Climbing stand vs climbing sticks

[Kempire]

Sorry if this topic has been addressed already somewhere (I poked around a bit but didn't see it). I'm curious what folks prefer in regard to climbing stands versus climbing sticks and a strap on stand. A little background on my setup and spot, I hunt private land and part of the deal is I leave nothing behind. Currently running a lone wolf climber which has served me well, but I've noticed a lot of people (online, videos, mags, etc.) using light weight sticks and a strap on stand. This got me thinking about which option would be best.

Climber:
+ less parts
+ you can go as high as you like
- if one part falls off, you are having a bad day
- when trees taper at the top, I have found that you can get into some precarious angles with your foot rest (i.e. too much downward lean).

Sticks and stand:
+ potentially safer if one part falls off, there's a chance (assuming you are harnessed in...please be harnessed in) that you could still find your way out of a bad situation on your own
+/- it seems like climbing up and down might be a bit easier with steps, but hanging the stand at the top might be a bit of work.
- limited height (you can only go as high as how many sticks you are carrying).
- more parts

I'm interested in what you all think on the matter and what you are running.

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[Sgt Fury]

Climbers are more versatile if you are taking the stand out with you after every hunt. A stand with sticks is good if you can leave it there for the season (less noise) but if you have to pack it in and out every hunt, you’ll have the added noise and a lot of sweat buildup.

 

[Kempire]

Climbers are more versatile if you are taking the stand out with you after every hunt. A stand with sticks is good if you can leave it there for the season (less noise) but if you have to pack it in and out every hunt, you’ll have the added noise and a lot of sweat buildup.

Makes sense to me

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[tpierce]

I much prefer the climber, unless I can leave stand up for prolonged period. I have a climber that is adjustable at the foot platform and the seat platform. As I climb, I simply turn a couple of handles to adjust the tilt. The foot platform is connected to the seat platform with 2 adjustable straps to prevent accidental separation. It's a Buckshot Equalizer. Best climber I have ever had.

 

[Kempire]

I much prefer the climber, unless I can leave stand up for prolonged period. I have a climber that is adjustable at the foot platform and the seat platform. As I climb, I simply turn a couple of handles to adjust the tilt. The foot platform is connected to the seat platform with 2 adjustable straps to prevent accidental separation. It's a Buckshot Equalizer. Best climber I have ever had.

That sounds awesome. I like my stand, just hate the geometry I'm doing on the ground to adjust for the angle when I start (i.e. tilting way up at the bottom so it flattens out toward the top).

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[tpierce]

It's a great idea. When I adjust the foot part, I just shift weight to seat part and turn the crank. Same for the seat. Completely quiet operation.

 

[tpierce]

Once you're up where you want to be, you cinch the straps to lock the 2 sections tight, and that stand is perfectly stable. Very comfortable, and you can sit facing tree, or with back to tree.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I much prefer the climber, unless I can leave stand up for prolonged period. I have a climber that is adjustable at the foot platform and the seat platform. As I climb, I simply turn a couple of handles to adjust the tilt. The foot platform is connected to the seat platform with 2 adjustable straps to prevent accidental separation. It's a Buckshot Equalizer. Best climber I have ever had.

X2...best climber out there! Never have to worry about the stand not being level when you get to where you want to be on the tree.

 

[Chass]

The way to do it with sticks on public is only take your bottom 1 or 2 sticks. Leave the rest. Then you have a semi perm spot that's hard to mess with or get over hunted. Other than that for truly mobile I'd rather climb. Save a lot of time and alot less work.

 

[Buckkillr]

Assuming your chosing a different tree Everytime gives the element of surprise each hunt, of course work involved getting up and noise but I love a climber

Permanent stand is silent to get in, easy to climb and up in a min or less but can get over hunted quicker, being in same spot Everytime. I prefer at least 2 stands for that reason

 

[OO2]

I run 4 lone wolf sticks and the M60 stand. The M60 is aluminum and is by far the most comfortable stand I have been in. The M60 uses the bracket system and I can mount the climbing sticks perfectly to the stand so they don’t move at all. Also, it has an adjustable seat and platform so you can get on those angled trees.

I prefer the hang-on/ bracket system and lone wolf sticks due to having the ability to go up into split or crooked trees with limbs coming off.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hunter II]

You can climb any tree with sticks that you can climb with a climber. The opposite is not true.

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[switchhitter]

I use a lone wolf sit and climb
When climbing I make sure I attached to the tree. Then I pull the platform up and readjust the band. I stand on the platform and readjust the bans on it. It is quick and easy and I feel perfectly safe doing it since I am attached to the tree


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[switchhitter]

I totally agree you can get into any tree with sticks and I have a setup. But the climber is lighter faster and a whole lot less effort


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[jagermeister]

Climbers are more versatile if you are taking the stand out with you after every hunt. A stand with sticks is good if you can leave it there for the season (less noise) but if you have to pack it in and out every hunt, you’ll have the added noise and a lot of sweat buildup.

I totally agree you can get into any tree with sticks and I have a setup. But the climber is lighter faster and a whole lot less effort


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I'm sorry but I have to disagree guys. The sticks are way more versatile than a climbing stand and can be used just as quickly and efficiently, with the right setup and enough practice. I may not be the quickest out there, but I guarantee I can hang a set of LW sticks and hang-on just as fast or faster than a lot of people with climbers, and break less of a sweat. Don't get me wrong... I love climbers too... But to say that climbers are lighter and faster and more versatile is just plain false IMO.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree guys. The sticks are way more versatile than a climbing stand and can be used just as quickly and efficiently, with the right setup and enough practice. I may not be the quickest out there, but I guarantee I can hang a set of LW sticks and hang-on just as fast or faster than a lot of people with climbers, and break less of a sweat. Don't get me wrong... I love climbers too... But to say that climbers are lighter and faster and more versatile is just plain false IMO.

Glad JB beat me too it. The whole reason I abandoned a climber is because of their lack of versatility. Tall, straight, no branch trees are the only thing you can climb and often, those aren't the right tree to be in. I hang almost exclusively in multi-trunked trees with lots of branches. And like JB and Fluteman, I can hang sticks and a stand nearly as fast as I can climb.

 

[Quantum673]

Both have their place. Hang on and sticks are great because you can get in any tree. Climbers limit you to only certain trees.

 

[Kempire]

I use a lone wolf sit and climb
When climbing I make sure I attached to the tree. Then I pull the platform up and readjust the band. I stand on the platform and readjust the bans on it. It is quick and easy and I feel perfectly safe doing it since I am attached to the tree


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I'm running the same stand and for the life of me can't picture how you are pulling this move off. Are you hanging from your harness and readjusting your straps? Call me a pu$$y, but I'd be scared out of my mind to detach my platform up in a tree.

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[Wildlife]

I use both and it simply depends on the situation and/or location that'll determine which system I'll use.

Each one of them serve their purpose very effectively, however my climber is by far is the most comfortable to sit in.

Both are very lightweight and quiet, especially after the mods that I've done to them.

I've hiked miles with each one them with no issues.

I have no real preference, it just simply depends on which one that will get the job done best for the situation and/or location that I intend to hunt.

I sought out to have those kinds of options in the ready for this season, and so far, I absolutely love it!

 

[Sgt Fury]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree guys. The sticks are way more versatile than a climbing stand and can be used just as quickly and efficiently, with the right setup and enough practice. I may not be the quickest out there, but I guarantee I can hang a set of LW sticks and hang-on just as fast or faster than a lot of people with climbers, and break less of a sweat. Don't get me wrong... I love climbers too... But to say that climbers are lighter and faster and more versatile is just plain false IMO.

You’re a better man then me....my climbing sticks alone weigh more than my climber. I know for me it would take longer and be more work to haul a chain on stand w/ sticks along with my hunting gear to a hunting spot. My climber (buckshot equalizer) is a lot easier for me to put on my back, then hang my backpack on the bow holder on that stand and carry my weapon with me. I can’t imagine carrying 4-5 sticks, a stand, backpack and weapon in and out every night. Plus I’d be sweating my ass off!