Need lock on help ! set up....?

[fishboy1]

Found a couple great spots for stands but the only thing that will work is a lock on. (crooked trees)
Thing is I hate lock ons..... specifically getting on and off.

I have one lock on that I like, heavy and big with a flip down arm/shooting rest which is comfortable to hunt from. The armrest makes it really tough to get into and scares the beejeebers out of me every time. :shock:

How do you set up your lock ons and ladders so you can safely get on/off your stand ? I must be setting it up wrong.

 

[catman529]

Best thing is to install a lifeline with prussic knot... loop the safety line around the tree, above the stand, and hook up before you climb each time. When you hang the stand, keep a linemans belt attached. I love lock ons because you can put them on any tree and have a very well concealed stand.

 

[fishboy1]

I always use the safety line as you suggested. Still about crap myself getting on and off the stand though.

 

[ADR]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

 

[DCOOK223]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

X2

 

[Cazador]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

What he said. I use stick ladders on all my set ups. My stands are at 20 feet, plus or minus, to the platform. My sticks are all 24 feet or more. That way you can step over to the stand. It also gives you a good place to hang your back pack. I use two pull ropes. One on each side of the tree. One for a pack and the other for my bow. I put a bow hanger and a small hook a little lower to hang my quiver on.

 

[bigtex]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

X3

 

[MattZ9]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

X4

 

[Crosshairy]

Also, try getting a stand with a fold-up shooting rest (or a separate shooting rail that folds up, which is what I have). The ones that are stuck in place mean that you are left having to climb/step over something, which can get pretty tricky when getting in and out of the stand. Other folks get around this by using stands with no rail at all, but i'm in favor of having them unless you strictly archery hunt.

The lineman's belt idea that Catman mentioned is not bad - they are both fall arrest and body-positioning help, allowing you to use the belt's tension against the tree to safely keep a hand free.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Best thing is to install a lifeline with prussic knot....

^^^^^^ This

 

[fishboy1]

Switched to a rock climbing harness this year and always use the prussic knot lifeline.

I guess I will change my set ups to have the ladder go up past the stand and have a handle up above it so I can step down onto the seat, then turn and sit.

 

[redblood]

I found the best way to put them up. I find a tall straight tree that I can use a climber on. I take my climber and the loc on to the tree. I put my climber on the tree and tie a rope to the locon. I climb 25 ft in my climber then pull the loc on up. I then strap the locon on the tree above my climber and then climb down the tree putting the screw in steps in

 

[huntforme7909]

I personally if possible find a split tree or a group of three tress to hang a lock on in. It helps to conceal and it also gives you more opportunity to place more steps to comfortably and safely get into and out of your stand. And as said above, place steps above or at a higher level than your stand so that you can step into the stand instead of trying to climb into it from a lower elevation.

 

[Ridgeraider]

Lineman's belt to put the steps up and the stand then a life line above the stand to keep you safe in the stand and for climbing up and down if you are planning on leaving it up. Plenty of good information on YouTube.

 

[rem270]

All my lock on's that have shooting rails i always just step over the seat and the rails and into the stand instead of flipping it up and going in kind of sideways.

 

[ADR]

Switched to a rock climbing harness this year and always use the prussic knot lifeline.

I guess I will change my set ups to have the ladder go up past the stand and have a handle up above it so I can step down onto the seat, then turn and sit.

Didn't describe it well before but a heavy duty screw in step works great as a hand hold above the stand. Just have to experiment with positioning where it's most comfortable for you.

 

[280longshot]

It helps if you run your steps/ladder along side and higher than your stand. This way you can step over onto your lock on vs climbing into it. Many people will put a heavy duty step above the stand as a hand grab. Hope this helps. Kind of easier to show than explain.

Prime example of how I do it, and if the height isn't an issue to you, try only setting your stand at 15-17ft. I have several at 17ft and if set up in the correct tree 12-15ft is sufficient for me.