Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I have used ladder stands and fixed type stands but never a climber. Mainly because they always seem heavy and a pain to haul from tree to tree. My question is: Are climbers easy to use? Do they require a great deal of practice? And finally, is there one available that doesn't feel like you are hauling a Chevy into the woods? <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> Thanks - As always I appreciate your input. Bob

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Bob,

Climbers can be a deerhunters best weapon, especially when hunting diverse landscapes.

They aren't difficult to use---if you get the right stand. Everybody finds that different stands (brands and types) suit individuals differently.

I recently just picked up the Summit Viper XLS, and absolutely love it. She weighs about 19 pounds and comes complete with padded backrest and front support bar, backstraps and a 4-pt harness.

If weight is a concern, Lone Wolf makes a few stands that weigh ~12 pounds (but also costs ~ $350-400). Most of the new climbing stands are composed of some type of aluminum construction, and most come complete with instructional video and harness.

Look to spend at least $150 for a decent stand, and then go up from there as you decide which stand is best for your needs.

The biggest factor that is overlooked for climbers isn't how easy/hard they are to use, but is rather one of physical conditioning. If a hunter has trouble just walking to his stand, then it's going to be an uphill battle physically to use a climbing stand. You need to be in good/decent physical shape to use one AND feel comfortable in doing so.

To look at various models from different makers, try the following website:

www.discounttreestands.com

S&R

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

The newer climbing stands, depending upon which one you choose, are relatively easy to use compared to when the early models. I use, and highly recommend, Summit stands. I have a Summit Cobra that weighs only 17 lbs, is quiet and very simple to set up and use.

Hunt hard or go home !

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Climbers are awesome! You can find several differnt climbers that are light. 25lbs or less are not heavy stands.

But they are great.

API makes a great stand.
Hunters View makes a great stand.
Summit makes really great stands but they are very expensive.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I have a few climbing stands and like using them. I just bought a Summit Python XLS but have not had the chance to try it out yet. I guess one disadvantage to climbers is that sometimes I find a good area where I want to put a stand and cant find a good tree I can use with a climber. Once you get use to them they are very easy to use, and can be easily moved to another area.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I also use a Summit climber,And wouldnt go another season w/o one.I pre scout my areas.Mark the trees i want to climb.Then i just play the wind and choose the tree.

I also like them for hunting public lands.You sure dont have to worry whether or not your stand will still be there.Its just alot less work involved in getting into a tree set up.

Because i bowhunt only i lean towards the bowhunters models w/o the rails and the tampered down arm rest.So there is no interferance with my bow limbs.

It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!!

Edited by - carpetguy on 09/23/2002 18:15:20

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I mainly use climbers and love them. With a good stand and some good practice you can climb quietly and efficiently. Some guys have problems fumbling around in the woods, In the dark because they don’t practice. I can be hunting within 3min of arrival quietly.
Only thing I do is prep stand sites by removing leaves around base and responsibly trimming brush limbs ect .
Higherend models like buckshot,API,Summit are good stands. Somthings to consider is (real)weight,packability,comfort,design,ease of setup.ect..
good Luck
OEH

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

You can't go wrong with a Summit. They are light, easy to use, quiet and they really bite the tree. I have never had mine slip at all.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I think climbing stands r the best thing that ever come out for bow hunters. Thats all I use, you can hunt anywhere you can get the stand. I use the api grandslam bowhunter and love it its very easy to set up and take apart. it takes all the work out of setting up a stand. and more comfortable! Try it I guarantee youll like it. If not I have a portable ill give ya...

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I like fixed stands more than climbers. It is hard to find trees to climb around here, and they are uncomfortable to carry in my opinion. I enjoy the fixed stands and their safety.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

climbers are one of your most used weapons if gotten used too. I use mine almost everytime i go out and i love mine. If i may make a suggestion, go with a loggy bayue. I have used lots of climbers, but the loggy is by far my favorite. it is a bit heavier than a summit, but well worth the carry. nice big base, easy too set up and take down. best of all, the seat is like a sofa when it comes to comfort. the most comfortable ive ever sat in. also the quietist ive used.
they make a loggy and a loggy lite. go with the loggy, it is worth the extra $50. A loggy goes for $250, in my mind, well worth it. You can also get a climbing aid if you are older or not into hugging trees to get up. the climbing aid goes for an extra $50. let me know what you decide. HUNT SAFE

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I have an older climber thats 20 years old, and it's as good as new although it's like a model T car compared to the new models. I like climbers so much that I will continue using them for years. It is a one piece climber and I have to wrap my arms around the tree to use it, but I'll get a new two piece soon.

Just make sure you put it on a large tree. Just because it will fit a small tree doesn't mean it'll hold. Mine slipped on a small tree while I was climbing this weekend and my chest got scratched bad.

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

very simple to use...

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

At firstthey are real hard to use. But, with practice you get used to it and it's not that hard.....

Knuckles up&gt;&gt;&gt; Brian

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Climbers ar like most other things....hard to use until you are shown the proper method and practice a litle. If you take about an hour on a non-hunting day to go and practice on a nice tree during daylight hours, you will feel very confident with whatever climber you choose. I personally have a Summit Viper and find it to be great: Strong, sturdy, quiet and very comfortable for long stays in a tree. I like having the bar on the upper half that wraps around me- I keep it just above knee height when I'm standing so I can lean out and use it as a bit of a confidence builder.

No matter what you end up doing, please remember to attach the bottom 1/2 of the stand to the top 1/2 with 5-6 ft. rope before you ever try to climb-- It will prevent the bottom from accidentaly slipping all the way down the tree when you're 20 feet up! You don't want to get stuck with only 1/2 a climber at the wrong end of a tree <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

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

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Well, I have a different opinion. I think they're a big pain in the a$$ to use. First of all you, have to carry them in. Not easy when your already lugging a fanny-pack/backpack, your weapon, etc. Now you need to find the perfect tree trunk to climb. If it's an unfamiliar area...good luck. Next, you need to get the darn thing attached to the tree. I defy you to do this without making any noise at all. Anybody claiming they can do it absolutely silently is not telling the whole truth. Now you need to ascend the tree. Be prepared to sweat you butt off. You can't do it quickly when you do it correctly! That's because you should be moving your safety strap up the tree. I don't know about you all but mine always seems to find that one knot on the tree making it tough to move up. People claiming they get up into the tree real fast are the ones that don't use their safety strap...I'd almost bet money on it! Also be prepared to have a heart attack when the bottom section slips on you (not always happens of course but when it does...whoa!) Once your at the right height, some stands require yet another time consuming step to secure the stand via more straps.

I admit they're great for the portability, theft prevention, and comfort. They make instantly switching to a perceived &quot;better&quot; spot a breeze. My Ol'Man original is extremely comfortable once I'm up in the tree. I can quite easily fall asleep in it. Mine also packs nice and flat for hauling. I just hate having to spend the time it takes to get them properly setup. They make me very nervous while climbing. I much prefer the ease of ladder stands. Nothing to backpack, instantly up in the tree and hunting, very stable, etc.

-Mike

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I just picked up the API Shootin Star and am convinced that I can pensd days on end in this thing. It's like a lazy boy for the tree, and sets up quietly.

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RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Climbers are great for hunting and take a little practice. The one thing though about climbers is that your tree selection is limited to straight trees with no low limbs in the way. But with your lock on this is not a problem. I always preferred my lock-on.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I have a climber and i enjoy it alot it is very comfortable and it can get you into places that a fixed stand would be to heavy to transport a long distance. The climber that i bought has been a very good investment for me

Vincent Weber

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

If you get one, practice like you would be going hunting. That is: when packed, go to a tree, undo it, climb the tree, pull bow up and get situated. Then come on down and pack it up. Do that enough to get efficient. Then go out again in the dark and do it. That will get you ready to go. If you have the straight trees, climbers work great. I carry a leatherman that has a saw blade on it for smaller diameter branches if I go someplace new.
Climbers are easy to carry with backstraps and are not hard with a little practice just like any toy. And yes, you can get up quickly, quietly with a safety strap and not break a sweat unless it's warm and humid and had a decent walk to get to the tree.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I have the Same equipment as NJ-Bowhunter and and agree with his comments......I don't get too tired in the Summit Viper....

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

They take some getting used to.Practice setting up and down.Practise packing it around,make sure is fits your body,I had to change my pack straps because I couldn't get my arms through.Take it out and set in it for a while or even better go shoot from it.Get your seat adjusted,find where it is comfortable.

Being able to find a good tree is fine until your up there and find you can't shoot at anything because of the branches from other trees.

Getting up the tree isn't too hard but once your there, finding a place to store all the goodies you brought along becomes another issue.Hooks and straps help.

Packing light is a must.Take only what you absolutely need.Especially if you have to do much of a carry.

Like everything else you will learn as you go.Ron

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Anyoe that says you cant set up a climber or climb a tree quietly are full of crap! Last year, opening day afternoon,I enter the woods,still hunt my way in to my spot and start to connect climber to tree. Get both sections attached, look up and see three does feeding towards me at about 40 yds...long story short,doe down at 33yds....Jumping to Oct. 28th, I enter my woods and set up my climber, and while ascending the tree perhaps 12 ft up I hear deer and see them coming at about 35-40 yds. I get turned aruond and hoist my bow up and wind up taking a nice buck at 18 yds. I say climb on! Mine is a high-point sold at the local Wally-world.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

i love my climbing stand - it is 100x easier to get a climber set up than it is to get a fixed stand set up. i can honestly say that i have never broken a sweat setting up my climber. it may not be totally quiet to set up, but it doesnt make any more noise than setting up any other stand...

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I was reluctent to buy a climber, You know 42 with bad knees etc..
I used ladder and homemade stands. Then another hunter let me use his and I loved it. I bought a summit bushmaster and it is great. Light, with back straps and easy to cable around tree. It took me 4 times to learn how to pick right tree(always angle stand upward) and the mbiggest thing is to learn to use the harness correctly. 75% of accidents happen on way up or down YOU MUST ALWAYS USE HARNESS NO IF ANS OR BUTS!!!!!!!!The guy who showed me did not use one nor his son WHAT a DISASTER!!!! Second and just as important tie the rope that is attached to lower part of stand to upper so you never lose bottom part of climber.There is an ajustment period but once you get the hang of it you will love it. Public lands ,Private nothinhg will stop you. PS Also beware of poison ivy vines on trees. I just hacked clean three trees for future use.
If GOD is for us Who can be against us!!!

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I really enjoy using my Tree-Lounge. I have the older and heavier model and am looking to purchase their newer and lighter weight one. It does get heavy w/ a back pack on the stand, and the stand on your back, but I can hunt all day long in it. My two buddies and I each have one. We still use fixed stands, but prefer the advantages of the Tree-Lounge. Good Luck!

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Hey webob1528 I bet my fixed stand weighs alot less than your climber.
How can it be easier to log your climber than a fixed stand to a long distance? Just curious, unless your talking about ladder stands then they are definetly heavier than a climber.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

I've used about every kind of stand made. Ladders, climbers and fixed position stands included. All have their advantages. Climbers offer the ultimate in portability. Strap them on your back and go where you need. The drawbacks are that if you have to pack in your stand along with your bow and backpack and other gear you can get pretty loaded down. You will have to learn how to pack everything you need in a fanny pack instead of a backpack if you use one. Other than that I still like to use climbers when I can. Unfortunately, where I hunt we don't have many trees that are climber friendly, so for the most part, I use loc on stands and climbing sticks. It has been a long time since I have bought a new climber so I can't imagine how comfortable the newer ones are. I never had a problem staying comfortable in the ones I owned. Plan on spending somewhere between $175.00 - $225.00 to get a good quality one and I'm sure you'll be plased, I never had good luck with the cheaper ones. Just be sure to take the other guys advice and tie the top and bottom pieces together, it's no fun when your 25 feet up in a tree and you bottom piece falls to the base of the tree.

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Matthews, if you only carry in your fixed stand how do you get it in the tree?

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

RE: Climber Stands - Are they difficult to use?
 

Probably screw in or strap on steps. Or he may do like me and use climbing sticks. I have also used linemans climbing spurs, but I'm too old and fat for that now and my knees ain't what they used to be.