Which Climber?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Eric B.
19-Nov-17
Doing some research on climbing stands. Any recommendations ? I see them from $100-$400. Thanks
From: stick n string
19-Nov-17
Bought a muddy stalker right before archery. LOVE IT. Thing is fantastic. Only down side is u cant climb really big trees with it, but it was under $200 and it was a fantastic value when considering price, weight(20lbs all set up), how quiet/comfortable it is. I also love how easy it is to adjust the bottom when up at your hunting height if you are out of level. Wait til cabelas runs a sale and/or free shipping and its a steal.
From: Overland
19-Nov-17
If you want the best, buy a Lone Wolf Hand Climber. Packs down to almost nothing, easy to carry, light, and climbs amazingly.
From: TURKEY STALKER
19-Nov-17
A Muddy Stalker is hard to beat for the money.
From: nchunter
19-Nov-17
Portaclimb treestands made in Charlotte NC. They are called the convertible- can easily face tree or away just by flipping the seat over. You can fall asleep with a safety belt on and when facing the tree you would have to defy physics to fall out.
From: Arrowhead
19-Nov-17
I have a Lone Wolf hand climber. Con's. It is not the most comfortable stand. It takes some getting use to when climbing. You can't climb really big trees. The built in bow holder is not for me and I added one to the side. Pro's. It packs great. It's light weight. It is quiet. It sits solid on the tree. It's fast up a tree and as quite as you want it to be and fast down the tree when your ready to go. It's built for in and out hunts.
From: Ace of Spades
19-Nov-17
Lone Wolf climber for me as well. I used mine probably 12 times this year on public land. Great stand.
From: Tracker
19-Nov-17
Love my Summit. I just wish it was 5 pounds lighter.
From: NEIAbowhunter
19-Nov-17
I love my summit. I'd probably shoot more deer if I didn't nap so well in it. Sun on my face, wife nagging at home, I took a good 45 min snooze in the stand today. Over 10 years old and still the best. As ground hunter said, it is a tad on the heavy side. I've cached it or just left it hooked to the tree overnight on private land. Would hate the mice/squirrels to chew up my seat so I don't leave it longer. Can't go wrong with a summit IMO.
From: cnelk
19-Nov-17
XOP
From: oldgoat
19-Nov-17
I've got two, bought the X Stand sit and climb, used it like twice and bought a Lone Wolf hand climber, it is so much more stable it's not even funny! I just wish the LW had a longer platform.
From: standswittaknife
20-Nov-17
Treewaker! I used it several times last week while in Ohio and Thisbe is the most rock solid comfortable stand I have ever been in.
From: Ace of Spades
20-Nov-17
Lone Wolf climber for me as well. I used mine probably 12 times this year on public land. Great stand.
From: TGbow
20-Nov-17
Also depends if you're after comfort or packability. Probabaly wont beat Summit for comfort.
From: Cornpone
20-Nov-17
I have a LW for several reasons. Relatively light weight, not cumbersome (very important), cog belt grips tree very firmly, very quiet when ascending/descending. I had a few stands prior to the LW and the "cumbersome factor" is why I got rid of them.
From: Carcajou
20-Nov-17
I have a new Summit Viper SD Deluxe sit N Climb, used it on 4 hunts, just not for me. PM me, I will let it go cheap.
From: air leak
20-Nov-17
I have 2 Vipers that I have used for years. Very comfortable, however it's also very bulky.
I am selling them after this season.
I am also looking for a new climber, the LW Flip Seat combo, it's a sit and climb.
Does anyone here use that stand?
Pro's and Con's?
I like the way it packs, is a little lighter than the Viper, and a lot less bulky.
When you sit on the bar to climb, are your legs too close to the tree? Is there enough room? I'm only 5-7, so from the video, it looks like I shouldn't have a problem.
Thoughts please.
From: elk yinzer
20-Nov-17
Summit Specialist if I had to buy one today. Lone Wolf Hand Climber if you want max packability at the cost of some comfort. If I ever couldn't use a hand climber I would eat some salads and hit the gym.
From: Drummer Boy
20-Nov-17
Lone Wolf hand climber when I hunt public.If I find a spot that does not have strait trees I just take in a set of lone wolf sticks,and use hand climber like a hang on.
From: Eric B.
20-Nov-17
Thanks everyone. I have never shot from the sitting position. Pros & cons with the ones that have the bar out front? Pain or no big deal?
From: Cheesehead Mike
20-Nov-17
Lone Wolf Sit and Climb with the Hazmore seat and MOLLE shoulder straps and hip belt.
From: JayG@work
20-Nov-17
Selling a LW Sit and Climb,, excellent condition, what are my bid?
From: oldgoat
20-Nov-17
I don't even like the arm rests on a sit and climb much less a shooting bar, but the shooting bars can usually be flipped up out of the way or taken off. I can only shoot to the left sitting down, generally you stand to shoot in my experience. To put some of my likes and dislikes in perspective, I shoot a 66" longbow so if you're shooting a short modern compound, the arm rests etc might not be such a problem
Starting Message: Eric B.-Thanks everyone. I have never shot from the sitting position. Pros & cons with the ones that have the bar out front? Pain or no big deal?
From: oldgoat
20-Nov-17
oldgoat's Link
Other thing, if you buy a climber, buy a good saw!!! I used one of those T-handled saws to start, it was ok, but I just bought a Silky Big Boy folding pruning saw and it's way way better. Do a search on YouTube for Sean's Outdoor Adventures and watch his video on how to set up a climber, there's somebody on here that has a video on there that's similar but I don't remember who it is. I set mine up pretty much just like him and it works sweet, he has a lot of tricks on various aspects of tree stand hunting
From: oldgoat
20-Nov-17
Couple pics, I haven't really been using the waist belt other than as a pad for my lower back unless I'm going a long way, thing is really comfy to carry!
From: jax2009r
20-Nov-17
I have a tree walker...great stand...really digs into any tree ...
From: Pigsticker
20-Nov-17
“If you want the best, buy a Lone Wolf Hand Climber.” Statements like is why good advice falls on deaf ears. Climbers are extremely personal opinion so good advice is hard to come by to make the best decision. LW’s portability is probably its best option. I have 6 different stands and the treewalker is unequivocally the best for me. Albeit, the last 7 feet of descent can be a challenge unless you have a 30 plus inseam. Summits are best if you want comfort and stability without true pack ability. Comfort for me sucks on the LW but for some it is probably not a problem because of the large following. In the last three weeks I have spent almost 200 hours in a tree stand so comfort is big on importantance scale. If money is not a huge problem try several. If it is then focus on the aspect or aspects antry to make the best decision for you.
From: spike78
20-Nov-17
I like my Treewalker for the size of it and the bite into the tree. My Summit was ok but even at 5’4” and 160 pounds I felt cramped in it and my feet were pretty much hanging over the end of the platform. I also like the way it carry’s over the Summit. Never tried a LW.
From: stick n string
20-Nov-17
Muddy stalker.....
From: Cheesehead Mike
21-Nov-17
oldgoat,
I know there's more than one way to skin a cat and I don't know if it matters much but your hip belt is actually on upside down.
I'm sure your way works fine but I just wanted to point out that if you flipped it around with the v-notch and climbing belts up the climbing belts make real nice "shoulders" to hang your daypack on.
Also, an ATV cargo net works really well for holding your pack, extra clothes, rattling antlers, etc. tight against the stand.
For you guys who are not happy with the comfort of the Lone Wolf seat, a Hazmore seat will add a lot of comfort and save some weight and bulk.
From: Joey Ward
21-Nov-17
I second the Hazmore seat. And besides the comfort, I find it more easy to climb with than the original seats on most climbers.
The exception being Ol'Man.
From: Cheesehead Mike
21-Nov-17
Eric B,
I set my top section low enough so that when I stand up the sit bar is just above my knees and it ads some security being able to press against it when you're standing for a shot. It swivels so you can put it where you want it. Sometimes when I'm sitting I rest it on top of my knees and lay my bow across it. In my opinion I like the bar on the Lone Wolf. I have a Summit that does not have the bar and I don't feel quite as secure without it. I don't think I'd like the bar though if it was stationary and I wasn't able to swivel it.
From: sticksender
21-Nov-17
When I bought my LW climber about 7 years ago they still came with the ‘suspension’ style seat which are uncomfortable, awkward and always in the way while climbing. I’ve since refitted it with the rigid flip down seat with foam pad and it’s a drastic improvement in comfort and simplicity. LW is limited to about 18 inch diameter trees but you can buy a set of longer gearbelts to increase that range. Biggest factors for me are the light weight, packs flat, and very quiet.
From: kellyharris
21-Nov-17
Baker all the way!
From: Hunting5555
21-Nov-17
Dang it! Kelly beat me to it!
I was gonna say a Baker stand. Slowest up but Fastest stand down the tree ever built!!!!
From: tobinsghost
22-Nov-17
What climbing tree stand can fit the bigger trees? I like the Alpha 2 and six but want a climber as well.
From: cnelk
22-Nov-17
My XOP, which is basically a LW. Love it.
Made some modifications to it like adding shoulder straps for carrying, slipped a short length of light poly tube over the belting as it prevents it from hanging up on rough bark/trees.
Also replaces the cinch straps and buckles as the buckles broke soon after getting.
From: snapcrackpop
22-Nov-17
First of all, do you want a hand climber or a sit-in climb?
From: cnelk
22-Nov-17
cnelk's Link
Keep checking Field Supply - my XOP is the Strike Force
See link
From: tobinsghost
22-Nov-17
I'm thinking sit and climb. Able to do hand now but I am getting older every day!
From: oldgoat
22-Nov-17
I heard that XOP was started by a former employee of LW, don't know how accurate my information is though
From: air leak
22-Nov-17
Sit and climb for me, that is what my Viper is. After seeing how flat the LW packs, I am definitely getting the LW Flip Seat Combo.
Amazon has it for $403, with Prime free shipping.
From: cnelk
22-Nov-17
Some online research found this....
" Andrae D’Acquisto, ............. Andrae sold his business, Lone Wolf Treestands, several years ago and has been retired and enjoying hunting with his family in Iowa and Illinois. Recently his son Cody began working for XOP and they decided to get back in the treestand game! XOP is making improvements to cast treestands we’re happy to see hit the market....."
From: Don K
22-Nov-17
Only thing that would scare me on Amazon is this a LW stand or a China nock off?
From: oldgoat
22-Nov-17
Don, somebody asked the seller and he said it was American Made, only takes a little investigating to figure it out!
From: SixLomaz
22-Nov-17
SixLomaz's Link
Muddy Stalker is X-Stand Deluxe Hunting Climbing Tree Stand at Sportsmanguide.com for $139.99. Excellent stand. Quiet, light, folding.
From: Ace of Spades
23-Nov-17
Lone Wolf climber for me as well. I used mine probably 12 times this year on public land. Great stand.
From: oldgoat
23-Nov-17
I have an X Stand, it's not any near the LW in stability!
From: 12yards
23-Nov-17
I will be hunting out of a Lone Wolf Hand Climber next year. When I have it I will have all bases covered. The Alpha and Sticks when I know there are no trees for a climber, and the Climber for when I know there are good trees where I want to be.
From: PA-R
25-Nov-17
I have the Lw climber, use climbing sticks and hang on also. When using the climber, I think and feel like I stand out, easier to be seen, because of trees that are slick, especially now that most of all the foliage is gone. Same holds true for hang on, but you do have some limbs to help, any thoughts on this.
From: tobinsghost
25-Nov-17
I'm looking into tree umbrellas. I'm thinking of putting it level to my waist but maybe on a side where there is no shot due to lots of reasons like too thick or on wrong side of major trail.
From: SixLomaz
25-Nov-17
X-Stand Deluxe Hunting Climbing Tree Stand is light and it does require more pressure to bite into bark. Used carefully and in combination with a safety vest with a tree strap as one climbs up the tree makes the climb a safe experience. Once in position and having a pair of third hand archery straps secure it, becomes a solid unit. I often lean on the upper section sides without moving it. It does not make any noise and it has a comfortable seat for a 6'1" guy at 270 lbs regardless of tree diameter. At $140 one can buy 3 and leave them in the woods. I drilled holes on all upper/lower sides and secured the stand with 4 padlocks keyed alike. The padlocks run thru the cable holes as well.
