It seems getting older decided to teach me this weekend that I cannot spend 6 plus hours in just any stand. Was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas for comfortable ladder stands. Or if you know of a hanging stand that is comfortable I might be interested in it as well. Would prefer a ladder for these twisted Oklahoma trees. Thanks in advance for your help,
Scott..
family traditions treestands makes great ladder stands
check there website out
I've found that the Ol'Man-type net seats to be the most comfortable for long hunts. My brother had found an Ol'Man knock-off a couple years ago for around $100, I believe at either Academy or Wal-Mart, but unfortunately do not remember the brand. If it weren't for poachers having stolen it, I would be fighting him for that one every trip out.
Rusty
I second the Ol' Man type. Ol' Man makes a ladder stand with the same seat as their climbers. I have used one of their climbers for several years and it is the most comfortable seat of any stand I have been in.
I haven't tried anything but my Ol' Man with the net seat so my opinion means nothing, but I don't see how it could get more comfortable.
X3 on the Ol' Man.
With that said they aren't good to hunt from with stickbow as there is issues with bottom limbs hitting the sides when drawing and a sitting sideways shot is totally out of the question. I wouldn't use it. Not sure if there is a good one to use that is comfortable that would allow sideways shots at all while sitting.
I'm a fan of Rivers Edge. Partly because they are as comfortable as anything else I have used, and partly because one of them is only 32 pounds and I pack it in and out to some remote spots.
X 4 on the Ol Man.
I was on a hunt in Ill. and the outfitter had ladder stands that were meant for two. Very wide, with a padded seat. I found that the wide ones gave you some options as to how you sat and were very comfortable. 4-5 hours was a piece of cake!
I never have found the "perfect" ladderstand so I bought some 1.125" tubing and a tubing bender. Now I make the PERFECT ladderstand. Except I have about $400 each in them 8-(
Personally, I like ladderstands that have a platform that goes all the way back to the tree.
I'm not a ladder stand fan but I'm trying a Leverage Ladder in one location and I like it. Not because it's the most comfortable (it is comfortable) but because it's like sitting in a hang-on for shooting. Plenty of clearance. Seat flips up and out of the way.
Here is my test run.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Treestands/P1000487.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Treestands/P1000488.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/LostArrow/Treestands/P1000489.jpg)
I haven't tried the LEVERAGE ladder stand, but it's exactly what I'd buy if I were in the market for a new one. I like ladder stands, but all I've ever used had the side rails, which interfer with my shooting unless I'm standing up....there isn't always time to stand before taking a shot.
There are a bit pricey, but I think they'd be worth every penny.
Lost Arra
How solid is the Leverage? Is there any flex in the ladder while climbing? I am talking about for a big man, I am 285#. I do not like to feel slack or movement when climbing.
Does the stand lock tight to the tree, without flex in the platform?
Your comments, will be appreciated.
Thanks, Dennis
Dennis: the ladder is a sliding extension-type ladder, each section held by pins. I would say there is a little flex in it while climbing. This could probably reduced by how tight you get the ladder brace against the tree shown in the first photo.
The platform is rock solid. Two ratchet straps. One at the platform level and one behind the seat.
I don't use ladder stands very much so I'm probably not a good judge on the ladder stability.
I am using one of the Leverage ladder stands this fall too. Really nice, went up easy and like the others said, no rails. I also like the adjustable seat angle on the Leverage stand.
The most comfortable ladder stand I have though is a Big Game Partner Pro two person stand. The platform is twice as wide and just as deep as most full size stands. Fold up seat and if you leave off the shooting rails, very nice to shoot out of. Bit of a pain to put up though, but I did it alone so it's not too bad. You could almost hold a party up there it's so roomy.
http://www.huntriversedge.com/foundations/store_getRiver/shopdetail.asp?params=RE622*0
Cheap and portable. Two key attributes for me.
http://www.huntriversedge.com/foundations/store_getRiver/shopdetail.asp?params=RE622*0
Cheap and portable. Two key attributes for me.