Tree Stands? Ladder? Climber?

[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.