TREE STANDS?

[lunker651]

I've been hunting out of home made treestands all of my years hunting deer. I just want to know what kind of tree stand you guys know out there that is light and compact. It can be a climber or not, Let me know what the brands and models.

[Guest]

I have a Summit Viper that weighs 20 pounds and is rated for 300 pounds,also a new Lone Wolf Alpha that weighs 17 pounds and is rated for 350.Also have 2 other models that were around 150.00 dollars that weigh approx 16 pounds and are rated for 300,and I feel work just as good.Many models to choose from and the price varies greatly.I still use some alum. regular stands but have been going more to the climbers as I can put them just about anywhere and are much more comfortable to sit a long time in.The others have there place also as once in awhile I cannot find the right tree for a climber.Also,if the money is not a problem,having a nice portable blind comes in handy at times.I have never had a problem with any of my aluminum stands and the fact that they weigh so much less is nice as sometimes carring them a long distance is a little much,but then Im not a young buck either.

[Cooter]

I like Summit's climbers.

[Captain B.R.K]

I've got a Lone Wolf alpha hanging stand amd enjoy how light (12.5 pounds) and portable (comes with back pack straps) the stand is. Another option on this stand is it comes with a E-Z Hang system that you go ahead and atach the stand on and then just tighten up the straps. You'll have to take a look at the HSOforum to see what I'm talking about. That E-Z hook is the slickest piece out there for bowhunters to take advantage of that I've seen made.

ALSO take a look Lone Wolf's or Gorilla's climbing sticks. You'll happily forget those times you sweat to death screwing in the old foot steps real fast !

When you are looking at some of these options, yes it is tough to look at the sticker price. Typically you will spend a little more for a lighter, better constructed stand. But believe me, if you are moving around a bit the weight saved on a stand is well worth it!

[irvingdog]

Make your own decision, but make it an educated one.

Climbers excel either in lodge-pole pine country (Idaho and such) or for hunters who can hunt their own land and have groomed their own trees (sawing limbs at 5:30 a.m. sucks). Otherwise, you can definitely get up into more trees, and more types of trees, more quickly and quietly with a quality set of climbing sticks and a light weight hang on stand. (Anyone who has tried to climb a big old oak can testify to that) Good sticks are Summit Buck Steps (my favorite) or Gorilla and Lone Wolf climbing sticks (hard to tell them apart). Good quality lightweight stands are made by lots of companies such as Summit, Lone Wolf, Ameristep, Gorilla and others. Each have up-sides and down-sides. That you'll have to choose yourself.

[midwesthunter]

For gun hunting, you can't beat the comfort of a ladder stand with the padded seat, gunrest that goes all around you and a footrest. For bowhunting that just won't cut it. Then I like to either use a portable or groundblinds have been working well for me.

[fishinNhuntin]

I have a Summit Viper. Almost need the No-Doze to stay awake.....it's quite comfortable! Quiet to set up and climb as well. I use it two fold as well: both as a climber for branchless based trees and a hang-on stand for trees with lots of branches. For a hang-on you just need to put two parts up seperately into place. Works pretty slick because they don't need to be directly on top of each other exactly to work around branches. I've even put the platform on one tree and the seat/climber in another to work around branches (the trees are close! ) Really, whatever the situation calls for is going to be the best stand. Ladders are nice if you don't have to haul them a mile. Hang on stand are nice if you're only out for a few hours. I've hunted out of a lot of various different types over the years and yes, as you can tell, I'm a little partial to the climbers - particularily the Summits. They just serve as the best all around stand......for me! I've read all the posts thus far and they all have good advice all around. Good luck in your choice! Just weigh the pro's and the con's. Oh, and "Good Hunting" this fall!

[subzero]

I have a ladder stand for rifle hunting and it is comfortable but with the need for changing postions as often as I do bowhunting I still use my homemade stand. But do need to look into the climbing sticks suggested hear thanks

[bigbucks]

I have a set of pretty cheap climbing sticks & they still work great. These have to be connected together, so they only work on a fairly straight tree. On the bigger or more mishapen trees, I still use screw in's. I'm going to try predrilling the holes with a much smaller bit with the cordless drill next time, as a buddy has suggested, that should work well. For hang on stands if you can drive fairly close to them & are hanging them ahead of time, take an extension ladder with, it makes it a lot easier, even for screwing in steps.

I'm going to hang one on Saturday over a little hayfield that's a great little spot, at least for does & fawns.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have 3 different strap on stands..none of them any worse or better than the others. I also have a Summit Viper climber stand.. If the tree is one I can use the climber I feel MUCH safer and much more confortable for longer sits in the Viper than I am in any of the others.

[lunker651]

I'm thinking about a chippewa wedge-loc hang-on treestand. Any of you guys used a chippewa wedge-loc tree stand before. If you've have used one before, let me know what is your ups and downs when using them. They said it's a compact treestand and some are really light too, and they are one of the easiest to hang too. Their smallest is 14X18"(platform) and weight just 8 lbs. But these tree stand are very pricey. Let me know what you think about them, if you have used them before.