I'm curious, what tree stand setups are you guys all running for whitetails this season? I know mobile hunting setups are all the rage right now especially saddles. I have tried a diy sit drag saddle and an xop hang on with sticks but I keep going back to my open shot summit climber. I know you have to be selective with your trees with a climber but in these hardwoods of Michigan there is an abundance of straight trees. Also nothing is faster in my opinion than a climber. Also my whole set up is like 15 pounds. A light xop with sticks comes out to a bulky 20 plus pounds that sticks off your back a mile. Also all those straps!! And the sit drag saddle was not comfortable in my limited experience. I imagine the good models out there now are more comfortable. I also don't like the prospect of having to twist all the way around to shoot to the right. Lots of movement. That's just my opinion. What are you guys going with?
Oh I forgot to mention pack up time when you're done hunting. After a freezing sit there last thing I want to do is pack up a bunch of straps with numb fingers. My climber stacks together and is on my back in seconds
Lee, I'm still using my old Summit climber here in southwestern PA. It does what I need it to do and I always feel safe in it. My neighbor uses a Lone Wolf and it's really, really nice. I suppose when I'm ready to pony up the bread for a new stand I'll probably look hard at the Lone Wolfs.
Yeah I love the looks of the lone Wolf climber. Hard to justify when mine is working great for me tho
I have been using an old Summit Headhunter snd rapid rails. My dad is hunting public with me this year so I am letting him use that set up as it is a bit faster. I will be using a Lone Wolf Assault and sticks. Every tall straight tree suitable for a climber will have some ding dong heading straight to it so I will avoid those.
Open Shot for me, use bungee strap and gear ties to lash to platform extra clothes and gear if needed, try to stay away fro taking a back pac it just causes you to take un-needed gear, wear safety harness in, keep a kill pack in the truck if needed, pull ropes are attached to stand, bottle of water in pocket, small items in dog ware quiver. Thats about it simple light weight and enjoyable!
I'm using a lone wolf assault and two sticks with a tubular webbing aider on each one. That puts me at about 14 feet to the platform. That's enough for me. Other than that, I wear my harness in, and carry everything else in a small fanny pack. If I need extra clothes I just bungee them to the stand. Pretty simple and lightweight.
Last year was Beast Climbing Sticks and Assassin platform over Right shoulder. Bow in my left hand. Wearing my saddle on the walk in. Every hunt last few years were set up and take down, each time. Before last year was Muddy Pro's.
I use a summit open shot as well. Its good/not great for me. On a 1-10 scale, Id give it a 6. I will probably eventually go with a lone wolf assault and 3 sticks for run and gun set up. Just gotta save up the cash.
I like the idea of a light climber but in this part of Ar. It's hard to find a good straight tree with limited limbs. And on a pine tree I feel like a gorilla on a flagpole. So I've been using a lone wolf assault and 4 ladders with the rope conversions. It's still heavier than I want but the lightest, safest and most comfortable set up I've found. I haven't tried the add on lower strap on the lone wolf ladders as I'm not sure I could do that after my recent knee replacement
This set up is hard to beat. I personally have just not been much on climbers for the past few years as I feel like it limits me on my tree location, and most trees you can use with a climber are pretty barren.
https://www.lonewolfhuntingproducts.com/shop/Products/Assault-Hunt-Ready-Treestand-System__ASHRS.aspx
Call me crazy, but I'm pretty much done with stands for archery and prefer to hunt from the ground, well brushed in. I have complete mobility, can move if the wind shifts, and have had more close encounters than from a tree stand.
I really like my summit, (the older one before openshot ) and my hang ons . BUT im going for the saddle this year. way lighter than anything. and any tree you can get up in. I really want to explore some national forest near my cabin this year. and I can fit everthing into a backpack.
(https://i.imgur.com/cbdILVj.jpg)
Lone wolf hand climber, summit climber converted to open, and adding a Lone Wolf alpha with muddy pro sticks to the mix this year. Like having options. Have a waist belt off an old pack that I weave through platforms and use some Alice pack straps for transport comfort. Climbers are faster for me. The lone wolf hand climber packs nicest and the Summit is more comfortable.
I have never used a climber, like to hide amongst branches.
My set up is a Lone Wolf alpha with 3 climbing sticks. The alpha is a bit heavier than the assault, but I find myself contorting around the tree on the platform and often shoot behind me. The smaller platform assault is more awkward to do this on.
Saddle for me too, small DIY platform and some rope, this means I can take my kit on a plane to hunt and the pack has minimal weight, I can then choose any tree near a game trail or hunt from the ground this system is versatile and safe, seen some pretty horrific accidents from climber stands I know everyone should be harnessed but even then things can go wrong. I feel the saddle and DRT/SRT is the safest way to climb, having a full knee op has also limited my style of climbing and the way I do it now is also stress free on my knee, whichever method anyone chooses just make sure your safe cutting weight at the risk of safety isn't worth it,regards wayne.
Kestrel saddle, predator platform and bolts where they are legal.
I hate sticks but will use my LW sticks if I have no other choice.
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Lone wolf hand climber.....no need to change..
If I know the exact tree I want and it supports a climber I use an old lone wolf climber. If I know the area but not the tree or if I know the tree and it has branches I have the lone wolf hang on with 3 sticks
I've been a lone wolf assault and climber user for a very long time. Almost all of my deer are from these. Although the climber gets little use anymore. Most of the "good" spots don't ever seem to accommodate a climber, and when I'm running and gunning I can't worry about what the tree is like for the wind and deer movement. Despite set stands, I tend to set new stands run and gun all the time because of wind direction mostly.
I just got the Lone Wolf Custom Gear stand, getting sticks today. They took all my complaints and mods I had wanted or done with my assault stand and fixed them. It's awesome. Super light, better tree adhesion, one trip up tree, pack placement on the stand, foot placement on sticks, packability with straps and belt, and with the Cush seat I've used for years on my assault switched over I'm ready for action. More costly, but I feel safer and more user friendly. I'll pay for that.
Quote from: Overspined on September 27, 2019, 08:31:07 AM
I've been a lone wolf assault and climber user for a very long time. Almost all of my deer are from these. Although the climber gets little use anymore. Most of the "good" spots don't ever seem to accommodate a climber, and when I'm running and gunning I can't worry about what the tree is like for the wind and deer movement. Despite set stands, I tend to set new stands run and gun all the time because of wind direction mostly.
I just got the Lone Wolf Custom Gear stand, getting sticks today. They took all my complaints and mods I had wanted or done with my assault stand and fixed them. It's awesome. Super light, better tree adhesion, one trip up tree, pack placement on the stand, foot placement on sticks, packability with straps and belt, and with the Cush seat I've used for years on my assault switched over I'm ready for action. More costly, but I feel safer and more user friendly. I'll pay for that.
I had one ordered, but canceled due to them not being able to deliver when I needed. Bought an Assault with sticks instead. Considering selling it, and getting the Custom Gear stand later. Waiting on more reviews. Really looks like the ultimate system. Scott.
I don't "run" anything anymore---more like walk it---don't like working up a sweat, but I am using the same set up I've used for years---the little lone wolf assault hand climber equipped with a small pack under the seat, wicked tough tree saw and third hand bow holder. I keep the stand in the ready (folded out) position---it still packs pretty flat and goes right on the tree with a minimum of set up steps or things touching the ground. When I pack it up for the day I take the top section off first and lay it on the bottom section---nothing touches the ground.
Not really the stand for all day hunts---the seat is as hard as a rock, but great for 3 or 4 hours.
I've killed so much stuff on the ground I hardly ever climb anymore.
Still using my Summit Bushmaster love this old stand. Its light and quiet and always felt really safe in it. Weighs 16lb I think used it for years.
A short while back I watched a couple of Iowa giants cut across some NW Iowa public hunting land. I went back to tempt myself into getting a Lone Wolf just to see if I could find tracks of the big boys and to see if there would be any gnarly burr oaks straight enough to climb in the right spots. I did not find many suitable trees, but I did find about a dozen trail cams. No new tree stand for me. When things get crowded on those public land plots deer go someplace else. I will be sticking to the open land brush lines, where I don't need to compete for space or climb trees.
Lone Wolf Climber - most of the areas I hunt have a good mix of straight pole style trees. I always set up with at least one tree in front of me. And most times I have plenty of cover in front and below me as well as behind me. I bought this stand the first year they became available and this thing still looks new! Started with a Baker in the 70s followed quickly by an Amacker. I don't really like climbers but there is no way to ignore the results. Amazing hunts! Lots of em and an amazing number of deer into my freezer. Very deadly as a "first sit" stand in a new freshly scouted set up which we are doing more often.
I had an early Saber climber, my son called it the widow maker. I played with his Lone Wolf on a basswood tree, no deer came by, but I was impressed how easy the Lone Wolf was to use and how easily it adapted to the tree, something my early Saber would not do. I believe in leave no trace hunting on all public land, good portable climbers like the Lone Wolf are a great option.
Quote from: Terry Green on September 27, 2019, 06:36:20 PM
I've killed so much stuff on the ground I hardly ever climb anymore.
I try to be versatile. I love sitting the ground and just hunt based on situation. I have a millennium G whatever ground seat I attached a molle backpack straps & belt and all to use as a backpack and easy in and out. Got the idea from a fellow Trad granger. Soooo comfy and I pair with a leafy suit or asat in grass or corn. Stupid awesome
Just got my wife a Cliff J folding aluminum stool from Paragis Northwoods, 3.5 pounds, for hunting cornfield edges. For run and gun set ups, not as versatile as the Huntmor, but no set up and much lighter.