Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › Lock on Treestands
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
After reading the post on the hammock seat I thought I would get some ideas and opinions about tree stand selection for traditional bowhunting. This is my first year to hunt with traditional equipment. In the past I’ve always hunted out of climbing or lock on stands that were equipped with shooting rails. These stands tend to be fairly comfortable; however this year I decided to purchase a couple of lock on stands with just a seat in order to be able to shoot my longbow out of a tree. One of the stands is a very nice Lone Wolf Alpha. The problem I am having is that I am very uncomfortable in these stands. I find myself squirming and repositioning more than normal;even with limbs to rest my arms on and such I am still finding it very difficult to set for more than two to three hours. I have even added additional cushioning which has seemed to help some. I am large built man and this may have something to do with it but I was wondering what you all use and what you might suggest. The hammock seat looks great but where I hunt I really need to be elevated. Obviously minimizing movement is imperative.
-
I’ve been using the gorilla silverback magnum stands for the last 10 years or so. I really like them, problem is Gorilla no longer makes stands. Hopefully mine will last as long as I need them.
So I really don’t have any good manufacturer suggestions for you. But I find the largest platform and thickest seat are the determining factors for a comfortable stand.
You are right that rails are a no-go with a traditional bow.
I’ve been using rapid rail steps for many years too. They were a great improvement over screw in steps. I like the rapid rails over other strap on steps. Most secure on tree, and most secure on foot.
Get a comfortable harness too. I bought a 100 dollar harness a few years back, and it made sitting more comfortable compared to the free 5 point harnesses that come with the stands.
All that said, I’ve been using the hammock seat a bunch this year. Had a few foxes come by, but no deer yet while using it. It takes a bit to figure the seat out, but it sure is comfortable.
I finally put a tree stand up this week, and will give that a try, maybe tonight…
-
If I were buying a tree stand, it’d be a Lone Wolf, such as the one you’ve referenced. I’ve used about every tree stand under the sun (figuratively and literally), from the home made brutes my dad made, to tripods, which technically, aren’t tree stands, but you get my point. The ones my dad made were just a platform to stand on, so we’d have to stand the entire time. No chance of falling asleep in those babies!
How about the Lone Wolf Alpha Tech F1? You could still add additional cushioning to it if you desired.
-
Thanks for the replies. Yes the lone wolf I have is nice but I think its number one advantage is weight. I honestly can’t tell a difference in comfort between it and the “Hunter’s View” lock on I have. I have looked at the millennium stands and they do look comfortable I may give those a try next year. I guess I’m just going to have to get use to them. My ole buddy that’s been hunting traditional for years always hunts of a “buck board” or just tree limbs.
-
Sorry but I can’t offer much advice. We place a lot of stands here in the SE and leave them up for the season so I buy whatever the cheapest are. I have about 10 and I think most are from wal mart. As far as climbers, I have a summit bowhunter. It’s very light and quiet and really, pretty comfortable. If you want a climber, that’s my rec.
-
Etter1 wrote: Sorry but I can’t offer much advice. We place a lot of stands here in the SE and leave them up for the season so I buy whatever the cheapest are. I have about 10 and I think most are from wal mart. As far as climbers, I have a summit bowhunter. It’s very light and quiet and really, pretty comfortable. If you want a climber, that’s my rec.
I hear ya. That’s what I’m figuring out! The $80 cheap lock on stands from Wal-Mart are just as comfortable as my Lone wolf. However the lone wolf is a good alternative for a climber if your a mobile hunter. I think after season I’m gonna invest in a couple when they go on sale and hang them in a couple of different spots.
-
Any competent metal worker could probably make a loc on for less than $15 in total. I wish I knew one nearby!!
One piece of equipment that I’ve been real impressed with are the rapid rails. They are three, three-step sections of strap on ladder rail that you use with a loc on. They are fantastic. They work extremely well on crooked trees too. I love them for blackbeard!
-
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.