I got a lot of good feed back, on asking about climbers, and have now made a decision on my next one, so I thought I would ask you guys about your hang on systems....

this is a lot of fun, hunting is a month away and weather will soon be turning, in fact next week, we are talking 60 to 70's maybe....

I have used a lot of stands in the past, they all had pros and cons, most were nice, as long as they stayed up for the season....

I have found 2 systems I like. I asked XOP a year before it came out, to make a smaller stand, and they said, one was coming. They made the Vanish, and it is by far the most comfortable hang on, for me, and it has a great level system.

Add their sticks, and you are gone and they have good, back pack straps............

The other hang on I use, I just got last year, but since I could not hunt last fall, all I could do is play with it, this spring, but took it along on a pig hunt.

It is the Millenium M7, a very versatile and light hanger. again I use it with XOP sticks, and I can go up and down without a sound, just take your time, since it does have a ratchet, on its drop in strap

It is dead quiet. the beauty of it, is that you can just as easily, hang it on any tree and just use it as a tree seat, with your feet on the ground, if you like that better, but you never know its on your back, unlike the burdensome chairs

I am selling the last of my original LW sticks today..... The XOP stick I found to connect together easily, it stays away from the tree a little more, and the step is a little larger.............

anyways this is what I use. If you do not like the straps on your sticks, you can also use ropes, but that is more detail, you could find on u tube.

I cover everything in Stealth Strips, which are available on line also.

I am a noise freak........ I did sell my old Dick Idol Wind Walker, now there you are talking a small stand, but I was younger back then, it was my elk wallow set up,,,, young guy bought it

I’m using a millennium m150 and three lone wolf sticks with an aider step. This gets me to 17-18ft off the ground. I feel that it takes me a few more minutes over my climber, but getting in the woods five minutes earlier isn’t an issue for me. I like the system, but have been thinking about going to the millennium ultralite to cut a few pounds. It’s hard to beat that 150 for all day sits, though.

Well...my favorite is my Dick Idol Ultralite Windwalker with LW mini sticks :-)

If you can find one of the 10lb lone wolf assaults they're awesome as well. IF you are a noise freak, get a lonewolf. The cast platforms never pop or creak, and they are SOLID.

I have a bunch of hang on stands, both steel and aluminum. My favorite is my Screaming Eagle Stands, both with and with out the brackets. They are a little on the heavier side ( they're steel ) but they are solid and strong. Back when Paul Brunner owned the company he had a picture in his catalog of a VW beetle hanging from one. I also use Ameristep Rapid Rails. They're easy and fast to set up. I can set up my hang on stands using ameristep rapid rails just as fast as using my loggy bayou climber. All depends what trees are available where I want to set up that determines if I use a hang on or climber. I also hunt from ground blinds.

I ran an old Loc-On and Hawk Helium last year and really liked it. I agree with Shawn. Once you start hanging and hunting you won't stop.

Shawn.. What did you say.. Quicker than guys with climbers.. All guys or just ones with disabilities...plz man. Don't make Truth Claims like that..

X2 on Screaming Eagle. Been using the bracket system since it came out. A little on the heavy side but it's solid.

gradymaci,

I happen to be quicker setting up a stand with my hang-on than I am a climber, but then I have a system for my hang-on that I've been using for 15+ years now.

I suppose someone with a system for their climber can be faster than if they are not as experienced with a hang on.

Either way, it doesn't matter that much. We're talking two to five minutes difference either way tops.

The last time I timed myself putting up a hang-on, it took me 8 minutes from the time I walked up to the tree until I was strapped in and ready to hunt.

That requires a lot of practice, but I hunt public land so I have to put up and take down my stand every single day. Over 15 years, you get a lot of practice.

You stated it a little better by grouping everyone to yourself.. Practice makes perfect..

I will (mostly) agree with Shawn in that if you get a good system down with a hang-on, it will make you leave your climber at home.

Hang-ons tend to be quieter going up (and down), are more versatile than climbers, and most importantly, allow you to surround yourself with branches, which is the #1 reason people get busted in climbers - because they stick out like sore thumbs.

I typically hunt no more than 12-14' in my hang-ons, but I very rarely get busted because I always pick trees with lots of branches to break up my outline.

I also feel safer with those branches around me in case I slip, and many times I can use branches like an arm rest, providing a lot more comfort.

Hunting designated trees in areas you scouted I agree, moving around a lot I will pass..I also been doing this a lot 40 years and was a outfitter.. Right tool for the trade my pappy said makes life alot easier.

well here is a trick I have used for years, regardless if I use a climber or a hang on. I never understood, why you would face out, towards the area, you expect the deer to be.

I usually offset my stands coming up from behind on the tree,,,, use as much of the tree for cover as I can,,,,,

either way its all good,,,,,,, I use a climber in a lot of popple in the north.... my stands are resprayed, by me, and are gray and white.......

Gradymaci, you must live where there are a lot of straight trees without many branches.

If I was forced to carry only one stand, there is no question it would be a hang on with sticks or strap-on steps. It is by far the most versatile option. With climbers, you have one option. With hang-ons, you can take advantage of nearly any tree that will support your weight.

I've put hang on stands in everything from 8" saplings to 35", 100' tall pin-oaks and pines and Live oaks that forked at the ground.

Climbers are nice and handy, safe and comfortable and most folks who are overweight should stick to them IMO. But I've been an outfitter since 1979 for the same very demanding client, and I know what works best for him. ;)

I'm with limbwalker. I got sick of hunting trees almost as intensely as I was the deer I was after.

I wish one of you, like Shawn , who is hang on adept would do a couple of short video clips. I fly up a straight with a climber ( used them for forty years ) but I struggle the few times a year I'm forced to use hang ons.Maybe just my lack of practice but I always have trouble getting the stand right where I want without moving my top ladder sections or pegs twice.

well I am 68 and I can hang with no problem. I of course have my tree spider on, so adjustments can be made.

I will say this, and its not conventional, but as a lot of guys go high, I stay low, in many spots. so 2 sticks and sometimes 1 stick is all I need......

I use a lot of split multiple trees, and lots of cover and sit off the trails, and have had good success.

as far as stand adjustment, so much depends on the stand of your choice. One of the reason,, I chose the Millenium M7 besides weight, is it is a drop in system, so I can set the strap just right, before I drop in the stand.....

as with any system, with practice, you will get it done easy...

there are some good u tube videos on this, but most I see, make it more complicated than it needs to be, and they are too noisy,,,,,,

"I will say this, and its not conventional, but as a lot of guys go high, I stay low, in many spots. so 2 sticks and sometimes 1 stick is all I need......"

Same here. The key to hunting low (below 15') is having branches around you and being able to stay close to the trunk of the tree. It's easier to do this with hang-on stands.

Frequently, I will only use one climbing stick, or just two or three strap-on steps to get to my stand height. I've had plenty of deer walk under my when my feet were no more than 8' above their heads.

Hunting low is also much better for instinctive shooters because of the visual distortion you get from an elevated position. The higher you go, the harder it is to shoot instinctively.

I use a Chippewa wedgelock and lw sticks or tree steps. I bought a treesaddle this year and plan to incorporate that into my hunting.

Limbwalker Read my post.. You clearly didn't..

Shawn what climbing sticks do you like the best and why? Now I am not talking about heavy sticks, that do not move, only sticks that are for the mobile hunter

also, have you tried the short sticks, and are they better,,,,,

never used or saw the rapid rails, are they light?

thanks in advance

I use lone wolf mini sticks with a 1 step aider. 4 sticks with rope mod(easily 22'), windwalker stand, aider, rc harness: just over 10lbs.

yeah I have to look at those mini sticks..............

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