I just got into hunting this past year. I have been twice and now I'm hooked

NOTE: I'm only looking at Fixed tree stands with ladder rails that mount to tree or tree climbers....no ladder stands

I'm looking to purchase my first fixed tree stand or tree climber and I was wanting to get some input/opinions from you all. A good friend of mine loaned me his old fixed stand(Pics below) to use back in Jan. It was a little scary sitting up there for the first time, but after a few mins I was ok, in fact I sat up there on day 2 in 20-25 mph winds LOL


My buddy let me try out his climber(just went up and down the tree a few times). I liked it a lot, but my concern was if it slipped off or if I needed to get down off the tree, how long it would take compared to a fixed tree stand with ladder rails.


So please share with me what you guys use(Brand/model)..pros/cons...where to buy....Thanks





BTW, here is the fixed tree stand that I hunted off of for 4 days back in Jan








Also, here are a few that I like, let me know what you think about them.....

API Outdoors™ Alumi-Tech® Magnum Baby Grand® Treestand

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...003000_425-3-0

Gorilla® King Kong Lounger HX Hang-On Treestand

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...003000_425-3-0

 

I don't use climbers for that very reason. Why no ladder stands?

 

climbers are really only good if you cannot leave your stand on the property or hunting a different area. the mobility is awesome to have if say you are hunting public land, however climbers can be really picky about the tree they are willing to climb. I say go with a fixed stand.

 

i have a climber as well as a fixed stand. the climber is ok if youre trying out a new spot, or for places you dont hunt much but its much less convenient and sturdy as my fixed stand. i wear HSS harness so im not as concerned about sliding down the tree with the climber but it makes it a pain if you have to get down for whatever reason throughout the day. ill sit in my stands for 8 to 10 hours at a time and my fixed stand is more comfortable to sit in for long periods. ladder stands are nice but usually arent tall enough for my liking.

 

To heavy/bulky to carry where I'm hunting

 

I have used every type of stand over the years. API and Gorilla both make good products. Hang on stands like those and the one pictured above are great. A climber is much more mobile however the drawback is that you cant get up and down the tree near as fast and you will often work up a sweat doing it.

If you go with a climbing stand check out Ol Man http://www.olmanoutdoors.com/stands/climbers they are the most comfortable IMO.

The best hang on stand I have found is Chippewa http://www.chippewawedgeloc.com/ and the set up is so easy. You can have multiple sticks/ladders set up on trees and move this stand from one to the other with ease.

If you are not part of a club or have your own hunting property a climber may be the best option for now since you can take it with you. Whatever you decide be sure and invest in a good safety harness!!!! Good luck!

 

 

 

Thanks, these are the 2 hang on that I like the most

API Outdoors™ Alumi-Tech® Magnum Baby Grand® Treestand




Gorilla King Kong Lounger HX





As far as saftey harness, my buddy let use an extra one he had, but I want to get the HSS 300 ultra lite to be used with a FallGuy 20+ Retractor safety line









I will be hunting on some private property in Georgia and in the Apalachicola National Forest

 

I love the ability of a climber to easily change hunting spots...I hunt a LOT during season and the ability to change stand location every few days is great. Saves money instead of buying 100 fixed stands

 

That is the main reason why I'm interested in a climber....



BUT, aren't you limited on what trees you can use compared to a hang on stand? Don't you need a straight/clean tree to use the climber

 

I predominantly hunt with climbers. I have about half dozen of them. It's not so easy to move a fixed stand and a climber can be moved in a few minutes. I often find myself in an area that you discover you're not in the optimal place once you see movement. In the thick woods I hunt, you can move to a better location fairly easy. I usually leave mine in the woods during the season and move as needed.

I highly recommend a harness. The more comfortable you become with a climber, the higher you'll find yourself going. I've know a few guys to fall out of climbers, the ones that weren't killed were injured pretty bad. I have a harness from HS Specialties, not the one posted, but they make good stuff. You'll find that the instructions tell you to discard it away once you've fallen in the harness. I've been hunting climbers for over 20 years and never had an accident, but everyone once in a while these things do slip, and you have a hard dose of reality bite, so be careful. All my climbers are older API models. Summit seems to made good stuff too.

Straight clean trees aren't all that easy to come by. With a cable or chain type climber, there more forgiving on trees that aren't all that round. You just have to be cautious. I have a small folding saw I take with me and cut off branches that limit your ability to go higher. I also have a rope that I use to pull my rifle up once I'm in position and ready to start hunting.

 

A straight tree of big enough size isn't that hard to find, and if a climber can't climb it (assuming it's straight), please don't put a ladder stand on it!

Solution to clean trees: Small folding saw. Keep one in my pocket, and with my hunting gear - its sole purpose in life is sawing little branches and what not off of "unclean" trees. I usually only climb to 25-30 feet, and in Southern Alabama, it's usually in pine trees, which are for the most part clean up to that point or far beyond anyway.

 

I wish I would have known about that new HSS harness earlier. I purchased a new vest last season. During the cold months I prefer to put it on under my camos and the new harness would suit me better. I'll probably have to pony up the extra money to get one of those.

As far as stands go I have s Summit climber that I love but I don't use it too often. I too carry a fold up saw for trimming branches and such when using the climber. If using a climber make sure you keep a rope tied from the top section to the platform. While getting down one day the platform came loose from the tree. Thank god for the rope...it was still pretty tricky to get the platform secured to the tree again but at least I wasn't left hanging.

My hunting ground is on private property and we usually use ladder stands. Heck the stands haven't been been brought in from the woods in 2 years. I keep thinking about strap on stands but they seem a little more difficult to put up compared to the ladders we use.

 

as others have stated, def get a harness and dont cheap out. the HSS one i have was expensive but well worth it in my opinion. makes you feel much safer in the tree if youre weary of hights like i am