Educate me on portable treestands

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nathan

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I m looking to invest in one. One thats light and easy to carry . I m not looking to leave it in the woods. The one that u carry on the back and see a nice tree and starts climbing with it then go down at the end of the day and brings it home.

ANy pros and cons ? Brands to look for ?

What are the price ranges I ll be looking at ?

BTW is it too cumbersome to climb with this thing, cables and safety straps? I only want to up no higher than 8 ft maybe, just to have a good view and field of fire.
 
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I just bought a Gorilla Grey Back from Basss Pro. It ran about $150. It is a climber and I have owned a couple other climbers. They are definitely an aquirred taste. It took me a few trips to get comfortable in them but now it is the only way to go for me aside from leaving a ladder stand on the lease. This Grey Back seems like the easiest carrying stand I have ever owned with back pack type shoulder straps and it folds down pretty flat. I will be using it on Sat so I will report back then on how well it climbs. I also currently have a Ameristep Grizzly. It is around the same price but probably weighs 5lbs more which isn't a whole lot but it is extra weight. The straps that you carry it with are basically mule tape so it digs into the shoulders a bit, but it is a very nice climber. Super sturdy and fairly roomy.
 
Thumbs down on treestands!

Educate me on portable treestands
I m looking to invest in one. One thats light and easy to carry . I m not looking to leave it in the woods. The one that u carry on the back and see a nice tree and starts climbing with it then go down at the end of the day and brings it home.
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Well, you asked for it, so here goes. This will irritate all the treestand hunters no end, but I've BTDT, and my experience is: CLANK, CLUNK, OOF, HEAVE, NOISE, kaCHUNKA kaCHUNKA kaCHUNKA kaCHUNKA, in the dark, right before the opening of shooting. (And this is IF some vital part doesn't come off and drop into the snow!) How many deer do you expect to be within 1/2 mile of you when you finally get the darn thing situated and have climbed up and in, and safety-strapped yourself, raised up your weapon on a string, and shifted around so you're halfway comfortable? At the end of the long, weary day, you still have to get your weapon down, get your treestand and yourself down, undo the treestand from the tree, pack it up, and pack it out. Along with your weapon, and all the other associated "stuff" a hunter packs along with himself.

Not to mention that Murphy's Law states that the Jordan Buck will appear, in full view and during legal shooting hours, while you're in the stand with your weapon ready, but on YOUR WRONG SIDE, and just beyond your ability to twist around and get off a shot without falling out of your stand. You can only swivel around just so far, and not one bit further. The buck will stand for 5 min. or so, while you attempt to writhe into position for a shot, then flip you the hoof and disappear into the brush.

If, during the hunting day, you have to answer the "call of Mother Nature," that's another trip up and down the tree, let your weapon down, unstrap yourself, climb down, do your business, then reverse the process.

Also, you can't move around much in a treestand, so you get colder quicker, and if it should begin raining or snowing, you're pretty much at the mercy of the elements. The wind can get at you from underneath, too.

Now, I know that there are lots and lots of hunters, bow and gun, who love their treestands, and would not consider hunting from the ground. Most of these put up the stand before season, and take it down at the end--they do not raise and lower the stand and pack it in/out each day. However, some do as you suggest, and still like hunting from the treestands.

The treestand hunters will claim to have solved all the problems I outline abvove, and state that using a treestand is no extra effort nor difficulty. Having tried several models, both climbers and strap-ons, and having found them all wanting, I have determined to stay a "ground hunter" for the rest of my career. I can normally find your stated "good view and field of fire" with some scouting around for the best place to locate a ground blind.

Now, an elevated platform, fastened to a tree, or built out of 4x4's, or such, is in another class altogether. This is basically a ground blind but up in the air. I've BTDT, too, and those are usually just fine. But that was not the subject of your inquiry.

One more thing: When using a tree stand, of any description, you're a fool if you don't use a safety harness on yourself. (One more expensive and heavy piece of gear to pack in & out, but essential.) A warden friend once stated that there are only 2 classes of treestand hunters: Those who have fallen out of a tree stand, and those who will fall out of a treestand. Enough said on that dreadful subject.

I have friends who hunt from treestands, who are good, successful, hunters. I have other friends who wouldn't go up a tree to hunt, for love nor money. I respect both views.

Thought you ought to receive at least one negative opinion on treestands.
 
I've done both - and they both have their pros and cons.
If you're in an area with a lot of undergrowth - they can be absolutely vital for a hunt. If you're in an area with good line of sight from the ground, they can be more hassle then they're worth.
The issues that Joe mentioned are absolutely a pain, and no - there's no way around some of 'em. Drink too much coffee this morning? You can either hang it off the side, or crawl down. You can't move around much, so if it's chilly out - you will probably get cold. Your hands/feet will be the first to suffer.
While I've never fallen out of a stand, I have fallen out of a tree while climbing into/out of a stand. Luckily only from a short height, but I still banged myself up pretty good. My father for example - has not always been so lucky, and fell from a pretty hefty distance while putting a stand up, and broke his back in two places. There is an element of risk there that has to be considered.
If you are going to go for a stand, I would suggest something a little more permanent. If you're going to go through the trouble of putting up a stand, you owe it to yourself to take the time to position it in the best possible way, take your time and do it correctly and safely, and really scout your location. Just not something you can do on-the-fly just before the start of the day, when it's dark out.
Ladder stands are your best bet - as they're the easiest to get in and out of, tend to be more stable, and tend to give you the best area to work with.
Without the time to really prepare your position, ground hunting is probably your better bet.
 
Well, there are pros and cons of hunting from a stand. Yes, there are some people who pack their stand in/out everytime they hunt. I do not. Mostly because I tend to hunt a long way from wherever I park. I have a reasonably light stand, and I packed it up some pretty steep country for about a mile the other day. It takes a pretty diligent person to pack one in/out everytime you hunt. Of course, I don't know your exact situation.

There is some truth to what Smokey Joe says. I've had stands so heavy you thought you were going to die before you got to where you were going, let alone, pack it back out, and man was it noisy. I still have it and use it. They aren't perfect. The one I have now has very broad shoulder straps and weighs in at about 20lbs. Much easier than some of the older stands I've had. Most people where I'm from haul one in on an ATV. I've done it on occasion too. Again, depends on your situation.

Yes, some of those older stands went clink clank clunk. The stand I have now is so much more advanced than all of those old stands I've had. Everything is strapped down tight, so nothing flops around (ie. no clink clank clunk).

There are still times when I hunt from the ground. This is mostly because it just would not be beneficial to me to pack in the stand this particular trip (for whatever reason). It could be because I don't have that much time to be hunting today, or I'm hunting in a new area and I want to do some walking. You get the idea.

As far as comfort, I haven't found a spot on the ground that's as comfortable as the seat on my stand. When I'm in it, I sit still pretty much the whole time. When I'm on the ground, I tend to fidget.

Treestands aren't perfect. I certainly will not claim to have solved all of the problems involved with a treestand, but to me, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages... most of the time. It certainly doesn't warrant me dropping them altogether. When you hunt from a treestand, you just know there are certain things that you will have to deal with. You may just love to hunt from one. I know I do. Then again, I love to hunt from just about anywhere.

BTW, the one you provided a link for isn't a climbing treestand. It's a lock-on/fixed position stand.

Here is the one I got for Christmas last year. Probably the best/easiest to use/most comfortable stand I've ever owned. As far as safety harness, it comes with one when you purchase it.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_79359_425003001_425000000_425003000_425-3-1
 
Thanks for the pros and cons. Newt, thats a great product on the SUmmit Viper. Whats your average time to be up on a tree after choosing one?
 
It took some time to figure out how it folds up/fastens together to pack, but after that, it was cake. I can be up in a tree in probably 5 mins or less once I find a suitable tree. Whichever stand you choose be safe. Good luck and let us know what you pick.
 
I love my summit viper, its by far the best climbing stand I've used. I think they run about $250(been 3 or 4 years), and the stirrups on the things make climbing and coming down easy. Not the lightest I've had, not the heaviest either. Very comfortable stand for a climber. Probably pick tree to the top in 10 minutes or less(trying to be quiet).
 
Another endorsement here for the Summit Viper. I've hunted public land here in Wisconsin my whole life where the only legal tree stands are the portable and temporary type. 40 years ago it was the original Baker(the clank/clank/clank ones) and thru the years I have had others, both climbing and strap-on. I've had 3 Summits over the years and they all have been good, and all were quiet going up and coming down(once you get to know them and if you have the strength to use them properly).

Interesting thing on the old noisy Baker brand stand......on several occasions, the noise made from climbing a tree with the Baker actually called in a rutting bucks. Never figured out what they thought the noise was(antlers, tree-busting, breeding) but it happened enough to know it just wasn't coincidence. Sometimes they would be under the tree grunting before I got into position or got the bow pulled up, or they came running in ready to fight soon after I got into position.
 
i used to use them, now im old and fat, and i know if i fall i will never get over it, i use ladder stands , or just put my back up against a big old oak, be carefull! csa
 
I have an API Magnum Supreme and it is very nice. There are some risks of going up and down, but shooting from an elevated position decreases the chance that a miss will travel 2 miles and inevitably find a day care center. Mine has also been used to help drop a couple trees close to my house without hitting the house or paying for a professional arborist. Besides, 2-stroke oil and bar lubricant make excellent cover scents!
 
have an older climber that is heavy and does make alot of noise setting up but once set up they are nice to use that being said I dont use mine very much in fact ive bought the strap on ones just so i dont have to pack in and out a stand if you are going to be in a stand all day though I think a climber is one of the better ones to be in, if you can live with the cons of extra weight to pack in and out and making some noise setting them up and im sure the cable systems are probably somehwat more quiet.
 
+1 on the Summit Viper. Love mine. Easy to set up and very comfortable. I sat for five hours in mine the other day. You have to be careful about noise, though. For an late afternoon hunt, I go in around mid-day and set it up, then come back to it. For a morning hunt, I try to go in the day before and set it up. Good luck!
 
BTW, if you're going to use a climbing stand, I highly recommend the Hunter Safety System harness/vest. It's much easier to put on than the system that comes with the Viper, is easy to use, has pockets for accessories, and really helps make me feel safe should something go wrong with my stand.
 
I went to Pearland branch of Basspro SHop . They have a lot of API treestand brands on display . THe Summit VIper SS is out of stock . Looks to be a fast seller with very good reviews.
I also see they have a two person ground blind for $ 129. They have a lot of nice gears just had a good time looking . And yeah, gun prices have all gone up as usual.
 
I wouldn't by into the gun prices at BPS that much. They are usually higher than everybody.
 
I have a Tree Lounge. Pretty easy to carry. It's got to be the most comfortable one available. While the idea of sitting in one for hours on end doesn't seem like a big deal, your attitude gets adjusted after 4-5 hours of sitting upright. Quiet, pretty easy to carry and assemble, and climbs very quickly. It's almost impossible to fall out of, and you can shoot from any direction.

Any climber requires a fairly straight tree. Depending on the area, this may or may not be available. Amazing how many trees actually have limbs. You need to scout and prepare the area in advance.

They have a video. I'd suggest getting it.
 
My first post - a lurker really, but I have fixed and climbing tree stand experience from hunting public land/military bases over the past 10 years....so I'll chime in.

Climbing tree stand pros: suit public land hunting, you can adapt quickly to game movement patterns, you are not "fixed" to a set of trees/stands, reduces risk of theft (tree steps, stand itself...), you won't tip your hand as easily to certain cherry picking PL hunters out there as to the location of good spots you dedicated time and energy to scout (I promise someone will hunt from your locked on stand eventually...), versatility to hunt on private land invites on short notice, and certain models and your skill will allow you to use them WITHOUT spooking game (many new models are clank-clank free and your skill/technique can allow for silent climbing).

My API Grandslam Bowhunter stand (model made circa 1998/9) is 20 something pounds I believe...with a padded set of backpack straps, this stand is no problem to pack in to pre-scouted trees. Here in NC, I deliberately select tall pines, maples, and sweet gums when I can, as they require minimal limb trimming and the nature of their bark enables an essentially silent climb. Harder bark trees such as walnut trees and red oaks do make scraping sounds - so I avoid them, along with especially loose bark trees like the white oak (I'll pick a tree near a white oak though!)

I am VERY systematic about walking in quietly and slowly and taking my time with securing the stand to the tree and climbing slowly. My goal is to not make one single sound...realistically, I may make one or two little/subtle sounds, but often NONE. For example, this year I secured my stand to a tree about an hour before sunrise (I was late by my standards) and took about one or two slow strides up...and then the sound of a walking deer became evident within 50 yards. After standing still for about 5 mintues, all I could do was slowly follow my usual routine and continue SLOWLY climbing...long story short, I ended up seated with my bow and arrow knocked with that deer un-spooked within a 30 yard radius.

Once at the tree, I take about 10-15 minutes to climb and get setup with bow/gun in hand. Taking your time = avoiding game spooking sound. Hasty climbing will make noise and decrease the game you see.

Treestand Cons: Risk for noise and spooking game with careless technique, require backpacking in/out, need to clear some degree of trail in thicker woods so you don't get hung up/clang on your arrival/departure, my aluminum stand requires annual touch up painting, initial cost is more vs fixed stands.

My recommendation: API stands. I put new chains on mine last year which have a super thick rubber covering that allows you to climb in silence. My advice is research Cabelas reviews and pick a stand that others note as climbing quietly and being comfortable - then pick the one that suits your needs.

Happy Hunting!
 
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