Does anyone use this stand for trad bowhunting? Does the front bar limit your shooting?
I held one a few weeks ago and I will get one for the rifle hunting portion of my hunting.
Very good quality stand! These are made by a friend of mine in my home town!! My son uses the bigger version and has not had a problem shooting out of it!
I have 2, best climber I have ever used. I feel safer than any stand I have had. Light weight. No problem at all shooting out of it.
Even with trad equipment?
I have a timber tall stand. Not the baby lite. I don't remember the name of the model. I bought it because it was 6 lbs. lighter than my other climber. It adjusts for level when up in the tree which is nice. There are some things I don't like about it. It's noisy setting up and climbing with it. I don't like the backpack straps, you put them on and off everytime because they attach to the seat part instead of the platform. It's a little tight and I'm not a big guy. I've used it for 3 or 4 years now and the only reason is the weight. I have a herniated disc in my neck and the lighter weight helps. If weight isn't much of an issue for you, I would suggest something else. I don't have a problem with the wrap around bar. I wouldn't have a climber without one.
I used a Baby Lite for a few years. I loved how light is was and it was really easy to climb with. You gotta love the leveling system they use.
What I didn't like was how noisy it was. Anything that touched the rails made a very loud noise (hollow tubes to reduce weight acted like an echo chamber!). I ended up wrapping the side rails with thin foam and camo tape. Overall, it is a bit on the tight side and right or left side shots can be a challenge with the rails.
I guess I will kick myself for selling my LW hand climber. I rifle hunted with an API years ago that had a front rail and always felt secure. Just thought I'd go back to a bar in front and edge up to the end of the bar. I have been practicing canting my bow more also.
At 12 1/2 #s you have to love it.
Noise must be a factor. My buddy has one and he has it taped and foam blown in the hollow frame. He says it is now very quiet and very stable ..... but he doesn't trad hunt.
I have always felt more comfortable with a front rail, but I'm not sure I can set it up to shoot trad.