I was reluctent to buy a climber, You know 42 with bad knees etc..
I used ladder and homemade stands. Then another hunter let me use his and I loved it. I bought a summit bushmaster and it is great. Light, with back straps and easy to cable around tree. It took me 4 times to learn how to pick right tree(always angle stand upward) and the mbiggest thing is to learn to use the harness correctly. 75% of accidents happen on way up or down YOU MUST ALWAYS USE HARNESS NO IF ANS OR BUTS!!!!!!!!The guy who showed me did not use one nor his son WHAT a DISASTER!!!! Second and just as important tie the rope that is attached to lower part of stand to upper so you never lose bottom part of climber.There is an ajustment period but once you get the hang of it you will love it. Public lands ,Private nothinhg will stop you. PS Also beware of poison ivy vines on trees. I just hacked clean three trees for future use.
If GOD is for us Who can be against us!!!