What's Your Stand?

[TGbow]

Originally posted by Wannabe1:
I like the looks of the Millennium M25 hang on stand. Does anyone have experience with that one?

I have the M25 ,but I haven't used it yet.
I can say it's very comfortable. A little heavy but with an easy hang hook it  wouldn't be bad for packing in and out, though not ideal.
It's advertised as 17 lbs but it's more like 19-20lbs.
Hard to beat for a stand that you intend to not move around.
If you want a good stand for in and out each hunt, look at the Big Game Bravada.
I just bought my son one. Actual poundage is 12 lbs.
156 bucks shipped. He really likes it.

[LittleBen]

I'm a young guy, pretty athletic, and I've often found hang-ones set up on public land with no ladder or steps. I carry rope with me to hoist, and more than once I've free climbed the tree, or climbed with a Prussic knot and occupied those stands.

I'm a decent guy so I leave the stands as I found them, but my point is, any stand left on public land can be subject to theft even without steps. Especially if you're on a budget, I'd pack in and pack out your setup .... A climber is probably a smart choice.

If money is no object, sure you can leave it and not worry too much, but if a stolen stand ends your season, I wouldn't leave it.

[TGbow]

I've used climbers before and they're good to have but they will limit you as to what trees and where you can set up.
You can get a hang on and sticks for less than 200 bucks.

[Nathan Killen]

Originally posted by mec lineman:
I use a climber 95% of time,but I have a millennium monster that is the most comfortable seat in the woods. the model you mentioned has a smaller platform with that great seat!  [/url] [/IMG]

Craig...I think you and I both could hunt out of that stand comfortably !

[mec lineman]

Nathan, notice I don't like to get to high off of the ground!

[Bowwild]

I have several different kinds of climbing sticks, including the Lone Wolfs.

My favorite way up the tree though are the rail systems. They get your hands and feet away from the tree bole and make climbing easier. The aluminum ones are nice for their light weight but the steel ones are good too.

I usually haul my stand gear to stand locations in the summer set-up period by UTV anyway. Sometimes I'll even take a Little Giant to the woods to put up stands. I try to reduce the amount of "one hand and teeth" holding on while I hang stands!

In addition to a quality climbing harness a life-line tied above your stand and at the base of the tree to clip into when climbing up and down makes your interaction with trees and height nearly accident proof.

[bentpole]

Over the years I 've owned a Baker [great if your suicidal] , a Loc On Spirit Climber [ I used to hug the tree, get to height and use a racket type fold down seat], a couple of Loggy Bayou lite climbers and now finally own a Summit Open Shot. Had the Open Shot for at least 5 years now. I learned in my 60 years on the planet you get what you pay for. When it comes to a stand don't be frugal. Your sitting in it for hours at a time. You want it to be safe and you want to  feel safe in it. The choice is yours but always wear a harness!