Not wanting to hijack a previous thread, I wanted to ask a question or two about tree stands.
I've been thinking about getting a climber for moose hunting in northwest Ontario. This fall I had four bulls come in at the same time at dusk and because of the terrain and my being on the ground, I couldn't see any of them until one walked by well after dark, when I couldn't see well enough to shoot him.
My question is will a climber work safely in those tall, skinny black spruce trees? They average 6 to 8 inches diameter at 10 feet or so height. I was thinking of a Lone Wolf.
My partner thinks I should get a hang on, but I'm not sure I'd like that option.
The stand has to be a real feather weight because of the terrain we negotiate up there.
Dave.

I have a lonewolf climber and although I think it is the best climber out there I don't think you could call it a feather weight. I think you would be a lot better off with a small strap on stand and a few sticks. It's lighter and you can get in any tree. I have a Chippewa Ghost that does well in small trees. I'm sure there are others. Good luck.

Lone wolf assualt and sticks, you can get in any tree you want, crooked, leaning ect.

stand and sticks weigh about 17 pounds or so.

I would get a lightweight hang on and 5 screw in steps. That will get you up 10 ft. I'm not sure what's available as I have a couple of Loc Ons that aren't made anymore, but the one is only 5 3/4# and the other is 8 or 9#. Much handier than a bulky climber and climbing sticks.

My Summit open shot will not work on those trees at 10 feet.  The biggest problem with climbers is getting in and out quiet and finding the right tree.  8 - 20 inches is the sizes for the open shot and if your starting at 8 good luck trying to get up any distance in the tree.

I personally always advocate the hang-on option as I believe its more versatile, and if you get the right equipment it can be much lighter.

Over the last year or so I did a lot of digging and came up with the following; and after patiently waiting was able to purchase these items used.

Sticks:  Lone Wolf Mini Sticks (believe they are no longer produced by lone wolf, but can be found used).  With three sticks and a two-loop stirrup on bottom stick I can get top of third stick to 15 feet which matches elevation of hang-on platform.  Each stick weighs 1.5lbs (4.5 total)

Stand:  Lone wolf's original hang on was a sand cast aluminum platform that had greenish color. It weighs about 9lbs and has same platform size as new alphas (2lbs lighter than current assault with bigger platform)

A newer model, then one above, yet still out of production has the same appearance as todays yet only weighs 8 lbs and once again has platform size closer to current alpha.

Bought both of those used, so all totaled up I'm in the 13 lb range for 15ft height.  Which is plenty if you get in a thick tree with plenty of cover.

recurvehunt is on it.  I now have a little larger stand than in the pic- but the set-up is still the same.  Foam blocks keep everything sturdy, low profile, and dead quiet.  One of my KEY cardinal rules:  NO METAL tinking sounds in the woods.  Metal means man!!  I never make any noise with the LW set-up. EVERY whitetail hunt for me is a first time on stand.  Portable. 1 time up. 10 minutes set-up.  This system is so simple, light, and versatile.  The only next step lighter is the tree saddle- but even that gets within just 2# of this with the number of tree steps you need as a platform.

Look up X-stands.  11 pounds.  Very clever design.

My brother just bought the Chippewa Super Ghost. I think it's 6-7lbs but the platform is small. But it is super easy to hang and very stable once it's hung....I'm very impressed by the way this stand sets up. Screw in steps would keep it super light although they require more effort.

Another vote for lone wolf stand and sticks, a good safety harness and lineman's belt and you can hunt almost any tree and very fast up and down.
The system just plain works great and is very light weight and quiet.

I use a Lone Wolf assault and Lone Wolf sticks.  Two sticks would get you to 8 feet, which may be plenty for your moose-hunting purposes.

You'll be making lots of noise breaking off all those spruce limbs trying to get to hunting height. Spruce trees are great to hide in when you have time to prep the tree beforehand, but I don't think they'll work in stealth mode no matter what stand your using.

Whatever hang on you get use the rapid rails, easiest things in the market to use. Good luck and send us some moose pics.

Tree sling, or stand of that sort, you can wear them, and screw in steps, preferably the larger size. Light weight and very quiet. carry a folding saw also. Great for" run and gun hunting " , and calling, make sure you practice out of the sling, it takes some getting use too.

I have an old Lo-On Light @ 7#, two lone wolf sticks and my pack and Safari tough quiver, all weigh less than most stands. I spot and stalk from the ground and can easily do it with this gear on my back, if I find a good ambush spot with plenty of sign, I can easily get up a tree to about 10-12 feet.

QuoteOriginally posted by Cootling:
I use a Lone Wolf assault and Lone Wolf sticks.  Two sticks would get you to 8 feet, which may be plenty for your moose-hunting purposes.

Is that with the short sticks or the long ones?

I've used the following:

- Loc on  Limit stand  - 7.5- 8 lbs
- Treehopper bolts and dril bit
- Lone wolf stands
- Lone wolf sticks
- Bison Gear tree stand pack

I sold the Loc on, because while light, it wasn't comfortable, for me, to sit on.

I also sold the pack, because, while it's a "slick" deal, I now just use the straps on the stands and attach my day pack to it.

Now I do the following... for long walks where I'll leave the stand, I use the Treehopper bolts and the stand. I drill the tree and leave the top bolts and take the bottom ones with me. If I plan to go up one time and not return to the tree I use the sticks so that I don't have to drill.

Good Luck!

Lone wolf assault or when I really want to go light I use an old Loggy Bayou Light.

I use a tree saddle and three modified hawk helium sticks (cut to 24 inches, two steps and rope attachment, I also have a 24 inch web stirrup on each)... I get 18-20 foot with this set up and total weight is under 9 pounds for my entire set up (sticks weigh about 1.5 pounds a piece).  I have preset ratchet, if not add in another 2 pounds for 3 stepp ladder steps as a platform.  I also ditched the original saddle straps for nylon runners and make adjustments with a simple figure eight knot.

Thanks for the advice guys. There's a lot of good info to mull over before I buy a set up.
Dave.