Portable Tree Stands

[Pinusbanksiana]

Can I get some recommendations on which work well for the price? I think I like the hang on stands best, and would prefer one with a seat and a rail. Thanks in advance.

[pureinsanity]

Climbing stands are in my opinion the best. When I would use a stand I used my climber. I could adjust my stand with the wind for the day.

[pureinsanity]

climbers usually compact together for transport like a hiking pack. easier to move than a strap around a tree stand

[mrklean]

if you are looking for a seat and a rail climbers are probably the way to go, most hang on stands dont have a rail unless you get a ladder stand. Tons of different climbers out there all depends on what you want to spend

[motley man]

I have used a LOC/ON and climbing sticks for years. Built a harness to carry it all and works for me.

[HooknHorns]

Are you talking about the shooting rail or the rails on the side of the seat. Any rails are tough to bowhunt cause if your bow limb bumps it drawing on the big one you'll kick yourself. Otherwise look at weight, platform size, welds and what type of seat. Some have strap seats that aren't so removable at the end of the day. I use a gorilla lounger xl, then take the side rails off. Hate their strap, had to cut a couple to get my stand down. Replace it with a ratchet type. It has a good size platform and you can find them on sale around a hundred. Also have a rivers edge and the welds look really bad. If you have to take it down more than a few times go lighter. Have fun shopping!

[NaturesRespect]

hang ons are more suited for bow hunting since theres no rail to get in the way for a sitting shot or to get in the way when drawing the bow and moving left to right for shos. some hang ons are small and you sit cramped up and some are big and nice. hang ons take time and muscle to put up, you have to screw in the tree steps unless you have climbing sticks plus having to basikly one arm carry the stand up the tree and try to get it set up straight. climbers are more gun hunter stands, they are quick to set up once you know how to do it, alot of newer ones are bigger and comfty and lighter, some are heavy and loud and they all require straight trees with no branches in the way. Id rather get a climber for gun and hang on for bow but they both work just a matter of what you preffer when it comes to setting it up and what trees they can be put in not to mention the design and how you plan to shoot out of it

[Code-Man]

Big Game Boss XT hang on platform runs about 60-70 dollars. Huge platform!

[Pinusbanksiana]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I know nothing of climbers, can you explain these to me? And what types of trees can you climb with them? I envision lots of limbs in the way and having to do some logging. Aspen is probably the most common tree around me, but I would prefer to sit in a balsam or spruce for wind protection. I will be rifle and black powder hunting.

[pureinsanity]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I know nothing of climbers, can you explain these to me? And what types of trees can you climb with them? I envision lots of limbs in the way and having to do some logging. Aspen is probably the most common tree around me, but I would prefer to sit in a balsam or spruce for wind protection. I will be rifle and black powder hunting.

with any deer stand you have to trim some trees. perhaps some shooting lanes too..

watch this.

[Pinusbanksiana]

I think that that climber looks pretty slick. What is a decent brand and what do I need to spend? $150 or so?

[pureinsanity]

I am not sure what I spent on my climber, but just go to one of those big stores and look at a few. climbers take time to get use to them. make sure you tie them together too incase the bottom part falls and you are stuck in a tree and can't get down

[mrklean]

tough to say i got mine on clearance from D icks and was like 140 normally 275. most are $200+ for a decent one all depends on your budget pretty much. Lone wolfs are like $400?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I bought a Summit Viper 3 years ago, and I love it...now. It took me awhile to get used to it, since I am afraid of being more than 2' off the ground.

That video above helps with some of the more frustrating aspects of a climber; getting in and out, and adjusting the pitch once you get in the tree. I took a lot of bumps on the head from the seat while climbing on the base, learned that the softer pine trees are a lot easier to climb than a hard maple or oak, and always keep the 2 pieces attached together with a strap. Even being deathly afraid of heights, I feel very secure going up and down, and while sitting or even standing. It takes about 3 or 4 minutes to get everything set up, or taken down, and you can be in place ready to hunt within 5 minutes. For the hike in and out, everything straps together and you wear it like a backpack.

[pureinsanity]

I remember the first time I got my stand and none of my buddies ever had seen a climber. They were down checking stands and I got a phone call saying something happened to my stand. It fell down and when it fell down it must have bent. (I left my climber on the land I hunt attached the to basin of the tree) They said a tree must have fell over and hit it because there was a tree laying next to it.

I drive down there to go see what happens and my buddy goes see look its at the bottom and its bent up. That was the first time he ever saw a climber in action. I got a chuckle as I thought I had a pile of twisted metal

[Nightcrawler]

very good non-recommended way to adjust stand. I have same ,only newer style. and have had them problems. the new classics have a strap that goes betweem. love the stand as only I can use.

[Pinusbanksiana]

Gander has Summit viper ss for 260 or so. Think I will try one of these and plan on it lasting a long time.

[pureinsanity]

Gander has Summit viper ss for 260 or so. Think I will try one of these and plan on it lasting a long time.

cake care of it and don't leave it laying around or outside all the time and it should last

[chris63]

If you can wait till after the deer season (January)you can save yourself some money.One thing I wanted to mention is a Quality! safety harness.Make sure you wear one when climbing.Even if you hunt with a party there is long spans in between seeing each other.Good luck and safe hunting!!!c63

[Dothedew]

Brought my climbing tree stand 5 years ago. It was a northstar climbing tree stand (they don't make those anymore). I like it because it could fold down and it only weigh 12 pounds. I'm pretty small at 5'3 130 so bringing alot of gear into the woods is hard for me. I have no problem with my climbing tree stand though. I don't own land or know of anybody who does so i hunt in public land. Shot a deer every year with it... I go in and out quietly. if the area has other people in it i simply move on to another area. I usually go deep into the woods where most people won't go.

Summit has some new ones out that are similar to the one i have. their are the switchblade and dagger models.