What is the best climbing tree stand to use? Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.
What is the best climbing tree stand to use? Any advice on the topic would be greatly appreciated.
the best anything is a loaded question IMO
that said, there are features on every climbing stand you have to look at, and then try and pick the one that fit s your needs best
I have owned a few over the yrs and tried a few guys at camps too
my last climber I have is a Lone wolf sit and climb stand
I personally found the factory seat, sucked, I replaced it with a seat from a summit, a MUCH softer seat for all day sits
a simple mod, but an extra costs
the lone wolf seat is lighter, to they can claim a ligher tree stand
next I had the standard climber /seat I found that in COLD weather when I am bundled up, it was a TIGHT in the stand , and why I gather they came out with the WIDE climber option they now have
I have had a few summits, both open and closed climber
I liked the stands, but I fould the Lone wolf to be better to fit more tree's and easier to pack and, after adding soem more foam padding to a few spots, and adding some camo paint to take away the solid Gray finish!
the lone wolf was to me a better stand overall
the Loggy bayou's climber I had was also like the sumit's
nice stands
better seat again than the lone wolf too
and had a shooting like rail on the climber top, great for rifle hunting, but some what in the way on bow hunts, but again came in handy when I switched to an X bow
once this stand was up a tree, I could sit all day and not feel like I sat up a tree all day!
but stand didn't pack as well as either to me!
all the above stand, I added better back pack straps, as all the factry straps SUCKED IMO!
so when picking ouyt a stand, I suggest you look at what they offer and pick the best options you like
a GREAT place to buy a stand if you ask me, is at the Harrisburg Sportsman show, here in harrisburg PA, every Feb
almost every tree stand company on the market is there , and you can try out the stands there before you buy
and when I say every stand maker, I mean even the small no one has heard of companys, trying to make it big
and they all have stands on sale at show prices, and last day of the show they sell demo's CHEAP
won't help you if you need a stand NOW< but something to think about!
last, weight of the stand, I have carried a lot on my back
a 19 lb stand, and a 26 lb stand, all get heavy after a mile or so, and its IMO splitting hairs at that point!
any stand in the 15-25 lb range is NOT a huge deal unless you carry a stand every day and walk for miles
yes every oz helps to be lighter, but ist NOT a huge deal maker or breaker to be honest!
weight of stands is like HP wars of truck makers
more hype than needs be!
I had a summit and liked it a lot but I outgrew it and traded it in for a hub blind. But my dad has a Tree Walker climber he bought at the deer & turkey expo a few years back and I, we, absolutely love it. VERY comfortable, lightweight, very easy to set up and take down, and now they have all kinds of attachments. Would recommend one to anyone.
I live life at full draw....
Thank you both so much for all of the information! It's very helpful! Also, I am a girl, if that matters. I know you mentioned the weight of the stand, which I hadn't even really considered yet. Do you think a climber will be something I can use successfully?
On a side note: I just shot my first deer with a compound bow this evening. Found her at less than 100 yards and it was a double lung shot. It was very exciting!
The weight of the stand is a huge factor when buying a climber. Whether you are walking 100 yards or a couple miles to your tree this will play a big roll. I really like using climbers due to the fact that you can set up in a variety of places. The only downfall I would say with them is you need a fairly straight tree with no lower branches as with a hang on stand and ladder sticks you can climb crooked trees and what not. But to answer your question yes I think you could be very successful using a climber, just make sure you try it out before you go out hunting with it. And as far as your bow kill, congrats and let's see the pics!
I live life at full draw....
I have a cheap (~$200) stand from Dicks (Field and Stream Viper? Climbing Stand)... I got what I paid for. It's noisy, I struggle to find a comfortable position in it, it's loud... but I've shot 7 deer from it in the last 3 years. If you have the money to spare, go get a nice stand! I also think it's a great idea to go to a show where you can try it out first... I wish I had known more about what I was getting into when I bought my first stand... I would have done things differently.
Although my boys sure like playing on it!
60# Bowtech Destroyer 340
Team Gutpile '12-13
I have a tree walker... love it. Lightweight... sturdy...easy to climb... Mesh seat that is very comfortable...
Thank you, everyone for all of the advice. I'm still learning, so it's all much appreciated.
Genesis, your little boys are adorable! It won't be long and they will be hunting along with you I am sure. Well, I did end up getting a cheap Summit stand. It's the Viper SD Infinity. I filled it with Great Stuff foam filler and then wrapped it in soft cloth with the camo tape, so I am hoping it will won't be too bad. I will find out this evening.
The picture is of my daughter. This was her first time tracking a deer. Thankfully, the lighted nock worked perfectly because it had just stormed before I started tracking. It hadn't gone very far at all though.
Also, about 15-20 mins. before these four does came through, a very nice buck came into the woods from my left side. He was only about 5 yards right beside my stand, so I had no time to react as he was so close. He was at a fast walk though and went right in front of me and walked away stopping at 32 yards behind three small trees. It wasn't long though and he was walking off just as quickly as he had come in.
I was in shock because I've never had a big buck that close to me while hunting and also because I was never expecting to even see one. Even now, I still can't believe it. I think a more experienced hunter would be picking out a place for him on their wall. Should I have tried to stop him? How?
I realize now, he was coming into the woods down wind and making his way through to scent check the does that bed on the other side of the woods. At least that's what I think. Luckily though, he came into the woods right in front of me, so he didn't wind me. In fact, he didn't even notice me at all. He wasn't even looking around and seemed to have his mind on one thing only. Are the bucks right now still on a pattern?
well congrats again on the kill, the story and the enw stand
best of luck to you with it
Only think I might add is, lots of the camo tape they sell in stores is very shinny on a sunny day
and its why I always prefer the camo cloth tape, costs more but no real shine to it, also doesn't squeak when wet! a nice lus
But Summit makes a fine stand, just go slow and learn how it works
and wear a safety harness both climbng and once set up
MY worst fall came climbing down the tree witha climber once yrs ago
the base slipped off its bite about 8 ft from the ground, and slid fast straight down, and then stopped at about 3 ft from the ground
and I had then straps that held your feet in tights, well, the sudden stop was too much for me knee's and ankles and tipped me over the side of the stand
lets not forget when the platform drops out, your head goes face first right ibnto the tree! LOL
didn't break anything, got lucky!
but sure taught me to make suer every move is solid before going up or down a tree with a climber!
and that was on a very smooth bark'd tree
I now don't climb them types of tree at all !
But that was again yrs ago on a climber when ther were made out of angle iron, and didn't conform to tree so well LOL
be safe and best of luck getting that big buck!
Lone Wolf, hands down.
"...the deepest, most permanent features of all great moments outside are the names, faces, descriptions, and emotions. The antlers on the wall...well, they're just bones affixed to boards. But what they represent, however, is flesh and blood - fathers and sons, friends spending time with friends and the the seasons of life when the people we love were still with us. These old antlers on the wall...well, take a seat, my friend, and I'll tell you all about them." -Rev. Zeke Pipher
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