I have recently gotten into being much more mobile with my deer hunting over the last season, and plan on exclusively going that route next year- hang and hunt each sit.
That said, the current system I have works ok- it isn't the lightest and doesn't pack well which is the main problem I'm looking to fix.
Lone Wolf Custom Gear and now the Hunting Beast both have some phenomenal stands out (Beast stand not quite ready for pre-order) and I'm really interested in both. Mainly looking for lightweight, and the stand/sticks have to work together as a system.
They are pricey, most things that are high quality are so that's not concerning to me. Plus it's a buy once, cry once kind of deal.
There are some public land area's that I'm eager to scout after season ( and pheasant season) is over. Now's the time to find your next hunting hot spot ladies and gents!
Just curious, how do the stand and the sticks work together as a system? I don't think my stands care how I get up to them and vice versa. Is it just for transporting?
Yes, i would say they work as a system mainly for transport. How the sticks stack and pack on the stand. Easily quietly keep the bulk down...
Quote from: kadbow on December 22, 2020, 11:12:13 AM
Just curious, how do the stand and the sticks work together as a system? I don't think my stands care how I get up to them and vice versa. Is it just for transporting?
Yes sir, transporting from the truck to the tree and back again (quietly)
Go to saddlehunter.com to learn about saddle hunting.
I have used a "saddle", actually a JX3 saddle type, since 1986 and have been very satisfied.
Saddles are great for creating a light weight system and I find the JX3 extremely comfortable.
All day sits are the norm for me and I can do it for 3-4 days at a time. I'm 63.
Quote from: Judd on December 22, 2020, 12:56:47 PM
Go to saddlehunter.com to learn about saddle hunting.
I have used a "saddle", actually a JX3 saddle type, since 1986 and have been very satisfied.
Saddles are great for creating a light weight system and I find the JX3 extremely comfortable.
All day sits are the norm for me and I can do it for 3-4 days at a time. I'm 63.
I've looked into them, honestly haven't spent the time really researching, just looks like way too many ropes and configurations. Im comfortable in treestands myself
Another stand to look at is the Chippewa Wedgelock. Extremely solid and very easy to hang. American made in Illinois. Worth a look before you pull the trigger!
I'm using the Lone Wolf Alpha (bigger guy who likes the room) and Lone Wolf Sticks, packed as Jason Samkowiak at Traditional Bowhunting and Wilderness Podcast layer out. As far as I'm concerned its the best system I've tried, doesn't make a sound when packing and if careful is silent going up the tree. The LWCG stuff is getting crazy expensive for me.
I enjoy sitting in a Millineum Tree Seat and hunt from the ground. Brush it in a bit and you are ready to hunt. Much more exciting looking at deer within 10-12 yards eye to eye.
I'll be using a Waldrop seat to hunt from now on.
I've been using a tree saddle this year. Sounds like just the thing for what you're trying to do. Lightweight, mobile, and easy to switch it up in a hurry!
Jacob,
I prefer screaming Eagle Stands, but use a Lone Wolf hang-on stand for my mobile setups. I had the Lone Wolf climbing sticks but found my boots tended to slip off them and they were difficult to climb when hung on a crooked tree. Went back to using my aluminum rapid rails which are lighter and prevent my feet from sliding off. With your big feet you may want to consider the rapid rails.
I purchased and put the XOP climbing sticks and mid sized stand to use this year. It was easy and quiet to setup. Any stand for a big guy (I'm 6'4" and 225 lbs.) is going to have some weight to it. I took two deer from it. The climbing sticks were the best part. I don't ever plan on using screw in tree steps again.
The lone wolf custom stuff is really pricey and I'm not that sure worth the money over standard LW gear. I've used most of the better stands on the market for the past 30 years, watch the weights closely on set ups you plan to pack in a ways or to carry while scouting . I'd hate to think of carrying a steel stand like a screaming eagle, muddy or a lot of others. My last screaming eagle is still in a tree from 3 years ago. I tried the LW alpha and it's bigger than I want, I'm 5,10 and 225 . I have found the LW assault to be about the best stand for the money. I have 5 of them, a couple are from the short time they were China made with the rougher castings. For sticks I use 4 LW sticks per stand with the straps replaced with the rope mods. I have 5 sets of 4 sticks and will pull the bottom two sticks if I'm leaving it any time. A good cable and pad lock can lock the stand and top ladder section easily. My next favorite stand is a older gorilla silverback aluminum. It's stable, comfortable , light and quiet but not made any longer. I have a few misc stands that I don't use much or leave up during the season on public ground
I've been using the LW Assault for quite a few years and the stand is still as quiet as the day I bought it. The three climbing sticks bungee cord to the stand platform nicely for transporting in and out of the woods. Hang and hunt is what I do all season. Like Walt, I have had my foot slip off a step a time or two. If the aluminum rapid rails were still available I'd switch to them. It'll take a bit of practice to get used to the "hang and hunt" style but for public land it's the only way to go. I don't want to give away stand locations by leaving equipment behind. There's enough competition out there without extending an invitation to others. I will suggest that if you use a LW stand that you use both straps around the tree. Just seems a tad safer to me.
I had a chance to handle the LWCG stand at the Iowa Deer Classic, didnt have a scale on me but it was insanely light.
My issue with the regular lone wolf stuff is I cant stand single step sticks, the LWCG makes a double step stick that nests perfectly onto the platform of their 1.0 stand.
I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the Hunting Beast stand. He makes super high quality double sticks as well. The stand is supposed to be 6.8#, on a regular size platform-which if true will be amazing.
As a ground pounder these days I am with D. Key, eye to eye.
Although I'm not hunting in Montana (dang I miss that beautiful state) there are some awfully hilly areas I hunt here in Iowa, particularly close to some rivers with some fairly nasty bluffs.
Walt- good to hear from you sir, ill check out those rapid rails. Hope you and the missus (and the pups!) are doing well and have a great Christmas. Per your trophy room im ordering some Eclipse 2 blades to try from my new Widow along with the Delta's.
Hoping to find some public land up in NE Iowa-really gets hilly up that direction.
Weight and packability while focusing on silence is what I'm going for with my new setup. Likely going to use my socialist stimulus check to help fund the new purchase.
Merry Christmas everyone, keep in mind the reason for the season, and stay blessed.
Been using LW products for 25 plus years no complaints here.
I like the LW sticks and the XOP Vanish stand. It's a bit small for my feet, but it's a light weight stand, quiet and great for moving from place to place.
I bought a millennium m7 microlite stand this year. It has a bracket system that makes it so much easier for a hang and hunt setup. You dont have to struggle with an awkward stand while you're in the tree, just ratchet the bracket to the tree first and the stand goes right in. I bought hawk helium climbing sticks to go with it and I like them as well. I paid around $200 for the stand I believe
I love Lone Wolfs. I use sticks and ladders.
I stopped using strap or screw in steps several years ago. Still have dozens of strap ons that I've never used.
Muddy stands are pretty good too.
I look for lightweight but a bit roomy.
Another Waldrop convert here, love the flexibility of hunting the ground
Lone Wolf are the best I've used for lightweight, easy to hang, and quiet. If you want the most comfortable, then the Millennium is what you want. I have both and use them for different situations.
When I check out a new area I take in the Lone Wolf hang on and sticks or my Lone Wolf hand climber, depending on the trees in the area... once I determine where I want to hunt I'll bring in the Millennium if I'm planning on long sits, for comfort.
I suggest getting a few aiders that they sell too. They are very nice also. This is the .5 stand and sticks with one aider. Packs super easy. Expensive yes but to me it's worth it.
Quote from: Tim Reese on December 24, 2020, 08:35:14 AM
I suggest getting a few aiders that they sell too. They are very nice also. This is the .5 stand and sticks with one aider. Packs super easy. Expensive yes but to me it's worth it.
I think the .5 may be a bit small for me, looking at the 1.0, 3 double step sticks with the bottom 2 having aiders should get me plenty high up the tree!
Yes I would get the 1.0. I have both honestly. Lol. And it's barely noticeable the weight difference between the .5 and 1.0. They are awesome set ups and are truly a system. There are tons of stands and sticks out there but these are designed to pack together so it's very sleek and fast to pack up and go. I also only use 2 aiders on the bottom 2 with 3 sticks and can get the height I will ever need. I do have 4 total but quit using the 4th one now that I got the second aider. I hunt a lot in the mountains and this allows me to use a stand system comfortable.
For ground i use the millennium seat. Amazing
For the trees, it's the LWCG 1.0. I added some awesome aftermarket LW seat pad.. When the 1.0 hit the market I pre-ordered it. This is year 2. The newer version is even better with a couple very minor additions. The .5 seems small, I can't stay comfy in smaller than the 1.0. I sold the assault I used for 15 years to a friend. Good stands. Love my LWCG, it solves ALL the issues I didn't like about the old ones. I hang a new set every time, even on private other than maybe 2 or 3 times per year..I've done this for 20 years. I have one primary stand, and a LW climber that collets dust. So price isn't a biggy I put my trust in their products, and a safety harness. I've had lone wolf, wedgelock, and various others over many years. They're all good to great stands.
I now use the LWCG non-folding double steps, 4 all with aiders. I've tried the 3 step folders too and they're a step up (very good step up) from the LW Sticks. They're both super solid and easy, and the double steps are super comfy to use and are the same weight as the double folding ones. They nest 2 different ways in the stand for the best transport ever. Love it. I use rope mods on the sticks and settled on keeping webbing the belt for the stand. I use it also to strap in the stack of steps.
One complaint. The backpack straps are good if it's only stand and sticks. As soon as you start adding your coat and all in a backpack or bag it gets to hurting the shoulders and it's ok, but not ideal. Unfortunately it gets cold here and I need the clothes at times so it gets to digging. So I am going to use my elk frame pack with a small integrated bag as the day pack to carry it, I mean why not it's set up to be a dream to hike with and I have it set up sweet.
I also use a hip quiver to keep arrows out of the way when walking. I've refined my system over a very many years and sits and the 1.0 and stick set up is the best I've seen or used. That's my opinion after 2 seasons.
Here is a pic showing how small the .5 is incase your wondering. I wear a size 9 boot also. So yes I'd go 1.0.
Shows how slim it is on back
Yeah the 1.0 is almost the same size as the assault. It's about perfect. .5 is TINY. Wow.
I usually nest my sticks just like that. The aiders just kinda bend gently on the seat. Good rig. I sometimes use all 4 sticks but I just use what it takes to get high enough.
So what's the overall weight of a 1.0, 3 or 4 sticks and a couple aiders ? Has to be lighter than my LW assault and 4 3 step sticks
Quote from: Dave Lay on December 26, 2020, 09:43:26 PM
So what's the overall weight of a 1.0, 3 or 4 sticks and a couple aiders ? Has to be lighter than my LW assault and 4 3 step sticks
From their website, the 1.0 stand (no cushion or straps) is 8.1#, sticks are 1.5# (not including straps) for their mini sticks as well as the double step sticks.
Aiders are about 3 ounces apiece.
Straps are about 5 ounces if you choose to do the cam strap, lighter if you are going buckleless method of course.
The .5 weighs 5.7 pounds. I only use it for quick sits like last 2 hours of light or first couple hours of daylight or for extreme walks in. Like in mountains or if I wanna just scout till I find a spot. But the 1.0 doesn't really feel much heavier for some reason. I still am experimenting with my 2. Probably will sell the .5 but I wanna give them a full season. I got mine in middle of season so. I'm no expert on them but am very impressed.
Quote from: Tim Reese on December 28, 2020, 06:35:21 PM
The .5 weighs 5.7 pounds. I only use it for quick sits like last 2 hours of light or first couple hours of daylight or for extreme walks in. Like in mountains or if I wanna just scout till I find a spot. But the 1.0 doesn't really feel much heavier for some reason. I still am experimenting with my 2. Probably will sell the .5 but I wanna give them a full season. I got mine in middle of season so. I'm no expert on them but am very impressed.
i've heard nothing but good things. I like the weight of the .5, but honestly for a one time purchase the 1.0 is going to do it for me. Never have liked the idea of single steps, although the mini's appear to be awesome. I do like how they stack vs the double steps (not bad by any means).
That beast stand looks good, but honestly for the price I think all we're getting is weight savings. There are a ton of features on the LWCG stand that in my eyes, sets it above the rest.
You can stack the double sticks two different ways..all in a pile on the center, or 2 per side..the folding double sticks pack smaller overall. I got the double sticks because same weight and more to hang on to/stand on. Seems like the tree I pick is never an "easy" one..
I mostly use lock on stands and have gotten rid of all of my stands except millenniums. I had a lonewolf.. best they offered at the time (about 7 years ago) doubt I will ever buy another lonewolf. It just couldn't compare to the ease of hanging, or comfort of the millennium.
BigJim
for portable stands I have a Lone wolf assault with three LW sticks Or Jim stepps and my second is a Loc-On with 4 to 6 Jim steps which packs smaller than my LW handclimber and takes up no room in the truck. I usually only use 4 stepps because I like to be low in the canopy always looking for that tree that's tucked into a thick small pine,,, pic is the loc on with 6 stepps inside it,, all taped up with hockey tape because when packed its metal touching metal.
Quote from: Tajue17 on January 01, 2021, 07:47:18 AM
for portable stands I have a Lone wolf assault with three LW sticks Or Jim stepps and my second is a Loc-On with 4 to 6 Jim steps which packs smaller than my LW handclimber and takes up no room in the truck. I usually only use 4 stepps because I like to be low in the canopy always looking for that tree that's tucked into a thick small pine,,, pic is the loc on with 6 stepps inside it,, all tapped up with hockey tape because when packed its metal touching metal.
I've never seen sticks like that, time to do some research those look way cool. Are they very heavy?
Those look like step ladder steps. I've used em. They're heavy, but do work very well. I would imagine the millennium stands are the most comfy based on sitting my ground seat. It's nice. But for plain old hang and hunt set ups where weight and bells and whistles are key the 1.0 is doing it for me.
I really lowered the noise and weight using amsteel instead of the straps and buckles. The rope actually swings around the tree better than buckles too. I made my own. I tried it for the stand but prefer a buckle for that, and it makes it convenient convenient to pack the sticks too.
I had 2 aiders initially, but found them very easy and solid to use so I got 2 more. Just gives me the versatility. I'm not all interested in getting high in trees, but sometimes I have to work around obstacles so it's nice to have 4 so I have the option.
If you use the folding sticks, gotta get the j-hooks to pack em quietly. That's a sweet little add on. They can't move with those on there.
Quote from: Iowabowhunter on January 01, 2021, 09:41:25 AM
I've never seen sticks like that, time to do some research those look way cool. Are they very heavy?
Jim stepp I believe sold the business to two younger guys who might be still making them, they are steel so I guess they have some weight but I don't really feel it when they are packed inside a 7lb stand that I'm wearing on my back. they are very quiet but you need to watch the vids and learn how to put them on the tree by feel in the dark which is easy once you learn it,, I have found nothing quieter than stepps that can be put up in the dark by feel . these are also great for saddle platforms I hear too.. theres a lot of great products out there and these are discontinued but if you find any they are great to have around. I attached a pic of Jim stepp with them on tree to see what they like like.
The steps are still sold under Wild Edge Inc.