RE: which is most important
I know ILcornfed, but I "used" to have a few hang on stands. My brother started hunting so I gave him one. One just disappeared one day leaving me with only one stand. That stand was stolen late season last year. Im not sure how they got it but they worked hard for it. I had two chains, and im talking LOG chains attaching it to the tree so that it would possibly discourage people from taking my last stand, but it didnt work. As for the rangefinder Ive never been good at saving money so I never had enough to buy one. This year I just paid off my bow, got a dozen arrows, new shotgun, target, ammo. Spent $1000 in 1 1/2 days. Then realized I had only enough money for one, and I dont really want to hunt off the ground (ground blind) again. But I dont want to misjudge distance either. I can usually judge within a yd or two, but I also step it off to certain points as well and its getting old. Thanks everyone for the replys hope this makes my choice easier.