I know that discussing tree stands is always pretty cool. Everybody has an opinion and everybody either has this model or that model. It's just like discussing bows. Everybody has a preference.

With all this rambling being said, I have been looking at all types of tree stands and read up on the different manufacturer's and so on. I need to get a good quality tree stand for public land/state forest hunting very very soon.

Let me first offer my opinions on the basic 3 types of stands (feel free to correct me if I am dead wrong on any of this):

Ladder Stand
* Rock solid stable
* Best used on private land and left up all season
* Heavy and bulky
* Easy up and down, faster than any other stand.

Hang-On Stand
* Stable, if anchored securely
* Easy to use anywhere
* Can be left up all season, but theft is a big concern
* East to hang with either tree steps or climbing sticks.
* Don't necessarily have to have a straight high-limbed tree

Climbing Stand
* Stable, if weight is evenly distributed
* Easy, extremely portable, "go anywhere" stand
* Take some effort to climb up tree
* You need a straight tree with high limbs
* More comfortable than most hang-on stands

Anything else I'm missing from the above descriptions? You see, I'm in the market for a good quality stand and I imagine others are too. So, I figured I'd help out others by listing the pros/cons of the types of tree stands for bowhunters.

For myself, I am 6' and just slimmed down a bit to 203 lbs. I am still a relative "newbie" (hunting: 4 yrs bowhunting: 3 yrs) and had an Ameristep Grizzly steel climbing stand, which I didn't care for. I had an "issue" with the stand last season where the bottom section skidded down the tree a few feet and literally scared the $*#&@ outta me! [&:] (Thank God for ropes and bungie cords!).

I don't have any private land to hunt here in Virginia and need a portable, quiet, easy to pack 'n go, stand for public lands and state forests. I really, REALLY like the Summit Broadhead Backpacker climber, or the cheaper Summit Bushmaster climber. Summit makes awesome stands from what I have seen. They are my #1 choice.

But then, again, I don't know.... I am funny about climbers. I like the hang-on stands and climbing sticks, but then, with public land hunting and state forests, they might be more trouble to haul around day in/day out. Unless I get screw in tree steps and then just take my hang-on stand with me when I'm done.

Getting a ladder stand wouldn't be advantageous because I don't have private land and it would be ridiculous to haul a 57 lb steel ladder stand into a public WMA or state forest!

So, anyway, long story short..... Can I get opinions, suggestions, psychological counseling regarding all the types of tree stands and the best choice for the best situation? I don't want a steel, clanging, banging, type of stand. Lord knows, I can sometimes make enough noise in the woods as it is! [:-]

Thanks....

Butch A.