Folks,
I have the opportunity to hunt some protected public land in the near future. I will have little time to scout and think that a climbing tree stand might be in order. To this point, I have been a ground hunter due to the fact that I have two boys that usually accompany me on my outings.
Do you have any suggestions for affordable, safe, and light climbing stands?
Thanks!
For hunting with a trad bow your choices are pretty much Summit Open Shot or Lone Wolf Hand Climber
Michael, if you lived closer I have one you could use.
All climbing stands are pretty pricey these days. I would say to think about the lone wolf hand climber. Super light and you have all the room in the world to make a shot with a trad bow when the time comes. I just bought one new for $289 so that's about on par with most stands now days.
Ol'Man Alum-Lite. Front rail can be removed or lowered to be used as a foot rest. I think it is under 18 lbs. Its very simple to setup even in the dark. Seat is comfortable. Grips tree well.
Lone wolf - with new flip seat is great but more pricey!
Thanks all! I'll Check out the lone wolf.
I've been using the Lone Wolf hand climber for more than a decade and plan on using it for another. My hunting buddy has the open shot and loves it. It really boils down to what you are willing to spend. Both are great choices, but find the lone wolf to be quieter.
Summit Razor is also an option.
I have to go with the lone wolf hand climber also
Affordable is the tough part. If $400 is affordable then I'd say Lone Wolf. After using a couple of different climbers i would either save up for a Lone Wolf or go without one.
Yes. Though not cheap. The lone wolf hand climber. If you need a sit and climb and don't mind the heavier model. The lone wolf sit and climb with hazmore seat. These stands are so quiet and pack the best.
For all day sitting comfort and price summits.
(http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b485/Edgejake2009/IMAG0868_zpsd6cc5de3.jpg)
Summit bushmaster.
Best stand I've owned, and very very customizable! The seat is very comfortable, and it packs up and down within two minutes. Not much heavier then a lonewolf considering the comfort. I love this stand.
Lonewolf handclimber.
That is based on owning both a Ol'man climber and a summit before I bought the Lonewolf.
Also I thought I'd like the lonewolf sit and climb so I bouhgt the sit and climb top and after using it a few times I went back to the handclimber top.
The Lonewolf handclimber also makes it nice to pack into the woods with a small backpack attached to the lonewolf. I do not fold up my stand like the directions say, just take it off the tree after you use it, slide the traction belts back into the slots and set the top section upside down on the platform. With the hand climber top upside down on the stand it makes a nice "pocket" on the stand to hold your pack while you backpack your stand into the woods. A Bison Gear lost river fits perfect on it.
My favorites are LW Handclimber by a long shot and then Summit Openshot.
I've been using a trad bow from a climber for the last six years, and I'm currently shooting a 68" Howard hill. That being said, I have no problems using my summit viper, which has shooting rail. My point being don't be afraid to look at stands with a shooting rail around the top, it provides extra security (I'd say its close to impossible to fall out), and being able to lean on the bar has definitely helped me shooting some odd angles. Good luck with your hunt!
Ps: many times you will find older "classic" summit model stands at stores for the $150-$175 range.
Open shot. One on CL near Toledo for $100
Bassbow,
I will go against the grain here. You can hunt out of whatever climber you would like to. I hunt out of an $80 climber from sportsmansguide.com. It was very heavy so i wouldn't recommend it but for $80 tyd, its hard to be beat. They currently have a #16 climber for under $150, which is as cheap as you will find. Don't worry about the bar in front of it, just practice out of it and you will be fine.
Here is a link to the stand. When asking opinions remember that some people only like certain brands, some people only like American made products, some like this, some like that. Be sure you don't let someone elses opinion affect your decisions.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/api-outdoors-aluminum-marksman-climber-tree-stand.aspx?a=1332952
I hope this helps. As far as climbing stands go, you wont find a cheaper one for this price that is aluminum.
Daniel
Ol man alumalite got it- nice comfy stand... Not as portable as I like... A lot of set up... Doesnt go in the thick stuff that well.. a very good stand, just when going deep... or not sure of the perfect place... more stand than I want to carry in and out each time.... Mine is locked to a tree on a side of a hill and will stay there till NOV 15 unless I need to move it a lil bit....
Summit Bushmaster- cabelas old open front stand... Lighter and very portable... This one is my go to stand for climbers.... It is pretty comfy to boot... If you can find a used me... Grab it!!!
Lone Wolf Assault- great light portable stand... Allows me to hop around quietly... Not as comfy as the other two, but is light with 3 sticks... Easy to shoot from... Fits almost any tree and gets used about 3x as much as the other two combined... Almost 2x the price of the summit though...
It is better to be in the right tree instead of the almost right tree, 90% of the time...
QuoteOriginally posted by DanielB89:
Bassbow,
I will go against the grain here. You can hunt out of whatever climber you would like to. I hunt out of an $80 climber from sportsmansguide.com. It was very heavy so i wouldn't recommend it but for $80 tyd, its hard to be beat. They currently have a #16 climber for under $150, which is as cheap as you will find. Don't worry about the bar in front of it, just practice out of it and you will be fine.
Here is a link to the stand. When asking opinions remember that some people only like certain brands, some people only like American made products, some like this, some like that. Be sure you don't let someone elses opinion affect your decisions.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/api-outdoors-aluminum-marksman-climber-tree-stand.aspx?a=1332952
I hope this helps. As far as climbing stands go, you wont find a cheaper one for this price that is aluminum.
Daniel
Best advice I've read here.
When I first started out I let other affect my thought on a stand. I thought I HAD to have a lonewolf to be a hardcore hunter....
Bought both the hand and sit and climb climber. ..
Granted both are probably the lightest you will find as for climber, and they pack up probably better then any other stand... But I was always extremely uncomfortable. I could spend 3 to 4 hours tops... After that I was done. I will pack in a extra few pounds in a climber if it allows me to sit for longer periods of time. End result.... You wil get a bagoozle of answers, make sure you try one yourself before you commit.
But I was always extremely uncomfortable. I could spend 3 to 4 hours tops... After that I was done. I will pack in a extra few pounds in a climber if it allows me to sit for longer periods of time. End result.... You wil get a bagoozle of answers, make sure you try one yourself before you commit. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I second what he is saying. Be sure that whatever climber you are getting has a comfortable seat. The best i have found is the "recliner" style that has a piece that goes up on the tree. The walk in is usually no more than 30 mins, but with the right climber you can sit for hours and hours.
Let us know what you end up getting.
Daniel
The Lone Wolf stands are very nice. I certainly would like to have one. Hunting exclusively public land requires me to pack my stand in and out every time and I need something that goes up quick and quite and that did not require straight trees. Not may straight trees in Iowa.
The Muddy Blood Sport and climbing sticks are quick to go up, very quite, easy to hang and pack in nice. I prefer hang on's over the climbers because I don't have to be as selective with the trees.
I have found 2 used quick and quiet tree stands each one costing less than $100 they have an open front grip tree well, put on tree in a snap and easy to pack. Not many people know about these stands they are excellent oh and I forgot to mention light , I think right around 15 pounds.
This is great advice. The API looks nice. The price is good. I'll look into the all. I will let you know what I decide!
One thing I always forget to take into consideration is trees, in FL 90% of our trees are straight up and down. Even in a oak hammock you can find one. I did buy a muddy stand with lonewolf sticks and used them ok. I just could never get into the habit of climbing up the tree without climbing back down a few times to grab the next stick.
So trees make a huge part of choosing sticks versus climbers. For those hunters with nothing but crooked trees with lots of limbs. I'm sure it would be hell using a climber, lol.
Mk I'm done now. I'm just super passionate about treestand models and types.
I've also used a tree saddle before... They are a good route considering your woods.
I use the viper too. The rail is nice to lean against and shoot over
I have been using the summit viper rail is there but you get used to leaning a bit and shooting over it. Very safe feeling, quite and very comfortable, I just picked up the viper sd from on on-line site for 217 shipped to my door
Summit Viper for me. I purcahsed a Lone Wolf Hand Climber last year. Nice stand but didn't work for me after using the Summit for so long. It went bye bye this week and I picked up a Lone Wolf Assault for when I use a Hang-On.
I have Summit Open Shot, Bushmaster, and LW. My favorite is LW because it packs flat, is very quiet and secure & top section is easily adjusted while climbing.
I've had an Ol Man and still have a Summit that have the rail around them. I killed deer from both stands. You just have to keep the rail in mind when you position for the shot. I like the added security of the rail. Good luck with your choice.
Just for what it's worth...
My number one thing is comfort. I'm going to spend 3+ hours sitting in it so it's critical to me to be comfortable. I can deal with shooting my bows out of most anything. Bars don't bother me.
So I hunt out of a Summit Goliath. I have two of them. Granted I never pack them any further than 1/2- 3/4 mile at the most. And I hunt private land. If I was going to be going further I'd drop down to the open shot or the Summit Specialist.
Next to comfort a quiet stand is important to me. I am 250-260 and 6'0" so a stand that creaks and cracks and flexes is not going to work for me. This is the other reason I choose Summit. They're solid.
But it seems stands are extremely personal.
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
For hunting with a trad bow your choices are pretty much Summit Open Shot or Lone Wolf Hand Climber
What he said! :readit:
I've owned Summit, Ol'man and I finally broke down and bought a Lone Wolf hand climber. I must say, the LW is by far the easiest and the most quiet. It packs up nice and flat too, which makes it a lot more maneuverable in the thick stuff. JMHO of coarse!
Well nothing is moving and I can see a ways so I will weigh in from my lone Wolf where I have been for over 4 1/2 hours. There are no other ones I have tried that I like better all around particularly if I have to Hall it far. I got mine used for a lot less than a new one so it was not what I would call expensive. That it all relative anyway. In my mind expensive is something you get and hate then sell for a lot less than you paid and get something different.
I liked my old ol man multi something I think it was. I could take off the front bar. It was steel and a tank. I liked that I could move the seat to the front to climb, set front or back facing and stand against the tree without issues. I also recall the pop in my back when I re ruptured the disk in my back trying to get it with a pack attacked on my back. I got an aluminum version but that thing was very loud climbing and moving around on it. I hunted it once and sold it.
I don't like bars. I like to stand and be against the tree. I don't like to stand and lean way out from the tree.
I have looked at and borrowed a Summit. I have not ruled one out. Just have not found the right model at the right price.
I still hunt from hang ons most of the time. The lone Wolf assault with sticks or sick ladder is a great combo. For most of the trees I want to be in. Not cheep either but one will lay me the rest of my life as a carry around stand I don't leave out. Got mine used still with the box and papers.
I have two Summit Open Shots and one old Bushmaster...these stands have always served me well and I have no complaints...I would buy them again without hesitation.
What I would do if I were new to this market is go check them out to see which one I liked better. I would NOT buy one because it was cheap.