Well my son and I have been trying to use a Bear River stand for the last couple of years and have finally gotten tired of dealing with the weight and setup frustration. Its a solid stand but heavy and the strap system is awful, almost impossible for me to set this stand up for him, I just can't manage getting the strap around the tree while at the same time holding onto the stand to keep it in place. I'd like to find a reasonably priced treestand that would allow me to use a bracket to hang the stand with and maybe a little lighter weight stand. The Lone Wolf stands look good but may be a little more money than I have right now? Can anyone suggest a good quality stand with basic features that I can use here in Kansas? Thanks.
Tim
Use a linemans's belt on the tree so that both hands are free to set the stand. Belt stands are very easy to set.
What Britts said, I was stupid for years not using a harness/belt. Once I used a lineman's belt, let hands free made the job alot easier, safer. Loc-on spirit is a good stand and summit copper head is damn good and comfy.
Chippewa wedge-locs are great stands and easy to hang too. A bit pricey, though they are worth it. Built very well and lightweight.
-Hillbilly
you guys ever try a sneaky sak :archer:
Use a harness...Life's too short as it is...I have replaced some of the more aggravating strap systems with ratchet straps from Wal-mart. Ameristep has a replacement strap pack with two straps it for less than ten bucks at Wally World...
David
The linemans belt is definitely a great idea and I'll try it. I am considering the Summit stands, either the Copperhead or the Deer Deck? The Copperhead includes the receiver bracket which would make hanging it a lot easier, the Deer Deck includes two ratchet straps with an improved hanging system.....seems safer for me and my son. Not sure which, anyone have any thoughts on Summit stands? What about API stands?
I'm not familiar with that stand but have you considered attaching a strap with a hook to the tree to just hold the stand while you reach around the tree?
Depending on the stand sometimes a strap-on step will work for a hands-free holder.
If all else fails I would highly recommend a Loc-On Limit or a Chippewa Chief for light weight and simple hanging.
Use the linesman's belt and also look at the HS Treestand Setter at the following link:
http://www.hunterspec.com/updateable/update_display.cfm?pageID=2104&categoryID=15
Bill
Much has been said already.
1. Get and use linemans belt.
2. I made a hook similar to the system Bill showed.
3. Get extra ratchet straps - each stand gets 2.
Doing above, I can set up climbing sticks and stand quickly AND safely.
Steve
and i have that tree stand pulley thingy (what a word)...for my heavy stands. i put my climbing steps up. Then the tree stand pulley straps above where i want to set my stand. It has about 30 feet or so of rope. Attach one end to the stand at bottom of tree..pull it up to the top of pulley..tie off rope at bottom of tree...climb back up and set stand..it is like having an extra set of hands and is cheaper than replacing your stands. :)
I use several stands that use brakets and I always add at leat one strap to lower portion of stand for safety.
Yes, to the lineman's belt. It is one of the best investments I have made!
Also check out Lone Wolf tree stands. They are light weight and already include the hook system so they are a snap to hang. Like hunt it, I also add a strap to the lower portion for added safety when entering/leaving the stand.
Lone Wolf stands (mine is an Alpha) are cast aluminum and are absolutely quiet. They are on the pricey side, but it is money well spent as far as I am concerned.
Great! Thanks to everyone for all the great advice, I know what I need to do now.
Tim
chippewa brackets stands...each of you buy a stand and multiple brackets as needed and you are set for life...
heartshot
the copperhead stand I like better cause like the Loc-on spirit one of the few stands with no cable, so get total use of platform and don't have to worry about getting caught in the cable in and out. The copperhead has a tourniquet strap that goes around the back and keeps it against the tree with the stand bitting in, could replace with a ratchet, but don't see the need. The hunter safety stystem vest is definatly worth the money and comfortable, hell, got done hunting few weeks ago drove home didn't even realize I had it on, of course was trying to figure out how to outsmart those turkeys.