What do you look for in Ladder stands?
 

I am thinking of getting a ladder stand for Bow Hunting. I can put it up on my small 5 acers and leave it up. It would allow me to hunt alittle more than my climber I have. I do use my climber at public Hunting areas. So what would you look for in a ladder stand. I would like to keep it under $100 if I could.

Thanks
CVG Ohio

comfort to an extent, i use my own cushion in mine, better than the stock pad,

arm rests, or a shooting rail

roomy feeling

Will the seat fold up to allow me to stand?

Large enough platform to allow the above.

That is what I was thinking comfort and a big platform. I do not know about a shooting rail, would that not be in the way to shoot the bow? Anyway I was at my local Dicks sporting goods today and there sale was ending they had a 15 foot lader stand but small seat and small platform for $59.00 I thought about it and decieded against it although sort of kinda wanted to get it. They had another on for $79.00 on the same sale but it had a shooting rail that seemed to be in the way. Of course you cannot climbon up and try them out.

So I will wait maybe Bass Pro will have another sale later in the year.

Those are my only two choice Dicks and Bass Pro in my area that usually have sales. Walmart usually not that good.

CVG Ohio

Definately a foot rest. It sounds like a small thing, but a foot rest makes a world of difference for your lower back after several days of several hors in the stand.

Also a nice sized platform. If you end up getting one with a small platform, make sure you measure it and practice with your feet as close as they'll be in the stand.

A lot of times the shooting rails don't have to be put on when you set them up. But ones that have a fold up seat are real nice for bow hunting. Good sized platform. A dual rail for the ladder, seem to hold up a lot better compared to a single rail. I'm a bigger/taller guy so I like the two-man double stands even if it's just me.

What do you look for in Ladder stands?

hunters

A good size platform (Size 12 boots..), and the older I get the more I appreciate a comfortable seat! The bigger the better.

20 foot and sturdy

foot rests are the #1 thing for me. i can sit all day long if it's got a foot rest. otherwise, i'd watch out for the real small, narrow platforms. they are hard to turn around in and they can be a tight fit to sit in (and i'm only 6' 185 pounds).

I always upgrade the included hardware - spend a little extra money and get stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers... especially if you leave it out for the entire season / year round. Otherwise, you'll be replacing hardware every 3 or 4 years.

Honestly I don't think anybody offers a good ladder stand anymore. I bought two Rivers Edge Ladder Stands, two years ago for $80 each, 15' to the platform 17' to the seat. The platform comes with a nice pad and the seat folds up. The platform is full size, so when you fold up the seat you can lean against the tree and have plenty to room. It doesn't have any rails, arm rests or foot rests and it is very quiet, like being in a lock on. They don't make them anymore and I have not been able to find anything similar to them in that price range. Seems like all the stands available today, have a bunch of junk to get in the way with high price tags. All that extra stuff is not good for archery hunting except the footrest really doesn't matter.

Jimmy hit a good one. I have packed them before, not easy. Might want to give that a thought. Places with pines could use them.