Bought my first Portable Tree Stand.
 

I've always been a Premanent tree stand hunter, we build all our tree stands out of pressure trated wood and make pretty much all of them so 2 hunters can be in them at the same time and some of mine I can even lay down while Connie watches if I get a sore back. They all have 2 seats and are solid as heck.
Well tonight I was in Wal-Mart and for a coule of years now I've been wanting a potable hanger so I can set up in different spots as the deer change there patterns, or if I find a Hot Spot. They only had 3 styles of stands and only 3 left alltogeather so I figured I'd better get one now.
Have any you's had any first hand experience with this tree stand? is it Noisy or anything that you may or may not like about it?
I'll also use it some for our Gun Season when Im ML Hunting and when it gets cold, I know some atands get squeaky and noisy when it gets cold so I figured I'd see if any of you's have used this stand?
Also what do all of you use when hunting, permanents, hangers, climbers, tri-pods, blinds, ect....?
(BP)

The only stand I ever used was a friends Tree Lounge. Nice and comfortable but you sat kind of strange in them. And it seemed to take for ever to get it set up. But once on the tree it worked good. I am not crazy about those screw in steps either. But I am sure they work as they sell a lot of them.

Like you I went to permanent stands because they were more solid and all I had to do was to walk out. But as of late I have been going ground. I got some of these dog house blinds that set themselves up. I kind of like them. But you can see so much better out of trees.

I have that exact lock-on and love it. Very comfortable and quiet. It has orange plastic washers you put in between the metal parts of the stand. Best lock-on I have, and it's worth every bit of $89 in my opinion.

Yes Dave I like the home made pressure treated wood stands the best, there solid and have lots of room and I just feel more safe in them than being in a hang on.
But I needed a stand I could move to where the action may be that I dont have a permanent stand set up. Plus I have made permanent stands in places befor that had good sign but all the scent and noise I left behind made the deer know I was there, they were good stands the following year but when I wanted to use it Now they were'nt that great.
This stand was a pretty good deal if it's not noisy, it was only $100 and comes with 8 screw in steps and 2 screw in accessory steps, a DVD that I dont need to watch but Im sure beginners should watch and a nice kinds big platform and seat.
(BP)

You westerners don't have enough trees out there. Us easterners could not survive with a tree stand. I love my climbers and portables. I like to be able to be mobile so that the deer can't pattern me.

For the past 10 years or so I've used 2-API climbers...They are so comfortable you can nap in them while hunting...I'm scared of heights so the safety belt is attached to the tree from the time I step in until the time I step out...

I'd go with some ladder sticks, go up alot easier with ratchet straps. I personaly hate those screw in steps.

Thank's, that's the answer I was looking for! I have'nt opened the box yet, my wife connies friend came over with our Lab Pups Sister, and having 2-3 1/2 month old lab pups tearing up my house is no time to check out the stand. They'll be leaving shortly and I'll check it out.

Yes I know what you mean, Im no fan of the screw in steps either. Years ago insted of building a ladder for one of my permanents I bought some of the screw in steps, I did so because I could unscrew the last 3 of them when I left because someone was using my stand when I was'nt there even though it was on private property.
Anyway one time I was comming down and I slipped, missed a step by a little and I caught my pants and leg on the next one and ripped a big gash in my meg and ruined my goretex hunting pants. Good thing that's all that happened.
Ladder Sticks are a good way to go, but it'll be enough to carry this stand into some of the places I'll go, some are 2+ miles fom the road and carrying ladder sticks with the stand just would'nt cut it.
Now some would ask why I dis'nt just get a climber.....well we dont have many perfect straight trees here, there are but not where you want to put a stand up, that's what happens anyway. Plus I did use a climber once years ago and I stepped to close to the tree on the platform, and any of you who have ever used a climber know what happens when you do so! Im glad the stand was'nt mine and I only borrowed it and that I only slipped down the tree about 8 feet, but that was enough for me and climbers.
(BP)

I use a wide variety of portable tree stand and have one from Walmart that looks to be very similar to that one. Careful assm. and adjustment with the exact spacing and using the plastic washers and it will work well and quiet. I broke a plastic washer and had to make a rubber one to replace it as it made a noise every time I moved with out it.

Thank's Lemoyne...Im putting it togeather right now as I write this. Im can see how overtightening the bolts can crush "break" the plastic washers, Im being careful.
Im not one for putting stuff togeather but at least I'll know it's put togeather right. I used to hate all the Christmas stuff we bought for our Daughter, I made Connie put everything togeather, along with the Entertainment Centers and such...too many nuts and bolts.
(BP)

A cart may be the answer you need to get a stand and a ladder 2 miles in. I use a 1 wheel cart with about 7 foot handles, strap your stand and ladder down, your gun or bow and your pack. Wear only lightweight clothing so you don't work up too much of a sweat, pack the rest of your gear on the cart. The cart gets the deer out too!

That's why I don't use them anymore to. I hunt private land and put my stand up early and leave it, so the sticks are the way to go for me. I do find the screw-in steps make good camera mounts. I do add two nice ratchet straps to help hold it to the tree. The one it comes with is nice but I like it real tight to the tree.

Carts are out of the question, I hunt where there's a Big Swamp and feeder Creeks, waders and me are all I can get to where Im going. Heck one time we bought one of them Cabelas Sleds so we could put the deer in and float them accross the 4 foot deep creeks to get them out.
It's a real chore where I hunt, most guy's wont shoot a doe back there let alone anything smaller than a nice 8 pointer. If you plan on shooting a buck back in there plan on a 2-3 hour drag to get your deer out. I've shot deer back in there at 4:30 and did'nt get back to the truck untill 8:00 at night.
(BP)

All I hunt is Private land, that's why most all of our atands are permanent. Yet Private does'nt stop some people from tresspassing and I'v had some of my buddys have there stands stolen. Sticks are easy to get to the stand to steal, plus they stick out and are seen more easily than not seeing them if there not there and there's no screw in's either, unless your looking up for a stand. So I just take the last couple (3) steps out and hope my treestand will be there next time I show up.
(BP)

Breech welcome to the world of hang on stands. Get yourself a linemans strap.( Think what its called). They go around your waste with a line that goes around the tree and leaves your hands free for work. We have over 30 different stands on our VA property and when it comes to hanging a stand you need hands free. We bought a few of those stands.. nice for the money. First put sticks up using the best straps you have.(ratchet for us). We also built an angle bracket with a pulley system on end. We strap that angle above where the stand goes and simply pull up the stand to its location and then tie off the line. As the stand hangs free run your strap around.. tighten and your done. It becomes very fast even by yourself. Last thing double up on straps to secure the stand and always use a saftey belt when hunting.

Jaybeez, Yea after I got the stand all togeather I looked at my wife and said how in the HE%% am I going to get this sucker up the tree! All you mentioned is great advice, Thank You! but I bought this to get miles in to where Im going to hunt, screw in the steps and carry the stand to it's location ans strap it on...Imppssible to do that way. Im not one for taking back soemething I buy but I may have to take this one back. It's a nice stand if you only have to put it up once and leave it there for the season, but I need one to be able to move on a moments notice and get set up fast, this is not that kind of a stand. I guess I've gotten spoiled with all our permanent stands that I just go up the ladded and settle in.
Again a Climber wont do me any good because like I mentioned somewhere above that finding just the right tree that nice and straight with no branches are few and far between.
I mostly wanted this one for Bow Season to set up on fresh sign as I find it, during gun season I usually see the deer way befor they see me even if Im on the ground and it's over for them.
I need a light weight, easy to hang stand....any advice?
Thank's for your comments, if I keep the stand they'll come in helpful.
(BP)

BP.......I have your answer. www.trophylineusa.com
Its a tree saddle. I have seen someone using one on public land. I never used one but its quick.. light and can be used on any tree. I use the Summit openshot sd climbing stand for those long walks where I know im packing it out.

Well I went back and reread your post. Looks like you bought the stand. Sorry you went this route, but it will be more difficult to manage this type of stand. the climber would have been better for what you have to hunt as in your area.

BP you need to get a climber instead of this stand. somehow I think you got it already. A climber is easier to carry into the woods and set up and then climb the tree. I have a Summit Viper SD climber. I love it. Got a nice meat doe last week from it. I love the idea that you can go up as far as you want and the deer, for the most part, they don't know you are there. It is a light package, but would not want to hump it for long distances though!

It is noise-less. They only noise would be my butt if I fart. I am thinking of putting the camo tape on the lower rails to soften it further. I am sorry to say I have never heard of this stand. And don't know of anyone that has one.

On our hunt club property we have over 130 stands. they are all treated lumber and seat one person. We do a have a few double seat stands. OUr club has been around for over 40 years and had this property for about 33 yrs.

Get a lightweight ladder stand and be done with it. Put it on your back to haul in and set it up in 2 minutes. Climb the laddder and sit down and enjoy. When done take it down and back pack it out. I am 71 and that'd how I do it.

Walmart does sell a smaller, light weight lock-on. Under $50. I think that one would do the trick

Another option is to leave it in the general vicinity that you choose to hunt-cover it with some branches-keep it slightly off the ground to keep it from laying in water. That way you don't have to carry it in and out.

I have got several lock on stands that I rarely use anymore. I have found my climber to be much more useful and comfortable. Since I'm comfortable, I hunt longer and am able to sit still much longer.

However, when I hunt out of lock on stands I use either Cranford EZ Steps:

www.ezyclimb.com/treesteps.shtm

Or:

The Treehopper Tree Step Bolts. The Treehopper system allows you to remove & reinstall all your steps much easier and quicker than conventional style steps. I tried these out at the Buckmasters Expo a few years back and was impressed. I will usually combine the step bolts and the Cranford steps.

http://www.treehopperllc.com/catalog...nfo-below.html

Another thing you might want to consider for portability would be the Lone Wolf Climbing Sticks or the Muddy Climbing Sticks. I had a set of the Lone Wolf's but sold them to a friend.

I'll admit, for the longest time I wasn't a fan of hang-on stands. But a year or two ago my hunting group started buying a bunch and hanging them. They all use the same bolts so anyone can use them as long as you have the steps. That is a extremely favorable situation in my opinion. Everyone has a pair of steps and they just hunt whichever stand they want.

I do have a Summit Viper Climber and while it is EXTREMELY comfortable and easy to use, I normally hunt deep in the woods and it's just too heavy to carry far. So it normally goes with me on shorter hunts.

I'd prefer to use ladder stands as I feel must more safe in them, but I hunt mainly on public land so that's not feasable.

That being said, many-many years I hunted from the ground, backed up against a tree. I've killed A LOT of deer that way so I think some of this stand envy is more from a hunter's standpoint.

A good set of padded backpack straps will make that Viper carry much easier.

I have some-and they do help. But I'm only 5'8 130 so when you add the treestand, backpack with all my clothes and such in it and a gun you're talking carrying 65-70 lbs on my back. Not something I care to do on a mile/mile and a half hike back to where I'm going.

You might check on a waist/kidney style belt that might help take some weight off your shoulders.

I took the stand back to Wal-Mart tonight, it just was'nt practicle for what I needed to use it for. It did come with it's own padded backpack straps, yet it weighed 29lbs. I am a Big guy, 6'6" and 240 but carrying that much along with my Bow or MLer and all the rest I bring with me just would'nt cut it.
Im going to Dicks Sporting Goods tomorrow to look for something that suits me.
(BP)