Tree Stands? Ladder? Climber?

[Griz231]

I'm sure there is quite a bit around on this subject, but hell what else is there to talk about while we all wait patiently for the draw results, (just checked, no draw yet)

I'm definitely going to hunt out of a stand for elk this year and I'm looking for some recomendations for a light weight comfortable stand.
Do you prefer ladder stands, or self climbers or???
Archery btw.
Also, what do you do to secure it so some schmuck doesn't steal it?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

For price go sportsmans guide. What style depends on how much effort you want to put into gettin it up the tree!

[Mudman]

Summit Bushmaster!  Light, packs well enuff and comfortable.  Bicycle cable lock is what i used on stationary stand.  Still have it!

[h20hunter]

Many hours in a Summit Viper.....very comfy. Remember: SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY No use hunting dumb once and having that be your last hunt.

[et1702]

Do you prefer ladder stands, or self climbers or???
Archery btw.
Also, what do you do to secure it so some schmuck doesn't steal it?

Neither, get a hang on stand and some climbing sticks (not the cheap ones).  Ladder stands are usually too low and self climbers are a pain (i.e., hard to find a perfect tree to climb after you've found the perfect ambush spot).  Also, tough to climb and cut limbs at the same time.  Another word of advice, get as high in the tree as you can or are comfortable.  I go 25' to 30' min.

Never had a problem w/anyone stealing my gear, and I usually have two or three stands in an area.  Going out this weekend to check cams and do more scouting.

ET

[oldleclercrd]

Cabelas has a pretty slick masterlock cable for locking your treestand to the tree. A bike cable cant tighten up the slack, but the masterlock cable ( I have 2) can be tightened up. Climber treestands are nice to have so a guy doesnt have to mess with steps. You can leave the climber at the bottom of the tree and lock it, then unlock and climb in the morning. Not only that but if you discover the treestands not quite in the right spot for the best shot, you can easily move it and not have to dick with resetting the steps. 

[Giggles]

Many hours in a Summit Viper.....very comfy. Remember: SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY No use hunting dumb once and having that be your last hunt.

Oh so true! Used an old wooden platform climber that you had to "bear hug" the tree in order to climb for years and thought I was taking really good care of it.  Climbed up a tree one morning, paused and looked to see if I was high enough and decided to go two feet higher.  On the next step up one of the pins broke and I slid about 18 feet to the ground. Luckely, I kept my bear hug on the tree while I slide and all that really happened was a bruised and scrapped up chest.  The pin that had broken was nice and shinny on the outside, but had rusted on the inside.  I'll never be in a tree stand again w/o a safety harness.

[Button Nubbs]

Gorilla king kong hang on stand. Very comfy, although I only had to sit in it for 3 hours last year. my buddies thought it was awesome.

[Griz231]

Thanks for the info guys.  I have hunted out of them in the past, but all were either permanents or hang on.  Not familiar with the self climbers at all.

And of course SAFETY is #1 on my list.  I have a 4 year old and new born and I need to be around to pass down the hunting bug. 

any particular harness yall like better?

[Fireant11]

Here's a pretty good 4 part you tube video reviewing and showing how to use the Summit Viper climbing treestand.  He includes discussion on safety harness.

Part 1: 

Part 2: 

Part 3: 

Part 4: 

feature=relmfu

[aer212]

I just watched all the reviews and was wondering how long it takes to setup? Looks to me like it takes quite a while.

[Skyvalhunter]

Love my backpack Summit tree stand. Doesn't take me that long to set up.

[trophyhunt]

I also have a summit. I love the self climbers, you can scout around with it on your back and if you find an area you like and want to hunt it for a while up high- your ready to go.  I had a hell of a time cutting limbs on this fir one time, probably took me an hour to get to a height I liked. Made all kinds of noise with my hand saw, finally sat down and a nice 2x3 blacktail came out of the reprod within 10 minutes of sitting. He was about 20 yards at the most away from me. With out the tree stand, I would have never had seen him. I did let him walk though, I'm still looking for a trophy blackie!

[MAVsled]

I use a Lone Wolf Alpha fixed stand and 4 climbing sticks. Also have 6 additional strap hang on brackets that get set up pre-season. Makes the stand easily moveable and easy re-hang on those pre-selected trees.

Also use a LW alpha climber. It's ok but finding that perfect straight tree in the right area/zone can be a challenge. I also pre-select trees for using this stand prior to the season. That's when I do my limb trimming, prior to the season start.

pro: tough to beat Lone Wolf stands; lightweight, incredibly strong, easy function design and QUIET when standing or shuffling your feet on the platforms.
con: pricey.

Note; if archery hunting, be sure to practice your shooting yardages from a treestand, I do. And employ safety measures too!
I never go up higher than 18-20'. My ideal is 16-18' up off the ground below.
I think of it this way. If you are 30' off the ground, that's 10 yards straight down below your stand. Now say that buck is also 30 yards out. You'll need to adjust your aim point slighty to various yardages compared to standing flat on level ground and shooting at say a level block archery target.

[Griz231]

All very good info.  I'm leaning toward a climber so I can pack it around and move easily. I've got a old tripod stand too that I'm going to dust off.
I think I'll go with a more pricey one. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for and my safety is priceless.

[seth30]

HOw do you like the tripod stand?  I have never even seen one in real life.

[sebek556]

climbers have come along way, had a summit viper but it was "not delivered" when we moved, so the trucker or one of the packers is now enjoying it. For public land you couldn't beat it, find a area you liked, climb up and watch. Also as long as you were not breaking limbs its pretty quite to go up. Make sure you tie off your bottom to your top though, had a army friend that didn't. He called me hanging on only the top part with no way down, so had to hike in and save his butt. Also I had a bungee cord across mine to help hold my feet in the stirups when climbing. 

[Mudman]

Keep in mind the Bushmaster Summit climber has no bar in front of you.  I like this as nothing is in my way when shooting bow.  You dont sit down when climbing but use your arms instead.  very easy if your in decent shape.  Very easy to use climbers but takes a little practice first. I found the harness the most complicated part of it.  Always tie bottom to top and use harness especially with open front bushmaster.   Oh and being able to turn stand or go up or down while in tree is a great thing!

[Griz231]

HOw do you like the tripod stand?  I have never even seen one in real life.

Good. I haven't used it since I was 14, twenty years ago, but my dad used it quite a bit in the willows down in the Missouri river breaks back when he guided. It was perfect for that.  Only got stolen once and dad happened to be five minutes behind them and ran em down right before they loaded it up in their boat. Threatened their lives and they gave it up. Good old' Montana.

[Griz231]

climbers have come along way, had a summit viper but it was "not delivered" when we moved, so the trucker or one of the packers is now enjoying it. For public land you couldn't beat it, find a area you liked, climb up and watch. Also as long as you were not breaking limbs its pretty quite to go up. Make sure you tie off your bottom to your top though, had a army friend that didn't. He called me hanging on only the top part with no way down, so had to hike in and save his butt. Also I had a bungee cord across mine to help hold my feet in the stirups when climbing. 

Did you snap a pic of him stuck up there? 

[sebek556]

of course, then posted it up at work

[KimberRich]

Do you prefer ladder stands, or self climbers or???
Archery btw.
Also, what do you do to secure it so some schmuck doesn't steal it?

Neither, get a hang on stand and some climbing sticks (not the cheap ones).  Ladder stands are usually too low and self climbers are a pain (i.e., hard to find a perfect tree to climb after you've found the perfect ambush spot).  Also, tough to climb and cut limbs at the same time.  Another word of advice, get as high in the tree as you can or are comfortable.  I go 25' to 30' min.

Never had a problem w/anyone stealing my gear, and I usually have two or three stands in an area.  Going out this weekend to check cams and do more scouting.

ET

Well said.  I agree that most ladder stands aren't tall enough and I don't want to be making a bunch of noise in the dark in the morning, using a climber to get into position.  I'm sure they both have good applications but I prefer a hang on and climbing sticks at a minimum of 20'. 25' is better. 

You can just remove the climbing sticks and it gets very hard to steal or even detect in the woods.  Maybe some people walk around looking into the trees while in the woods, but I sure dont.  If I didn't see a ladder or climbing sticks I would most likely walk right under a stand and not see it.

Sportsman's Guide is a great source for stands.  It's basically the only thing I buy from them, but you can not beat the prices.  Safety and Comfort are key.

[Griz231]

I'm looking at buying the summit viper Ss from sportsman guide.  Does it come with everything or do I need to buy the tree safety strap?
Any accessories y'all recommend I buy?  Want to order it all at once.

[D-Rock425]

I like hang ons myself.   Set them up a month early and sneak into them when the season starts wont spook game setting up on opening day.

[Special T]

Buy a nice tree safety harness. I got one of the Hunter safty systems in mesh,that has a couple of pockets. They make them more like climbing harness now. The cheep ones that come with the stand suck and you won't use them. I almost fell out of a tree stand 25ft in the air. I fell asleep and almost went over. I didn't have it on because it was too hard to hunt out of the 2 days prior. (the one included with the stand) I love may vest adn use it all the time. 

[Griz231]

I like hang ons myself.   Set them up a month early and sneak into them when the season starts wont spook game setting up on opening day.

Yea that's a good point. My issue right now is I haven't made the time to get over scouting. Just started hunting the area last year so I'm not quite sure where to put my stands yet. Still trying to find a good spot. Last year we did ok but no kills.
Tuff when you have little ones, it always easy to get over in early season.  Plan on going once in July and once in August.

[PolarBear]

Climber only for me!  I have too many friends who have been seriously hurt in hang on stands and ladder stands are too cumbersome for whre I hunt.

[D-Rock425]

I have the hunter safety system vest also wouldn't hunt without it now.  It also comes in very handy when setting up stands.  And as far as hang on stands not being safe i disagree i own 3 of them and have never once had any problems with any of them.  Im always strapped into my safety harness and hook into the tree before my feet ever leave the ground.

[NWBREW]

I actually have two ladder stands and one climber. The ladder stands are up all year but you never know when you have to change plans or tactics.

And yes....the HSS is a must.

[Mudman]

My summit came with everything you need, dvd, harness, even screw in bow hanger for the tree.  The harness isnt the best but will do the job.  Afanny pack attached to climber with harness in it then put on before you climb.  Easy enuff and you can wear it over clothes instead of walking around in it.  Easy to put on I think.  Ten minutes and i am up the tree and ready.  Summit bushmaster.  Lighter then viper I think and no bar in front to get in way.  I like it alot.

[aer212]

I like hang ons myself.   Set them up a month early and sneak into them when the season starts wont spook game setting up on opening day.

Which kind do you use?

[D-Rock425]

I have 2 gorillas and a river's edge i think.   My dad has big game treestand ive hunted out of it also.

[MIKEXRAY]

Really depends on what you are doing with it.  I bought a ladder stand first and only used it one year as it did not fit my needs.  A ladder stand is hard to pack very far, I would say a half mile or so and you would want a place to leave it as it is a pain to move / set up.  I then bought a Summit climber stand ( backpack model ) and have used that stand for 4 years.  The climber is way more stable & safe, easy to use, carry & move and as discussed you can vary the height.  I hunt about a mile & a half up the ridge & leave mine cabled to the bottom of the tree all season. I cover it with tree limbs & it is very concealed.  I hunt the east side of the cascades so there are plenty of perfect trees.  I always hunt at 15 ft to my feet and have never been detected, I don't see any reason to go higher.  Mike

[aer212]

Reason I am wondering is I would like something light enough to pack around while calling predators, mainly cats and bears. I had one cat sneak in behind me. Just something so when I'm walking along and see a spot that looks good, throw it up and call for a while.

[Mudman]

Summit bushmaster is 20 pounds.  Viper a few more.  Weight is pretty good, carry is little awkward when terrian gets rough.  For roads and trails no problem, brush and hills harder.  Sometimes it can kinda hamstring ya at back of calves, especially stepping over trees. I like it alot though.

[Special T]

I've got a summi viper climber (aluminum)and a rivers edge (steel) I bought the rivers edge onl salre for 80 bucks several years back and used it for a few years. It was heavy and noisy. Ok for rifle hunting not quiet enough for bow hunting. when i would stand it would sqeek too much and scare deer.  I bought the viper off CL for $150 and love it. Its light, quite and COMPFORTABLE! I could spend damn near all day in it. If your thinking about your first one buy a used climber, I usually see them for sale here on the W side for much less than new. 

[et1702]

Two Gorrilla and one North Star Aluminum.  All hang on stands.  Just buy a good set of climbing sticks.  Hang on much better than climber 

ET

[Griz231]

Anybody spot a summit viper climber used for sale let me know. I'm gonna pull the trigger and buy a new one here pretty quick.

[Mudman]

Good choice!

[Camp David]

Wish I knew how many hours i have spent in tree stands. I have ladder stands, climbers and hang-ons. Each has it's own purpose. The climbers are the most comfortable. Hang-ons are OK for a few hours, but I find them a little unnerving when i have to stand up. They are a small platform and when you draw your bow there is no reference point for your body; whereas the climbers with arm rest tend to help balance you. The climbers have to have a tree limbed. You may loose some or all of your cover when limbing the tree. The ladder and hang-ons can be placed on a tree with minimal limb removal. I like the ladder  or hang-on for a "quick sit". I keep them up year round. Portability the climbers are the best with hangings a good second. Buy your self a hang on "helper that will assist in hanging it. A vest type harness with a linemans belt is also great.

[Mudman]

For the ones who say they like cover of branches around em and dont like climbers for this reason Ill give ya a tip. When ya climb and remove branches keep em and poke em into back of your climber!!! Or tie rope round some and hoist em up when ready!  Sometimes I do this and works very well. 

[Griz231]

Found a Summit climber on CL today for $160. Not great deal, but not bad.

Gonna try it in the backyard this weekend.

[sebek556]

  great idea, that way you can get it set up for you, i.e. tie the top to the bottom.

[Griz231]

great idea, that way you can get it set up for you, i.e. tie the top to the bottom.

Yes definitely.