How about those ladder stands for bowhunting

[tacklejunkie]

My youngest son wants to bowhunt this fall. My brother in law who bow hunts likes those ladder type stands.

What do you bow hunters think of them? He will be hunting on our land only and I don't hunt so he will have the land to himself. A co worker has one for sale for cheap

[mainbutter]

Ladder stands are great, and you don't need a "perfect" tree for them like you do with climbing stands. For private land, there are few options that are as nice as having a couple ladder stands at some prime locations.

I only have a climbing stand, but I wish I had at least one ladder stand to put up in the spots I like, and I wish I had one to put up in a spot where there is no tree suitable for my climber.

[leech~~]

Our whole party of Bow and rifle hunters switched over to ladder stands. They are very sturdy to get in and out of. Make sure you get the kind with the little side arm rests.

They help let you know you are falling as sleep!

[tacklejunkie]

Our whole party of Bow and rifle hunters switched over to ladder stands. They are very sturdy to get in and out of. Make sure you get the kind with the little side arm rests.

They help let you know you are falling as sleep!

Will the side arm rests affect his shooting? And can he sit and shoot a bow or does he have to stand?

[leech~~]

Will the side arm rests affect his shooting? And can he sit and shoot a bow or does he have to stand?

Not at all they just come up on the sides of your hips really. I didn't have any on my stands for a few years and kept feeling like I my fell off side ways on those warm days when you start doing the head bob!

I found that Manards sold some add on side rests for the stands they sold so I bolted some on. There also kind of nice to steady your self when you do stand up and sit down. They were like $15 a set or so.

The other thing I did on my stands was to picked up a 1/4" treated plywood handle panel at Manards and bolted it to the foot rest platform with some small SS bolts. This increase the standing area a bit because I do like to stand and shot.

[Swiftswamper]

I am a ladder stand fan. We have 4 or 5 and also a two person ladder. Very easy to climb into and also very safe

[mainbutter]

I forgot to mention the obligatory:

USE A SAFETY HARNESS!

Falling out of tree stands is a very real killer, your kid deserves to be safe while having fun

[hugonian1]

Only ladder stands for me.

It is worth the few extra bucks to get the double wide/buddy stands with the fold down rail.

That extra room is nice.

They go on sale quite often.

I don't think I have paid more than $120.00 for any of mine.

[Lunker]

I use them for rifle hunting. I think they stick out too much for bow hunting, I use hangons and ladder sticks. Ladder stands are the safest option you have.

[leech~~]

I use them for rifle hunting. I think they stick out too much for bow hunting, I use hangons and ladder sticks. Ladder stands are the safest option you have.

Last year during Bow season I had a Doe literally walk right next to the steps of my ladder stand. They don't seem to spook from them from what I have seen.

[fsnrod]

Like any stand or blind put it up a month before you use it so they get use to it.

[rkhinrichs]

you can use zip-ties and zip-tie branches on the stand as well to break up the stand outline. just make sure it is not going to affect your draw!

[SmellEsox]

The older I get the more they appeal to me. That said, I don't own one. I think they would be great for kids for sure. What I don't like about them is you are stuck hunting that spot. I like to have flexibility so I use a hang on that I put up and take down every hunt. If you get busted in that ladder stand, I think that effects the future success of that stand.

[eyeguy 54]

we put ladder stands up last year in 4 spots that had the hangons and a couple others also. bought cheap ones for around 60 on sale. Safer for sure. might pop a few more up this summer.

[trumy]

Try and find with a bigger platform for your feet extra room nice if u have to stand to shoot very comfy to sit in I have both single and double fairly easy to put up and take down allowing u to move if need be have set mine in morning hunted them in the afternoon and had deer come in same day ground blinds are good in some cases and work well also but as stated earlier if in ladder stand always have on harness and be safe and enjoy yourself

[leech~~]

As far as taking time to put up and move. Once you have done them enough they go up and down pretty fast. Slide 3-4 pieces together lean against the tree throw on the tree-ladder support and two straps and your done. I can put mine up in about 5 mins.

[harvey lee]

I use a climber mostly and probably about 90% of the time. I have hang on's but they are alot of work unless I use a ladder with them.

I like the ladder stand esp the ones with a shooting rail for my rifle hunting.

I do use the ladder stands once in awhile if I cannot find a tree in the spot I want to set up. Only issue with the ladder stands to me is if I want to get up 16 plus feet, with a ladder stand, it is a bit of work putting the sections together but they are comfy.

[FishBanker]

I am 24 years old and an avid bow hunter. I hunt strictly out of ladder stands when at all possible. My main reason for doing so is set up is much safer. When I was 19, I was the guy that hunted out of hang on stands and put them 20 to 25 feet up in the tree. Until one day setting up a hang on, the branch I was leaning on decided to break. I fell 17 feet to the ground and dislocated my non-shooting shoulder thankfully. From that time on, I have only used ladder stands.

The only ladder stands I use have a flip-up seat for when you are standing up and taking shots. These stands are great for bowhunting, as when you flip the seat up, your back can hug the back of the tree, which reduces your outline to any on-looking deer. In addition, once you are standing and the seat is flipped up, your platform doubles in size.

I have bougth them at Menards and Dick's Sporting goods, never paying more than $100 per stand.

Great choice for a new bow hunter, especially if they are a risk taker like I was. All it takes is one fall to mess up your life, luckily mine wasn't as severe as others that I know of who had to get back surgery.

FishBanker

Put some blood in the woods!

[tacklejunkie]

Thanks to all who replied. This will be strictly a bow stand as he uses my old enclosed stand for rifle I used when I used to hunt. The one I was looking at is used but in good condition for 70 bucks. I'm thinking of having him use this as a practice stand but buying him another for hunting. Any brand recommendations?

[Swiftswamper]

I have also bought multiple stands from menards. They're cheap but very functional. My favorite thing about a ladder is how fast and quiet I can get up.

[Rippinlip]

also nice when taking new or younger hunters with, 2 of you can sit in a stand and enjoy time together.

[92python]

I am in the minority here but I don't like most ladder stands for the following reasons.

1- Noisy when climbing up the ladder when the 2 laddr sections shift where they go together when you step from one section to another.

2- Noisy if you happen to hit them with anything hard. They are hollow steel which is loud.

3- They are a certain height and can't be adjusted up or down a couple feet.

4- Need 2 people to set them up or move around safely.

5- If you want to face a different direction you need another person to help you shift the stand on the tree.

I prefer a climber first, then a hang on followed by a tripod, and finally a ladder stand.

[MUSKY18]

I have had a little button buck come to the steps on my ladder stand and actually lick the steps. I have some pictures of it around here somewhere......

[Scoot]

I am in the minority here but I don't like most ladder stands for the following reasons.

1- Noisy when climbing up the ladder when the 2 laddr sections shift where they go together when you step from one section to another.

2- Noisy if you happen to hit them with anything hard. They are hollow steel which is loud.

3- They are a certain height and can't be adjusted up or down a couple feet.

4- Need 2 people to set them up or move around safely.

5- If you want to face a different direction you need another person to help you shift the stand on the tree.

92python, it sounds like you've got something that works for you, but personally I love ladder stands. With every passing year I like them more and more. I think your concerns can be dealt with pretty easily- see comments below.

1. Tape and spray foam go a loooong way in addressing noise concerns related to climbing.

2. Tape and pipe insulation work great around the place where you sit.

3. Add another ladder section- viola!, you're up higher (or don't and you're lower). It's not as adjustable as a climber or hang on, but you're not stuck with the fixed height of the ladder sections as they are sent to you.

4. I've hung dozens of ladder stands by myself. Many of them have been two person ladder stands, which are much clumsier than a single. Singles are pretty dang easy IMO.

5. Same as #4- I've done this myself many, many times.

It sure is nice to walk out to a stand and have it there and all ready to go. Then, it's also nice to easily climb up the steps of a ladder stand. Easy, safe, and like was mentioned above- great for kids to join you.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I love ladder stands for shorter (2-3 hour) hunts. Once they are set up you can sneak in and out with little to no noise, and very quickly. They are very solid, whereas with a climber sometimes you'll get a little slippage. I have cheap Sportsmans Guide stands, and they are nowhere near as comfortable as my Summit climber. Others may be better. I can't imagine putting a two man up by myself, but I'm sure it can be done with a little practice. Maybe Scoot is just super strong! I bought a 3 pack of bow hangers online, and I leave one at each of my ladder stands along with a haul rope.