I just got signed up for a special season doe-only hunt in one of our state parks that is normally closed for hunting, but one of the stipulations is that all shots must be taken from an "elevated platform," in other words, a tree stand. I'm a big guy (with my bow and all my gear I'll be a shade over 300lbs, I'm sad to admit), and I've never really considered using a tree stand before, as I do my hunting from the ground in either a portable or natural blind.

This opportunity gives me the need and excuse to finally get a tree stand, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for in a portable, yet still safe, tree stand. I've looked at both the ladder type and the hang-on type stands, and from what I can see the ladder stands look very sturdy and easy to get in and out of, but are very bulky and heavy and wouldn't be easy to move if necessary. On the other hand, the hang-on stands are small and light and look easy to move if necessary, but look like they aren't half as tough.

As for the ladder stands, there are a dozen or more models that I've looked at that meet the load bearing requirement, so I won't mention any specific models here. As for the hang-on stands, here are a couple that I found that meet that weight requirement that seem like decent stands.

Lone Wolf Hang-on ($180 at Cabela's, 350lbs max):



North Starr Magnum ($80 @ Cabelas, 350lbs max):


North Starr Mega Star ($130 @ Cabelas, 400lbs max):


Mike