Do you guys prefer the easy hang hook? Do any of you guys carpet your platforms? Thanks. Bill
No and No
no and no. I use just one strap.
1 strap and hockey tape the whole stand. Deadens sound and keeps the cold from conducting to your feet.
Yes and no.
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
No and No
X2
Man brevity in answers...
I like the hook. I have a dozen in different trees so that I can drop the stand in and hunt. Pull it when I leave. I use 3 points of contact...hook, two straps. I have spent 3 years recovering from a gorilla stands/strap miscue. I no longer leave my stands out. Most of my sets are 12-14 feet only (so three sticks if you are keeping tabs).
I am about ready to take spray paint to all of mine. I think sometimes that light metal catches their eye some.
I prefer using the offset bracket, as it allows you to get in trees with some lean and maintain a level stand. Its my understanding that you can't use both at same time.
An idea if you want the best of both worlds, as I have made one and it works pretty good (although I dont use it much now because I find they hang easy with a proper linesmans' belt and two free hands). Take a short (6-7ft) length of 3/8" rope and tie a prussic onto it with paracord. Wrap rope around tree (rope has loop tied at one end). Thread the tag end of rope through it's own loop, also bringing the paracord prussic through the loop. Cinch down, then slide prussic down tag end to desired height and attach loop end of prussic knot around the versa button. Stand hangs right there, while hanging, and can still use offset bracket. If your having hard time visualizing what I'm saying, just think about how the lifelines work.
I like the hooks. Plus both straps. Even if it is just a mobile set I like the hooks. As far as carpet I have not but I sure can see the desire. I have thought on a few different occasions this year that those lone wolfs are a bit noisy. Also don't care for the fact your boot heal will fit thru the bottom of the stand in certain holes. I could see the use of the hockey tape as mentioned earlier or even carpet like your thinking.
Hah. NO carpet.
I have one Alpha and one Assault set up with the offset bracket for the ultimate in versatility for hunting new spots.
I have one Alpha and one Assault set up for the hook to have my choice of about 10 spots I can go in and get up quick and quiet.
All alone Wolf setup options work well. Big Mike--NEVER buy anything by Gorilla!
Steve O...I learned that lesson at 27 ft/second and enough money to do a stone sheep hunt with all 4 surgeries I had to have. I am a lone wolf guy...
Bro--it is 64ft/sec^2--not to make light.
We will compare notes in Osceola camp on the suckiness of anything Gorilla...anything.
Forgot the squared :) No mention of apes, check.
I use the hook for hanging the stand but I put a strap on one of the versa button deals before it climb in. I think the hook makes hanging the stand easier.
No & no... I like the bite the offset bracket/batwing gives you.
No for both.
I use the wolf hook but do not put anything on the platform. I've never used the offset bracket - the hook has worked perfectly for me.
No and no. One sits a little further from the tree with the bracket vs the hook. I like the extra space. Never had a problem with boot noise on the platform. No need to coat it with anything. I do a little spray paint to camo it even more.
I have about 15 Lone Wolf's and thought the hook was only an aid in hanging until you get the two straps around the tree. I wouldn't trust my life to standing on the platform with the hook only engaged about 1/2" - guess you guys are brave.
Never seen a need for carpet. The only time I've ever had a noise issue is if I have stones or ice in the treads of my boots. I'm careful to kick off any snow or ice, and pick out any stones I may pick up.
I prefer the light grey color, it matches best with the sky, which is the back ground any animal within bow range is usually see the stand against. If an animal picks out that little grey platform, I'm sure they're seeing the 200 pound guy holding a bow standing on it - especially dressed in the predominately dark colors of most camo's now available. The next time you walk up on someone in a treestand, look up at them against the sky background - they look like a big, black blob on the side of the tree - especially in the low light of early or late in the day.
Guys you can use the hook with the batwing bracket. Just put the hook on the tree first and leave it loose enough to get the hook on the stand. Now push down on the stand. Now you can attach one or two of the straps to the Versa buttons. If you put the hook to tight on the tree you will have a gap between the tree and the batwing bracket. I don't dig that. Leave the hook a little loose. Then really cinch down on the other two straps. You get the best of both worlds and it's rock solid.
I love the Alpha II. Just bought two more. I don't use the hook and I use both straps. Frankly, other than commercials on TV I'm totally unfamiliar with the hook or the bracket. I attach the batwing piece on all my stands.
If the tree allows I also put a ratchet strap with hooks around a tree and a front corner of the stand to provide immovable stability.
All my hang-ons are now Lone Wolf or Muddy. I won't buy another hang-on that doesn't have some adjustment for a leaning tree bole.
I'm in the no to both camp. Never tried the hook so I can't compare the two
QuoteOriginally posted by wapiti792:
Steve O...I learned that lesson at 27 ft/second and enough money to do a stone sheep hunt with all 4 surgeries I had to have. I am a lone wolf guy...
I took a 24' fall from a gorilla too. Broke my pelvis in three places and wrecked the connective tissues in my midsection, which still hurt 8 months later.
No to both. But I like the idea of the hook.
I also had a gorilla stand come off the tree a few years ago. Took about a 16' fall. Messed me up a little, but it's a wonder it didn't kill me.
Yes to using the hook. Always meant to, but never tried the bat wing.
No to carpeting the platform.
No on both for me....I do prefer two straps...
Jr.
There is a definite pattern here...
I was fortunate VERY early in my hunting youth to understand how Gorilla did business and will never ever give them a dime of my money and would never trust my life to ANY piece of their equipment.
When I use the hook on my Lone Wolf, I always have a strap or two hooked on as well, I never use just the hook. I never am unhooked from the tree either on my fall arrest; it's not worth the few seconds. I carry extra straps. I promised my wife.
I'm sure I've missed out on deer because I've taken to much time...who cares!
I use the two straps supplied with the stand and then one ratchet strap around the middle of the stand and then around the top of my steps. Everything is very secure with no movement from my stand and top steps.
Ron
I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I see a lot of emotions involving Gorilla stands. I have a ton of these and have never had any issue. What seems to be the problem with them? Obviously, you want to use a good harness with any stand.
Bernie
I also use the hook for hanging the stand and I use the 2nd strap. I don't carpet the Lone Wolf's but I do carpet my climber.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bernie B.:
I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I see a lot of emotions involving Gorilla stands. I have a ton of these and have never had any issue. What seems to be the problem with them? Obviously, you want to use a good harness with any stand.
Bernie
Wondering the same thing Bernie. I have one that's about 5 years old and never had a problem. I never leave it out over night though.
I'm a big fan of LW. I do wish they would figure out a ratcheting system for their straps, I always have just a tiny bit of "play" in mine while set up. Back to original question. I use the hook in the same manner as Jon S. No carpet. I have an old original LW that is dark green from the factory, might be anodized, and it disappears better than any other stand. From prying human eyes if you know what I mean, so now I paint em all like that.
I have been using LW for 17 years- every time I hunt it is a new set-up (portable). After literally 100s of sets (easily 50-100 per year) - I have never had any "play" using just one strap. I wonder if it is the size trees or something else. I know I have the top-offset bracket and of course the platform on the bottom. I wonder if folks realize that the strap on the LW is NOT the thing that makes it tight. In fact- either the hook, a bottom strap, as well as a ratchet would DEFEAT the mechanics that make the thing tight (I have tried those!). Mine really is rock solid when I set it.
The FIRST thing to do is keep the stand folded up. Place the strap on the top- and just snug it. Pull down the stand putting pressure on the TOP bracket WITHOUT touching the bottom teeth. THEN fold the stand down. I then step on the stand ON THE BACK- near the seat post. Put both feet on each side of the post directly on the back teeth of the stand. I actually kind-of bounce on it. This "sets" the "wedge-pressure" of the top bracket and the bottom. That thing is really tight and locked in. I have NEVER had one shift or sloppy.
BTW- that "wedge-pressure" is also how the sticks work. You do not have to overly tighten the straps- just get them on- barely snug them. It is your weight and the "wedge-leverage" that
locks them in.
I even filed all the sharp edges of all the V-brackets on my sticks and stands. You do not need them "biting" in- that just makes noise. It is the "wedge-pressure" action that holds them tight against the tree. I can set my entire set-up with virtually zero noise.
Hope that may help some. . . works for me.
Dan in KS
OG, I had the same issue with a little play....but I learned here that once it's set(make sure your harnessed in)get on the seat with one knee, and with your other foot lift up on the end of the platform and the stand will settle in, push platform back down and it's rock solid!!! Then I just snug up bottom strap.
I also don't like the straps system all that much, but don't like the noise of ratchet straps either. I wish they would use a "cam over" strap like I have on my old Staghorn Hiker. Hook it, pull tight, then cam the strap over and it gets super tight and will not move...and no ratchet noise.....killer system that I cannot believe more manufacturer's use.
That said, I do like my LW hang on....but to me it's still not perfect...for me...
KSdan - good description on how to hang a Lone Wolf. I hang many of them every year, doing it basically the way you do, and they don't budge. It's CRITICAL that you keep the platform folded up against the tree as you snug the top and bottom strap. Then, as you fold the platform down, the stand locks tightly to the tree and is silent and secure. I tighten the bottom strap to the point that it takes some pressure to fold the platform back down. I like the platform at a very slight angle - the end farthest from the tree slightly higher than the other end.
I used the hook for a few years when that is all that they came with. In 2001 I heard of a fellow bowhunter that fell due to the hook. We all assumed he made a mistake setting up the stand. The next year my stand dropped. After being up there for 3 hours I removed my safety belt as I prepared to start lowering my gear down. The extra movement was enough disengage the hook. I did a 20 ft. belly flop. It happened so fast that my hands never got out of my pockets. This fall almost killed me.
I still use a Lonewolf hang-on but only use the hook to hang it while I install the strap to the upper button. I spoke to the original owner and he was aware of the problem with the strap stretching on large trees causing the hook to slightly drop.
I always thought the directions that came with the stand said that the hook was only to work as sort of a "3rd hand" while hanging a stand - you hung it from the hook, positioned the two straps, snugged them down, removed the hook, and folded the platform down - or did I just think that up on my own...
How in the heck would the hook fail if you had another strap around the stand? Bill
I personally use the offset bracket. Connect the top strap and snug it up with the stand folded up vertically. Pull down the assembly vertically to snug the bracket to a bite, then fold down stand and then connect bottom strap &/snug up too... Get harnessed in. Step on stand close to vertical support connection to platform. I then hug the tree with my left foot close to vertical support, I then use my right foot to lift up the platform on the end so the platform frees from the tree and with heavier downward pressure on left foot really sets the stand. Then let platform down flat. If the bottom strap isn't tight enough, I step on sticks again and lift the end of the platform a little to allow a little more snugging of the bottom strap. Don't go too tight, but when the stand goes back flat it will cinch up that lower strap. All good and rock solid... IF YOU EVER HAVE A STRAP SLIP IN THE BUCKLE FOR STAND OR STEPS, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE!!! I test mine and I've had two over several years of use that got slick in a spot and would give a lttle. Time for a new strap.... Mine last a long time. Are they perfect, no, but still my favorite setup!
I use both the hook and the offset bracket with good results. The hook is a easier hang but they both work well for me. Hook on an alpha 2 and offset on a assault. The Alpha 2 is set up for a longer hunt with a Hunt comfort seat.
The Assault is my go to stand. I always use two straps and use the sit and lift with my boot if needed. Hard to beat the assault and sticks for a go anywhere do it all stand. If it fits you.
Kaz- I really don't understand why guys use the second strap. When you put that on- it PREVENTS the stand from locking down (I have tried them-it negates the mechanics). I WANT the stand to shift down when I step on it. This shift down is what locks it in (It is NOT the top strap that holds it tight. The top strap just holds it against the tree). I may not understand, but seriously guys; 17 years, easily over 50 new sits every year in numerous states, many types of trees, 6'4" 220# and I have NEVER had a stand slip or give "play" (except when a strap froze one time and slipped through the cam!)
The only place I could see my application needing an extra strap is in a "really" large tree where the bottom "V" may not wedge into the tree. But I can't shoot out of trees like that anyway. The only other time for a 2nd strap would be a really crooked gnarly tree where the stand had no way to wedge down (I carry such a strap for the unique app).
As stated- the sticks work the same way- just snug the strap and stepping on them wedges down tight. I don't know of anyone who uses a second strap on sticks? No need to.
Hope it helps a bit. . .
Dan in KS
KS Dan - I understand what you're saying. I don't lock the bottom strap so tight that it prohibits the stand from locking in on the batwing or top strap. When I set a stand, it clearly locks in. The second strap is for added insurance & stability of the base.
Thanks. That makes sense too.
I plan to convert my Lonewolf stands over to a rope system similar to the thread on here a few weeks ago doing the mod to climbing sticks. I probably won't go for the top strap but definitely for the bottom.
It's also my understanding that the Muddy Mount bracket used on the vantage stand will fit the Lonewolf stands. Just requires drilling out the screw hole.
I use the "Batwing", hooking the top strap around the tree and back to the top versi-button, position the batwing on the tree so that the stand is verticle side-to-side on the tree, then I pull the stand down, with the platform still in the up position. I then put the bottom strap around the tree, hooked to the bottom versi-button, with the strap just snug, then as I fold the platform down, the bottom "V" on the stand sort of pulls the entire stand down, tightening the straps. As I said above, I some tension on the stand as I pull it down. I can then step onto the stand and make sure it's secure. On odd shaped trees, it sometimes takes a few tries to get everything adjusted correctly. The "lift up the front of the platform and step on the back of the stand" also helps lock it in on some odd trees - especially if they have a hump or twist right where the straps go around the tree. In my opinion, 2 straps are essential to locking the stand securely, and also gives the added confidence should one fail. Without the bottom strap, the platform can move side-to-side easily on smaller trees.
Lone wolfs are now the only stand I use as they are secure and quiet and will hang solidly in a variety of tree shapes and angles.
Agree with KSdan...only ever use top strap myself. Using the bottom strap deters from stand "locking in".
Well I use the bottom strap and still can "cam" it in. It is loose enough for it to lock into the tree but add an extra layer of security. I want 3 points of contact...
Call it paranoia, call it an economics lesson. Call it 4 surgeries and enough money spent to do a stone sheep hunt AND a desert bighorn.
I had a cheap stand dump me in 2010. Ratchet gave way and I took at very hard fall. I only use LW stands now and limit the time they are outdoors. If I hang one for very long they are inspected and treated with care. I replace the straps, worn or not, every 2 years and have gone through and replaced all the cables on my 4 stands that see constant rotation. What is great about LW is that you can buy extra buttons, straps and cables. I have taken all my other stands and turned them into cash at the junkyard. My LW stands are a joy to hunt out of. I know that the hook will allow me to hang the stand without doing something stupid, and the 2 other points of contact keep from being scared to death. My sets are lower now and I am learning to brush in better. I killed a bruiser last year out of one that might have been 12 feet off the ground.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/hand4.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/hand4.jpg.html)
No to both as well. I like the extra space between my butt and the tree that the bracket gives you, especially in colder weather with big coats. And a carpet just accumulates ice and snow. That means noise.
I put the extra strap on AFTER the stand is set as a safety.
My older assault doesn't have a second versa button. My newer, larger stands do. I can see where they might help stabilize the stand if one were to get way out on one corner of it. It would have a tendency to want to slip out at the bottom. The second strap would keep it from doing that. I put it on after the stand is set and snug it up, not tight, for the added piece of mind. Probably not needed.