TREE STANDS AGAIN

[huntinhick]

Ok I am still trying to decided if I want a climber like the summits or just a hang on!  how hard/noisy is it getting that climber up the tree in the morning?  I like to put the hang on stand up a week early to let them settle in.  the climbers are a big investment 200-300$ but I can get a hang on for 80$?  so it the climber the better option or the hang on? 

carl

[D-Rock425]

I use hang on stands myself
  For the price of a good climder you can almost get two hang on stands

[hillbilli]

i have a lightweight summit climber, have used it a lot. most places i hunted had rules about spikes, screws, etc driven into trees, and with a hang on i needed screw in steps. that summit is one of the best deer hunting investments i've ever made for hunting whitetails. tht said if its private land, and you are going to leave the stand up, then it doesnt matter as much.

[finfeatherfur]

The mobility of the climbers is nice.  depending on the brand they are not that noisy going up in the morning.  I would definitely practice in the light so you can set up and move quietly in the dark.  i used them extensively on public property for whitetails and on private property while I was figuring out the pattern of the deer.  Hunting multiple locations I found it easier to move to the animals.  If you are on private property and the stand will be in the same place get a hang on.  Either way practice getting in and out during the light. 

[bow4elk]

Some great inputs here.  As stated, it comes down to what you're hunting, when, etc.  I prefer hang-on stands but because I hunt 99% public land I use strap-on climbing sticks/ladders for the lower 10' of the tree and screw-ins above that.  I leave my stands but lock them up, hide them, and make it very difficult for someone to get up the tree.  Having said that, I'd love a Lone Wolf climber for the versatility.  I usually have 5-8 stands up at any given time for deer or elk.  I've used treestands over 20 years and can't figure out why more western hunters (gun or bow) don't use them more given how thick it is around here.

[hoyt5199]

It depends if it is a spot you are willing to leave your stand. If you are hunting in a congested area I would recommend a climber. I do prefer a hang on vs a climber because it is nice having a stand already in place.

[croix]

i don't think it is difficult at all to get a climber up and noise depends on the type of tree. i can get up a smooth, soft quakie with very little sound; but loose bark fir tree is just about impossible to climb quietly. still - i've climbed noisy fir trees and had deer directly under me in less than an hour so i don't think the noise is that bad.

i like the mobility of my climber a LOT but moving it around in the dense west woods can be a pain in the butt.

[PolarBear]

I prefer climbers mainly because of safety/stability and comfort.  I'm too damn clumsy to trust my big butt to a hang-on.  Plus, with a climber I can be up in a tree and ready in a lot less time than it takes to set up steps, chains and safety straps.  I usually get 25-30'+ up a tree if I can, you would have to pack in a ton of steps and take a lot of time to get that done.  A lot more people are killed every year using hang-ons and ladder stands.

[saylean]

I got a climber for christmas this last year....should be quite the experiment trying to use it, since I have never used a tree stand like this.  Hopefully, I dont break my neck. I have been looking for any sort of youtube demo for these things, but no luck yet. Im still xcited to give it a try.

[carpsniperg2]

make sure you use a harness while climbing as well just move it up as you go

[saylean]

thanks for the tip carp. I used to scaffold build years ago, so it should just be like home up there. How high do you guys normally set them? 10-15ft?

[Skyvalhunter]

I have the Summit Backpacker climber. Guess you will have to decide how much you want to invest

[Special T]

I've had 2 climbers.. Rivers edge foldable steel.   Noisy hand heavy but cheep... scared several deer going from the sitting to standing position... used mostly for bowhunting and a little rifle.. I have a welded summit viper i got off craigs list for cheep, and found a second one for my cousin for the same...  Stay away from bolted pivoting parts. they squeak and make noise.. For the most part you get what you pay for.... I still use my rivers edge on private prop because the noisiest part is setting it up... if you leave it attached to the tree and all the bolts tightend up its not too bad... I like climbers for the west side because you can change you height.. with not trimming of shooting lanes 5 feet up or down can make a huge diff in the visibility... I actually use my climber to scout a tree then some times put up a home made hang on...