may be getting to old for my climber and can easily
go in to where i hunt a day before and set up
a ladder stand, but am concerned about the noise
factor.
not so much setting up but on hunt day, how are ladder stands for noise, climbing into & while your in them..standing to take the shot, ect.?
thanks
Gordie they work, I took a buck from mine on Thursday, but I leave mine out year around and check them before the season . As far as quite theya re fine.
Jack
Ladder stands are great once you get them set up, I hunt out of climbers, hang-ons, and ladders and I like the ladders the best. They are easy to climb into and solid as a rock, I've never had any of mine make any kind of noise while hunting from them. The foot platform is smaller than most other types of stands but it still has plenty room to stand and adjust your feet if you need to.
Rodney
I have three Rivers Edge models and they all work well for me. One thing that is VERY important to me is a flip up seat and a platform that goes back to the tree so I can stand up and get back to the tree trunk. Many ladder stands only have a fixed seat platform and a little postage stamp size platform for your feet. The bigger ones can be a challenge to pack in and set up by yourself.
Second the Rivers Edge Extreme 17, one of the few with the flip up seat and full platform back to the tree. Only noise is if poorly set up - make sure the ladder is solid and platform straight, or from rubber boot squeak on the grid which can happen with any metal stand.
check out big game ladder stands, i love them.
thanks guys for sharing what you like best
about your favorite ladder stand.
please keep it coming.
I'm another fan of ladder stands and have been converting most of my set ups to them. I agree with the importance of a flip up seat. With trad gear in particular I think it is extremely important to be able to stand for the shot, and being able to stand tight against the tree helps break up your outline very well.
we have switched almost all of our hunting to ladder stands. I have a bunch of Loggy Brush ladders (15', net seat, breaks down to 3' sections, and weigh under 35#). Platforms are small though for my size 12 feet. No arm rests is a good thing with trad gear. My climbers are collecting dust.....
I have about 10 ladder stands and use them exclusively when hunting from trees.
I like the idea of the flips seat and will look at modifying mine during the off season when I bring half of them home for maintenance.
Would really like to work on the top section. I find the bar from the ladder to the seat ends up hurting my legs after a weekend.
Mike
i think the plat from going back to the tree is a must in my book just for a lil extra safty for my wife and father
I like ladders , too. Just yesterday I hung a loc on without help, and it just reminded me again why I like ladders - you don't need four hands to set them up. Noise has never been an issue, unless you consider my snoring just after the sun comes up.
I've made my own ladder stands for years and they have worked well. I've made them from 8' to 14' and break down into two pieces. With the wheels they are easy to walk them way back in and of course you can drag a deer onto them and walk it out easily as well.
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/archery004.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Ladderstand001.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Ladderstand002.jpg)
Draco,
That is a slick design. Wish I was handy with a welder.
What materials do you use?
Mike
someone may have already said this but ladder stands can be a bit creaky when you turn to look over your shoulder but im sure that depends on the make.
Here is my ladder stand with exercise bike wheels installed, easy to get to my hunting spot and easy to set up. (http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x132/recurvehunter_2007/PICT0129-1.jpg)
Wingnut; the leg section is made out of 1 1/4" EMT and the top section is 1 1/2" EMT. The steps are 3/8" rebar where it's narrow and 1/2" where it gets wider. The seat is made on a 3/4" all thread coupler and it spins onto a piece of all thread rod on the stand.
If you ever get down toward Georgetown way be sure to look me up and I'll take you out and let you hunt one for an evening. Bob
Thanks for the info and offer Bob. Might have to make a run down one of these days.
Mike
QuoteOriginally posted by jake jr. trickshot:
someone may have already said this but ladder stands can be a bit creaky when you turn to look over your shoulder but im sure that depends on the make.
been using electrical tape between the sections - sound is gone
I've used them the last 5 years now and they are fine and quiet. And the safety factor is great.
Hard to carry in, however. Draco should market his stand. That's a terrific stand.
BTW, if you don't wear some kind of safety belt, you can fall out of them as easily as any other.
sam
Thanks Bob ill have to give it a try.
thanks to all for all the great insights & tips.
i saw wallyworld had theirs on sale for $70, do you think its worth giving it a try? i can't find rivers edge in n. ga.
My ladder stands were purchased for about $65 a piece. The way I look at it, if I get one taken (they sit out year round), I'm not out much. I probably have more invested in locks and cables than the stands....
Keep in mind, they are just a better version of plywood and 2x4s.....
I don't see much reason to spend huge sums of money on them.
I usually pick mine up at the end of the season sales for 59.95. They are not big and fancy but with a coat of camo paint, they do great.
Mike
Guys, I don't comment much, and really don't comment on "best" this or that anymore. But I have to say the Family Traditions ladder stands are the most comfortable tree stand I have ever sat in (and that includes the massive climbers that require a mule to pack). I don't recommend their hang on stand because the height is not right and it is heavier than lead.
The company used to be here in Georgia and they pretty much spread by word of mouth. Recently the company was sold to a family in Michigan. We sent them an email regarding the lack of dealers and they were more than willing to sale directly to us. We use ladders exclusively and many of the ones you guys mentioned are slowly being replaced by the Family Traditions stands. Their combination of seat material and slight incline to the seat back, which sits away from the tree, allows both all day comfort and ease of movement to stand and shoot. Before you ask, I am not affiliated with them, I just think they are great stands and a great company to do business with.
Neil
I have a few now. I don't move them much. I like them for larger branched trees and trees that are hard to hunt with a hang on due to size, shape or angle of the tree. I will be doing more in the future when the kids start to hunt. They are a lot easier to climb and much safer. The ones I have are 18' Loggy Bayou. I don't recall the model, but they have a flip up seat and a deep platform almost all the way to the tree. I spend as much time as possible standing. A flip up seat and deep platform are absolute musts for bow hunting.
The older I get the better I like them. I just bought one used for thirty bucks and will set it up for next year. I like to leave them. I do like to pick a large tree to put against to break up my outline. The only problem I do have is the arm rails, I have hit them with my bottom limb and missed so be careful you have clearance before shooting.