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Evolution of the ultralight stands

Nutterbuster said:
This site is a long way from "hammer vs rock." This site is staring at 7 hammers on the tool rack and has 2 more in their amazon cart waiting on their hammer enthusiast friends to justify their next purchase while the lumber for the kids tree house rots.
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....all the while selling all 9 hammers on Classifieds already...

But this thread is about wanting a new, better climber because it's a familiar and simple but often laborious tool. Might be the best and only tool some need, or the best choice for others situationally.

When you get to the nuts of it...It's not all about the tool...
 
Nutterbuster said:
This site is a long way from "hammer vs rock." This site is staring at 7 hammers on the tool rack and has 2 more in their amazon cart waiting on their hammer enthusiast friends to justify their next purchase while the lumber for the kids tree house rots.
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Methinks we also do a fantastic job applying the work of a hammer to other tools as well. Much like my crescent-hammer and my Phillips-hammer, a bunch of stuff gets used outside the bounds of their intended purpose. Cough... cough... Safeguard... LWHC... cough
 
Noonespecial said:
I loved my LWHC matter of fact I had two. In my opinion the LWHC assault version is about as small as you’re going to get, maybe a lighter smaller seat. I harvested many deer from them but way too noisy while climbing and a pain to carry in and out. I think hunters forget that with a treestand comes a harness. So why use a stand and harness, if you can replace a harness with a saddle then all you need is a climbing platform. The only reason I would have kept my climbers would have been to use the seat for a climbing platform. Think about this, when using a climbing platform with a saddle no tree is unclimbable. You can stay harnessed in the entire time even when going over branches. So let’s go companies make one!
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I prefer a harness when in my locon. Wearing the saddle as a safety device while stand hunting, is for me, uncomfortable on the backside after a few hours.
I have a seat of the pants harness.
The 2nd reason I say this is I've found I prefer the added tension above my head when leaning away from the tree, say for a shot.
Lastly, and I'll probably get bashed for this but with the harness I use (key to this statement), imo, it's easier to use the harness instead of the saddle when sitting in a stand.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
 
Treestand hunter for 30 years. After using a saddle I’m never going back. Too much noise no matter the amount of Stealth Strips! Lol. Very grateful for the companies out there now making these saddles. I’ve waited 10 years ever since Trophyline went out of business. Saddle hunting does take time to figure out which saddle fits you the best. Took me three years and half a dozen saddles many times saying I’m going back to a stand. What I find funny is the amount of hunters saying this piece of gear is better or this style of hunting is better but have nothing to show for it. Why listen to someone who has no proven track record. I think that is more important than anything. I knew saddle hunting would make me more efficient and that’s why I went that route. Also I feel these saddle manufactures will be around a lot longer than one may think. Small businesses in small sewing shops or peoples basements means less invested money and overhead. Plus materials being used are a lot easier to find and cost less.
 
Noonespecial said:
Treestand hunter for 30 years. After using a saddle I’m never going back. Too much noise no matter the amount of Stealth Strips! Lol. Very grateful for the companies out there now making these saddles. I’ve waited 10 years ever since Trophyline went out of business. Saddle hunting does take time to figure out which saddle fits you the best. Took me three years and half a dozen saddles many times saying I’m going back to a stand. What I find funny is the amount of hunters saying this piece of gear is better or this style of hunting is better but have nothing to show for it. Why listen to someone who has no proven track record. I think that is more important than anything. I knew saddle hunting would make me more efficient and that’s why I went that route. Also I feel these saddle manufactures will be around a lot longer than one may think. Small businesses in small sewing shops or peoples basements means less invested money and overhead. Plus materials being used are a lot easier to find and cost less.
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Really, I think folks should figure out what works best for them. I keep an open mind, but don't put stock in anyone's track record but my own. I feel I can learn from guys who are getting it done, and those who aren't as well, but at some point I'm the operator and responsible for my success or lack thereof.

Not to mention the conundrum of successful hunters with opposing points of view...which is why we get some of the hunter x vs hunter y debates with fans entrenched one way or another.

I think needing credentials in order to take something smart on board is pretty limiting. What's inside the bone between your ears has a lot more to do with your success than the all the bone outside the ears of some other fella's trophy collection. Sift through the information and make conclusions and decide for yourself.

Sounds like you get that.
 
If these climbing platforms are under development, I'll be the first in line to snag one. I hunt in the south and 80% of the trees available to me are pine trees with plenty of cover underneath. I modified a Summit Open Shot top by adding aluminum expanded metal and bars (welded). To reduce visibility I prefer to have the tree between me and the kill zone as well. For long sits I'll use my Summit 180 and flip the seat to face the tree. I've got on a bunch of mature deer in that setup. With a saddle and the small 8 lb. platform I can zip up the tree quickly. I can strap it to my backpack no problem. The only issue I've found with the modified Summit climbing platform is it cannot go up a smaller tree, which sometimes is all I have available. This is where the LWHC I own would be perfect. I've used the LWHC several times, but I need to get better at it. The belt tends to snag on pine bark, even with the rope mod. I need to revisit this and see if I can improve it. I may wrap it in tape or tubing like others have. I'm considering fixing the increased arm angles so that they don't shift too high by using zip ties before each hunt. I'll be rappelling down and I use the rope handles when moving up. I use a JX3 with my rifle and saddle only with my bow. If I'm going deep I may use my saddle with the rifle. I also prefer to use a predator as a platform, which doesn't kill me walking in. It's close to what I want, but if I could check a few more boxes, it'll be perfect. Overall needs would be the following:

1) Relatively lightweight - I'm in shape so I'm not afraid of a few pounds, but it would be nice to keep it below 10 lbs.
2) Ability to use on most tree sizes
3) Unlimited height (cutover/variable canopy levels)
4) Quick ascent
5) Secure and sturdy

Once a reliable and effective climbing platform is made, deer are gonna be in big trouble around here. I love walking in with all options available to me quickly and quietly. I hate being limited in height and tree size (realistically). Once I learn how to weld, I'm making my own.
 
Interesting thread, I'll put my 2 cents in. Been climbing trees for 35 years starting with a home made climber and bear hugging the tree to lockons, the tree lounge, api, summit climbers and switching to a saddle 2 years ago. After trying multiple platforms and saddles and then reading Elk Yinzer thread about the hybrid .5 I have settled on this system - made my own sticks with EWO and Lonewolf parts (drilled out like beast sticks) with cable aiders & 6mm rope for attachment, pair those with the .5 and its a very good system. I strap the sticks to the .5 so no need for a back pack, when I get to the tree I put the first stick on then I like to lean the second stick against the tree and drape the rope over the first stick's standoff, put the .5 back on my back, hook the 3rd stick to a clip on my saddle and up I go. I ran a Mission platform last year and it was 6lbs, the .5 stand with strap and cushion is 7lbs so for 1 lbs more i get rid of a back pack and cushion to put on the tree and get a platform that carries stick great, has plenty of room, no more weak side shot just turn and shoot, can sit in my saddle, stand or sit if I want. It also allows me to get in just about any tree I want to, have to say I'm pretty pleased with the .5, don't see myself switching from this system anytime soon.
 
SILhunter,

I could have written what you write word for word. I'm right where you are at this point.

I do have a Timber Tall climber that is only 11lbs, but it's still bulkier than I like to use much. It is nice for rifle hunting however.
 
SILhunter said:
Interesting thread, I'll put my 2 cents in. Been climbing trees for 35 years starting with a home made climber and bear hugging the tree to lockons, the tree lounge, api, summit climbers and switching to a saddle 2 years ago. After trying multiple platforms and saddles and then reading Elk Yinzer thread about the hybrid .5 I have settled on this system - made my own sticks with EWO and Lonewolf parts (drilled out like beast sticks) with cable aiders & 6mm rope for attachment, pair those with the .5 and its a very good system. I strap the sticks to the .5 so no need for a back pack, when I get to the tree I put the first stick on then I like to lean the second stick against the tree and drape the rope over the first stick's standoff, put the .5 back on my back, hook the 3rd stick to a clip on my saddle and up I go. I ran a Mission platform last year and it was 6lbs, the .5 stand with strap and cushion is 7lbs so for 1 lbs more i get rid of a back pack and cushion to put on the tree and get a platform that carries stick great, has plenty of room, no more weak side shot just turn and shoot, can sit in my saddle, stand or sit if I want. It also allows me to get in just about any tree I want to, have to say I'm pretty pleased with the .5, don't see myself switching from this system anytime soon.
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I too have a .5 and it is a great hunting system when paired with a saddle.

It's limiting factor is it doesn't climb itself.

That means climbing sticks, one sticking, 2 tether climbing, or whatever.

Those methods each have pros and cons vs each other and climbing platform systems.

A 10lb climber would likely be lighter than the average .5 setup. If done right, it would be preferable situationally for me. But, yeah, my .5 isn't going anywhere either.
 
Anyone been on treehoppers website lately? They have climbers on there now. Here is a top part of a climber that is 8 pounds. But I have no idea if it would work or how it would climb from the pictures.

Treehopper

www.treehopperllc.com www.treehopperllc.com
 
The quality and quantity of fresh big buck sign decide which tree I hunt, not how straight it is or whether it has zero limbs. I couldn't imagine being 100% mobile through out a season and depending solely on a climbing tree stand, they have a place that is for sure, that place is not for me and how I hunt, just like whitetail threads that often have many opposing views, the answer is the same, this is a regional thing.. no answer will be true for all. I know one thing for sure, if any of you guys plan on traveling anytime in the future on some diy whitetail hunts, you better have something other than a climber in your rig, the versatility of a small lock on stand/saddle hybrid setup is unmatched as far as I am concerned, I can hunt any tree, anywhere. I get the comfortable climber thing I’ve owned a couple, perfect for a tall pine thicket or open hardwood ridges. I haven’t traveled in a few years, but when I do the .5 with a cushion on top and bottom of the seat, saddle, 4 sticks will be in my truck, a bag of bolts also.
 
You guys that are using the .5 and a saddle…. Are you sitting on the stand seat, using the seat folded up as a knee pad and sitting in the saddle or both?

Thank you
 
everestwc said:
You guys that are using the .5 and a saddle…. Are you sitting on the stand seat, using the seat folded up as a knee pad and sitting in the saddle or both?

Thank you
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Mostly a knee pad, for me. But it's pretty nice to be able to take a seat and do things like, idk, slide Arctic Shield boot covers on, or what not.

I lean/stand much of the time though, for reference.
 
All very interesting thoughts, but I hunt 150+ acres that is private surrounded by farmland of clover, corn and alfalfa. I use all fixed position stands. My older hunting buddy of 16 yrs is a ladder stand only guy. Hard to get him in a fixed stand. We all know the benefits of all products on the market. To me it all comes down to experience, desire, and the need to explore. I got into hunting from a saddle this yr @ 66 /my 1st yr to expand my tool box and make life easier on public which my back property line touches with a creek from one lake to the next with a 100' drop of shale buffs, tons of deep clayed surfaced leaved gullies which are hard to cross due to terrain and butting up to private, thick swampy wet areas of drainage, higher elevations of different oak varieties mixed with walnuts, ash etc that can handle wet to your classic older growth hardwood oaks of dryer elevated sections. At my skill level it's still a tough challenge to figure bedding areas based on other hunters preset stand sites, their probable movements that still allow me to see deer much less kill a nice one.
I would love to figure out a hybrid system as I like the merits of many systems. Whether you hunt deep hemlock sections or open pine areas w/ lower vegetation w/ bow, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloaders etc you can get caught up in a safe full of products not counting if ur a sportsman that fishes, upland hunts, turkey and use trail bikes, snowdogs, kayaks, canoes or a otter sled to slip across a deep creek section. With that said I would think you have to be a reasonably skilled seasoned hunter who has put the time in to @ least to hit well with in a pie plate @ any range or condition you want to shoot. So it all comes down to what your area calls for to get the job done with a fun factor for your skill level and health. Have I got a lot to learn,,, hell yes, but I can't say I have not learned a ton from the worst unethical hunter I have bumped into to the best I know.
So for me I'm still @ a point where I'm interested in any climbing option w/in reason that gets me into a spot quietly with less effort w/less sweat to see more quality deer. For this ole FL boy I still love setting my back against my ole favorite Hemlock tree w/ drooping branches of snow during late season.
 

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So I was in bass pro yesterday checking out their display lone wolf hand climber. Made me miss my old one.

I think I'd want it 3" narrower on the foot platform, and with a sling seat instead of cast. Maybe give me a built in way to hang my pack.

That's it.

I don't need it lighter than 15lbs. I don't need it to be 600-700 dollars for a machined uberlight springboard that flexes under my feet while I'm 30-40ft up. I just want it a bit narrower and with a more comfortable seat. It already folds flat, climbs quiet, and has precise cable adjustments. I had my old one wrapped with athletic tape on the arms and the cast bits sprayed with bedliner, and I had molle hip and shoulder straps. If I buy another one I'll put a suspension system with load lifters on it.

Perfect
 
JFin15 said:
In general, facing away from the tree is more comfortable and more effective for me, I get busted alot less when back to the tree..
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Nailed it. Using saddle and hangs on for the last 5 years, it's night and day how much I'm picked between a saddle and a treestand. I cannot recall the last time I was picked from my hang on. My back is always against the tree. With a saddle, I tended to sway sometimes, and I feel the human outline is much more visible.
 
Still using my two Loc on Limits from the 90’s that weigh about 7lbs. Can’t believe that no one can duplicate them today47066B00-32C9-4BD2-86E7-F9BB5256C757.jpeg
 
I've saddle hunted only the past 2 seasons, but this afternoon will be my first hang and hunt with my new to me LWCG .5.

Process will be the same as I used for my saddle....4 Beast sticks with a versa aider and hanging stand instead of my saddle platform.

We will see how it goes and if my weak side will be better with my recurve in hand. Can't see how won't be as all I have to do is turn in the stand.
 
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