tree stand/ladder

You'd be better off moving this to the hunting forum, I expect. You'll get more responses there.

Springmom

No fun.

Hey there.
We use ladder stands all the time, at around 15'. Most of mine are home made now and way too heavy to move around. We can leave ours where they are and have for years. Mine are made of 1 1/2" steel tube and the platforms are huge, with sides. Anyway! Any of the so called portables are still pretty heavy and not very fast at setting up. and or taking down.
Just wondering if you have considered a good climber ? I do not like them but some do. For rifle hunting my big stands are very nice. I just don't think you are going to like that in and out of the woods thing every time with a ladder stand. After about one trip like that you may be changing your mind.
15' is more than high enough. 12' feet is not even all that bad. It's all in how and where.

I often hunt with a portable ladder stand, although I mostly use it on private land and leave it in place for the season. But I can and have used it on public land where it can't be left over night. I've used both 12 and 15 foot ladders. The 12s are actually pretty good depending on terrain and foliage; you don't need to get real high if your intent is to get above close in undergrowth. That said, I prefer the 15 footers.

Since you plan to pack in and out daily, don't bother with big platforms, shooting rests, and all the do-dads you can hang on a stand. The lighter the better. Just have a platform big enough for your butt, and another for your feet. If you secure it properly with good ratchet-type tie-down straps, it shouldn't creak at all. Very helpful to have a buddy with you to set it up, though. Hard to set one up alone and keep it quiet.

And by all means use a full body safety harness.

ladder stands are safe and comfortable. dicks/cabelas has some cheap ladder for around $99. ladders are maybe 15" wide....more than enough to climb. One drawback for ladders is that they are heavy and sort of a pain in the A%$ to set up. if you have someone who can help you set it up, it'll be much easier. set up properly and in a good sized tree, they shouldn't move or be noisy at all. 15' is a great height for gun hunting....just may sure you set up somewhere with branches/cover behind you so you aren't "silhouetted" against the skyline.

If you are set on taking it in/out daily, I strongly suggest you get a climber....ladders just don't measure up in the mobility department.


API does make a backpack stand with collapsible ladder, but they are as expensive as a climber and heavy. The link is below if you want to check that out
http://www.apioutdoors.com/62748.html?cmid=api_62748

I also use a ladder stand but I set it up at the beginning of the season on private leased land and take it down after the season. I certainly don't recommend to do it on a daily basis.

I agree that you do not want to be lugging around a ladder stand everytime you go in and out of the woods. I use them all the time, and other than occasionally moving a couple of them, they stay in the same place year round. One thing you might try is a set of climbing sticks that come in 3 or 4 foot sections and are like a ladder. They strap to the side of the tree and you can hang a stand above them. For the places you are hunting the best thing, in my mind (and it comes and goes), is a climbing stand.

They're great, but not something you want to move very often. I'd use a climber, for your needs.

Absolutely do not buy a ladder stand for daily removal. Get a climbing treestand; that's what they're for. Look into the Summit series (Viper at Dick's is $150) on the high end or Hunter's View on the low end.

I dread carrying my climber as is.I cant imagine toting a ladder for long distances.