OK, after 45 years of bow hunting I am considering buying my first tree stand. The only reason for this is there is a spot the elk habituate and I would like to be there waiting for them on opening morning. To be honest, I plan on sitting overnight to be certain of not blowing them out trying to get into the stand in the morning. So my question is: what would be the most comfortable (and economic) tree stand you are familiar with. A fold down shooting rail might be nice in case I doze off sometime during the night, might prevent waking up at the end of a safety line! LOL. Was kind of looking at the Millenium M-150 but according to the descriptions of all the stands, they are all the best, or so says the manufacturer.

What will you do if the wind is a different direction during the night, then what you plan on it being the next morning? ...esp if the night winds blow right towards the elk? I generally find winds at night are variable, and by morning shift all together...just curious.

Are you going with hang on, ladder, or climber?

M-150 is a great comfortable stand. Tie a rope to the tree at chest height when sitting then tie rope around chest, you won't go no where if you doze.

Shadowhnter, The elk feed in a clover field at night and then move into a timbered hillside after the sun comes up. It is ag land so they are familiar with faint human odor. Since I never know which side of the stand they will enter the timber from, the wind is a 50/50 proposition anyway you slice it. Once day breaks, the breeze usually goes uphill away from the field.

I snore. There wouldn't be an elk within 5 miles. No I couldn't stay awake all night.
How far in do you need to carry it?

only about 400 yards!

If I wasn't worried about it getting stolen I'd stick a ladder stand in there a couple weeks to a month ahead of time. If you can't do that I'd use a hang on. The Millenium M25 will be the next one I buy.

You REALLY ought to look into a Treesaddle.  IMPOSSIBLE to fall out of.  Lightwt and fits in something the size of a shoebox. You can literally sleep in it with no fears.  There is a slight learning curve- but it would be the ticket.

Dan in KS

QuoteOriginally posted by newhouse114:
Shadowhnter, The elk feed in a clover field at night and then move into a timbered hillside after the sun comes up. It is ag land so they are familiar with faint human odor. Since I never know which side of the stand they will enter the timber from, the wind is a 50/50 proposition anyway you slice it. Once day breaks, the breeze usually goes uphill away from the field.

I see, Thanks!

Ugh...double

There are plenty of great tree stands out there. None are designed to sleep in. An accident waiting to happen in my opinion.

Have you considered a pop up blind?

Jeff

Is it legal there to be in a tree over night with a weapon?

Everything legal!! I want to be elevated in case the herd moves through (or some satellite critters) the timber and finds an occupied blind.

While I can't comment much on the Mellenium M-150, I will say I own the Mellenium tree seat. In my opinion it has no rival! Built well, very comfortable, quick set up and carries great.
However, my tree stand experience is with climbing stands. I have owned most of the popular models. The Sumitt Goliath is the best I have found. Once you get settled in with your HARNESS on it is as comfortable as sitting on your sofa. As for sleeping....someone mentioned earlier it's never a good idea to sleep in any elevated platform. But, I have dozed on many occasions in the Summitt climber and it's nearly impossible to fall out. I've harvested about 40 whitetail with my bow, all but two were from tree stands. Love watching the woods come to life sitting in my tree stand.

X2 on the absolute comfort of Summit stands. I have fell asleep in mine, and very little chance of falling out.

My Summit Specialist it my go to stand for 5 hr or shorter sits it being open fronted makes it long bow ready. For comfort and snoozing it's my Ole Man Vision hands down. You can actually recline in it with built in foot rest and it's impossible to fall out of while reclined. Best wishes on your hunt.

I've hunted out the milliennium m150 and it's very comfortable. I'm looking into buying the m50 because of the adjustable platform to get in trees that have a lean to them they way it will open up more tree  choices. It just doesn't have the back rest of the seat.

Have only been able to doze off comfortably and securely in a Summit climber.

It is quite possible that when you spend the night in the stand and wake up, you may find yourself having to climb down to do your business.

For myself, I have only spent the night in ground blinds.

For a climber and overnight sit I would recommend a Summit.  I can sleep all night long in my Summit Viper and be comfortable doing it.   But I would think you would probably be looking for a hang on and in that case the Millennium you are looking at would be best.