Not sure if I want to go this route but what's the best light weight climber out there? I'm really not crazy about a tree stand but I think it maybe the only way I will be able to kill a deer. What do folks use, and why do you like it ? :dunno:
Lone wolf hand climber or the sit and climb. Sit and climb is alittle heavier but lets you set and pull your feet up where as the hand climber you have to hold your body weight up with your upper body while you pull your feet up. Both are quiet and are extremely flat for easy packing.
I have a lone wolf hand climber and it is light and packs great. That said, I have some serious working out to do before next season in order to be able to climb with it!
Lone Wolf hand climber been using climbers successfully since the mid 70s and would not be without one.
We are close in age but you are a little ahead of me so go straight to the Sit N Climb model.
Good hunting <><
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Cory Mattson makes a good point. If I had it to do over, I'd take the extra weight for the sit & climb...
I had a Lonewolf hand climber for a while. Wasn't that comfortable!! Maybe the sit and climb would be better. Thanks for responding
If you are looking for comfort thats a different thought. Lone wolf is super functional well made quiet. That doesnt mean its the most comfortable. Summit was by far the most comfortable climber ive been in but theybare big dont pack well and noisy to set up
Since you're already familiar with Lone Wolf I would recommend the Lone Wolf Sit-n Climb. I have the wide sit-n-climb with a Hazmore net seat installed. I wasn't that crazy about the seat it came with but the Hazmore net seat makes it very comfortable. I learned to love net seats when I had an Ol' Man climber which was super comfortable but the bar was in the way for bow shooting. I started with the regular Lone Wolf sit-n-climb and then bought the wide top section only so I have a top section sit-n-climb I would sell. It is only the top though so you would need the bottom section from your hand climber if you still have it. Whatever way you go the Hazmore seat was a game changer for me. Although I have since changed the game again and am now hunting out of a saddle.
Lone wolf is the easiest to climb and it's safe. Yes the summit is a little more comfortable but it's not fun to carry. It's actually a pia. I have a few summits but lone wolf always comes unless I plan on leaving a stand overnight. Than I bring a summit. If I'm gonna lose one to theft, that's the only time I'd prefer the summit. Get a lone wolf you won't be sorry.
The summits also are other the viper style which puts a bar in front of you. Be tough to shoot. Open fronts you have to perform a dipping type motion. Early in the morning it's just not fun and I keep myself in great shape.
The lone wolf allows a sitting climb and than bar folds down as part of seat.
You wouldn't be completely screwed either way though but the advantage to a lone wolf is obvious to anyone who has used one
Quote from: ron w on December 20, 2020, 03:12:44 PM
I had a Lonewolf hand climber for a while. Wasn't that comfortable!! Maybe the sit and climb would be better. Thanks for responding
Check out the "flip top". I plan to convert my sit and climb to this. That said, I have been preferring sticks and hang ons for the last couple seasons
watch Craig's List for a Loggy Bayou climber. Best, lightest, easy to climb stand I've very used. Have not been manufactured for several yrs. Usually about 50 to $75 in my area of the country.
Dave B
Try and find a Summit Bushmaster, love this stand its quiet and comfortable. Weighs 16 lb and Ive had mine for close to 15years. wouldnt take anything for it. Im 60 yrs old and can climb up to 15 to 2o ft very quickly use it prob 75% of my hunting.
My first and only "climbing" tree stand was the Baker. That was enough for me. I now relegate myself to private land where I use ladder stands. :coffee:
I have a couple of climbers. The Lone Wolf hand climber is great, but it isn't very comfortable for long sits.
Give the Tree Walker SL a look. It doesn't pack flat, but it's light. It's pretty quiet to setup and it is comfortable for long sits. Some don't like the fact that it does mark trees but I don't think it actually hurts them.
I'm not sure if they still make them, but I fitted my Wolf sit n climb with a Hazmore seat when I hunted with it. Silent ,light and comfy!
Tree stands have really gotten pricey since I bought the one I had! Guess I should kept it. Still not sure what I should do.........
I just got a new XOP, a lot like the Wolf, less $$$$. Just used a few times, only issue I have is the belt locking method, far from the Wolf's quick and easy lock! You have to unscrew and push up, then insert belt, then push back up and try again because it fell just enough to stop belt. Other than that I like.
We are just getting too fancy these days...
Quote from: wapitishooter on December 20, 2020, 06:01:17 PM
Try and find a Summit Bushmaster, love this stand its quiet and comfortable. Weighs 16 lb and Ive had mine for close to 15years. wouldnt take anything for it. Im 60 yrs old and can climb up to 15 to 2o ft very quickly use it prob 75% of my hunting.
Been trying to find a Loggy Bayou for quite awhile. If anyone has one and you need a top of the line White's TRX metal detecting pinpointer...I would swap inna second. Pinpointer was 120 new....last yr(LOW mileage!)
Whoops. Quoted wrong post! Loggy bayou all the waaaay! Even the one with the metal band is good.
I have an older Gorilla climber I like. I haven't used it in years though as the area I used it in another family member moved into and the trees where I'm hunting in Missouri aren't set up well for it.
I have a Lone Wolf Sit and Climb with the wide climber. The wide climber makes a difference when sitting in heavy clothes. Sadly, it sits in the basement as I have been hunting from a ladder stand the last three years.
But you never know when I will move to another spot where it can be used...
I worked for and built Summit Treestands for almost 10 years. And I bought Lone Wolf stands even when I got Summits practically for free.
Does that tell what my favorites are? LOL
I use the LW Hand Climber combo. Fit a lightweight sprayer harness to it and you are ready to go. Packs flat, about as light as you will get, climbs great, and is very quiet.
Negatives? They aren't cheap, and won't climb as big a tree as others will.
Quote from: BAK on December 21, 2020, 10:25:53 AM
My first and only "climbing" tree stand was the Baker. That was enough for me. I now relegate myself to private land where I use ladder stands. :coffee:
My first car had a single pot master cylinder and no seat belts. Brakes failed one time, and I almost died. Now I walk or ride horses everywhere I go because cars haven't gotten any better since 1965............. :biglaugh:
Enjoy your private land, it's not an option for a lot of us.
Thanks for the responses :notworthy: a fella read this post and offered me a deal on an unused lone Wolf climber. So I will be elevated for next season and will be using what I learned this year to try try and seal the deal.
I use the LW hand climber but man that stand will let you know if you are out of shape I go up no higher than 12'... packs so small and super quiet getting on tree and when up in tree theres nothing around you its like being in a portable with a custom seat heigt option ! I have the gorilla too which is modeled after the Ole Man which can be noisy getting on tree but once on and ascending no sound at all,,, the Ole Man climber with the mesh seat and foot/gun rail option was and still is the most comfortable climber Ive ever used,, it was heavy at 26lbs but I sat it that from dark to dark with no problems.
Lone wolf alpha climber. I hang a belt off the front of the handclimber, which allows you to sit in the sling while climbing, i.e. sit and climb
Quote from: BAK on December 21, 2020, 10:25:53 AM
My first and only "climbing" tree stand was the Baker. That was enough for me. I now relegate myself to private land where I use ladder stands. :coffee:
I had one 45 years ago, much has changed since then.
Climbers are nice. I had a Summit Cobra for many yrs. Just keep maintain your upper body strength... Dont ask how I know this...
Good luck Ron. I have a lone wolf climber I used a lot in NY. I have only used it 2 x since. I find the hang and hunts are more versatile. Often trees that can be climbed by a climber offer little cover and never grow in the right spot.
That being said it's a great tool. Pick the trees you want to use in advance. Dont go trying to find one in the dark. When you go looking for trees, bring the stand and a saw to make sure nothing will hang you up. You'd be surprised how a little twig is easy to go up over and will hang you up on the way down
I had one in NY Charlie, never was comfortable in it but I think I have to suck it up and use it down here !!
For climbing stands with trad gear I like the Lone Wolf or XOP sit-n-climb with a summit seat in place of the Lone Wolf seat. I got an XOP with the sit-n-climb top this past year because the cross bar allows more adjustability on the tree - which I considered a negative in the design of the LW - and the XOP mod did improve on that.
I also have the hand climber but use the sit-n-climb because of shoulder and elbow issues - the hand climber puts more stress on those areas and I'm just getting back to shooting pretty regular after a fairly long bout with shoulder and elbow issues and don't do anything that will affect those areas of my body...
I'm 6' 175 lbs and the wide sit-n-climb is much more comfortable for me than the regular width.
I like the way you adjust the LW strap better than the XOP design but the XOP is fine once you've used it a few times and dialed in your process....
I also have the XOP tree stand transport systems and it is really nice - makes the stand feel lighter on your back.
:notworthy: Thanks to all for your thoughts and opinions !!!
My new to me alone Wolf sit and climb came this week!! It's never been used and I got a great deal on it. Real nice web type seat that should be real comfy!! I'll practice with it in the yard to get familiar, a brand new harness came with it, much better than my old one. So next year we will be up about 12 feet or so and wait for a shot.