How many hunt from treestands with top rail?

[refugerambler]

I got a timbertall treestand to hunt out of this year and was wondering if it will be hard to shoot out of? I've practiced a little out of it, but you never know with a live animal.

Thanks

I hunted one climber once with a top rail. It was one of the most uncomfortable treestand sits I have ever had. Actually, I could not sit because there was no way to shoot sitting and standing up was too much of a hassle with that rail in the way. Even standing, the rail got in the way of my bottom limb.

Never do that again.

Bisch

[Gvan]

I've hunted pretty extensively out of my Summit Viper climber. It's not the easiest to work with but it allows the utmost in mobility. I've shot two deer and a turkey while hunting out of it. Usually I can get about 180 degrees of shooting, depending on the tree.

If you don't have a good solid upper bar that you can lean against, I think it would be tough, depending on how high it was. I setup my climber so that it's at my thighs or so. That allows me to lean against it and out to where my bow doesn't come near the lower platform. I shoot a 52" longbow out of mine.

[PowDuck]

Old API Grand Slam. Top rail just like Gvan described. I don't think I could feel safe without it.

[Cwilder]

I use a summit viper with a hazmore seat. It lets you put the top closer to the bottom. Giving you more clearance.

[hitman]

I use the API grand slam also. I keep the climber part a little lower than normal so I have more clearance when shooting.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by hitman:
I use the API grand slam also. I keep the climber part a little lower than normal so I have more clearance when shooting.

X 3

You just have to be mindful when drawing your bow is all.  The most comfortable stand I have owned to date.

[LB243]

I hunt once in a while out of my ol' man climber and havent had any issues. It took a little getting used to leaning out a little further to miss the rail.

[ISP 5353]

Originally posted by LB243:
I hunt once in a while out of my ol' man climber and havent had any issues. It took a little getting used to leaning out a little further to miss the rail.

+1 to this!  

[r-man]

keep the seat section at or below knees, and pad the rails , just so there are no unnatural sounds if you bump it. summit stand user,

[Claym]

I've done it quite a bit. Just takes some practice to get used to where the rails are and how you have to position yourself around them for shots. Might be a few angles you won't be able to shoot, but definitely doable overall.

[refugerambler]

Thanks for the input, I'm gonna stick with it. The top rail adds a little comfort too.