Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: mfh on April 27, 2007, 11:08:00 PM

Title: Tree Stands
Post by: mfh on April 27, 2007, 11:08:00 PM
I know this is a personal preference...I currently have a Summit Viper and four hang ons - but now that I am eyeing my set up for traditional, I know that the Summit with the front bar will not work.  The hang ons will...but am wondering what climber you guys use that works well with trad bows.

I have looked at the tree lounge - looks comfy, but the platform is way, way out...negating the use of the tree to break your profile.  

I know there are  alot of stands without the front bar....but am looking to hone in on a couple models to figure what will eventually fit my need.

Thanks again,
Matt
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Brian Krebs on April 27, 2007, 11:14:00 PM
Your probably going to have to stand to shoot; or sit sideways on the seat. Whatever stand you use; wear a safety belt and try out different shots. You have to be aware that if you draw and move; the limbs might hit the stand.
  I don't use climbers; so can't help you there; but I have done my time in treestands with a longbow  :)
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Justin Falon on April 27, 2007, 11:42:00 PM
These are my favorites in no particular order:
Screaming Eagle
Windwalker
Lone Wolf

justin
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: cjones on April 28, 2007, 12:14:00 AM
Of all the stands i have owned the summit razor ss and the lonewolf are the best for trad.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Mike Gerardi on April 28, 2007, 03:52:00 AM
lone wolf climber.. Awsome stand...
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Danny Roberts on April 28, 2007, 04:10:00 AM
I have a Tree Lounge and will probably never have a different type climber. Get used to having the Lounge on different angles and you have no problem with profile. I have sat in mine for hours, never getting tired or uncomfortable. I haven't killed one way back in there with it yet, but when I do, I have the wheels that make it a cart. Good huntin' !!!
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Curveman on April 28, 2007, 07:21:00 AM
I have a Summit Python sit n climb and I have had no problem using it with trad bows. My bar folds down and makes a nice foot rest but even without it folded down I have just put my bow out over it having rested it across the bar. I do plan to get a Lone Wolf without the sit featur however but more for less weight and noise than the Python.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: sswv on April 28, 2007, 07:49:00 AM
hang-ons are my favotite by far but if I'm in a situation where I have to use a climbing stand it's always an API BowHunter Supreme.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: M.P. on April 28, 2007, 08:13:00 AM
I have 2 seats with my summit.I only use the one without the bar.

Buy another seat from  summit.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: JL on April 28, 2007, 08:38:00 AM
Both of my climbers (Summit Bullet backpacker and API grand slam supreme) have bars in the front, needed due to bad disc in back and they do not get in the way when shooting my bows. Have you tried shooting out of your Viper yet?

MP made a good suggestion. Summit sells the top portion of any of their stands seperatly. Just buy the top portion of the stand you want and add it to the bottom you already have. Best of both worlds.

JL
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: weasle on April 28, 2007, 08:43:00 AM
I like the lone wolf alpha assualt. it is only 8lbs. I am try the treesuit this season and see if i like it. nice thing about the tree suit is it is always on you, you just climb up in the tree and you can shoot a full 360 degrees. you can check that site ouyt at treesuit.com. hope this helps.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: bmfer on April 28, 2007, 09:44:00 AM
In my opinion, Lone Wolf. Hands down.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Slasher on April 28, 2007, 10:30:00 AM
I have the tree lounge... not a bow hunting stand for me...

I use the open front bushmaster from summit... pretty good stand.

I would probably get the lone wolf if I was shopping today... the lite flat quiet easy set up justifies the price when averaged out over the years...

But for some reason, I usually hunt from the ground instead of messing with a bulky tree stand...

hope it helps
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Shawn Leonard on April 28, 2007, 02:56:00 PM
No doubt about it. The Lone Wolf climbers are the best. They are light and very quiet and very, very stable. Shawn
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Stone Knife on April 28, 2007, 03:01:00 PM
If you have a place were you can leave them up, use cheap hangons with climbing sticks or ladder stands.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Curveman on April 28, 2007, 04:09:00 PM
I think you can take the bar off anyway, can't you?
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: jonesy on April 29, 2007, 10:04:00 PM
Matt, lone wolfs are real good.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Bonebuster on April 30, 2007, 06:50:00 AM
I own two Summit Bushmasters, and a Loggy Bayou.
Also several hang ons.

My choice is always one of the Summits.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Seeza on April 30, 2007, 07:16:00 AM
Lone Wolf Climber is the best investment I've made in equipment.  Stable and Quiet.
Seeza
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: WildmanSC on April 30, 2007, 11:55:00 AM
I'm going to be trying the Equalizer climbing stand this fall.  I like its adjustability features.

Bill
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: ChuckC on April 30, 2007, 02:17:00 PM
Yes, it is personal preference.  I personally use a Chippewa Wedge loc stand and I personally think there is no equal to it.  Also, I personally think that there is nothing that a climber stand will offer that a strap on cannot equal, and plenty the other way around.  But, of course, that is only my opinion.
ChuckC
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: TC in IL on April 30, 2007, 03:52:00 PM
Ditto on the CWL!
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Greyfox54 on April 30, 2007, 10:48:00 PM
Climbers aren't much good here in south -central Jersey , my favorutes in no particular order are :

      Screaming Eagle
      Screaming Eagle
          and
      Screaming Eagle
     My opinion , Fred
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: NCRecurve on May 01, 2007, 09:06:00 AM
For a climbing stand for bowhunting I bought a Lone Wolf climber top that I use with the bottom from my Summit Viper.  So I guess my favorite climbing stand for bowhunting is a Lone Summit or a Summit Wolf.   ;)   It actually works very well.  I really prefer hanging stands and the Lone Wolf Alpha is hard to beat for my hang and hunt stand.  I won't leave it in the tree due to the cost.

Doug
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: BigHink66 on May 01, 2007, 03:44:00 PM
Loggy Bayou.  

I am always in the minority on this issue, but when the features are compared between several different stands the loggy comes out on top for my purpose.

Good Price
Large Platform
Light Weight
No Bar
Rock Solid and won't shift

I would consider the lone wolf for its packability, but I intend to spend most of my time sitting and hunting out of it.  Not carrying it.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: PhilFloyd on May 01, 2007, 03:50:00 PM
Summit open shot for me.  Light, quiet, and very stable.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Dave Lay on May 01, 2007, 03:55:00 PM
I use hang ons 99% of the time I am in a tree stand, ( I have 9 of them) but the only climber I will use is the lone wolf
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: mmgrode on May 01, 2007, 04:26:00 PM
Lone wolf is now coming out with a ladder stand. Should be nice and light for packing in. Just another option. Cheers, Matt
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Jason in Bama on May 01, 2007, 05:58:00 PM
Between all the leases we hunt in Alabama in Tennessee we hang about 60 to 70 stands every year. I have had just about every stand out on the market at one time or the other. My favorites are Lone Wolf and Gorilla hang ons. For climbers I prefer Summit bushmaster, openshot, and broadhead stands, as well as the Lone Wolf climbers. Just my preferences.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: SERGIO VENNERI on May 01, 2007, 06:51:00 PM
# 1 lonewolf and #2 Screaming Eagle, just my opinion!
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: stagetek on May 01, 2007, 10:04:00 PM
The Lone Wolf is supposed to be the best. I have an older Summit Bushmaster. It doesn't fold flat, but the seat is the most comfortable I've ever used. It also has the open front.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: pseman on May 02, 2007, 12:10:00 AM
I'll put in a plug for Ol Man Vision. The front of the stand can be turned up(for guns), turned down and used as a foot rest(open front), or taken off completely for a totally open front. It is extremely comfortable and you can sit high enough on the seat to shoot to the side without having to stand. I had my first one for over 10 years and bought another last year(very durable).

By the way, you can buy 2 of them for the price of a high-end Summit or Lone Wolf.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Doug R on May 02, 2007, 08:38:00 AM
I have a Summit viper climber. Its very comfortable but noisy when putting it on a tree. I am thinking of trying a Treesuit this year.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: bentpole on May 02, 2007, 06:13:00 PM
Loggy Bayou XL Climber. I have two one thats one private property permanent with screw in steps and one that stays with me for other hunts. I also have an old loc on spirit climber that is very small so small that if I wear my big Sorel Boots they hang off the edge of the stand . The Loc on I used for years and just used to hug the tree without a climbing aid. No more I saw the light!The Loggy with the climbing aid the plastic coated braided cable with the locking cylinders is the way to go for me.It has a 20x36 platform weighs 17 lbs without the climber. Cabela's has them for 230.00 without the climbing aid I believe.Oh and wear a safety harness no matter what stand you chose!!
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: gobbler10ga on May 03, 2007, 07:42:00 AM
for a climber I like timber tall
very light weight
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: JC on May 03, 2007, 08:01:00 AM
PSE, sadly, ol man is gone...gorilla bought em. They changed the design some and increased the weight and price. I agree though, good stand, very comfortable.

I have an API Grand Slam...although heavy, it is absolutely the most comfortable stand I've ever been in. This is THE stand I'm in when I hunt the rut cause I can sit in it all day long without problems.

I use mostly hang on's now for 80% of my treestand hunting, but if I were to buy another climber it would probably be a Lone wolf sit and climb. Although pricey, I used one for a weekend and thougt it the best design I had been in.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: ux monster on May 03, 2007, 08:14:00 AM
Lone wolf,no contest.The best stands on the market.I use 3 hang ons with sticks and one hand climber,by far the best stands i have ever used.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: DW on May 03, 2007, 08:23:00 AM
hello JC, how are you and the family? OL' MAN IS BACK, we sold a lot of them last season. Lower price than before and still a good stand. Don
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: Bilbow Bagem on May 03, 2007, 07:34:00 PM
I used hang on stands for at least twenty years.  About three years ago I startd using ladder stands.  They offer a more stable shooting platform and you can acutally move around enough on them to shoot nearly 360.  I even bought a couple of two-man ladder stands.  The exta room to maneuver and stash gear makes them a real pleasure to hunt from. The other big advantage over hang-on stands is that you are able to get away from the tree and have considerably more room to swing the bow.  You also have the added benefit of not haveing to find a straight tree. They can be a little bit of a tussel for one man to set up and I may have to make two trips...one for the ladder sections and one for the platform but I really think it is worth it.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: pseman on May 03, 2007, 08:58:00 PM
JC, Ol Man is baacckk!! I purchased one last fall. They were gone but are back to producing treestands both steel and aluminum models. The cool thing is, the price of the stands is about the same as it was 10 years ago.
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: joebuck on May 03, 2007, 10:40:00 PM
I have enjoyed bowhunting out of hang on or climbing stands since 1977....all makes...this stand changed it all for me last fall...Lone wolf sticks and Guido's TreeStand..360 degree shooting.

 http://www.guidosoutdoors.com/
Title: Re: Tree Stands
Post by: mfh on May 03, 2007, 11:25:00 PM
Thanks once again.  Many of the stands you all mentioned I have looked at and in some cases been able to use.  I really like Summit stands since they are really comfy.  Where I hunt we move frequently so the hang ons are good - but having the ability to move mid hunt has proven useful - so my regular Gorilla hang ons (which I love) are way too much work.

I am going to look at the Chippewa...buddy bought one last year and love its light weight and ease to move around in an area - that may be the way to go...though it doesn't look as comfy as my summit.

I did just pick up a two seater fixed stand...got it used in great shape...so thats another stand I will be able to use...but really want something mobile.

Again thanks!