Tree stand topic

[DoubleJ]

What are the features to look for in a tree stand?  I see quite a few on Craigslist for cheap but don't know what I'm looking for.  I'm pretty sure I want a peg style one so I can mount it 20' in a tree and pull all of the steps out that lead to it.  What else am I looking for in a good tree stand?

[BlackRidge]

Theres always the self-climbing type. Have never checked one out, but I kinda like the whole idea of cutting the steps out of the picture and pack-in

[THE DUDE]

I agree. heavily populated areas have a funny way of making stands vanish.  Think about  a climber.......I own a Summit Viper SS but they have newer ones.  check out Summit.  I think you'll like it

[Skyvalhunter]

Summit backpacker here good if you are into getting away from the road.

[DoubleJ]

Can you guys explain this self climber thing?  having trouble picturing it

[Skyvalhunter]

It has a top piece and a bottom piece. Your feet slip into stirups or bungie cords. You move the top section up the tree and sit on the edge then with your legs pull the lower section up. Does this help?

[THE DUDE]

Sit and Stand Sit and Stand .....gotta be something on youtube.

[MIKEXRAY]

I also have the Summit backpacker, it is light ( 18 #s ) and folds flat for packing in. I leave it where I am hunting & lock it to a tree. I also cover it with branches. It is hidden so well that sometimes I am right next to it and can't see it / find it right away. Never had anyone mess with it ever.  The climber comes in two pieces , one to sit and one for you feet . you use each piece to shimmy up the tree. With a climber to have to have no branches to your height, the other one you spoke of can go on any tree. All have advantages and disadvantages like everything in life. I do like my Summit though. Mike

[BlackRidge]

Viper SS climbing tree stand

Found this on youtube

Pretty cool stuff

[Wa hunter]

I prefer a portable tree stand insted of a climber because they can be used on a more variety of trees.  If you bow hunt and want to be close to a certain spot the type of tree that a climber requires is not always available.  If you are looking at a portable look at weight for packing in and installing ease.  In the world of tree stands it seems like you get what you pay for.

[BlackRidge]

I also have the Summit backpacker, it is light ( 18 #s ) and folds flat for packing in. I leave it where I am hunting & lock it to a tree. I also cover it with branches. It is hidden so well that sometimes I am right next to it and can't see it / find it right away. Never had anyone mess with it ever.  The climber comes in two pieces , one to sit and one for you feet . you use each piece to shimmy up the tree. With a climber to have to have no branches to your height, the other one you spoke of can go on any tree. All have advantages and disadvantages like everything in life. I do like my Summit though. Mike

I can see that happening a lot if done right 

Saw some small strobe light in a sportsmans guide/cabaleas catalog that looked like it would work really well. Pretty much a small strobe with a remote, you hook the light to your stand, and when looking for it in the early hours, press the remotes button and the thing lights up.

[backyard bucks]

self climbers are good but on the west side hard to find the trees they are best for.
i have both and i find myself using a fixed with screw in steps more often on this side of hill. unfortunatly i have had stands taken from the woods even when removing steps... if a thief wants it they will take it.  
you can place a fixed stand up some nastly looking trees with out removing many limbs if any to make sure you have clear and good shots at a good area you find. just my  

[THE DUDE]

Lotta help there.  I hope you find what you want.
Good luck with the Critter gettin!

[h20hunter]

First, I personally would never buy a treestand from anyone but a close personal friend or brand new. I don't trust strangers on CL enough to buy something that if flawed could kill me. I like the ease and flexiblity of a a self climber. Also, easy to set up and use for practice shooting in the back yard. Like anything, do your research then practice before hitting the field. Getting used to using and shooting from any elavated stand takes time and patience. Also, never ever ever forget your safety harness. One tip is to pack along a step hole auger or tap. It makes screwing in your bow/gear holder much easier with a pilot hole. Good luck and happy hunting.

[Machias]

Just my   I have hunted out of a treestand ALOT in my life.  Lots of guys like climbers, I dislike them alot for these reasons, they are noisey to put up and take down, they are heavy, bulky and a pain in the ass to get around with.  Some of them, if you step to close to the tree will take you on a sudden and exhilarating ride down the tree.  I like small fixed stand and steps.  I can go in and before the season put steps in and position my stand, then take the stand with me and pull the steps and put a limb/twig in the step hole, that way I can find it in the dark and put my stand in.  The key to stand hunting, IMHO is not to EVER hunt when the wind is wrong or over hunt a stand.  Those two mistakes are made by most hunters because they find a super nice spot and then can't leave it no matter the wind or how many times they go in.  If you have several stand sites ready then your much less likely to over hunt a stand. Putting your stand up and pulling the steps will in most cases cause you to hunt when the conditions are wrong and you will end up over hunting it.  Just some thoughts from a treestand hunting fanatic.  

[Special T]

I have 2 steel foldable climber.. Cheep noisy heavy but works.. I have stood and the bolts squeeked scaring game. Bought 2 older summit vipers NO HINGES made out of aluminum.. light comfortable and QUIET! I like climbers cause they don't disapear... that said you often hunt for a tree as much as the game... I scout with my climber before/after season and do some limb trimming. i do this so the climb is quick and so once up i have clear lanes for shooting.  

[DoubleJ]

Thanks for everything guys.  A lot of good info here.

[MAVsled]

I have used several: summit, ameristep and an off brand, climbers and fixed.

don't care for climbers just because you need that "perfect climber" tree and you can't always find that tree in bow range of good trails etc.

you want a treestand platform-unit that is lightweight, quiet when standing on platform, secure and...a seperate safety system in case of a fall. The safety system is a must; vest/strap system, carbiner hook up2tree slightly above your head when standing, lineman's belt/climbing rope. I've never fallen but had a few slips and thought if I had fallen, my precautionary use of the system would certainly keep me from physical harm or worse...especially when I hunt alone.

One brand of fixed stand is my fav and I own 3 of them: LONEWOLF, an Assault and 2 Alpha models. let's me put these up in 3 different locations and cable lock them just in case as a preventative measure.
with 4 LW portable/removable climbing sticks (EZ to use), I can get 20' off the ground. but buy pre-2010 LW stands, as these are now made in China instead of the USA like mine listed above. Total weight with stand and climbing sticks is around 18-20lbs.

[jrebel]

Tree Lounge, check them out. 

treelounge.com

I have one and love it.

[wonder]

Thanks gentlemen for all the good info.  After wandering the woods during the last week of Elk season I have thought about it a lot but never tried it.  I looked over what Cabela's had in their Lacey store late Saturday night but wasn't able to get any knowledgeable help from the staff.  Place was incredibly busy.  If you walk 8-10 miles a day and don't get into the Elk vs sitting in a tree stand for X amount of hours and maybe not seeing anything either.  I guess it depends on how patient you are too, right ?

[superdown]

has anyone used the tree saddle? http://www.trophylineusa.com/products.php

[Special T]

The tree saddle might be ok but anyone who has spent time in anykind of climbing harness can tell you they are not that comfy.. Quiet and comfy the 2 important things for a tree stand...  if they are comfy you can wait longer if they are quiet you can kill-em. 

[Mossy]

I had a climber.  Last season(3rd time using it) just sitting up there the strap for the seat broke and I about crapped my pants.  Now I have a gorilla hang on, no seat straps to break on that thing.  And also on sale as of last week for under $100 at cabelas.  Went there for a ladder type but the weight of a hang on sold me.  That's just my experience with that 1 and only climber.