be more problematic when finding a tree to setup in. However, I'm from PA too and know the kinds of trees, usually oaks, that you'll most likely be climbing. Climbers work fine for these types of trees as there aren't many branches to deal with until your plenty high. I'd personally go with a climber in your case. Hang ons and sticks are great, but IMO, require a little more planning and practice to get good enough to hang them in the dark if you hunt many different spots. With the climber, you can just go. Take a look at the Summit stands. They're easy to climb with, extremely comfortable, safe and affordable. I've been using one for years and love it.
Hey Brother Of The Woodline!In our ''Commonwealth''its illegal to use any climber that digs into the bark of the tree(which is all climber)Private land u'r good to go,as long as the land owner isn't anial....The Pa Game natizs' will put u against the wall.....like the wood built stands on game Lands,its 100.00 a nail(in the tree) Please read u'r regs book cover to cover.Even better go the the Game natizs' web site(pgc.com) Just a heads up from a fellow Pennsylvanian.....God bless,good /safe hunting.
Lone Wolf Alpha & sticks. If the tree can be hunted from, This set-up will get you in it. Get more than 3 sticks. I typically bring 4 or 5. Good luck this fall dgable!
Thanks guys, I think I am going to get a hold of a hang on and some sticks. And then buy a climber from craigslist eventually just so I have all bases covered. Now when Muzzleloader comes up I am going to be going out for that. Have you guys shot out of these stands safely? I have a .50 TC Encore that I use.
Bow is probably the most dangerous weapon to use out of a stand. So I would say during that time you'll be fine. Just make sure you have a good fall arrest system. :D
I love my Summit Open Shot, but I have also heard great things about the Lone Wolf Hanger with the Lone Wolf climbing sticks(sorry I do not know the names). Sal
I am taking a trip out to Cabelas this weekend, I have a bunch of money for there from the credit card. So we will see what I return with.
I have a three climbers (summits) and a bunch of hang ons. I'll go with everyone else, and I just did this last year. The climbing stick are awsome, you just need more than three to get where you need to be. 4 or 5 is the magic number for me. It's about 50-50 on what I take now; hang on or Climber. Sounds like you may have some other issues to deal with, like Tree Nazi's. Won't the hanger hurt the bark too?? Just wondering. Are they really that bad in PA?? If so WOW! That sucks.
I have several different stands both climbers and hang-ons and I use my LW 99% of the time! Can't go wrong with them! Sent from my T8788 using Board Express
So I figured out that the LW assault 2 and sticks cost about the same as a LW climber, but in Pa here the Hang-on is more versatile that Im hearing. So thats what I will check out and Ill just have to practice to get as quick with the hang-on as the climber. Plus christmas is coming so I might just splurge and get myself a christmas present early. Every stand hurts the tree a little, so if they were really hardcore Nazis here in Pa, no one would be using them. Now, the question is which one hurts the tree the least. Screw-in steps I can understand, but a normal hang-on or climber really aren't that terrible for the bark,unless you really ruch it around before you get it seated properly.
If I'm just out hunting a new area I bring my Summit climber. Most of the time I scout, find a spot , come back later and put up either a ladder or a hang on depending the popularity of a spot. I leave my hang on but take my sticks but I have had a hang on stolen by a athletic thieve.
Ok so my trip to cabelas was pretty successful, I picked up a LW Assault 2 and a set of sticks, a duck and goose gutwrench and a new gambrel. I got the last set of sticks so I couldnt get more than 3, but that will do for now. I think I spent 2.5 hours there, which is usual. My GF hates how much time I spend there, but she tolerates it. Now its time to go outside and practice, next weekend its gametime.
