Ok i already have Lonewolf sticks and have used them for along time but I really don't like them and I think they are not the easiest for youth hunters to use. I also use Lonewolf stands.
What I don't like is hanging each individual stick but I do know that sometimes the individual stick is the way to go so not sure if I want to stay that way or go with a 2 or 3 piece that I clip together then stand up against tree??
Also not fond of the small, pointed steps on the Lonewolf sticks.
Most of my set-ups are only 10'-12' off the ground.
any suggestions on ones to try?
thanks,
ed
deja vu
Rapid Rails
Ladder stands might be your best option. Doubles are great for taking others.
If I were taking youth hunters out I would start with a ladder stand, easy for a youth to get in and out of. I like the rapid rails, the steps are enclosed and its hard for your foot to slide out, if you were going for the stick ladder type set-up I would also look for the kind with the enclosed steps so your feet don't slide off the ends. Do a little searching and you can find some pretty good deals on these types of stand set-ups.
Rodney
I have the old API aluminum sticks 16' tall 4-4' sections. I love them and wish they would build them again. Fast easy setup
I use the gorilla steel sticks. Waht i like about them is the y have rungs on both sides for each step. I originally bought these for my wife as she hated my lonewolf ones as well. Well as luck would have it, i like the gorillas better also and thats all i use now.
the sticks that go from the ground up continuosly are great too. i have a couple of them and for kids i would recommend one that uses straps not rope. im not sure if they make any with rope anymore but i have one and it wobbles alot and can slide around on the tree. my api 16 foot alum stick with straps is rock solid and what i will use for my kids when they are ready to hunt from a stand.
Also for safetly you could also look into a tether system like fall guy or some of the other ones. nice thing about the fall guy one is it is like a seatbelt and retracts as they climb and goes out as they climb down, yet if they fell it would lock like a seatbelt. I have one and plan to use it for my kids when they hunt so thought i would mention it.
I prefer the cheap sticks at the home improvement stores. Safety is the big thing with kids though. If you start them out with a harness and 100% tie off, you will be setting them up for many years of happy hunting. Mine are still using ladder stands, 16 and 14 this year.
There used to be an aluminum ladder called The Centipede that had enough give in it to conform the bends in the tree. I don't think it's made anymore. It was lightweight and the sections nestled together.
I had one of the centipedes, it was garbage. Summit makes a pretty good stick ladder around $100. The best as I said for the money are those gearguide ones. I have two sets of LW ones that are excellent and use them now instad of a climber, I am quicker with them and also do not need a limbless tree to climb. The gearguide ones I use for stands I am leaving up year round and just remove the stiks after hunting season! Shawn