Where to buy lone wolf style stands
Whitetail Deer
Good morning,
I haven't bought a lone Wolf in several decades and I see there are several companies making lone Wolf style stands now.
Where are you guys buying stands from?
My best,
DM
If you want the lightest and strongest, I suggest a Beast Stand. Info on Hunting Beast Forum.
If you want LW, I know local stores and shops sell them in Wis
I believe Novix has what was once the Lone Wolf Alpha II stand and sticks. Someone could correct me if I am wrong. It I believe Novix bought Lone Wolf. It’s called the echo now. Don’t know if any stores that sell them but you can order right from Novix.
Google Lone Wolf Custom shop he is still making them and is coming out with a new climber.
LWCG, XOP, Novix. All make a LW like stand.
Sounds like you're confused Dirty Mike! Lets see if I can get this right off the top of my head...It's not confusing at all, but goes something like this. ;-)
The group that is behind Novix treestands (today) had bought Lone Wolf a number of years back. In the time that LW was under new ownership (by the now Novix Treestand people), the founder of LW and his son spun up a new brand "Lone Wolf Custom Gear" (actually 2 brands if you include XOP treestands) catering to the new age mobile hunter with a premium price point, features, and consumer direct sales model. So once LWCG came on scene it caused some marketplace turmoil, probably hurting the original LW brand/sales etc., so the Novix people breached contract with the former owner, and then after a couple years of issues like non payments etc., a court ruling handed LW and assets (I.P., Designs, Branding etc) back over to the original creator and designer of LW. With LW back in the original founders hands it was basically tucked away in a corner somewhere since they had all they could do to keep up with LWCG consumer demand. So while all that was going on the Novix brand was spun up so those other guys could continue to compete in that premium hang-on stand market space.
Later to scene were competitors like Beast Gear who launched a treestand and sticks, and then eventually another brand called Elevate jumped in with more treestands and sticks. Both of these brands seemed to go for the throat of LWCG by also pushing premium-priced stuff, but both fell short. Just read/ watch some side by side reviews.
The undisputed leader in tree stand designs, features, quality etc. is still LW... er shall we now say LWCG. Nobody knows if the treestands will be sold under the original LW name again, but I wouldn't rule it out. Those treestand guys are a wild bunch!
Holy crap! I've missed so much! I had no idea there was so much tree stand turmoil.
'Hunting Beast Gear' link
Are you guys pulling my leg? Who is buying these at that price?
He can not keep them in stock. This design comes from a really good deer hunter. That is a serious stand and system that will last a lifetime. Made in the USA. Quality material and labor costs money.
DM, get yourself an XOP Vanish or Air Raid and it will be a great stand for a very long time.
Keep in mind if you want to spend the coin on a Beast stand. It’s only rated for 275 lbs. where as most others are at 300 lbs. When Dan came out with his Beast stand he spoke on the rating but I can’t remember what he said.
LWCG stages are not cheap either. I myself run a Novix helo and still have a LW Aplha II as well. One with modified LW sticks and a set of Beast sticks.
AndreDaquisto made lone wolf. Sold it now makes xop. I like and have been using these
Better have a heated seat for $650.
I really like my XOP. It’s not the smallest they make but next to smallest. Don’t recall the cost but far less than half of this lone wolf above.
His son owns XOP making LW Chinese knock off stands. Andre has Lone Wolf custom shop.
I owned both XOP, and LW. great stands. However when I was hanging and hunting, as a young guy, I would get a Beast Stand. Had one on my back, WOW a game changer.
When your mobile, in hill country you appreciate it. As far as cost I would cut back on something else,, but that's me. It is an amazing hang on. But I never shot a 1500.00 bow either. There are always trade offs.
novix is identical to the original lonewolf stuff
I have an XOP and like it a lot. No way in Hell I'm spending $650 on a treestand
I bought the xop vanish evolution. Seems just like a lone wolf. I'm going to test it this year before buying more
Let us know what you think Mike. Happy hunting!
"Better have a heated seat for $650."
Heated? Should massage both cheeks for that.......
You have to understand, the guys buying this stand, own one stand. Most hunt public and are on the move. I like XOP, we have them preset on private land. Several stands add up. This Beast Stand is designed for a hunter on the move, and if you truly are a mobile hunter, you appreciate not only the weight, but design. That's my point.
If your 2 most used items are a bow and a stand and you spend $1800 on the bow and all the accessories and arrows then what would be the issue with $600 for a stand?
Plus, what they spend for over priced camo, so it's all trade offs. I rather have that stand and wear carhart pants and plaid shirts from Goodwill
I hunted this week and sat once in the XOP vanish. My first impression was my left leg went numb and I had to stand. Never had that happen before . I also sat in an early 90s original lone wolf without any issues. After the season i need to measure the seat heights of the stands. I also noted the xop has the giant foam pad for added height.
The XOP was solid as any lone wolf I've used without any other issues. And I passed on a giant doe with twins at 20 yards during my sit.
https://youtu.be/lOSd-Wdwyv4?si=EUMHmonKbFoT6daB
Ha Mike read your instructions or watch the video. The seat as well as the platform is adjustable so your leg doesn't go to sleep.
XOP is suppose to be coming out with a hand climber..similar to the old LW climber
https://youtu.be/KpMxcxesLgs?si=FdjdwEhPxNcv5Pa8
https://youtu.be/KpMxcxesLgs?si=FdjdwEhPxNcv5Pa8
No I threw out the instructions.
I watched the video and all I saw was how to level the stand in a crooked tree. Maybe I missed something? Maybe next time I'll watch it with the sound on.
Just watch the classified and pick up a used original LW Hang-on. I have used the beast stand and it’s nice but no better than the LW I can often find for $200 or less. I have 5 right now and they aren’t going nowhere.
This morning I sat in an XOP. The temperature was mid 20s and it was snowing. The stand is as solid as any LW. There weren't any pops or creeks. The only issue I had was with the foam seat. The seat cover is some sort of vinyl and when wet it made a loud squeak when I moved . I was wearing fleece pants.
The seat also held water like a sponge from rain earlier in the season. I think the original thin foam LW seat pad was superior.
My best,
DM
I had to sell my lone years back because it caused my sacrelliac 'I know thats spelt wrong issues and always had to go to chiropractor after a few sits . I bought some beast sticks and really like them solid and strap is in the right place to firmly seat on tree .My go to stand is the light millenium .
I’ll go back to building stands out of wood before I pay $700 for a hang on stand. If you look on FB Marketplace you can find some of the old LW stands. I see them all the time in Maryland/VA area
Picked up a like new LW sit n climb this summer. Had to add stabilizer straps, no big deal. Found it locally on FB for $150.
I have 3 gently used original LW Alpha's and 1 brand new in the box climbing sticks I'm considering parting with.
Wendy do you still have those stands?
Novix and XOP..XOP has a stand called the Rubicon..little over 9 lbs. My brother just got one. Seems like a nice stand
Wow, it doesn't seem that long ago I bought a couple LW stands on sale right around Xmas for $130. They typically have a sale at the end of the year.
I like the solid platforms on these stands. I have had the welded ones cost me an animal at 12Y when it creaked as I got out on the edge.
TGbow, I recently purchased one of the XOP Rubicon stands. Seems like it will be a great stand.
Good compromise of weight and size I feel like.
As far as LW climbers go - Since they started making the new $1k laser cut aluminum stands I been buying up all the used Assault climbers I could find on FB Marketplace for $250 barely used. Got five now.
I have the second smallest XOP. It’s the stand that I use when I’m moving from one location to another. It’s light, easy to install and I believe it cost about $200 a couple years ago. No way I’m spending $600 plus for a tree stand.
I have the second smallest XOP. It’s the stand that I use when I’m moving from one location to another. It’s light, easy to install and I believe it cost about $200 a couple years ago. No way I’m spending $600 plus for a tree stand.
Too much work. Ladder stands for me
Feels like there used to be 90% of the stuff was Walmart level and you had to search hard for good premium stuff that was expensive but worth it. Nowadays feels like 70% of the stuff is premium good quality stuff but you need to trade in a Lambo to buy it. Obviously people love spending money otherwise these things wouldn't sell. $700 for a tree stand, $500 for climbing sticks, $500 for tree diapers, $100 for a broadhead, $2,000 for bows, $1,000 for a good jacket, it's gone mental out there. So glad I bought most of what I need years ago and it all lasts forever.
Too much work. Ladder stands for me
Xop stand from Scheels has been the best deal
Not sure what price you got at Scheels; usually I don't find their prices to be good. XOP is 20% off direct from site right now, but you have to go into your checkout to see the price. I think today might be the last day.
Been saying what Adam talks about above for years. Hopefully this XOP fits the bill as one of those pieces of a little more quality to mix in the lineup, cause I won't pay the prices he mentions.
Several YouTube channels have discount codes that can be used on the XOP website.
Lookup the channel, On Your Own Adventures. I know I used a code from that channel when I ordered my XOP Rubicon.
