I've been looking, on the internet, at the Muddy Outdoor treestands and climbing sticks. I appreciate all opinions (positive or negative) from folks who have experience using the Muddy Outdoor products.
I also would appreciate an honest opinion/comparison from folks who have both Lone Wolf and Muddy Outdoor treestands and climbing sticks.
Thank you in advance...
I bought a set of the MO climbing sticks this year and used them a couple times. I have also used the LW and rapid rails for comparison. I like the Muddies just fine, they seem a bit heavier than I was anticipating.
A buddy has some rapid rails and I really like them although they are bulky. Nothing to catch stuff on with the RR like the MO and LW with the steps folding out like they do.
Never tried any Muddy products but I use a Lone wolf assault stand with four of the sticks and I really like it. I routinely hang my stand in the dark often in a tree I had not previously picked out and it works great. I can be up the tree and hunting in less than twenty minutes with this setup.
I have both sticks and stand and I like them. I can beset up almost as fast as using a climbing stand and just as quiet maybe if I am careful a little more quiet. The only con to Themis when you carry them both together they are a bit heavy compared to my lone wolf climber, but they both have their place.
Scott
I might add that the muddy stand is very comfortable and is adjustable so it works on those not so straight trees
I have both and like both.Give the edge to muddy stand for comfort and muddy sticks for being able to put both feet on one step.Think my lonewolf is a little lighter and easier to carry.
I have a muddy stand, and it is very nice and comfortable and quiet to set up. I don't have the sticks for I think they like others are little too pricey.
have never hunted muddy stand, but have spent lot of time in a millennium this year, IMO would be hard to beat.
You might also look at the Chippewa Wedge Loc and their climbing sticks, I have them and they are EZ to hang, rock solid and the sticks and stand take the same hangers. Very quiet too ....
I really like my Chippewa Wedge Loc and climbing stick.Very well built and super stable and easy to hang. Bob
I have the Muddy Sticks. They are a little pricey but they are quick, easy and quiet to put up. I really like the short length and the ability to place both feet at one level unlike the Lone Wolf and similar sticks.
I just bought some Muddy sticks this week, but brought them back the next day without even putting them on a tree.
Very well made, and the design is good, but just too bulky for me. And, at 2.5 pounds they are the same weight as Lone Wolf sticks and only just over half as long. In other words I can get up much further with the LW steps for the same weight.
If/when I do get a set of sticks, pretty sure they'll be LW's.
If I was going to just set them and be able to leave them in the woods, they would be a great choice....but for backpacking in and out every time....I plan to just continue to use my woodpecker drill and bolts. Much easier to pack, lighter, and after the first time up drilling, you only have to drop them in the holes....quick and easy!
I have the tree sticks and love them. I have no problem packing them in and out even on long pack-ins. My buddy and I hunt public land and often try to get as far as possible back in the woods. I just strap them on my backpack and don't seem to notice the weight.
As far as speed, they are super quick to put up! I can set my gear down at the base of a tree and be completely set up w bow in hand (and being as quiet as possible) in 10-15 minutes of deliberate work. The lock in cams are extremely reliable and again, very quick.
I wouldn't worry about the weight unless you are extremely sensitive to that sort of thing....
I recently purchased both the Muddy sticks and the Bloodsport tree stand. Hunting public land, I needed something quiet, light and packable. I'm very happy with both. Fast and quiet to setup and take down. They are a little heavier than I wanted, but I don't really notice it.
The one thing I would add would be a quick hang hook and a some way to take the sticks up the tree. Im sure there are many smarter than me that could fabricate something easily.
The Bloodsport is excellent for stability, ease to hang and comfort.
You won't go wrong with them.
BK
I have used the LW sticks and LW alpha and with practice they are fine. Biggest factor to making a hang on and sticks successful is a good carrying system. Adding Molle Shoulder straps and waist belt made carrying it around so much easier. I also add either a rope or webbing extension to the bottom of the sticks to gain a little extra length for almost no additional weight. I don't use extensions on windy days except on the bottom stick due to necessary movement. With my first stick I can get to 7-8ft very easily.
Last year i used 4 muddy sticks with a gorilla scout HX(alum) stand. It was a very light setup but the stand was too small to shoot a trad bow out of IMO. I left 2 sticks and the stand on public land and it got stolen since i wasnt able to make it back to hunt like i wanted the next day. This year i bought another set of stick(that sucked) and found a slightly used lone wolf stand. I really like the stand compared to the gorilla, or the muddy hunter that my buddy has. The seat isnt the greatest on the LW, but i stand 95% of the time anyhow so its a non issue for me.
Dont have a complaint about the muddy sticks, they are very versatile and quiet to setup.
Brian K
Saw where you made a comment about taking the Muddy Sticks up the tree. I hang the two I take up the tree on the belt of my safety harness, one on each side. Slide the step on your belt by the folded in steps. They stay put but are easily removed.
Greg
I use the LW sticks and Alpha treestand set up. Actually sold off my LW climber two years ago to continue using the hang on.
Like mentioned, I hunt public land and need to pack in and out. The LW sticks match up perfectly to the LW hang on stand and make it easy to pack in. It's not too heavy (think around 22.5 lbs). I can get up in a tree in about 15 minutes pacing myself.
LW sticks are light but at the expense of two foot placement per step.
I frequently cross a muddy field and I like the rapid rails for slippery boots. Plus no sharp pointy things like the steps on the LW. LW sticks are a good product and I still use the ones I own but for hanging stands they are not my favorite.
I own both. The Muddy stand is much more comfortable to me. THe LW stand easier to hang with the speed hook. The LW steps are superior to me. They are longer and attach the same as the Muddy sticks. THe two steps are nice but the LW are not a problem after you set the up a couple of times. 15-20 minute set up.
I have the LW Alpha hang-on. I like the looks of the Big Muddy for the same reason I'm attracted to the LW -- the ability to adjust for a bit of tree stem angle. I really like the stand although the seat, while it is mostly quiet, will make a rubbing sound if you pivot on it without lifting the butt.
I have a variety of different climbing sticks and rails. I like the "rapid rails" and have used them for some time. I don't have LW rails but have wondered if I might like them.
I don't pack in stands on days I'm hunting. All my stands are placed well ahead of time on land I control or that my buddy controls. I have a Summit climber that is very comfortable but I have only used it once or twice since I bought it several years ago.
Thanks for this thread -- I've been thinking to buy a Big Muddy and the LW sticks for a couple of seasons.s
I opted for the Leverage steps over the Muddy's because of the length. I have used both the LW and the Leverage now and both have their advantages. the button and webbing on the LW is whisper quiet compared to the Leverage snap hooks, however the snap hooks (sans button) allow for nice neat compact stacking and strapping to a stand, where as the LW with the button are a PIA to stack/strap.
post season I'm gonna see what I can do regarding modifying the snap hook connection.
the big draw for the Leverage is they are $30 cheaper! :) and I got free shipping!
Thank you for all the feedback...
I own Lone Wolf (LW) stand and climbing sticks and my experiences with LW is comparable to what others have said.
Prior to the season starting, I hang numerous fixed stands and use the LW climbing sticks to hang the stand, and to gain access to the stand during the hunting season. I mount the sticks on the tree in the morning darkness and my only complaint with LW sticks, are the noisy metal buckles hitting the aluminum stick tubes.
Hence, my reason for looking at the Muddy Outdoors (MO) stands and particularly the climbing sticks. The rope system looks like a better option in regards to having a quieter climbing system.
Guru,
In regards to climbing higher with three LW 32" sticks verses four MO 20" sticks. In theory, you should be able to climb slightly higher with the four 20" sticks.
I'll explain; the average knee height for men is about 21" and most men can step as high as their knee. Now hang in here, as this might get confusing. For this discussion, let us say you can raise your foot twenty inches.
If you hang the first stick with the first step twenty inches above grade and each stick about 20" apart, the four MO sticks will get to a height of approximately 160" or 13.3' and the LW sticks would get you to a height of approximately 150" or 12.5'
Granted, the difference is marginal...
In regards to silencing the metal climbing sticks, yesterday I read another post about Stealth Outdoors, "Stealth Strips" for silencing climbing sticks, treestands and other metal objects...looks like a great idea.
Shoot Straight ------>
Hey Don, What I meant is that they both weighed #2.5.....the Muddy 20", LW 32".....so for the same weight for 4 sticks each(#10)....you will get higher with the 4 LW sticks.
Guess I should have explained better.....
I have both the Muddy sticks and LW sticks,really like the Muddy because of the steps folding on each side,my only complaint is they don't "nest" as well as LW and takes me a little more time when leaving because they don't fit together in a neat little bunch as well..
I set up new every sit. Exclusive LW sticks and stand for years. My make no noise. . . just use felt on buckles and tape/felt on sticks. Zip tie the buckle end to the button. File the teeth to a round profile so they do not scrape the tree. I also carry the sticks separated on foam blocks that fit on the upright of my stand. Very low profile and dead quiet. Second the good shoulder straps and hip belt. Easy system.
Dan