Tree stands.....

[Elkonthebrain]

In the market for a new tree stand. Some dirt bag helped them self to mine last hunting season. My last one was a summit viper it was ok. The aluminium was cold in the late hunt and it was loud.

I've been looking at the summit titan and lone wolf sit and climb II. Was wondering if anyone has experience with either one? Maybe another. I would like to stick with a self climber for the mobility. Thanks for any input.

[Fridaythe13th]

I like my Lone Wolf Assault. I don't use it for elk, but for local whitetail. If you do get a climber get a retractable cord to tie your bow. Know how long it is other wise I get to high in the air.
I have a 25' rope tied to my bow when I start pulling my bow up it's high enough. But the rope all ways comes untied when hauling the stand in and out. I bought a retractable rope and that is nice.
The 1st time I used it I did not have a rope so I hook my bow on me and started climbing it was so easy to climb. I got to the spot I thought was good and I looked down, I think I was up 40' feet.

[mrbillbrown]

I had a summit Goliath and currently own a Lone Wolf wide sit & climb and a Lone Wolf Assault hand climber. The Goliath was incredibly comfortable. So much that I would take a couple of naps every time I climbed a tree. The only downfall I saw with it was the size and weight. It's a big unit. I purchased the wide S&C to replace it and have never really found a love for it. The factory seat is big and always in the way. Tried to put a net seat on it and still never found a comfortable way to sit in it. But... It's smaller, flatter, and more quiet to climb with. Then I purchased the assault hand climber, put foot rests on it, and haven't touched the wide S&C since. Absolutely love the hand climber. Small, lightweight, quiet. Takes a little learning curve to use it but well worth the effort.

[Elkonthebrain]

The assault is a hang on stand, correct? If so, do you guys own multiple stands or move from spot to spot? How long is set up? Is it a lot louder then a self climber? Thanks for the input.

[Brendan]

Tree stands are a very individual preference, so beware, what someone else likes might not be your favorite. Here's what I've tried for whitetail (and I currently own / use all of these except for the summit)

Big, heavy, ladder stands with a blind. If you can use one, it's the bomb, but completely impractical in a lot of areas.

Cheaper hang on platforms. I have 4 of these I got for $50 each, and set them and leave them for the season. I actually prefer these if I know I'm going to hunt a certain stand. I use screw in steps where allowed or will use hang on ladders if I need to. I'll set these up with a permanent climbing rope and bow lift rope so I just show up, clip in, and head up. One of these will be my primary whitetail stand this year. Behind a ladder stand -These are absolutely the best for show up, getting in the stand quickly and quietly. But, they aren't mobile without more significant work.

Summit Viper climber. I didn't like it. It was heavier than some of my lone wolf's, and I felt too "constricted" or enclosed. Some people love them, but not my preference.

Lone Wolf Assault Hang On. Really like this, and have the hang on ladder steps to go with it. It is not as quick as a climber, but not too much slower, and you can use it on weird trees that you can't a climber. Harder to go as high, because you have to pack extra ladder steps. Not all that heavy so this setup is packable. I like the open platform design.

Lone Wolf Alpha Hand Climber. Love it. I don't mind the smaller seat, I prefer the open platform design. Not as spacious as my bigger hang on platforms, but it does the job. Lightest stand I own. Very easy to lash to my backpack and carry with me. I will choose this over the Assault, if I know I can find a suitable tree (straight enough, no branches, no forks, etc...)

[mrbillbrown]

The Assault is the smaller of the Lone Wolf platforms. It comes in a hang on and hand climber. The Alpha is the larger platform and also comes in a hang on and climber.

I'm lucky enough to have alpha and assault hang ons with sticks, a wide sit and climb, and an assault hand climber. I only use the assault hang on w/ sticks or the assault hand climber if I know the area/tree in heading towards. The alphas seem really big and heavy to me after using the smaller assaults.

Set up really depends on the stand type and area I'm hunting. If it's a familiar area/tree it's pretty quick. A new area takes a little extra time depending on the stand set up, trimming, etc