Technique for hanging lone wolf sticks/stands

[Steve Kendrot]

Wondering how folks who love their LW sticks get them set up. I hunt alot of public land so rarely leave my stands in place so I have to hang them every time I hunt. I got a LW alpha hangon and sticks last year and to be honest, its a real pain and a workout to get the thing set up. Trips up and down the tree and a lot of sweat by the time I'm there. The linesman belt/rope that came with the stand is a pain in the butt (though I like the harness itself when used with my summit climber). I found a youtube vdeo of a guy demonstrating his technique for climbing with the sticks, but he says "I can get set up in less than half an hour.." I can get up in my tree in about 5-10 minutes with my climber pretty effortlessly. The LW setup is considerably more noisy and sweaty, and less timely. Anyone have a technique that works well for them? I like the stand once its up, but its a pain getting it there, especially in the dark.

[Zbearclaw]

Not one I would recommend as is not the safest, but you asked.

I set one, then climb it while using my lineman's belt to keep tight to the tree as I stand on the second step, and then set the next and so on.  I set one extra per the advertised height, ie I put one step set the base of the stand, and then one above that to give me a place to get on and off safely in rain and snow.

I carry my stand up as I set the sticks, then set the stand after getting the strap tight.

It isn't easy in the dark, but easier than using a climber and how limited that makes you in tree selection, in my opinion.

[beyondmyken]

I use aluminladders instead of LW sticks but same priniple.  Attach steps while wearing safety harness. I go up and down tree each time. With the last step, I have a rope attached to me and the LW stand.  I attach step, then use a homemade stand holder made from a rope and an S hook.  I pull the stand up, hang in on the S hook, then get the hangon straps ready. My safety harness rope is above the stand.  I then climb into my stand.  I have a second safety rope that I attach above my head, then attach the harness to that.  Then I detach the first safety rope.  I have a homemade grappling hook that I lower down and get my pack, then my bow.  I have previously placed my bow and pack at base of tree so it is easy to hook them.  Sounds cumbersome but works well and fast.  Also, wear minimal clothing while climbing, just your undershirt, until the final ascent, then put on what you need to stay warm.  I have found I can put my heavy jacket on over my safety harness so that I am NEVER unattached to the tree, this is very important for your safety.

[ChetterB]

place steps in a lightweight bag ( I use a laundry bag)use O ring and clip system to attach to Harness. Do as they say above. Drop the bag once you hung the stand and you are Hunting.This way you save the time effort and noise of going up and down the tree. Be safe and happy hunting.

[R. Combs]

It takes me 10-15 minutes to set up my lone wolf, and probably less than that taking it down. I attach the first stick ,then climb up and attach the second stick. when I climb up to put the third stick up, I have the stand on my back and use the linesman rope to attach myself to the tree before attaching the strap with the hook to set the stand on. then i secure the stand with the second strap and climb onto the stand and strap myself in before pulling up my bow. I have one of the bow hoists with the retractable string that is attached to my stand and attach it to my bow before I climb up. ( if I have to do any trimming it takes a little longer.)

Rick

[Steve O]

Lots of good info on this thread:

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=062221;p=5

I prefer the way I posted on page 5.  One trip up the tree.

[Orion]

I do it like they demonstrate on their web site.  Put the first two sticks on from the ground and use the stick's webbing to hang the third over my shoulder.  I tie a parachute cord to the stand and my belt loop.  After tightening the first stick, I climb it, move the second into position and tighten it, climb it and put on the third.  Then I pull up the stand and fasten it. Usually have another rope attached to my pack and bow so I never have to climb down to retrieve stuff.  I do use a safety belt while doing this, of course.  Sort of sit in/hang from the belt, which frees both hands, to hang the steps and the stand.  Usually done in 10 minutes or less.

[wvtradbow]

I can't disagree with you that a climber may be a little easier at times with less sweat.I bought the LW stand an sticks for places I can't get a climber,with practice though,
 you can become pretty efficient, but just by the shear nature of maybe trimming on the way up an manuvering around branches it can be a little more work,with maybe more than one trip up the tree.Always wear that belt when hanging these (or any)  as far as that goes.

[RLA]

I never fell real in love with any of the stands or sticks that use a strap that required holding the stick or stand in place and trying to attach the strap around the tree.  Then I found the Chippewa Wedge-Loc stands and sticks.  You simply put the rigging harness on the tree, pull up your stick or stand with parachute cord and drop it in the rigging harness and move on, DONE! It’s rock solid unlike friction straps that can loosen up a little when under your weight. With the Wedge-Loc the more weight that you apply the tighter the stand or sticks get. I use the Chippewa Quest model 9#, and three of their stik-tite sticks.  I can go up about 18 to 20 feet by spacing the sticks out about 3' and putting the bottom stick about 4' off the ground and by stepping up about one foot from the last stick to get in the stand. I can hang the first stick from the ground but the rest have to be pulled up on a cord. They are really solid and have a larger step on both left and right hand side, so you can pull yourself up with no problem. I will say the Lone Wolf system is likely lighter; my set up weighs 24# all together rigging included. In comparison my climber is 21#. Ten minutes would be on the slow side for set up time and that would be with some tree trimming included. I piggyback the sticks on the stand with two bungee cords like the Lone Wolf guys do. I just feel a lot safer with the Chippewa, so I just deal with a little more weight.

[far rider]

The last climbing sticks I used were 8' sections I had a guy make for me. They were designed to tie onto the tree. I would put 3 sections together on the ground, then stand them up against the tree, either by sliding it up the tree or by putting it up ladder style. Then I would tie the lowest section on, then work my way up tieing the rest on as I climbed.

[Jock Whisky]

I'll attach the first stick from the ground and then climb using a linemans belt with the strap of the second stick on my wrist. I install it next. The third stick is attached to a cord on my linemans belt so I just pull it up and install. I have my haul rope looped around my right arm and use it to haul up my stand after the third stick is in place. Once the stand is in place I install safety ropes and other accessories which I have in a small shoulder pack. Only one trip up the tree to install all sticks, stand, and accessories. Total time is about 20 minutes when all goes well. There is no way I would do this without the linemans belt for the convenience of two free hands let alone the safety factor.

JW

[Steve Kendrot]

I guess I need a better linesman's belt. The prussick loop on the LW belt is very difficult to adjust as you climb or descend so I find myself clamped against the tree at the base and too much slack at the top. I think I'll try the hanging hook. Might make it easier to set the stand. Thanks for the feedback. I guess practice makes perfect.

[RLA]

Sorry if I sounded like a Chippewa commercial, I have no stock in their company I promise !

[Steve O]

Steve,

Have you studied the how-to video on the Lone Wolf website on how to use the safety harness?  They've got some pretty good instruction there.

[bicster]

I put the first two sticks on from the ground. I have an extra stick so I create a loop with the strap and hang the other two from my shoulder while I climb. I do this while I am clipped in with a linemans belt. This way I don't have to return to the ground until I am done hunting. I also climb with the stand on my back using the wolfpack. I got the sticks to keep from making noice by using insulating foam tape simliar to what was posted on page 3 of the link provided by Steve O.

[xtrema312]

I do the two from the ground then climb with one and pull up the stand on a rope with a second rope on the bow tied to the stand, and a third on a pack tied to the bow if needed.  Most times I use the 16' stick ladders if I can leave them out.  Then I just climb with the stand on my back and hang it.  That is what I like to do best.  I only use the sticks for state land one day hunts.  I sold the last ones and got a climber, but will probably get another set again.  I just don't like shooting out of a climber.

[beyondmyken]

Steve. the rope around the tree does not have to be horizontal to the ground.  I start with the rope about head high, as I climb, it is positioned more horizontally.  I don't have to adjust the prussik knot as much this way.