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Treestands

AZHunter

AZHunter

Iowa Boy At Heart
I'm hoping for some good input on what type and brand/model of treestand to get for when i can make it back to Iowa and a few other places i'm considering in the future. i am forutnate to be able to hunt out here in the west, but was blessed to be born and raised in Iowa. anyway, out here in Arizona, there isn't much need/use for them IMO because its 70%+ public land(federal/state) and the best hunting is typically 1 or more miles off the main roads. lugging an extra 20+ lbs worth of treestand/accessories isn't my ideal on top of all the gear i all ready carry (20+ lbs, alone) and then to have to pack out an elk or deer in quarters (requiring multiple trips) those same 1 or more miles with a treestand...uggh! anyway, i'm looking at hang-on vs. climbing. a very good friend recommended the Lone Wolf Alpha with 4 climbing sticks and i value his opinion. i've also been looking at and reading reviews about the Summit Viper SS Climbing Treestand. The Viper SS seems to have the best reviews of the climbers that are in my price range. money could very well be an issue (convincing the wife i need this on top of the NR tag fee), especially no more than i'll be using it. it seems that the Viper is a better deal for my money, as i'd spend more in the long run on the Lone Wolf with 4 climbing sticks and accessories. The Gorilla hang-ons and climbers both look good, are affordable, but there aren't many reviews. I'm very much on the fence and i'd appreciate any thoughts and input any of you are willing to provide.
 
I have a Lone Wolf climber and it works great (expensive though). I bought a dozen Gorilla hang-ons because the price was right and I had multiple locations that I wanted to place stands. I have spent many days in the Gorilla stands and I have to say that they are a great deal for the money....no complaints. If you only need one you may want to spend the extra money to buy a top of the line stand, but I don't think you would be unhappy with the Gorillas.
 
thanks, DE2IA. it may be a case of i only get to buy one. i'd be using it infrequently, so it's real hard to justify to my better half that i need multiple stands. if i was back where i grew up in IA, i would probably have a few set up in various places. i like the idea of spending the extra money if i'm only going to use one. are you still able to maintain good mobility if you have to change set-ups? thanks for more to chew over!
 
go with the lone wolf or you'll be stuck climbing the only straight tree in the woods that isnt even close to where the deer travel.
 
Hands down the best value for stands you'll hang and leave are Big Game, Boss XL. they have 34" platforms, big padded seats, foot rests, are quiet and I consistently shop around to get them for $80-90.

If it's in crooked trees or I move around, I use Lone Wolfs BUT I would look at Muddy.

I have bazillions of stands hung (ok, over 70 for me and 2 brothers at last count- remember- that's less than 25 a piece, 3 different wind directions give each person a new stand to hunt everyday for a week) SO I have to go for value instead of forking out $200 for some comfy lounge stand. If someone only bought a couple- buy the best, IMO.
 
Without doubt you need the Lonewolf sticks. That is the must have in this whole trip. They are light, portable, and you can get up about any tree. I would not use a climber in Iowa unless you know without doubt every tree you are going to hunt during the entire trip will be climber friendly and in the spot you need to be. I wouldn't spend all my hard earned money on the whole trip to sit 20 yards too far from where I need to be because there wasn't a tree. I guess you could always buy a climber then have 10-12 screw in steps in your pack or truck for a just in case emergency.

As far as the stand goes, I love Lonewolf, however you could easily save $100 and buy a gorrilla or something like it for a week long trip if that is the only time you are going to use it. A little more work to put them up but they aren't bad. I would buy backpack straps for it. Goodluck!!
 
Hard to beat a Lone Wolf and climbing sticks...still waiting to see what the Muddy sticks are like when they come out.
 
I love the Lone Wolf Alpha hang-on and their sticks. I carry this set-up back in, not a mile, but far enough and can't imagine not having it. Easy and fast set-up. Muddy's new stands look good too as well as some of the Gorillas. Has to be aluminum for your hike.
 
As some of the other guys have mentioned Muddy Outdoors makes a very quality stand & sticks will be available late July. They will save you a little bit of money over the Lone Wolf option. The other thing about Muddy's setup is that the sticks attach to the tree with 3000lb test parachute rope rather than a metal cam strap like the Lone Wolf, a more silent setup process. The steps on the Muddy sticks also fold out on both sides and are double the size of LW steps.

The only issue with the Muddy sticks is that you may have to carry in an additional stick compared to LW because they are a bit shorter.

Good luck!
 
You can always sell after the hunt

If money is a big issue with the wife. After your hunt put them in the classifields on this site for around 75% of what you paid for them and you'll have them sold in a few days.

The LW stands and sticks for sale don't last long on here.
 
For that scenario of hanging and hunting in the same day you cannot beat a Lone Wolf Assault...the smallest of their hang on line of stands. I would also reccomend 4 Lone Wolf sticks. OR Muddy has some great new sticks and their stands I'm not familiar.

I know a climber wouldn't work at all in our side of the state and areas I'm familiar with.
 
Great Info

thanks for the great info and things to consider!! that's the kind of Iowa hospitality i was raised with, remember, and keep telling my wife is a reason we should move back to raise our family there (except she's a desert rat). now it sounds like i have to choose hard between Lone Wolf and Muddy and it doesn't seem like i'll go wrong with either choice (will i?). with the 4-pk of Muddy Sticks, its a little cheaper and looks like i'd be able to get close to 14 feet above the ground with. with 4 LW sticks, it looks like i could get close to 18 feet, but would pay more in the long run. i'm used to still hunting on the ground out here for elk and deer, so i have almost no tree stand experience. so my next logical question is whether or not those 4 extra feet makes a huge difference? I'm almost leaning towards Muddy simply because it keeps the money flowing back into a Midwest company. is Muddy vs. LW sort of a Chevy vs Ford thing (except i drive a Dodge) and a flip of the coin will give me equally happy results? again, i appreciate all of your feedback!
 
I'd say Muddy and LW make two great sticks and are two great companies. The design of the new Muddy sticks caught everyone's eyes. I would pick up a set but have no reason to get rid of the LW setup. Flip the coin... I don't think you'll regret either!
 
I am not sure how tall you are but I am 6ft and can get over 20 feet with 4 LW sticks. The muddy sticks look like they would be alright too but I wouldn't buy them. I am not going to carry 5 or 6 of them when I can carry 4. I have more of a problem making noise taking the sticks apart then I do with the straps, therefore I personally would be more noisy with 5 or 6 muddy sticks opposed to 4 LW sticks. Just another way to look at it. You can't go wrong with either!!
 
I have the LW sticks and assault. I also have a summit climber I have used for ten years but the limited trees I can get into finds me taking it less each year. The LW is VERY easy to put together and really locks into place nicely. I agree with the noise comments in that the more sticks, the more likely you will have more to bump against. I am sure you can't go wrong either way but I REALLY REALLY like my LW assault and 4 sticks.
 
You will definitely get high enough with 4 LW sticks, I am only 5'9" and I can usually get to 20' with no problem. You will be able to use any of the limbs on the tree as steps as well. The problems that I was having with noise was trying to get the strap lasso'd around the tree since my arms didn't always reach around and smacking back into the stick...probably not the best method. I am sure it was entertaining to watch me try to climb the tree with these things.

You can't go wrong either way as both are great products. Good luck!
 
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