Tree Stand Decision For 2016

[Basstar]

Well, my compound is now gone and I intend to be hunting with a longbow next year.  I may make a few "fun" hunts, small game and stump shooting this season but truthfully am not at the skill level where I would feel ethical taking a shot at a deer.

Now I have a decision ahead of me for next year.

I currently own a Summit Viper Elite SD climber style tree stand which has the sit and climb bar.  I am concerned about the bar being in the way to hunt with a longbow and would like some opinions form you folks who have already walked this trail.

My three primary thoughts at this time are to 1) keep this stand and learn to shoot around the bar, 2) sell this stand and purchase another Summit climber with the hand climber top and no bar, and 3) sell this stand and purchase the Lone Wolf Hand Climber model.

A fixed hang on stand and steps are not a choice at this stage of my life "AND" much of my hunting is still hunting or hunting from makeshift ground blinds.  The tree stand will be used probably 20% of the time or less.

Thoughts and opinions?

Thanks

[TIM B]

You still have a lot of season left- if your confident at 12 limit yourself to that....if your only confident at 8 yards then that's your limit.  I say go hunt.  
I'll let others comment on stands as I'm usually on the ground.  
A LOT  of deer been killed at 8 yards or less...go have fun

I have only hunted from a climber a few times, but it was from a stand with a bar, and I hated it! If I had to have a climber, it would not have a bar.

Bisch

[PennDude]

Have you thought about replacing the seat?  Check out Hazmore Outdoor products.  Their seat will seat you up higher on the stand and may help to keep the bar out of your way.  Here's a link:  http://www.hazmore.net/silent-seat-hammock-seat-for-summit.html

[Cory Mattson]

Lone Wolf hand climber - I bought one when they first came out - use it more every year - super functional - ended up giving away my Summits (which are good stands). Great equipment for stickbow treestand hunting.

We run Chippewas and Lone Wolfs - but we shoot an amazing number of deer out of these climbers.

Cory<><
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[foxbo]

Sometimes even the seat can be in your way. With the LW hand climber, you can tilt the seat back up against the tree while standing. That's what I usually do the first and last hour of light. Well, at least that how I use to do it when I was able to stand that long. The ole back has been giving me a fit lately.

[JakeD]

I would go with the Lone Wolf.  I do not have the Lone Wolf climber, but rather the assault and sticks.  The quality of Lone Wolf is much much better than a Summit in my opinion.  I have owned 2 Summit climbers (one open shot and one viper) and ended up selling both of them and using Lone Wolf only.

[goingoldskool]

I have an open shot that I "put" a bar on.... it's not an "elevated " bar, but one that sticks straight out.  I installed it back in my compound days, but it is not a problem with my 66" longbow.

Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,

Rodd

[Arctic Hunter]

I would get rid of anyng that's going to limit where you can shoot or has any chance of getting in the way.

[varmint101]

12 years out of my summit viper and no problems up to a 64" longbow.  You've got the stand now so try it and see what you think.  If you've got money to burn try the lone wolf and see.

[bucknut]

I have a Lone Wolf and love it. Not as comfy as the sling seats but ok for 3-4 hour sits. Lots less bulky carrying in and much more quiet setting up too. They are pricey but worth it in my opinion.

[Possum Head]

Awhile back someone did an interesting post on shooting what I believe to be a Summit Viper. He mentioned leaning over he rail with his bow out front. Practice from yours and see if you can figure it out. I bought Summits Specialist a couple years back and like it for it's shootability though it's not as comfortable as my Ole Man.

[Chris O]

I have a Summit Bushmaster and have shot a 62" longbow from it without issue.

[joe munno]

I agree lonewolf try the summit and ended up with thelonewolf

[perry f.]

Keep your summit, I still have mine. A little adjustment to get used to bar but in my opinion, no better stand out there. Just be sure to practice from it

[TSHOOTER]

I use a viper and don't have a problem.  You have to cant the bow quite a bit but as shots get close I shoot better canted anyway.  Truthfully, you can take shots closer to your tree from a viper with a longbow than with a compound.  The biggest challenge is setting up for closer shots than when you used a coupound.  Don't go as high either.  Good luck.

[pruski]

i own and love my lone wolf hand climber.   but a friend let me sit his stand(summit with the bar around front)  had deer come in and everytime i drew to shoot the string would bump into the bar.. couldnt shoot out of that stand.  bummer

[Basstar]

After a lot of back and forth decision on my part I am thinking I am going to go ahead and sell this stand and either buy a LW Hand Climber or perhaps hunt from the ground for one season.

Considering I bought the stand new and never had an opportunity to use it I would rather sell it to someone brand new.  If I try it and use it even once I would have to sell it as a used stand.

Thanks so much for the insight and opinions.

[northener]

I went to ladder stands where I can leave them but only use 1 ladder section which puts my feet at 6-7'   otherwise I stay to the ground with my torges seat.

Plan on taking a good long look at millenniums 360 swivel chairs for ground hunting next year.

[RodL]

You can go to summits website and buy the hand climber and use your current base platform