Any Climbing Treestand Users?

[Wannabe1]

I am contemplating going this route with a lightweight system. Never done anything like this so, wondering for those of you that have, how safe is it? Any suggestions and safety tips? Below is one of the stands I'm thinking of.

[goobersan]

I'd recommend a stand with a bar in front. A bit more weight but adds a great deal of safety and works as a sit and climb. Allows you to spend quite a bit less energy in reaching your perch. You'll appreciate that when you're trying not to get all sweated up.

[Orion]

Never tried a Summit, but have read good things about them.  I use a Lone Wolf hand climber.  As goober points out, a sit and climb is a little easier to climb with than a hand climber, but also heaver. Will take a little practice to learn how to use one, but not difficult.

Should always have a safety belt attached to the tree as you climb.  A bit of a hassle moving it after every stand movement upward, but it will catch you if the stand slips out for any reason.  Generally not a good idea to place your feet next to the tree when climbing or setting the stand.  That can cause it to slip.

Keep in mind that climbing stands need clean trees, i.e., no branches, to climb.  If you hunt where most of the trees have branches in their lower reaches, might do better with a hang on stand and tree steps.

[madmaxthc]

I personally find the ones with the bar too restricting, at least with my 62" bow.  I have exactly the tree stand you posted, and I like it. Sure it requires some fitness to use, as compared to the more common ones with the bar, so you'll probably need to work out a bit, at least if like me your job keeps you 8-10 hours per day behind a computer screen.

I also have a hang on, which I like. It gives me even more freedom than the hand climber, but it's heavier, and also you can only go as high as how many sticks you can take along. I consider them both an excuse to keep myself in decent shape. In the end, you'll have to decide what works best for you.

Hope this helps,
Max

[madmaxthc]

Also, if you go with the SUmmit OpenShot, I would suggest to change the shoulder straps with non-elastic ones and add a waist strap. Your shoulders will thank you at the end of the hike, and this applies to any tree stand you decide to buy.

And as Orion said, always always use the safety belt. You forget it in the car, you hunt on the ground. Better than the alternative

[Guss]

I’ve used em’ all ...Lone Wolf for light weight super stable climber...if you want something for long day sets their are better options..

[the rifleman]

I use the lone wolf assault.  Im 57 years old and i can race a grey squirrel up a tree---but, even taking my time, and being safe it is still just a few minutes from ground to 20+ feet up.  Here's my advice:
Don't skimp, buy a good one like the lw the first time.
Buy and use from the moment you leave the ground until you are back on the ground, a good harness.
Strap the top and bottom of stands together--- ive had the bottom fall partway down the tree.
If using a hand climber consider adding a sit and climb strap to it.  It is a whole lot easier to get the bottom section back where it needs to be if it falls when you can use both hands.
Forget models with the surrounding bars--- they go with trad bows like peanut butter and alfredo sauce.  I try to eliminate any thing that will interfere with a bow limb--- if you want the security of bars it might be good to stay on the ground.
Make sure someone knows where you are.

[fisherick]

I have the Summit Open Shot climbing stand for the ease of shooting the bow and for all day comfort. I did do a modification similar to a Lone Wolf sit and climb by adding a lower swing bar to aid in climbing. Makes it much easier to climb and I swing the bar out of the way to shoot. You could install a belt to do the same.   

[madmaxthc]

Hey, Rifleman and Fisherick,

Do you mind to post pics of your mods? You have really caught my interest with it, but I am having a hard time understanding how they would work.

Thank you 

[Bowguy67]

Couple things to consider. One light weight stands get that was shaving parts. I myself like having somewhere to rest my elbows plus once you gotta get up quietly and slowly they give you something to grab onto.
Other guys mentioned climbing. Front bars are great for climbing but not great shooting from. With any stand some shots just aren’t doable.
Throughout the years I’ve used most stands. I’ve settled on two. The Summits, they really are the most comfortable but theyre noisy, don’t pack flat and are harder to sneak in with. I use mine gun season, the front rail makes a great rest.
Bowhunting there’s no question the Lone Wolf has every advantage.
It allows sit and climb, packs real flat,  it has side rails for elbows to rest on, and most importantly it’s quiet.
All in all I’d say either one is good , for bowhunting there’s no choice, Lone Wolf is the best

[Gdpolk]

I use a Lone Wolf climber frequently. I own one hang on and one climber by them. It’s the perfect setup for a mobile, public lands hunter. The hang on goes ANYWHERE. The climber is quicker and easier for straight trees without obstructions (when I know that is an option). I have a built in backup stand and a built in loaner.

[wislnwings]

I hunt a lot of public land so climbers have usually been my go to.  I use an ol man climber now.  I've been very pleased with it.

[Possum Head]

My Ol Man ain’t light but good for an all day hunt. My Summit Specialist is 16 lbs. and since Bow hunting is what I do the open front is a plus. I’ve hunted with the open shot and like it too.

[Zwickey-Fever]

I have 3 Open Shot Summit climbers, so yes, I would highly recommend them if you wanna keep mobile. I find them easy to maneuver 62 inch recurve   in them, they are stable when climbing as well as comfortable when sitting. Ive customized mine a little bit to be able to carry my pack when I'm hiking into my stand. Ive had a Lone Wolf but it didnt suit my needs. A stand of any kind is a personal preference.

[Wannabe1]

Wow, I greatly appreciate all the feedback! I am hunting a bowhunting only tree farm and after scouting it a little this past weekend, I've come to the conclusion that a tree stand will probably be my best shot. Since it is owned by a Forest Product company, I cannot put a hanging stand. I will definitely use a quality harness and at all times, going up and down!

I think I'm going to get the Openshot SD and give it a whirl. I too would like to see some of those mods mentioned incase I need to make one myself.

[Hud]

I have read articles by some experienced Trad hunters and they try to keep the stand low for the best shot angle and always use a net face mask, gloves and camo jacket.  Deer will see a shape, not a face, or hands, might still be uneasy, but a soft cluck on a Turkey mouth call will give them the confidence to continue. Avoid moving until their head is down, or turned. It might not work if your area lacks Turkey, but worth a try. Deer know Turkey like trees and know they would not be around if danger was present.  Use the call once and wait, be ready.

[Wannabe1]

HUD, thanks for the tips! There are actually some turkey in that area.

[Bowguy67]

I have read articles by some experienced Trad hunters and they try to keep the stand low for the best shot angle and always use a net face mask, gloves and camo jacket.  Deer will see a shape, not a face, or hands, might still be uneasy, but a soft cluck on a Turkey mouth call will give them the confidence to continue. Avoid moving until their head is down, or turned. It might not work if your area lacks Turkey, but worth a try. Deer know Turkey like trees and know they would not be around if danger was present.  Use the call once and wait, be ready.

This is not good advice imo. Never use anything that draws attention to your set. Use background cover to blend in. If I told you how many deer I’ve shot wearing no gloves, face mask, wearing jeans and a flannel you’d think I was lying but it’s not a call that puts em at ease. It’s not being seen in the first place. Also being real low gives good angles but it puts your scent right w em. You want to compromise here a little.
All in all if you know the direction of the deer and have good cover you’ll be ok.

[CRM_95]

That stand would be a good choice if you like the open front aspect. I don't know that either style is really "safer", but the bar gets in the way for some people when they get ready to shoot, especially if they're sitting. Mine has a bar and I can lean out and shoot sitting, but I stand a lot especially for the first hour or so after daybreak and the last hour before dark.

Always wear your safety harness and be mindful of what trees you climb. Before you go up make sure it's a healthy tree with no bark slipping and no big dead branches overhead, and no dead branches or other trees near you. Also don't climb slick bark trees or trees with really hard bark. Some people will even tell you not to climb pines, but that's about all we have here so I primarily hunt out of them. I just take my time and really bear down on that platform and make sure it's got a good bite before I relax on the top portion. Always make sure you have the platform tethered to the seat. They're great tools. Have fun and good luck!!

[sneakybow]

I quit using Summits once I got a Treewalker. It does everything the Summit does,  but better.  You can use it with either the bar in front,  or without.  Can still sit and climb with bar removed because of their seat design.  Snaps together for transport and doesn't rattle.  Doesn't slip on the tree.  I've also used a LW climber,  but it was stolen from my house.  Takes a little practice with the LW, but it's a good quiet stand.

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