One thing to consider with a climber is the edge on the base platform. Most use a knife edge to dig into the tree for a sure grip. I know in the past this was considered a no no in the Adirondacks. Nothing that harmed the tree IE; screw-in steps cutting style stands etc were allowed. Looking through the new (2002-2003) rules I dont find any mention of this, but then again that book still says that the use of scopes is still illegal during the early or late season. Looks like someone misssed the edit there

looks like you got plenty of advice,so I will just say welcome to the board.
Just jump in anytime you feel the need,good luck on your choice.


I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.

Welcom aboard! I use the Summit Viper and would strongly recommend it. I find that the enclosed top portion gives me great confidence when hanging over the edge of the stand to align my shot - I acutally lean against it sometimes to get way out in front of the platform. IMO you will bevery happy with this stand...it's very quiet/ sturdy/ versatile. Good Luck!

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> &quot;

I too hunt on public land. Last year I purchased the Cobra xls. That was the best &quot;harvest&quot; of the year. I found that the mobility on public land is vital. Especially if you are not overly familiar. I have hunted the same spot for 3 years and every year I find new and better spots. Now I have the ability to move and change with the deer patterns. I bow hunt and gun hunt from the stand. Not once did I ever feel unsafe, especially with the safety harness that is inculded with the stand. I did however, find that packing the stand was at times noisy. More so when pulling the two pieces apart from the packed possition. The cable system is also some what difficult to manipulate in the total darkness. Overall, I would have to say with your hunting situation, one of these many stands mentioned will be your best bet.

Happy hunting,
loanstarhunter

check out the old man stands. Find a real good store that will let you take a number of them out and at least set them up on a telephone pole. Install and user freindly is one thing, quiet is another thing to consider.

I'm new to the boards too. I like all of the Summit stands. One thing about them is you can change the seat height to equal to the bar, so it won't be in the way as much. I love the Summit Viper I use, it doesn't squeek and it climbs quietly. I killed a deer out of it this morning at 10 yards,and I had to shift my weight around quiet a bit and there wasn't a single squeek and it didn't move when I shifted my weight. I haven't tried the Lone Wolf yet, but I'm sure i will in the near future. There are raving reviews about them, so i don't think you can go wrong with either of the 2 afformentioned stands.

~ExTreEm HnTr~

I have the viper extreme xl and think that it is a very good stand I hunt bow and gun out of it and have not had a problem with it. The thing is get it and practice with it until you are comfortable befor you take it in the field hunting.I keep the seat low enough so that when I stand up to draw my bow is well over the stand. My stand is the most comfortable one that I could find when I was looking,you won't go wrong with a summit beleave me.PRACTICE and be SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome-treestands.com You'll find all the links you can handle to check out the various ones. I'm partial to Timbertall stands myself. Who else makes a stand that weighs a mere 12 lbs.

I have an Ol'Man original and my hunting partner has a Summit Viper xls. My Ol'Man packs much flatter, is lighter and very comfortable. The new Ol'man's have fixed a problem whereby the side rails would squeeze you on smaller trees. My hunting partner absolutely loves his Viper. I've yet to try the Viper but from the looks of it, I would say it is very comfortable. Never tried an API but they have been very highly recommended on this forum from those who use em. Neither I nor my hunting partner has had any trouble with the front rail being in the way while bowhunting.

I don't think you could go wrong with either the Ol'man, API or the Summit. If you can, try em out at a store and then just go with the one you like best.

-Mike

Hi Pike I'm new to this board also I live in SCHUYLER county.

I too am looking for a climbing stand that is light and comfortable
and quiet. I havebeen checking out this stand called The TREE SUIT
it is a stand that you wear. The thing about it is once you get where
you want to be you just wrap the straps around the tree and then lean
back. The seat in is built in you can shoot 360 degrees in any direction plus you are next to the tree not out from it exposing youself. The pics i have seen shows a guy in it with tree steps under him so he can move around the tree it looks like a neat set up cause it is light, quiet, and you can't fall out of it. I have a few friends that have a Tree Lounge and they like it cause it is easy to use. but the older ones were kind of heavy it is a sit down climber and once you get up in the tree the seat is reclined and you won't fall out. I hope you find a stand and best of luck to you this season . Here is the sites for the Tree lounge and the Tree suit

www.TreeLounge.com www.TreeSuit.com www.Docsrecliner.com

Shoot stright Shoot Safe.. And long live the Hunter in all of us..