Climber stand plan

[surewood]

Decided I'm gonna buy a guide gear extreme deluxe climber. After buying hang-ons, and ladder stands and hauling them in the woods I figured I'd try to use a cheap climber as a permanent stand. Cable lock it to the tree and leave it during the season. If I like how it works I'll buy a couple more. Hoping it works. Thinking of the advantages of them. Easy to pack in, set up, climb to any height, save storage space, easy to move. Sometimes 15' to 18' just isn't high enough. My only worry of that brand is the straps. Might have to modify some that can better handle the elements. Sure seems like the way to go for me.

[mudslinger64]

replace the straps with molle II straps and waist belt.check the online auction place and do a search its so much better for packing the stand in.i love climbers there is so much you can do to them and just makes you so mobile,go anywhere and set right up without the hassle of the hang ons.i never leave mine out incase i decide i want to try a different spot.

[nofishfisherman]

I bought a cheap climber this season and it worked well despite the weight. The straps aren't real good so I'll probably invest in some sort of replacement but it worked alright as is.

I never left mine over night. I considered locking it to the tree but locking it in doesn't prevent someone from damaging it or from removing pins or bolts just to mess with you. Probably unlikely but I don't want to deal with it. Maybe if its private land I'd consider it.

If you do lock it to the tree I'd make sure to take the seat with you if possible. That way nobody decides to cut the seat up to screw with you, and it also keeps it clean and dry. The stand I have the seat and back just have 1 quick buckle that releases it so its easy to remove and replace.

The other thing I found with the stand is that its loud when setting it up. If you end up moving it from place to place leave the base and seat sections fully assembled. I'm not sure on your exact stand but on many stands you can interlock the base and seat sections even when assempled. What I do is I lean the base section up against a tree with the end that attaches to the tree on the top facing me. Then the seat section can be dropped down into the base section behind the strap that goes around the tree. Not sure if I explained that well but if you play around with it you'll figure it out. Once they are interlocked they are much easier to carry and take up less room.

Carrying it this way eliminates the clanking of metal during set up and its actually easier and quieter to carry into the woods. Just use a few small ties to make sure both sections are totally snugged together.

[Pooh]

Get the right climber and you will be better off setting up trees and only using one stand. I second the MOLLE straps. After adding them to my gorilla I find no problem in walking 1/2 to 3/4 mile with it on my back. I dont have the waist belt, but may be a nice addition.

My set up isnt light, and I have never weighted it but the stand is all of 20 lbs add the pack and im problably looking at 30lbs. The extra cloths, cause wearing them all is just gonna make u sweat, bow hanger, grunt, rattle bag, binos, knife, face paint, wet wipes, gloves and god only knows what else. Then and my bow on top of all that.

just my thoughts

[mudslinger64]

I also have the Kentucky bow hunters package from third hand archery.with the bow holder you are able to take your bow up with you while you climb.no more need for a rope to pull stuff up after you get set up.

[TRZ II]

I hunt a deep spot way back in the bush and the climber is the only way to go. I have left mine back there for 4 yrs now and it works great but I have the cable straps. The only drawback is that it is LOUD climbing up the tree when it is quiet in the morning but I can easily sit in it all day!

[surewood]

I have a summit viper which I use for mobility. I actually spend probably 90% of my time hunting from it. That's why I want to try some cheap climbers. As a bowhunter I like to get high. Over the years I've found the 20ft height and sometimes a bit higher to be about perfect. Not much fun dragging out and setting up a 20ft ladder stand. I hunt mostly public land. Pretty deep in the woods. Not to worried about theft/vandalism. It happens if it's a hangon, ladder, or climber.

[Quackaddict9]

I don't know if this is still the case but was it or still illegal to leave decoys, stands, etc overnight on public land? I should probably look up the regulations but I don't need to til fall of 2012.

Not accusing anyone here. Just a question...

[harvey lee]

One thing to think of if you leave your climber in the tree all fall, I have 2 stands with chewed up seats. Seems the squirrels love to chew on the material.

[surewood]

Harvey I'm hoping it's not a pain to take the seat in and out with me. Sure hope I'm not wrong, but last time I checked it was'nt illegal to hang portables all season on the state and county land I hunt,

[harvey lee]

I hunt all private land so I do not have to worry about that.

On my Lone Wolf climber, I unstrap or unbuckle the straps and take it with me very easily. I learned my lesson by leaving it in the woods one winter and the squirrels almost destroyed it. We also leave a few lock on stands in the wood or I should say we use to but the seats on those had to be repaired as the squirrels about tore them apart.

Got lazy one fall and that was the end of a few seats. Not doing that any longer.