I'm brand new to bow hunting. I am a big guy 6'4" 240 and have a 62" recurve.

I'll be hunting in several locations in Michigan - bouncing back between the Grand Rapids and Cheboygan areas.

I'll be hunting on private land in Cheboygan with permission and probably State land in GR.

I can't afford more than one stand and am on a pretty tight budget. I also cannot get anything I have to leave in the tree.

Would a climber work for me or should I try it on the ground this year?

If so, which climber do you recommend?

Ground or tree stand is up to you. I know Summitt makes a climber that is an "extra large" model and their stuff is very nice. Hunting off the ground in state land is popular as you don't leave anything to be taken by anyone. Make a nice brush blind and you are ready. Good Luck!

Nothin wrong with staying on the ground, can get real exciting real quick...If you get a stand I would get a climber, I kinda like the Lone Wolf. Your portable to change set ups, they are silent, the down side is they are a bit pricey...but you get what you pay for...good hunting.

Out of all the climbing stands I have owned or used you can't beat summit for the money. You want a stand that is light but you also want something that is strong and easy to set up and take down. I have a summit viper, the stand is like sitting in your favorite chair. I have seen some good deals in the tree stand forum on this site. Good Luck

Another vote for a Summit. Love mine. That being said, you may want to check out the tree saddle/tree seat type set ups. From what I understand, you can wear it in and carry some steps...

I'm totally not against hunting from the ground but people keep telling me my chances are going to decrease dramatically.

I just feel like maybe worrying about a stand is one factor I don't need on my first hunt.

Nick, there is nothing wrong with hunting from the ground.  90% of my hunting is done from the ground.  As with a tree stand play the wind and do your homework and you would be surprised what you can accomplish sitting on the ground.  I have had deer close enough to tap of the butt with my bow while standing up leaning against a tree.  It is a great thrill when you see them eye to eye from ground level!!  Good luck and keep us posted.

Given your situation—can only afford one stand, have to take it out every day, must use it in numerous areas—the choice to me is clearly a lightweight hang-on stand and a set of climbing sticks.

I have a climber and use it a lot, but unfortunately they are not catchall stands. They are limited to trees that will accept a climber (straight trunk and no lower branches). If all you have is a climber, you could very well limited yourself to less than ideal areas simply because you can't get use your stand in the best areas. With a hang-on and sticks, you can hunt most any tree and still take your stand out with you at the end of the hunt.

A climber will work. If you've done your scouting you can find a tree. I've had the Summit and a Lone Wolf and prefer the LW. Not quite as comfy as the S but very quiet and easy in/easy out. I prefer the belt system of the LW. It seems I was always clunking one of the chunks on the cable with the Summit.

agree that hang on with sticks are very versatile.  sucks when you have to choose a tree to hunt out of vs. choosing a good location to hunt.

Limblover,
Buy a $19.95 folding gerber saw to go with the Summit Viper Goliath and change your handle, haha !!! You will love the Goliath and just keep your Gerber saw in the side bag and if you come to a tree with some small limbs in the way just cut them off flush with the trunk and keep a climbin. Hunted out of ours for years and love them. If I am hiking over a mile then I hunt from a Guido's Web, woodpecker drill, and bolts to climb with.


nocams  

The trophyline is great with the sticks.Check out trophylineusa to see more. Climbers,,You can't beet the price of the summit,,but the lonewolfs are a very nice stand. But a simple swivel stool attached to your pack is great too.. I have a summit and great freind gave me and I used it last year a few times and it was really nice. I love sitting on the ground and I have been very effective with that too. So,,If I were in your shoe's I would by a climber and a stool.I hunt exclusivelu in MI and on alot of stateland,,If you need anyhelp finding some good land let me know,,JB

For State land I prefer a climber for sure. I tried a hang-on for awhile and found it occupied more than once when I got there. Also, I can't seem to get the hang of setting them the day I want to hunt. I make too much noise and get way too sweaty.

I am buying a LoneWolf in a few weeks. Expensive but the one I borrowed was the nicest stand I have ever used. Summit makes a good stand for less money though and they are even easy to find used.

Climber for sure.

I'm not totally off the idea of buying a stand but I think I may just buy a swivel stool this year being that my budget is pretty small. I had to buy my bow, arrows, and everything else this year so I'm barely skating by.

I have been checking Craigslist and some nice stands have been showing up fairly cheap but I don't want to jump into a stand I may not like or spend the money on a stand and decide I like hunting from the ground better.

I'm thinking I'll go out opening day and hunt from the ground - I'm doing some scouting this weekend.

I'm hunting on my uncle's land and my spot borders an apple orchard, thick woods, a farm, and the tail end of a golf course. There is deer there all the time and they are fairly used to people. My chances are good if I stay downwind and provide adequate cover for myself. Should be plenty to build a brush blind.

GR is a different story. I know of good land but have not scouted it yet.

Make a ground blind, it costs you nothing.  You don't need to put pressure on yourself to hunt deer.  Get a swivel seat if you need to sit down, or get a strap on tree seat.  Just watch the wind and make sure you identify shooting lanes.

I suggest a loc on with sticks.  Its hard enought o hunt he deer without finding a perfect spot then having to hunt a straight tree.  A loc on will increase the number of trees avalable to you to create an ambush.  Any tree that you can use a climber, a loc on and sticks will work but it doen't work the other way.
JMHO

Good luck either way.

Unless I find a stand DIRT cheap or one to borrow I'm going brush blind this year.

I'll check out some stools this Thursday when I'm shooting.

Thanks for all of the comments guys!

Don't buy a climber unless you can sit in it and draw your bow at all angles first. I'm 6' 4" 240 also, and 75% of all climbers won't work for us! Last year i got rid of my Ol'man climber after a frustrating week in W.Va. mountains. My personal opinion is to have an open front such as Summit Bowhunter. You should try to mix/match the seat with their oversized platform. If you stay grounded invest in an ASAT 3-D suit for sure!