New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Has anyone seen the new Bass Pro Shop catalog yet? I am VERY interested in this new style, ladder/hang-on combined type of tree stand.

{hopefully the link works....}
Bass Pro Shop's new treestand

I called Bass Pro just a few moments ago to ask about the API Grandstand Telescoping Packmaster stand. They are low in stock now and according to their "tree stand guy" salesman, they are a hot commodity and a heck of a good stand. At max, the stand is 17' high. When fully packed up, the whole kit 'n kaboodle is about 5 feet high with backpack straps.

I am SERIOUSLY interested in ordering this type of tree stand. See, I don't want a self climber anymore (I hocked my Ameristep Grizzly on Ebay at the end of last season). Call me an idiot, call me stupid, whatever... But hey, have you ever had the foot platform on a climber go "Eeeeeeee" down the tree while you were sitting in the top platform? [&:][:o] Thank God for straps and cords, that's all I gotta say! [:-] I don't know.... I just want more security in a tree stand. I don't want a bulky full ladder type of stand, and I'm not sure about a hang-on stand with tree steps.

What do you think of this stand as far as portability and bowhunting from?

Butch A.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

I don't know if I'd like the idea of climbing up those sticks with the straps they way they are.

Then again, I don't really feel all that comfortable on a ladder stand.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Butch the only problem I can see is the ladder is directly under the stand. It makes it a pain to get into the stand.. I put my climbing sticks on the side of the tree about 90 degrees to my stand and getting in is a breeze. Sharkey

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

After two years of hunting with a ladder/combo stand i decided this year i'm going to try a climber, i thought the ladder the ladder/combo was just to heavy to pack, the steps were just to narrow to climb, the seat wasn't that all comfortable to sit still for any length of time and it just bothered me that a misplaced foot at or near the stand height ..
..well, you get the picture.[:o]

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

My exact thought.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Mine too Charlie.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Okay, okay.....

I just talked to my ever-so-lovely wife Margaret {she's right here, so if I say anything bad, I'll get beat...}[:-]

That API Grandstand Telescoping combo ladder/hang-on stand is a no go. My wife agrees that since the ladder is directly under the stand, it would be hard to get into safely. Now that I had a long time to look at the photos of the stand and think about it, you all are right....

*sigh*..... Back to the drawing board. I still want a nice comfortable lightweight hang-on stand with equally light climbing sticks. Or, as my wife just said, something fool proof that's quiet - because I make enough noise to wake the dead.. Hey! I think I just got dissed! [:o]

Help me out everyone! 6' tall, 205 lbs, bowhunting for only about 4 years so far. I don't have private land to hook a permanent ladder stand, and don't have the confidence with climbing stands. A nice sturdy hang-on stand w/ climbing sticks that is comfortable and priced right (read: wife approved) [8D] would be great!

Butch A.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Just to add confusion to your decision. If you look closely you'll see the top of the stand has a wide step right at the same height as the platform up right against the tree. This stand just folds upward against the tree. you climb the stick, step onto the step on which ever side you want to enter from, flip the platform down and step on....not up to it. You'll also notice they have a couple handles at the top of the stick to grab ahold of to pull yourself in. When I use a stand like this with sticks I usually place a double loop rope or an old climbing belt around the tree just above the seat so the body loop hangs down. As I near the top I slide into the belt as I climb up and it eliminates the most dangerous time.... getting on or off the platform. The straps will hold just fine. If you want you can do what I did to several sticks... replace them with ropes that I dye. Reduces weight and clang clang. The thing has possibilities as I see it... except it's a tad heavier than I'd expect.

I circled the platform step on one side.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Butch you could carry like two screw in steps and place them where you need them to get in. I personally have a climber and a fixed. I use the climber. as long as you get a stand up sit down climber they are super easy. Once I get to the top I rachet strap it to the tree so it doesnt go anywhere. Sharkey

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Personally this is the combo that I use.

Summit Heahdunter Lite & Bucksteps

I actually use last years model of the Headhunter. It's the Headhunter Lite. I bought a set of Bucksteps to go with it this year and togther the combo weighs 20#, stacks together perfectly and is comfortable enough for me to sit for 3-4 hours without having to stand up. You and I are almost the exact same size.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

I don't like heights so the climbers with the full bar to enclose you is the most secure in my opinion.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Lone Wolf makes a excellent set of climbing sticks and a light weight hang on stand that is solid. The only bad news is they are expensive. I have the Alpha Sit and Climb and have used and own some of their climbing sticks. The sticks are the fast and quiet going up and solid once set. My hang on is on the way.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

As far as the climber goes.. I always attach the lower section to the upper section w/ a strap or bungy... so that the bottom doesn't end up at the bottom of the tree. Yes.. I've been there before also... Otherwise you might look at a climber where you sit on the bottom portion.. and the hand climber gets put aside.. I use a Loggy Bayou stand like this.. and I put the climber either behind me.. or up quite a bit higher than my head. A few stands that come to mind of this style are the Loggy and the new Summit Clear Shot.

I do know that Dick's Sporting goods has an ad in our local paper this week that has a lock on stand for $35.. and a climbing stick (ladder) for $35.. and if you buy both or more than 1 of each.. they're only $30 each.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

seems like a good idea and should work well if you have a very well cleared path to your stand. If its five feet long when closed down, its going to stick up quite a bit higher than your head, and if you have tp travel through any tight brush its going to make a lot of noise. But if you have clear paths to your hunting spots or can travel fields to where your gonna hunt, it should be nice.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Sounds like you need a Tree Lounge.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

WHats up Butch I just don't think I like the pack master I used to work as a stand salesman and have heard the gripes about every stand. While carrying this stand throughthe woods it sticks up about 2 feet over your head that means its going to catch every limb and vine in your path. Mabye your ameristep just wasn't the climber for you. Ask your friends what they use try them then buy an ol man multi-vision.

RE: New concept for Tree stand (opinions?)
 

Thanks.... Yeah, the Ameristep was okay, but it didn't seem right to me. It was kind of loud and tricky to put up in the wee hours of the morning. I had the strong, heavy, steel version and didn't care for it.

Anyway, I will be hunting public lands and state forests in VA. So, I need easy setup/take down and don't want to leave a hang-on stand in the woods, as it will be gone in a heartbeat. I've heard the horror stories of stand stealing, and don't want that to happen.

Ladder: Too big, bulky, not practical for my situation.
Hang-on/climbing sticks: Okay, but need one with easy setup/take down.
Climber: Best for the situation, but I'm a little freaky with climbers.[:-]

Butch A.