Moving to Lock On Stands

[UTGrad]

As much as I love my climber, I'm moving my set ups to lock ons with climbing sticks. I have been on a private lease for 6 seasons and have decided hauling my climber in and out to spots I have hunted for years is time consuming. It's easier to have a fixed stand and just walk in and climb up.

Anybody else moved from exclusively climbing stand to fixed stands? Let me add there is still a place for the climber e.g. Public hunting land, hunting new spots, etc.

 

[JKC]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Age and bad back made me do the same, but I still love my climbing stand for hunting new places.

 

[lightsareout]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I like the flexibility of a climber, but they sure get heavy when you are walking in a mile or more. Don't think i'll give it up anytime soon though.

 

[Ridgeraider]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I moved exclusively to lock on stands for private and public land. I have some cheaper stands I leave up on private land and I have a Lone Wolf lock on with 4 sticks I use on public land. It's lighter and more compact than the Summit climber I use to have and I can climb more trees (cedars, forked etc)with it than I could with my climber.


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[280longshot]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Lock On stands are what I use with the addition of ladder stands on fields and on occasions I will use a climber if I want to explore a new area.
Two years ago I pulled a muscle I'm sure, trying to climb a tree so I only use a climber on rare occasions. As I get older I tend to gravitate to making things easier...
I have two Millennium Lock On stands with several receiver blocks ( located thoughout in several places), making it very versatile.

 

[cbhunter]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I love climbers but its probably been 10 years since I used one. The biggest thing I hate about climbers is I sweat a lot and when I get to where im going, I don't care if its 30 degrees or less, when I get to where I'm going and get climbed up into my spot, I am wore out and soaking wet.

 

[Winchester]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I still use climbers when needed but I have a dozen or more loc ons scattered all over. Just makes sense if the situation/location permits it to use a Loc on. So much quicker and quieter just easing up the steps. I also use loc on brackets where I can go walk up the steps and drop a stand in place and hunt. All types of stands have a place in the serious hunters toolbag.

 

[buckaroo]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I have some loc ons,but don't like them. Comfort in a climber can't be beat

 

[Mike Belt]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Both types of stands have their pros and cons. I do like being able to walk in without having to carry a stand and just silently climb up into a hang on but they aren't as mobile as climbers. That comes into play when you're limited to only 2 stands per club rule.

 

[Winchester]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I have some loc ons,but don't like them. Comfort in a climber can't be beat

You need to broaden your search for loc ons, many are just as comfortable as any climber.

 

[Headhunter]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I hunt out of lock ons and climbers. I own close to 50 lock ons and I don't even know how many of them are hung on one farm I hunt, but it is over 25, I think, but even there I still hunt out of my climber close to 50 percent of the time.

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

All types of stands have a place in the serious hunters toolbag.

Agree.

But if I were limited to a single stand (or two), it would be a climber (or two).

In times past I used mostly hang-on stands.
One of the "issues" for me was keeping up with all of them, and because there were so many, it actually became more time consumptive than simply using 2 or 3 climbers.

Hang-ons have their place, and I'm still using them, but more of my hunting will be out of climbers.

Like I said, if I were limited to one or two stands, it would be 100% climbers.
But if I were limited to 3 stands, it would be 2 climbers and 1 hang-on.

I also use ladder stands (as well as permanent tower/box blinds) a little, too, but generally believe have better odds at older deer from hang-ons and climbers. There are times and places where one way makes more sense than another, including sometimes simply hunting on the ground with no "stand" at all.

As hunters, it often seems our biggest downfall is placing too much emphasis on comfort and convenience rather than what provides the best opportunities for what we claim to want most. Well, I guess some mainly do want just to sit in comfort, even if the situation they choose provides low odds for what they would prefer to kill most. On a nasty, windy, rainy day, those enclosed permanent blinds can sure make one feel more "comfortable", have not a stand to carry, even get more sleep (both at night and while hunting).

Seriously, when I pack in a climber, I generally get up 30 minutes earlier, then it takes longer to get out of the woods when the hunting ends. Of course, if you "pack in" a hang-on, you'll still need extra time compared to just walking up to a pre-placed ladder or permanent stand.

 

[muddyboots]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Nope. Don't like loc ons. I leave climbers in spots if I hunt them more than once. I just lock em up. Heck I have 2 that have been in the same tree for 3 years. I just take me seats off at the end of season. My ml opening day spot has had a climber there forever. I'll walk in. Hook up my seat and climb up. No intrusion until I hunt. I'm convinced it makes a big difference.

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

No intrusion until I hunt. I'm convinced it makes a big difference.

x 2, particularly in regard to 3 1/2 and older deer.
But you can have "no intrusion" with most any type stand.

The big key is not to over-hunt a spot, but maybe more importantly, not to mess the spots up by "scouting" within days (sometimes within weeks) of hunting those spots.

"Scouting" is often more "intrusive" and disturbing to localized deer than "hunting".

 

[Mike Belt]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

It sure is nice to sit in comfort but I can forego that if that's what it takes. My main comfort goal is clothing that allows me to stay put.

 

[hitek7]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Since my daughter started hunting with me 4 years ago we have made the switch to mostly ladder stands and some loc-ons. I still keep my climber in the camper for days she is not there and I want to go to an unpressured spot. I will say, the ladder stands have made me lazy...

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I will say, the ladder stands have made me lazy...

:tu:
They will do that!

Biggest problems I have with ladder stands:

1) Because of their convenience & comfort, tendency to over-hunt a location;

2) Yet to see one (not even a Millennium) that wouldn't sometimes make a metallic "creak" in cold weather;

3) Can't get as high up as I prefer for most locations (not even with my 21-ft Millennium).

4) The least mobile, and a pain to do by yourself.
---- But if you can find SCN to come help you, piece of cake! :mrgreen:

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Only way I will use a climber is if I am going onto a property that I do not know or don't have time to put up a stand.

I hunt exclusively out of ladder stands and tower stands now days. Much more comfortable and much safer.

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I will say, the ladder stands have made me lazy...

:tu:
They will do that!

Biggest problems I have with ladder stands:

1) Because of their convenience & comfort, tendency to over-hunt a location;

2) Yet to see one (not even a Millennium) that wouldn't sometimes make a metallic "creak" in cold weather;

3) Can't get as high up as I prefer for most locations (not even with my 21-ft Millennium).

4) The least mobile, and a pain to do by yourself.
---- But if you can find SCN to come help you, piece of cake! :mrgreen:

Key to keeping the creak out of ladder stands is to make sure you have them seated in the ground really really good. And to remember that trees grow so you have to adjust from time to time. I usually will adjust right before bow season and put new straps on as necessary. I also don't use the flimsy straps that come with them. I buy a heavy duty ratchet strap. I am thinking about having my son go out with his welder and welding up some of the stands where joints connect to keep them from moving.

 

[catman529]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I never limit to just a climber or just lockons. I have a couple of stands left out all season and I have my climber, and sometimes I just bring my rear end with me.


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[turf08]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I'm exclusively a loc on person. Ive brought and used all the climbers and they all pose the same problem, sweat. In bow season and early MZ I sweat and I know deer can smell me when I do. No matter how much I watch and play the wind it always seems to swirl or shift at just the wrong time. During the rest of the season I've got so many cloths on I sweat climbing the tree. Therefore after an hour it's time to come down due to freezing to death. So now I have 3 millennium loc onset that I move/ rotate around. You can get on sportsman's guide and get 20' sections cheap. Buy additional receivers and ur set.
Most people use climbers so they can access different areas during different times of the season or so they can move from one tree to the next without a lot of work. If you put your time in studying your deer and their movements there should not be a need to move areas because your not happy where your set up.
And finally hunters choose climbers because of comfort. If you have a stand that is more comfortable than a millennium you need a CT Scan not a climber. They are amazing.

 

[rem270]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I hunt mainly out of loc on's. I started out with the small, uncomfortable seats but have graduated to the comfortable ones over the years. I have 6 or 7 of the bone collector hang on's that have the seat a lot like the millenium. Then a few months back a local shop sold me all the last years models for dirt cheap. I ended up with 3 milleniums and 3 summit loc on's.

 

[Headhunter]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I'm exclusively a loc on person. Ive brought and used all the climbers and they all pose the same problem, sweat. In bow season and early MZ I sweat and I know deer can smell me when I do. No matter how much I watch and play the wind it always seems to swirl or shift at just the wrong time. During the rest of the season I've got so many cloths on I sweat climbing the tree. Therefore after an hour it's time to come down due to freezing to death. So now I have 3 millennium loc onset that I move/ rotate around. You can get on sportsman's guide and get 20' sections cheap. Buy additional receivers and ur set.
Most people use climbers so they can access different areas during different times of the season or so they can move from one tree to the next without a lot of work. If you put your time in studying your deer and their movements there should not be a need to move areas because your not happy where your set up.
And finally hunters choose climbers because of comfort. If you have a stand that is more comfortable than a millennium you need a CT Scan not a climber. They are amazing.

I disagree, but deer will change preferred areas, sometimes several times in a season. There are areas that good every year "forever" or for many years, but due to many different reasons, many out of the hunters control, that can change. I love a lock on stand, actually my favorite type stand to hunt from, but will never be without my climber (especially if you hunt public land and make long walks) and as far as sweating goes, it is tough in bow season, but it is no problem on cooler days (60 degrees and below) to walk in and climb and NOT sweat, not at all, and also to stay warm on really cold days after you climb. I love my summitt and for I for sure don't need a CT scan.

 

[Fireman 244]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

First year using hang-on stands so far I love them. But I'll never give up the climber heck I bought another this year too. Love the ability to go anywhere with it and when hunting public land it's a must to have. As for sweating heck yeah I sweat but I've solved that problem on cold days just put the jacket in the back pack and hit the woods. When I'm in the stand and cool down I put the jacket on to stay warm. Can't do much for warm or hot days but go slow and bring a towel.

 

[Ridgeraider]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I don't understand why people are saying they need a climber for mobility. I've have both climbers and hang on stands and I sold my Summitt and use only hand on's now. I use the Lone Wolf which is lighter, more compact and easier to carry than the Summit was. I can climb any tree that a climber and and many trees that a climber can't. I'm quitter using the Lone Wolf than I was using the Summitt.

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I use the Lone Wolf which is lighter, more compact and easier to carry than the Summit was. I can climb any tree that a climber and and many trees that a climber can't. I'm quitter using the Lone Wolf than I was using the Summitt.

I can typically climb just as quietly with a climber as I can place sticks & a hang-on stand (granted, if already in place, nothing is quieter than a hang-on).
But sitting on stand all day, most climbers are much more comfortable than any of the Lone Wolf hang-ons.

There are some hang-ons that are very comfortable all day, but to me, Lone Wolf isn't one of them, although I do like the LW hang-ons for their light weight and practicality if being placed and hunted immediately.

One more thing, for gun hunting, most climbers (such as the Summit Viper) have a "built-in" shooting rail for both simply laying your gun across, and for at least resting your arm on and using as a shooting rest. It can be a bit in the way for bowhunting, but imo, is a great asset when gun hunting. Of course, you can install a shooting rail on a hang-on, but then it starts getting heavier and less practical, especially for when you want to place a stand and hunt it immediately. Most ladder stands also come with a built-in shooting rail (something typically not seen with hang-ons).

 

[Ridgeraider]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

Yeah I agree the Summit climber was the most comfortable stand I ever had. For rifle hunting out of a hang on I use the mono trigger stick and the tree stand attachment base that Primos makes for the mono stick, it is awesome and lightweight. I just put the base in my backpack and use the trigger stick as a walking stick till I get to the stand location.


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[catman529]

Re: Moving to Lock On Stands

I use the Lone Wolf which is lighter, more compact and easier to carry than the Summit was. I can climb any tree that a climber and and many trees that a climber can't. I'm quitter using the Lone Wolf than I was using the Summitt.

I can typically climb just as quietly with a climber as I can place sticks & a hang-on stand (granted, if already in place, nothing is quieter than a hang-on).
But sitting on stand all day, most climbers are much more comfortable than any of the Lone Wolf hang-ons.

There are some hang-ons that are very comfortable all day, but to me, Lone Wolf isn't one of them, although I do like the LW hang-ons for their light weight and practicality if being placed and hunted immediately.

One more thing, for gun hunting, most climbers (such as the Summit Viper) have a "built-in" shooting rail for both simply laying your gun across, and for at least resting your arm on and using as a shooting rest. It can be a bit in the way for bowhunting, but imo, is a great asset when gun hunting. Of course, you can install a shooting rail on a hang-on, but then it starts getting heavier and less practical, especially for when you want to place a stand and hunt it immediately. Most ladder stands also come with a built-in shooting rail (something typically not seen with hang-ons).

I hate shooting rails and use a climber without one. I would eventually like a portable hang on and sticks like a lone wolf for those trees I can't get a climber up. But the climber serves me well


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