Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: PatriarchArcher on August 07, 2010, 03:50:00 PM

Title: Tree Stands
Post by: PatriarchArcher on August 07, 2010, 03:50:00 PM
Looks like I am going to have to buy a climbing tree stand. The Army post where I want to hunt doesn't allow ground hunting. I know absolutely nothing about climbing tree stands. What do you recommend?
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: robtattoo on August 07, 2010, 03:54:00 PM
Erm, without being indelicate how big are you?

I'm a biggun & I LOVE my Summit Titan. There's plenty of room for us plus-sizers, or if you're a skinny type, you & your girlfriend.

I only have expeeience with Summit climbers, so it's not a great comparative opinion, but ALL SUMMIT PRODUCTS ARE THE BEST IN THEIR CLASS IN THE WORLD.

 :D
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: VTer on August 07, 2010, 04:05:00 PM
Ditto what Rob said BUT I would much rather use a hang on.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: creekwood on August 07, 2010, 05:46:00 PM
I have a Summit and love it.  I would like to add that they make an all aluminum climber which is a nice feature for it's light weight.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: ridgerunner_sc on August 07, 2010, 06:04:00 PM
summit makes the best stands...  they have several  that are very light wt..I like a ladder stand the best.  i dont like climbing up or down in the dark..they make a great AL ladder stand
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: VTer on August 07, 2010, 06:13:00 PM
Hey creekwood, where you been? You should check in more often.   :)
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: mattmcdonald on August 07, 2010, 06:18:00 PM
i like them beacuse there easy to set and get in and out of the woods there ideal for public hunting ground   you can get them from 90 bucks to 300 bucks just have to find one you like
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: sentinel on August 07, 2010, 08:08:00 PM
I use a Lone Wolf hand climber and have been extremely pleased,check out their website.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Wapiti Chaser on August 07, 2010, 08:17:00 PM
Lone Wolf
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Magnum in Ms on August 07, 2010, 08:49:00 PM
Lone Wolf hand climber for me.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Chris Surtees on August 07, 2010, 09:46:00 PM
First off what kind of trees are on the base? Can you climb or do you need steps and a lock-on? How about a tree sling/web? Or maybe a ladder stand or two.

You have a lot of options but terrain will dictate you method(s) of treestand hunting.

Lots of good choice out there. Here are a few:

 http://www.guidosoutdoors.com/
 http://www.woodyhunting.com/
 https://millenniumstands.com/
 http://www.gomuddy.com/
 http://www.lonewolfstands.com/
 http://www.summitstands.com/  - they offer military discount up to 25%

These are just a few and there are lots of great products no the market.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Coonbait on August 07, 2010, 10:04:00 PM
Summit for me.
GLENN
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Tomas on August 07, 2010, 10:19:00 PM
Do you have a good harness? If not this should be your first consideration. Vest types are the easiest to use.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Red Tailed Hawk on August 07, 2010, 10:39:00 PM
Summit Viper
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: David in Hickory on August 08, 2010, 12:34:00 AM
You could also use a Lone Wolf Alpha with sticks...
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Earl Jeff on August 08, 2010, 09:40:00 AM
Summit stands
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Ethical Redneck on August 08, 2010, 03:17:00 PM
Lone Wolf Alpha Hang on with LW or Muddy Outdoors sticks or screw in steps if allowed.  Or, LoneWolf Alpha Hand Climber (excellent for traditional bows).  The new hand climbers come with a strap that has a caribiner which turns it into a sit n climb.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: njloco on August 08, 2010, 05:17:00 PM
I like the Old Mans easy to set up, quiet and nothing to wear out. Also checkout the Equalizer treestands, very nicely engineered, comfortable, quite, and you can adjust it in the tree to be level.

Ken
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: joebuck on August 08, 2010, 05:30:00 PM
Will never go back to fix.........

 (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: joevan125 on August 08, 2010, 05:44:00 PM
Summit open shot deluxe is a great stand for trad shooters. Im 6,2 240 and i find this stand very comfortable to climb with and to sit for hours.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: gobblegrunter on August 08, 2010, 06:15:00 PM
Lone Wolf hand climber here
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: johnnyk71 on August 08, 2010, 06:28:00 PM
Summits for me. Love 'em, and have several models.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Stinger on August 08, 2010, 06:48:00 PM
Mark,

If you need to pack it in a ways you need to consider the weight.  I like the Summit stands, but think they are heavy and bulky to carry.  If you want light and want to be able to adjust the stand to the taper to the tree, then take a look at the Tibertall stands.  They are well made and sit really nice.  I have been using one for 3 years and love it.  Take a look at the trees in your area and if they get skinnier as you go up, you can't beat the ability to level out both the platform and the sitting part.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: pickaspot on August 09, 2010, 12:02:00 AM
I picked-up a Lone Wolf climber last year and really like it. But, I am not a big guy and think it would be pretty snug if you are a big-un.

The draw back of climbers is you can't always climb THE tree. There are a lot of good lock-ons out there. For years I used a woodpecker drill & API lockons. Recently I discovered the LW hang-on and steps. Much quicker, more stable, and quieter! They are kinder to the trees too - no gouges or holes required.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: cahaba on August 09, 2010, 02:33:00 AM
I like hang ons best cause I can get above the bottom limb where deer tend to look. For a climbing stand I like my Summit Razor SS's. They are very quiet and comfortable. The bar folds down and makes shooting at closer ranges easier.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: bornagainbowhunter on August 09, 2010, 10:39:00 AM
I like the Summit hang ons also (not a climber guy), but my favorite must be a Loc-on Windwalker.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: cloudbaseracer on August 09, 2010, 01:55:00 PM
Joebuck,

How does one climb with this "stand" and how can it be comfortable after hours of use?  It looks like ones legs would fall asleep and that there are limited shooting positions.  Can you please explain how you use this?


 
Quote
Originally posted by joebuck:
Will never go back to fix.........

  (http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/GuidosWeb2.jpg)
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: joebuck on August 09, 2010, 05:20:00 PM
cloud chaser, this is a Guidos Web from Guido outdoors. sort of like trophy line except it has a hard seat and molded back rest. u basically sit facing the tree. It has a metal bar that keeps you 6 inches away from tree. The pose I'm in is for a backward shot.   Go to their web site .it has a lot of info.

IMO this is the most comfortable stand I have ever sat in. It has an adjustable lumbar support and you adjust your leg height to whatever.  It also is the safest stand out there because you are strapped to the tree at all times,ascending,hunting and descending..that was very important to me having a young family and me being middle
age and fat!  down side of this side ..is the obvious.
   Hanging from a tree to hunt there is a learning
curve.......but..............I firmly believe less deer spook on me
because I'm behind the tree when they aproach. I use to set
up 15 To 20 yards from a feed tree because of detection.  
Now I setup in the acorn or persimmon tree. I can't explain
why but there is something about putting that trunk of the tree
between you and the approaching deer. I'm hunting only
about 12 feet also.. Another bonus I like about the stand is I
shoot like I practice....no bending at the waist because of
level treestand..notice how my body is a rigid T. Just like I
shootin back yard on level ground. It's really a rock solid
shooting position..it's neat...search Guido or Trophline or tree suit threads. A lot of guys on here use this system of hunting. Not for everyone but i' ll never go back

Oh I climb with stick ladders ,screw in steps, bolts etc. Normal stuff........plus I can hunt longer in the web than open fixed stand because I can SLEEP....
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: DW Dyer on August 09, 2010, 06:10:00 PM
I have a Summit climber without the bar in the front. It works well.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Johnny UMAA on August 10, 2010, 08:15:00 AM
I love the Lone Wolf stands...they are "light" and quiet!
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Robertfishes on August 10, 2010, 10:35:00 AM
I have several climbers, the Equilizer works very well for me, I have a Buckshot that I like, similar to the Eq stand but does not have the levelers..I have a Summit Goliath with an aftermarket "silentseat" hammock style seat from Hazemore Outdoor Products it will be my go to climbing stand this year. I also use ladderstands, my favorite is a 20 ft Loggy Bayou bowhunter it is no longer made, but have seen some similar looking stands for sale, I like a good sized platform and most of the cheap ladders have a tiny 10" x17"  platform, I need at least 18" x 18"..I used to use some chain on stands with climbing sticks but cant use them any more so I gave them away..we have plenty of pines,oaks and palm trees on our place so a climber works nicely.. I use the ladders alot in my good "proven" spots
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Jeff Strubberg on August 10, 2010, 05:26:00 PM
Ditched the climber a few years back.  Got really annoyed at being restricted in my choice of trees.

My Lone Wolf alpha and tree sticks get me up there faster and weigh the same as a climber.  I can use them on any tree big enough to support my not-inconsiderable weight.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: hizzoner on August 10, 2010, 06:26:00 PM
lone wolf alpha but I prefer the ground..for many reasons

the tree seat is a neat concept and I have tried it but believe the tree seat was harder to stay still in for longer times compared to an old fashioned tree stand