Tree Stand Question
 

I am completely new to bowhunting, and will be climbing a tree stand for the first time this year. I have a few questions about them. First of all, should I get a climber or non-climber? I don'tknow much about the differences between the two. Second, which may sound very dumb, how do you use them? By that, I mean, how do you get and stay up in one? any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

This is a post that needs to be taken seriously as your life is at risk. Im not trying to scare you but its true and 99% of the folks on here that use treestands will agree with me. If this is your first year using a treestand, you need to go out with someone and see how the stands are hung. Get yourself a high quality stand, Gorilla, API, Rivers Edge, Hunters View make some excellent stands and all come with TMA Certified Full body harness with climbing aid/belt. I would recomend a good hang on stand your first coupl eyears untill you get used to being in a stand. Then work your way up to a climber. Follow assembly instructions to the max, read an understand your users guide word for word, if you have questions call the manufacturer of the stand you purchase. Never hang your stand alone, always have some there to spot you. Practice hanging your stand at ground level before attempting hanging in the woods. If you dont feel as if you are going to be comfortable using a hang on stand, look into a ladder stand. They are simple to assemble and most can be put up by yourself or with 1 extra person. Ladder stands are safer than hang ons and climbers but not as portable if youre moving from spot to spot or hunting public ground. If you have any further questions please dont feel bad for asking we are all here to help you out, we are a big happy family, aint that right Sweet Cheeks ;)

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Gospel right there! Very well put Wis. Can't stress it enough, USE THE HARNESS! if you are using a climber, practice with it before actually using it in the woods. Have somebody with you when you practice, so if something goes wrong, they can be of assistance. Try to find someone that uses one to assist you.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Get one and practise many times before you use one. It takes a routine to go from vehicle to tree and back to vehicle, safe and soundless. Otherwise at the very least you'll be very wore out and there won't be much to shootat. You could do yourself harm as well.

Maybe you should just take6 monthsand read as much about them as possible, get onethen practise 6 monthsbefore you head out. Tons of post here and everywhere on their safe/use. Most falls occur because the user is negligent in in being prepared to use one. Get used to it before you operate oneIN THE DARK. In other words be able to use it blind folded.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Number 1 rule, wear a safety harness. Number 2, bring something to pee in!!

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

since this is your first year i would if you can put it up and not worry about it get a ladder stand good luck and stay safe the climers do not seem to hard to use

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Definatly use a harness. The best thing you can do at this point is get with some one you know and trust to guide you through the process of purchacing one and the proper use.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Hell buy my wife and I a plane ticket and I will come down and help you out. LOL

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Wis bow hunter, and steelhead:

The only thing in your words of wisdom above that i would have to disagree with is that I think he should start with a climber. I feel that climbers are safer than hangons because most climbers have a bar around the front and most hangons do not. also a ladder stand with a bar in the front is a good idea. If a stand has a bar in the front in all honesty you have to try to fall out of that thing. It being your first time in a tree you will be safer and much more confident with it comes time to move around if you have a stand that has a bar around in front of you. oh yeah and WEAR A HARNESS!!! but dont worry the last 4 treestands that I have bought have come with harnesses.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Let me try this again. The first post didn't take due to "maintenance". I have to agree with Slo-Pitch...get a climber. I've never used a hanger because they just don't look safer than a climber for my big clumsy butt. I don't like the idea of having to climb small metal steps up a tree and stepping over into a hanging stand. Plus the fact they are small. I like the large stand that I can stand up in and stretch without feeling like I'm going to fall. I like the bar in front of me and I love the large seat that is set down below the side rails so I won't fall out. Granted...the climber (at least mine) is heavier than a clamp on but I can move around during the day if I wanted to without hassle. My climber might be noiser in the morning getting up the tree but that is why I get there an hour early and watch the woods around me wake up. You can't beat that.

Wishing I was up a tree.
Reid

I just received an e-mail with this link that might be helpful...

Different Tree stand options.
http://www.summitstands.com/Articles/TreestandOptions&CN=NLC-0907&att=article1

Picking the right tree stand for you.
http://www.summitstands.com/Articles/PickTheRightTreestand&CN=NLC-0907&att=article2

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Thanks for some great info. I understand the physics behind getting up in a climber,and am nowjust curious how to get back down. I plan on practicing quite a bit before taking it into the field, and alwayswearing a harness. Iam leaning towards a climber.I am willing to spend $$$ on a good one,but just like anyone would be happy to get alot for not alot of money. Any suggestions?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Summit makes a good climber. I've bought cheaper ones and not been happy. Heard good things
about Lone Wolf but too much $$$ for me now. Sometimes you can get a prior year's model on a Summit,
which isn't much different for a good price (probably not right now though).

I agree that practice/experience helps. Practice on a tree in your yard and you will have it licked with a
good climber in no time. You need to pick a good tree - not too slick, too thin, or too fat, and
one that maintains a fairly steady diameter.

Sometimes if you start too loose at the bottom by the time you get up there it will be leaning at a
downward angle, which is unsettling (try it wet!). So I try to start as high and tight as I can.

I love ladders if they are in a good spot b/c they are easy, quiet, don't work up a sweat, don't have to
haul up your gear, etc. But they aren't mobile. A lock-on is only as good as your climbing steps. They
can be dangerous if not put on the tree right.

RE: Tree Stand Question
 

Drop Tine makes some very good suggestions. PRACTICE!!!! Before you head out into the woods. My dad and I built my first climber back in 1984. I climbed a tree in the yard to see how it would work. I got about 10' off the ground and the bottom section slipped off my feet and rocked itself down to the ground. It wasn't a sit down climber like I have now so here I am hanging in the air. My dad had to get a 2x4 and push the bottom back up to me. I attached a rope between the two so that the bottom section would catch and lock if it ever slipped off again. I bought a new sit down climber last year and it has two straps just for that...use them. You also want to secure the stand to the tree once you get settled. I do this so it won't move around or fall. Some hunters use a bungie but I've switched over to a rachet tie down strap. It takes a little more to hook it up but it is safer. Getting down is just the opposite to getting up but to me a little hairier. You bring the top section down towards the bottom...lock it in...make sure it is secure...and then release the bottom and lower it. Stand up...lower the top...secure it by sitting down...and do the lower section again. You want to practice at a nice safe distance off the ground before climbing a great distance. The hardest part is judging the angle to set the stand so that it will be level at 20' up the tree. I misjudged it once and sat for a few hours holding myself into the stand. Luckily I have the front rail and I didn't have to shoot anything that afternoon.

Have fun climbing
Reid