Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Hello. Two questions I hope somebody might be able to answer. First, does anyone have any experience with a 12 foot tall Hunter's View Buddy Stand? The local discount store is selling them at 78 bucks a pop before tax. They look roomy and sturdy enough.

Second, the store employee said you can remove the front half of an oval bar that runs around the top for bowhunting. He said a bowhunter told him that's what he was going to do. I also saw this suggested on another retailer's web site but not the company web site. Does anyone know how safe that would be - structurally, I mean, top remove it. I know if I fall out that's my own fault.

Thanks for any and all help that can be offered. I bought one because they only have a few left but have 30 days to return it.

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

I cannot help you specifically with whether or not it would be structurally important. Maybe one of the other folks can. However, I have two questions for you. One, is the "Buddy" model the ladder stand that holds two hunters such as a father/son combo? ...and, two, is this a big name discount store or just a local one?

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

It holds two people. I really don't need it to do so (most of the time) but liked the price, the fact that it is a ladder stand, and will have a decent sixed platform to move about on. I plan on using a good safety harness because the front will be prety much open with the bar gone, however. It is at the local Petters Warehouse in Minnesota. There are a decent number of these stores here, but I'm not sure of other parts of the country. The guy in line in front of me bought six of them for himself and his friends. Wal-Mart sells this model too for about $100 bucks online I've seen.

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Thanks for the info. I am going to look into one to use for my son and I.

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Finally a topic worth responding to!

I have two for my son and I. They work well enough. I didn't plan to shoot when with my ten year old and I hunted this past year, he had two shots from these stands. I scrunched to the side well enough for him to shoot both times. We sit very comfortably next to each other waiting for something to happen. Set up is not too difficult and I can set them to a tree myself, with no help, in fifteen minutes. One day, my son missed a small buck at twenty yards and the deer moved off to thirty and looked around for what happened. My son, still standing, watched me miss the same buck after getting my bow off the hook and shooting. I had to shoot over the side rail and that was like bending to shoot under a limb.

I like them and you can't beat the price. One even blew out of the back of my truck on Route 80 and was hit a glancing blow by a tractor trailor. I took off the top rail, which was destroyed, and we still use it. I do like the rail better but it limits the shots to the left and right with a bow. Gun hunting, anything goes. I never put the front of the rail on. It is made to slip on or off, so you don't have to use it for safety or stability. I wanted the front rail for a gun rest but is is too far out to use that way.

That is about it. I have two and they work great for us.

Greg

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Thank you for the further info Greg. Is there anything negative about the stand?

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

No not really. The strap is a little short for some bigger trees. I haven't tried but I'll bet any cargo strap that cinches tight will work. I wanted to put the stand on this huge tree on my property but couldn't. (Thinking about breaking up my son's and my sillouette) I moved to a tree ten yards away and all was fine.

My son and I spent many hours together in the stands and they were comfortable and worked well for us. This year, I intend to leave him alone and use my climber a short distance away. (if he'll let me)

Good stand for my needs.

Greg

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Thanks for the info. Greg. I believe I will keep it and give it a try then.

Chuck

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

I may be dropping in on this post late, but the stand that you are talking about is well worth the money. I used one last year and it was great. Lots of room and very stable.

Good luck

RE: Hunter's View Buddy Stand
 

Thanks again. I am going to look around at some of the bigger stores to see if I can find one on sale anywhere.