Hangin Lock Ons

[Ironhorse]

I have generally used climbers and ladders in the past but plan on putting a couple lock ons up this year. Does anybody have good advice or know of a video that shows how to safely and easily hang them?
Thanks

[snapper]

Guess it depends on how your getting up to the stand. I prefer stick ladders...2 people make the job a little easier...but still isn't the easiest thing to do sometimes.

We put the ladder together as we go up the tree (section by section)...then usally the other person climbs up under the first guy and hands them the lock-on to hang. You could also use a rope to get the stand up to where your hanging it. Some stands are easier because of how they hang ie: API baby grand...screw in T handle and let the stand rest on it until its strapped or chained.

I also prefer to use an extra rachet strap and almost never trust noisy chains.

[Ironhorse]

I've got one Summit ladder and was going to use screw ins for the other. On stand is, I believe, a Loc On brand and the other is a Hunter's View.

[Bownarow]

Your safety harness should have a climbing belt that comes with it. I usually screw in all my steps as I go up and then when I get to an appropriate height I wrap my climbing belt around the tree and pull up the stand by the rope I tied to it and my belt. Then since I have my belt around the tree, I have both hands to position my stand properly.

That's pretty much it. I don't have any of the climbing sticks yet. I like the portability, price, and ease of the screw in steps.

[Randyman]

I use my climber to hang my API Baby Grand. I use screw in steps and just put them in on the way back down.

[HarvDog]

I use my climber to hang my API Baby Grand. I use screw in steps and just put them in on the way back down.

This is a great idea.

In the past, I have put in screw-in steps going up, climb back down, grab the hang-on, climb back up (all with a harness on), and then attach it to the tree. Not the easiest thing to do by yourself (actually with someone watching below) and this way but it works.

[wtnhunt]

I have always used my climbing belt with my safety harness to go up the tree with a stick ladder then pull the stand up with a rope and hang it, then go on and attach my rope around the tree for my climbing fall restraint. Not the easiest thing to do, think using a climber to get just under where you want it would be easier, but have not tried that way YET, probably will be how I hang my stand this year.

[masshunt2144]

Your safety harness should have a climbing belt that comes with it. I usually screw in all my steps as I go up and then when I get to an appropriate height I wrap my climbing belt around the tree and pull up the stand by the rope I tied to it and my belt. Then since I have my belt around the tree, I have both hands to position my stand properly.

That's pretty much it. I don't have any of the climbing sticks yet. I like the portability, price, and ease of the screw in steps.

That's exactly how I do it too...

[Finn]

I use climbing sticks/ladder to put them up.

Just use a rope to pull my Lone Wolf up when I'm at the right height...it's light enough to make it really easy.

I quit using screw in steps...they are too much work for an old man like me.

[AdvantageTimberLou]

All great advice and I also suggest taking a buddy or family member with you as you hang your stands. The extra help is nice and if you get into trouble someone is there to help you out if needed.

Good luck hanging those stands. Time is getting close to do that!

[IowaDeerHunter]

The best way is to have a linemans belt on your safety harness. That way once at teh top of the tree whether using screw in steps or climbing sticks, you can lean back and pull up you treestand with a rope. Use one hand to hold it to the tree and the other to attactch the ratchet strap. From there you can usually let go of the stand and pull the rope tight through the ratchet (pulling the stand tight to the tree) and then ratchet it tight.

[snapper]

I've also used my climber to hang "lock-ons"...however, if I can get my climber up that tree...I usally use my climber there to hunt. I normally hang lock on stands in trees where I can't get my climber into...so it isn't much help hanging the stand either.

Screw in steps are cheaper and lighter to lug around...but for safety reasons...I'd rather use a stick ladder. Steps are easier to slip off of and I've seen them pull out of the tree before as well. They will work...but a ladder is a better and safer option IMO.

[tator]

I usually hang all my loc-ons by myself i use stick ladders and i have found i can usually get it set up almost as quick as i can a climbing stand. and i use an ole man stand. i put the sticks up as i go i have my pull up rope attached to me( i do have my harness on and attached) when i get my sticks up i pull up the stand attach the stand with the chain the rachet the bottom of it to the tree. then i'm done. very simple and it takes less than 5 min.

[Rhino]

I've found a lot of little tricks over the years to make putting hang on style stands up easier. Some have been mentioned here, like using a climbing belt or a climber when that is an option. I always use a climbing belt so I have both hands free. I also have used climbers before too when putting up a hang on stand above the first tree limbs since a climber won't get me up there to hunt. More often than not though climbers won't get me to where I want to put a hang on stand in a tree I've chosen for one. I still use both stick ladders and tree steps depending on the situation and the tree.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that I do with hang on stands that use either chains or ratchet strap style attachments to the tree is this. I attach my pull up rope to the center of the top and back of the stand. That's usually right behind the center of the seat. I'll tie a loop in the rope about 8" to 10" from where it's tied off to the stand. When I get up and situated in the tree at the height and situated on the side where I want to hang the stand I'll put a srew in step about 8" to 10" above where I want the stand to hang, taking into account any additional downward movement that stand will make once tightly attached to the tree with my weight on it. I"ll then pull the stand up and hang it there with the loop I've tied in my pull up rope.

Now instead of having to use one hand to hold the stand in place while I'm trying to get the chain or ratchet strap around the tree while busting a gut to keep the stand positioned where I want it, I have both hands free to get it set up and attached to the tree where I want it. Once the chain or ratchet strap is on and still a little bit loose, I'll lift the stand up just enough to get the loop off the screw in step. The stand will still hang there where you want it now since it's attached to the tree. Now it's just a matter of tightening the stand up and un-screwing the step you used to hang the stand in place.

I know this isn't necessary for hang on stands that use T bolts, chain blocks or other means of attaching to the tree when you don't have to support the weight of the stand at the same time. It sure makes it a lot easier for any style stand where your do have to support the weight of the stand while you attach it to the tree, especially if you're in the over 40 age group like me.

[johnf]

It depends on the situation. I use climbing stick all the time, those screw in things scare me to death and we can't use them on the lease I was on anyway.

If there is an open shot I put up the stick first and make sure it's secure then climb to the top and hang my stand using 2 straps and the chain as a backup.

If it's really brushy I go up in my climber, set my safty line first, pull up my hang on and secure it then the work my way from the top down with my climbing stick. This way you can get the stick exactly where you want it and don't have an awkward step to the stand.