Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

I've read the posts about the summit treestands, and I have a very quick question....

Which is the best type of treestand? I am a total newbie. I mean, I am such a newbie, I have <u>never ever been UP in a tree stand!</u>!!! I'm clueless.... <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

I won't get a treestand now, since I'm currently using a small ground blind that I &quot;trick up&quot; with existing branches, twigs, etc...

But for next season, I want to get a good one. I am a lefty bow hunter and 6' and 210lbs and don't have a fear of heights, but am concerned about the safety of a climbing tree stand.

What would you recommend for a newbie that has never been in a treestand and never even tried to put one up before?

What's your general opinions on:

1) Climbing stands
2) Hanging stands
3) Ladder stands

Thanks!!!

Butch

[img]http://members.aol.com/ammonc/hunttrail.jpg&quot;&gt;

Edited by - ButchA on 10/08/2002 15:58:54

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

Let's look at it this way.

Ladder stands weigh 50, 60, 70 pounds. Strap ons are light, but they don't come with steps to get up in them, Ya gotta buy them and they are bulky when you carry them with the stand. Climbers weigh 21-35 pounds, depending on which one you get. They range in price from $99.00 up to $300.00. Some of them feel like a &quot;Lazyboy&quot; recliner and some feel like a brick when ya sit on it. They are easy to climb, and hold 250 pounds with ease, and the &quot;leg length&quot; (height from floor to seat) is adjustable to fit you. You should wear a harness with any type of stand, so you won't fall(all the way down).

Once you get off the ground you'll never go back!

Get a Cabellas catalog and a Bass pro catalog www.basspro.com and look at the variety of stands. You will be surprised at how comfortable you will(can)be!

Just make sure that whatever type you get has an open front. That way your bow wont hit anything.

I hope that helped.

Does anyone else have any other point of view on this?

FOOLPROOF?
Never underestimate the power of a fool!

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

I don't think you can go wrong with a summit cobra for about $210, and 17lbs.
Then as you get yourrself some more money, or birthdays, get youself a hang on for the spots you can't climb, then a couple ladders for the spots you know produce year after year. I have all three, and a ground blind, and use them all.


&quot;In heaven, even the fish have antlers&quot;

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RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

I have started with Ladders. They are tough though if ya want to move them. I am going to start getting the hangers next. For climbers you almost have to find the perfect tree and a lot of times the tree just isn't found where you need it. Good Luck though and remember your harness.

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

hey butch a tree stand is nothing to mess around with if you get something nice it will last for a very very long time. I was like you last year and i started with a rivers edge climber very bad choice made my but soar and was heavy and very loud. This year i purchased a api grand slam supreme its a climber and is very very nice. I got it used at my local archery shop for 175 bucks but find some place where you can put it on layaway dont buy one from cabelas or bass pro they charge too much and you will pay a boat load for shipping if you have any questions just ask me.

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

Hey Butch, I have a Loggy Bayou climber. I love it, I have used several different climbers and it is by far my favorite. It is light as a feather and has a large platform. I picked mine up used for about 100 bucks, but they are durable and worth what they are priced for new in my book.

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

if I was hunting private land (and could be reasonably sure that noone would steal them), I would use ladder or lock-on stands, but ONLY if I had the $$$$ to put up several.

If hunting public land (as I do), or private land, but without the $$$$ to buy several stands, I would go with the climber- you don't want to be stuck to one stand location (you can always buy ladder and lock-ons later and swap up between them and the climber)

take my advice and buy a quality stand like the Summit - I bought a cheapo stand my first year and it was so uncomfortable I moved around alot and got busted by a big buck- I also would not stay on the stand as long because it was so uncomfortable


don't worry about the climbing part - it's easy - just practice on a tree at home before you try it out in the woods
[*]NRA Annual Member www.nra.org[*]TNUSA Annual Member www.tnugent.com[*]NAHC[*]GOA[*]IDPA

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

Thanks for the replies everyone! :)

I have a Cabela's catalog, Bass Pro catalog, and also an Eders catalog. I have looked at the many, many, types of treestands and just got confused.

Here's more details (besides me being a total newbie):

I primarily hunt the public WMA's here in Virginia.
I don't have access (yet) to any private land.
I plan on investing in a good portable treestand that I can take with me wherever I go (kind of rules out ladder stands, doesn't it? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> ).

Thanks for the great advice! Good luck to you all this season!

Butch

Edited by - ButchA on 10/08/2002 19:54:44

RE: Complete Newbie.... Which treestand?
 

Hey Butch,

I am fairly new to treestands as well this year and I just posted a question regarding climbers vs. hangons. I have a hang-on that weighs less than 16lbs, and 2lbs for the climbing sticks. I find it not as bulky as the Summit Bushmaster I also have. Again I am new to this but I have been up in both and find, if you don't mind the climbing, the hang-on is almost as fast and at least quiet as the climber, easier to carry and more compact. Just my $.02.