Climbing tree stands

jaywapti

Im in the market for a new climbing tree stand, the lightest one possible. What are you guys using , and what do you recomend ?? It doesnt have to be to big as i'm only 147 lbs.
JAY

snake284-1

I'm not a bow hunter but I have hunted out of tree stands. However, they were improvised in the tree, nothing fancy. Like a sheet of plywood trimmed to fit between tree limbs and nailed to the tree at several junctures. Most of these big live oak trees aren't conducive to store bought or climbing tree stands anyway. Some of the tree trunks are very large and irregularly shaped.

bklysen

I agree on Wolf stands. Rock solid, and you shouldn't get an unwanted squeak at the exact wrong moment. I know you're interested in the climbers only, but their sticks are outstanding quality as well, if you ever become inclined to use a hanger.

bklysen

Wambli Ska wrote: »

They now have climbers too.

Aw Jeez. Where am I gonna put all this stuff? :tooth:

Fisheadgib

I do the majority of my hunting from ladder and climbing stands and my Summit viper is an absolute cadillac. I also have an older API that I'm happy with but once you get a Summit adjusted and set up correctly, it's amazingly comfortable. Most climbers range from about 20lbs for the really light weight ones to the mid 20 pound range for the rest. Many of them (like Summit) are set up to wear on your back to make transporting them easier and more comfortable. With the lighter stands you sacrifice seat size and foot platform size but with your build, it wouldn't be as much of an issue. Most of my hunting friends and I are a little bigger and like a little more room. I personally look at comfort and safety more importantly than weight and even though I wear a harness, I like a seat that I can drop down really low with a rail around me so that if I fall asleep in the stand, there's little chance of me falling out of it. The more comfortable your stand is, the longer you can sit still in one place. In the morning, I usually sit for about five hours and sitting in a small uncomfortable chair 30 to 40 feet up in a tree is pretty tough. With a good stand you can be comfotable and secure enough to fall asleep. The Summit's are a little pricy but you get what you pay for. API makes a variety of different models and the ones that I've used seem to be well made and are a good value as they are a little less expensive than the Summits or Wolfs. In our club most of the older guys use Wolfs and the younger guys like the Summits. We have a smattering of API's also. Most of the guys in our club have at least two climbers apiece and a couple of them have three or four. Any of the name brand stands would serve you well and the only ones I would avoid are the cheap knock off's that just look like a quality, American made stand.

jaywapti

My thanks to all of you for the advice, and yes fish it will be AMERICAN MADE!!
JAY

U T

http://www.basspro.com/API-Outdoors-AlumiTech-Bowhunter-Climbing-Treestand/product/10211853/#description
I've been using one of these for years, and really like it. 23#
No shooting rest, which is nice for bow hunting.

CHIRO1989

And for the yearly public service message, wear your safety harnesses, EVERY year I treat or know someone that fell out of one and was not using a harness, some of the injuries were serious and left permanent injuries.

FWIW, I use the cheapest 2 man ladder stands I can find.

beartracker

+ ONE on what Fisheadgib said.

WheresMyGun

API ......... cause I like that big ol chain going around the tree