Any input on a climbing stand that is bow-hunter friendly? I seem to think the ones without the shooting rails would be better but.........
from my expirence dont plan on sitting, and leave the hand climber down low so your bottom limb will clear it at release, i ruined a nice bow when it caught the climber arm.
any of them will work just check your clearence before settling in....and dont forget to strap the climber real tight to the tre so it dosent slide around the tree when you put your weight against it to reach out around the tree for a shot.......
Lone Wolf hand climber for portability. Summit for all day comfort. I took a Summit Python and removed the rail. You van also swing it out of the way if you want to use it for sit down climbing, but I am used to the hand climbing so just put it aside.
Lone Wolf!!!
I have a summit bushmaster. Many years and not one single issue.
I recently tried a lonewolf. Quiet, easy. Just a bit awkward to climb with.
I recently checked out my next stand though at a bow shop. It is called the X-1.
I think each stand has pros and cons...but I think they all fit the bill for being bow friendly.
I have a summit, but want a lone wolf.
I have a Lone Wolf hand climber. Pros Packs up real slim and adjusts easy, very light weight, really quiet and solid once you are up. No worries on hitting stand with bow. Cons Price, Not the most comfortable stand to sit in for really long periods,comes with really cheap back straps. I use a strap when climbing it makes it much easier. For me the positives far outweigh the negatives.
I bought a lone wolf wide sit and climb. I have 2 summits. One is the open shot. The summits by far are more comfortable, but the lone wolf is way more packable, and quiet. If I am on a big deer and want minimal disturbance, i use the lone wolf.
Lone Wolf.I replaced the seat with a Hunt Comfort seat.I can sit for hours now instead of minutes.
I have an API grand slam bowhunter. It is an older treestand, but this thing is solid as rock. It is also very comfortable. It doesnt have the bar that goes all the way around but it does have two handles that you hold onto while climbing they can kinda get in the way but like arrow30 says if you leave the top part kinda low you the hand rails are usually out of the way for a shot
I have a Summit Bush Master and I love it, comfortable and longbow friendly (do have to watch the side rails though). I had been wanting to get a Lone Wolf hand climber but the price kept me away; I recently was able to borrow one for a few days and after 2 hours I knew I never wanted to do it again! Pure misery, not made for comfort. To each his own though.
Lone Wolf
Loggy Bayou Lite - probably one of the safest and sturdiest(aluminum) because after you climb up the seat folds up and it has a lock down strap that solidifies the stand to the tree
Treewalker by far the best climber out there.Made in the U.S.. Very safe very light and plenty of room and options.
There are a ton of topics on this...just do a POW WOW search.
The big issue with asking the question "What is the best..." is you are going to get more answers than you think as everyone has their favorite or what works best for them.
Here is what works for me and gives me choices for each tree and surrounding vegetation.
1. Summit Razor SS - can be used as a sit-n-climb and then fold the bar up under the seat. Has limited shooting area because of seat design but is not a big deal. It is a relatively heavy stand and bulky when carrying through the woods but it gets easier with practice. I use this stand for long sits when I want to be really comfortable or in an area where I hunt the evening and then come back in the morning...this means stand is left over night.
This stand does need to be silenced a little but is not bad.
2. Lone Wolf Hand Climber - light and easy to use and good for sits up to about 5 hours. I traded into one that has a sit/climb strap which is great and a must IMO. Excellent ability to shoot around the stand...matter of fact best I have ever seen. Also there is a tutorial in the POW WOW on how to make the seat a flip up one. Also the stand comes with lousy shoulder straps and the black securing straps need to go in order to make the seat flip up...this only requires putting a piece of string from the top to the bottom for safety when climbing.
This stand is also metal and needs to be silenced...I am about to use some HSS neoprene tape to silence the parts I need to. Plus I spray all my stands with bedliner and then paint them brown and gray.
3. Guido's web, micro platform, and E-Z up climbing system - by far my favorite system. I use this stand in areas where trees do not lend to using climbers or in areas where I do not want people to see the tree I am using. It is very easy to find my favorite trees with the climbing marks on them.
By far the lights setup I have. Also I am setting more areas for this system than I am climbing now.
Good luck with your decision.
I like my LW handclimber but replaced the stock seat cushion with a thicker,more comfortable one.Bought mine before they moved operations to China and because of some quality issues,LW has decided to move operations back to the U.S.
Lone wolf, IMO. I have an older one with the 2-inch thick foam pad seat cover. I sit in that dark to dark during the rut. That's 11 hour days where I hunt, and I don't find it uncomfortable.
I have the summit bushmaster! I don't use it much but when I do, works good, very comfortable! Jason
Summit Bushmaster here too. One disadvantage it has from the Lone Wolf is that it doesn't fold flat for carrying, but it's about $120 cheaper. Good, solid, comfortable stand once you're up.
Loggy Bayou- Lite
Personally, I'd take a hang on over a climber any day. I bought a Lone Wolf Alpha hand climber last year after Christmas but sold it by spring. It was a good stand as climbers go but frankly, climbing trees are too scarce and when you do find one, the stand felt sloppy on the tree once it was up. For weight and packability it's one of the best I've ever used but again, I'll take a quality hang on with some sort of ladder set up over a climber. My Non Typical Patriot with a set of Rapid Rails is just about perfect for me. If you are interested, I wrote a review in the Product Review forum called "First impression of Lone Wolf hand climber".
Lenny and I say one wolf foresure
Don't buy just yet. Lone wolf is coming out with all new products in January.
Bought a lone wolf hand climber this year through Tradgang. Never owned a climber before, so it took a few climbs to get used to it. Now I love it! Solid as a rock. With plenty of room to shoot trad gear. Still like my hang on stands, but this added a little versatility to my arsenal.
I've been up in my LW hand climber upwards of 250X, now. It takes 20 or so climbs to get a "system" down. But, once you do, you'll learn why it's as popular as it is. It frankly P'd me off the 1st several times I used it, though.
Also...don't buy this stand if you're a "sitter". I'm a stand-er when I bowhunt.
Good luck.
I really like my API magnum bowhunter
Lone Wolf
I have a lone wolf also and it works well. But I think that I am somewhat challenged in getting up a tree timely and quietly. No matter how much I try, climbers are just too noisy for me.
Ole man Vision for me.Coupled with ARROW30's advice it has proven functional and comfortable!
Summit Open Shot
Summit Goliath .....best climbing stand ever built!
I have a summitt 180. Borderline for my weight class but the rail is close enough that I have no problems shooting over it in any direction.
API Most comfortable stand I ever owned.
Lone Wolf hand climber for me. :thumbsup:
The Equalizer treestand. I have used several and I find this one to be the best climber. Quiet, Lightweight, secure and comfortable. As with all climbers, make sure your top piece is a little lower. This treestand is not well know, but worth it in my opinion. Also, I will sometimes cock my top piece a little to one side to make extra clearance depending on the situation. There will be a lot of opinions on this one, and most of them will be right, it just depends on what you prefer.
Lone wolf is the best hands down
I've got a Lone Wolf - sit and climb.
Right here in Kokomo. I'll be home from the 23d to the 30th if you'd like to try it out...
PM sent...
I can shoot my 64" longbow out of my Summit Viper easily. I just drop the top down low and then I dont have to worry about clearance. And I cans till sit pretty easy.
I like the stands with the rails because I pad those rails with armor flex and then when I'm sitting in the stand I lay my bow across the rails and its right there all ready to go!
also the rails give me some security that I can nap and not fall out,,, and those rails are a gift from god when climbing where i can sit and climb or use my forarms. I have a Lone wolf handclimber that litterly destroys my upper body when I climb with it,, I've used it twice early last season and rather use my gorilla or oleman now
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the opinions. Too bad you cannot try a stand before you buy one.