for the guys that hang stands, why do not use climbers? do you always use hang on stands? Or do you use both?
Both have their advantages. I hunt in my climber about 95% of the time but there are times where it's nice to get to your spot and just climb right up.
I have one of each, but I use my climber almost exclusively because there's too many thieves out there.
I use both. The reason I don't use my climber is I hunt 99% private land and the ease convenience of pre hung stands is a huge advantage IMO. Most of my hunts are after work. I get home, change, and back out the door to the field. Dragging a climber to and from and the extra time to setup are not an option, esp late in the season. Granted, when a change needs to be made, I have a climber for that. I can be mobile if necessary.
I've never owned a climber, they just don't appeal to me. I have spots with pre hung stands that get used some, and I hunt off the ground quite a bit. I've never had the urge to buy one.
I used to always boast about the effectiveness of a climber. They still have their place but I just recently ordered a Lone Wolf alpha and two sets of sticks. This is going to be my new mobile setup. I'll now be able to hunt from virtually any tree I want. I plan on using it just as I did my climber. I'll take it in/out with me each day unless I hang it one evening and decide to hunt that same stand the next morning. I'm confident I can have the 4 sticks and stand installed in approx. the same time it would take me to climb. I need to practice to achieve this but I really believe it can be done faster than a climber.
I gave up using a climber for my lone wolfs and there climbing sticks. You can hang and hunt more effective trees and be alot more mobile with these stands. They weigh the same as a lightweight climber, less bulky, and i can hang a set in less time, plus they marry together and are 100% silent. The best thing about lone wolf stands is that they are 100% cast so you get zero noise! The biggest advantage is your not limited to straight trees with no limbs, you can hang and hunt ANYWHERE with this setup.
I use a climber to hunt the public land in my area and on the private land that i hunt i have a mix of other stands (ladder and hang on) pre set. i like the idea of the climber being mobile but then again its one more thing that i have to drag in and out of the woods every time i go out.
What is your process for hanging a set? Do you make any trips back down the tree once you leave the ground? I'm planning on going up the tree in one motion to decrease setup time. How much time does it normally take you?
What he said. I have a climber for quick change hunts, but that's usually left for early season, or late season morning only because my work also dictates when I can get into the woods. Having to only dress, grab the bow and climb up in saves a lot of time and noise.
I have been doing that for the last few years. You will miss your climber, 4 sticks and an Alpha are way heavier than my summit climber. And much louder, putting sticks together in the dark isnt as easy as they want ya to think trust me. You will go thru a season where you dont want to admit it but they arent worth the money. You will dread sunset haven to pull all that stuff and hook it all back up silently. It does get old. My fixed stands, my climber and my lone wolf set up all have their places. I'm one of the only guys on the intire web that will admit I'm not in love with my lone wolf stuff, and I wouldn't have bought them agian. Most guys wont admit it.
Hang-on for me. I hunt too many trees that have limbs on the way up. LW w/ sticks. I can pack them up blindfolded now. I like the versatility that the hang-ons offer.
UP - ill take your lone wolfs off your hand if your that unhappy. I tape off everywhere my sticks meet the stand and with the quick connect straps its very quite. There is a system to setup in the dark and tear down isnt any worse than sliding two sections together when it comes to noise. Finch - go on you tube and type in "how i climb with lone wolf sticks" this is the way i climb with mine. I usually tie my stand with one rope to my waist and once i set my last stick, i haul my stand up, then have another rope tied to the stand attached to my bow and camera bag. If you dont want to climb up with a rope tied to you, then climb back down grab your stand and climb back up with the rope tied to it and your bow. Just a few ideas
I plan on modifying the sticks and stand somewhat to help quieten them down a bit. I can see where it might get old but I feel the same about my climber. However, I suck it up in hopes that it might be the hunt that I take a bruiser. You say that you're one of the only that will admit you're not in love with you LW setup. Ever think that all the other people that won't "admit it" aren't complaining because they actually like their setup? Besides the redundancy of the setup and take down; anything else you don't like about it? What is your process?
I actually came across that video last night. It only took him a few mins to get 4 sticks installed and that was with him talking the entire time. Thats the way I'm gonna practice one I receive all the stuff I ordered. Do you use the carry strap as well?
Agree you can climb a tree quicker in a summit climber and they are crazy comfy.... BUT your limited to the trees you can climb and not very versatile... the whole key for me behind killing big bucks is being able to bounce around and keep them guessing without having to worry about what tree im going to climb when i get in there. I know i can climb ANY tree.....
Yes i have a carry strap in case i leave the stand over night i haul the sticks with me GR - Im not sayin you dont kill big bucks but what im saying is your "handicap" of being limited to a straigh tree could really make the difference in killing a big buck or not. Laying to much scent in a area just bc you have to climb the same tree over & over vs. the element of suprise of being 40-50 yards away could make the world of difference.
I use both with the Lone wolf hanger getting most of the duty. Both take equal time in unpacking, set up and packing back up after the hunt. Thr problem with climbers is you need a telephone pole type tree and that exposes you too much IMO.
