Lone Wolf setup question

[NebraskaWhitetail]

This question is directed to those who hunt with the Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On stand and climbing sticks:

What you found to be the best way method of setting up the sticks and stand? Obviously, the first climbing stick is secured to the tree while standing on the ground, but I'm wondering about the remaining sticks. Do you secure them one at a time, climbing back down in between to get the next stick, or do you try to carry all of the sticks on your back and put them all in place before climbing climb back down and get the stand? Or, maybe there's a way to carry everything and set it all up on one trip up the tree?

I'm new to all of this, but it seems like you would need both hands free for climbing, so I'm just wondering how best (and safest) to do it?

Any advice on this would be much appreciated since the season here opens in 14 days!

 

[ironwood]

Every tree is a little different but normally I will install the lower two stick individually. Then I'll retrieve two, one with the strap free at a end and one with the strap looped and over my shoulder. Sometimes I'll even have the stand on my back that third trip up. Usually I have enough gear to organize that I need to descend after the stand is in place and hook up my bow to the string and grab anything else that is gong up with me. There are always variations; it just depends on the variables. If you have any fix position stands your stick can be used every time. I still have a few with screw in steps but I intend to get rid of all of them eventually. If you have a friend going to one of your stands they'll simply need to own some sticks or alternate climbing equipment (nothing beats LW sticks).

 

[Stump Shooter]

I tend to install all 4 pieces seperately. I tried to do the set one stick..crawl down, crawl back up and install the 2nd stick and then on my 3rd time up take my stand and the 3rd stick, but I almost fell out of the dang tree(oops) and I couldn't do it while being nice and quiet. So since then, I install one at a time and take my time so I'm ultra quiet. I HATE being loud when I'm setting a stand that I'm going to hang right then and there. I think your best bet is to take that set out now or sometime before the season and set it up a few times and see what works best for you. Try doing it in the dark to see how you do it then(for those morning hunts). Good luck.

 

[blake]

Over the years I have purchased and used seventeen different brand name tree stands. I have also used several different brand name climbing sticks/tree steps. Prior to last years bow season I purchased a Lone Wolf Alpha Hang-On stand and Climbing Sticks.

I must say that I think this stand is the most versatile stand that I have ever used. To be able to have your bow, pack, climbing sticks, and stand on your back, with both hands free is a tremendous plus. The LW stand/sticks is the perfect combination for the “low impact hunter”.

The key for me to setting a LW stand quickly and quietly required a few hours of practice with my hunting gear, the sticks and stand in the backyard prior to going hunting.

I found that I could have four climbing sticks up and be sitting in my Alpha Hang-on in a short period of time. However with speed I sacrificed some noise.


Since I am a few years older than many of you, and far less agile than most of you, I needed a system for getting and my “stuff” up in the tree so I could hunt. I have been practicing with my LW Alpha Hang-On and climbing sticks for sometime now. I am experimenting with a camo cord that is 30’ long and my Hunter Safety System vest(<font color="blue">Thanks Rudd</font>).

On the camo cord I tied a carabineer on both ends of the cord and one in the middle to attach to the HSS deer drag loop in the rear of the vest. Next I tied one carabineer 4’ above the carabineer on one end of the cord. Then I tied the remaining carabineer 4’ above from the last one, so there are a total of 3 carabineers on one end of the cord, 4’ apart.

When I arrive at my stand site I attached my pack to the end carabineer and a climbing stick to the other two carabineers. On the end of the cord with the single carabineer I attach the hang on stand. Attach the carabineer in the middle of the cord to the HSS deer drag loop in the rear of the vest (one should be able to attach the carabineer to any quality belt).

I then secure my first stick on the tree and attach my bow to a bow retriever. With one step looped over my shoulder, I climb up and set the second stick. Then pull up the cord and unhook the third stick. Next unhook the carabineer in the belt loop and attach the carabineer that you took off of the third stick. By doing so it allows more rope length while climbing. I follow the same procedure for the fourth stick.

Once I have the forth stick secured to the tree I climb up the stick and secure the E-Z Hang Hook strap for the stand. I them pull the stand up and hang it on the E-Z Hang Hook with a cable extension that my friend from Springfield Missouri made for me (<font color="blue">Thanks Rackaddict</font>). I then finish securing the stand with the V-Bracket fastening strap. Once on stand I secure my HSS vest to the tree and then pull up the remaining cord with my pack. I then pull up my bow with the bow retriever and I am ready to hunt.

Sound Complicated? It isn’t. I am just not that good at trying to explain it. <font color="red">WARNING:</font>Anyone using the above method will need to send me a check for my consulting time.

<font color="blue">I would be very interested to hear from others that are willing to share their methods with all of us</font>.

Here are a few more tips that I have found too expedite set up time and reduce noise:

Scout your hunting area and pre-select trees for stand sites.

Put up your climbing sticks and trim the pre-selected trees prior to hunting season.

Purchase as many E-Z Hang Hooks as you can and secure them to your selected trees when trimming them.

 

[mphenk5]

in most situations, i try to make only one trip up the tree, but there are always times when that is not possible or safe for that matter. ideally, when i am on the ground at the base of the tree, i undo my pack and the sticks from the stand. i carry a good length of rope and tie the stand about halfway down and my pack at the end.

i then attach the my bow to a pack retriever that is attached to my pack. i usually carry 2 or 3 screw in steps and start them in at the bottom as it is much easier thatn up in the air 15 feet. I sling three sticks over my shoulder, climb up and attach each stick as I go up. Knowing that i am saving time by not climbing up and down for each stick and my pack, this is where i take my time and minimize noise.

once the last stick is in place, i tow up the stand and hang it. once i am sitting in, I attach my pack strap to the tree and pull my back up. As the pack is on the way up, the retriever is unwinding with my bow still on the ground.

Finally, once my pack is situated, i tow my bow up and i am ready to hunt.
From start to finish in 7-10 minutes in most situations.

my advice would be to practice and see which procedure is most comfortable to you. I personally like to make only one trip up the tree because the fewer times i have to climb up &amp; down, the fewer chances I have at making a mistake and getting hurt.

bottom lime - the only right way, is the way the works for you.

Good Luck this fall &amp; enjoy your Lone Wolf!!!