does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I just seen this,

http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet...rTarget=browse

and it seems like a good deal, but I was wondering if anyone has used these types of tree stands before. Actually I don't have the money right now to buy it, but, I could probably come up with it, because it's on sale, and I would do something that my g/f will probably hate me for, if it's worth this price, hehe. I have never used a climbing stand before, and I'm having problems understanding how you would get back down. Probably sounds funny, but hey, gotta ask to learn.

Oz

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RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Hunter's View stands are a little heavy. If you do a lot of trekking like myself(hunting public land), save a little more and get an API or SUMMIT. My API Grand Slam Shooting Star is the best stand I've ever owned.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

BPS had a sale earlier this fall on API Grand Slam tree stands for $200. I bought one of them and find it excellent. We've got a lot of straight tall trees here in FL to work with. The API comes with a video that shows you how to put it together, how to climb up and down and all sorts of safety things you need to know.

I don't know anything about the Hawk that you saw advertised except I noted that it is HEAVY--35lbs, whereas mine is 21 lbs. That weight makes a lot of difference when you have to hike a distance to get to the area you want to hunt. For the price savings, it might be worth it to have a stand, even if it is heavy, but I think I would hold out for an API a Summit or some other lighter stand.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Blackjack, welcome to the board. I see you're in Orlando. I'm just west of you in Clermont. Not too many central Floridians on here. E-mail me @ [email protected]

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RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I have that stand your looking at.. I really like it, It's about 31LBS witch is heavy for long trips in the field!! (needs better shoulder straps..) It's easy to climb with & the seat is very comfortable, plus the padded arm rest & front rail make it even better Feels safe too.. I took two ratchet straps & snugged it down to the tree & now it's very stable & NO SQUEAKS! I replaced an old lock/hang on stand with the new one, I use the latter from the old one to climb up to the new one.. Much Better!!! I stayed out for 5 hours today in the "HAWK"(for the first time) & could have stayed several more.. In the old one I was ready to leave after about an hour or two tops!!

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I have a treestand just like this (or very similar) I got from Wal-Mart. It is heavy and awkward to carry, but I love being up in the tree. It has made all the difference in my hunting success.

One thing that started yesterday: It has been quite cold for 2 days, around 10 degrees F. The criss-cross metal on the standing platform crackles very noisily now (when it's that cold). It's warm today so I'm anxious to see if it goes away.

Do you guys take the seat with you when you leave for the day (assuming you leave the stand)? I hate sitting in a wet seat.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I use a Summit and love it. My brother in law used mine once and is likely going to pick it up after this season. For the weight, stability, ease of use they are tough to beat. Priced around $200. I don't own one, but if I bought another non-Summit stand, it would likely be an API.

Brian

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I SPENT MANY YEARS HUNTING ON THE GROUND,MAKING DEER DRIVES AND HUNTING FROM PERMANET TREE STANDS AT 10-12 OFF OF THE GROUND. I HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH ALL THREE METHODS. I PURCHASED A TREE LOUNGE AND NOW HUNT A MIN. OF 20' FROM THE GROUND. I THE LAST FIVE YEARS I HAVE SEEN MORE DEERTHAN I HAVE IN THE PREVIOUS 15 YEARS AND HAVE KILLED MY BAG LIMIT EACH YEAR. MANY YEARS IN THE PAST I WENT A MANY SEASON WITHOUT A KILL, BUT NOT SINCE USING THE TREE LOUNGE. I FEEL SAFE IN THIS STAND SO I HUNT HIGHER AND ALSO I AM MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AND USUALLY WILL STAY ALL DAY. MOST OF MY KILLS COME DURING THE DAY. THIS TIME USE TO BE SPENT SITTING IN CAMP. I ALSO RECORDED MY FIRST DEER INTO THE INDIANA HOOSIER RECORD BOOK WITH A 14 POINT BUCK THAT SCORED TYPICAL 150 7/8.I DO BELIEVE IN CLIMBING STANDS,BUT ONLY SAFE ONES SO CHOOSE CAREFULLY. MINE IS HEAVY AND I MUST PRACTICE WITH CARRYING BEFORE THE SEASON ARRIVES.I LIKE THE TREE-LOUNGE BUT I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER GREAT CLIMBING STANDS. CHECK THEM OUT CAREFULLY AND PLEASE DONT BUY A CHEAP ONE. MY FIRST ONE WAS A BAKER HAND CLIMBER AND I WASN'T VERY COMFORTABLE AND WHEN IT SLIPPED DOWN A TREE ABOUT EIGHT FEET BEFORE I COULD HUG THE TREE TIGHT ENOUGH TO STOP MY SELF. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THAT STAND WAS EVER USED AND CAN'T HARM ANYONE ELSE.BE CAREFUL, CHECK OUT MANY STANDS,INCLUDE THE TREE-LOUNGE IN YOUR SEARCH AND GREAT HUNTING.GOOD LUCK!!!!
:)

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Climbing stands are easy and safe to use........but like anything else you need to learn how to use it with a little practice ang getting familiar with it. I used a Loggy Bayou for yrs. until I broke down and purchased a Lone Wolf climber this season. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Word of caution, no matter how big you might be.......a heavy stand will wear you down if you use it much.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Hey,

I have this exact stand and I love it, new addition for me this year to the old one that was stolen off private property that says a lot huh.

However it has some weight to it, but I'm a young 38 I pick my hunting areas carefully due to it's weight, but comfortable to me up in the tree. I could have sat there for a much longer time on many occassions nice padded seat with space, arm rest padded etc.


VaSavage270, Prince William Co.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

the api grandslam supreme climbing stand is the best in the business

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Hey There
I have the exact same stand BUT it is called the Eagle and is made out of alluminium, it weighs like 23ish. I go deep with this stand and it is easy to use. The difference between the 2 is, one is steel, the Hawk and the other is the Eagle, and is alluminium. I got mine tricked out with 3D leaf tape and extra padding and camo tape everywhere. Also I bought an extra bigger bunge cord makes it a hell of alot easier to move the platform. I also got it on sale for like $119.00 a STEAL, pardon the pun!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!

BowHuntingFool

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I own a Summit Viper which was a little pricey around $250 but to me it was worth it. It is comfortable, safe, 21lbs, quiet and has given me alot of use so far this year. Wouldn't get anything else as far as climbers go.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

Hey OZZ,
Welcome aboard!

My buddy swears by his climber, and like many others here owns an API brand. To use a climber you just put both sections on the tree, stand on the bottom part so that your upper body is inside the upper part, put your feet in the straps, push the top part up the tree, and pull the bottom part up to you. You just keep "inch-worming" your way up the tree. Secure the stand and your safety strap once you get to the desired hieght. Hint: Connect the top and bottom parts together with a teather rope so that if something goes wrong and your feet slip out of the straps while climbing, the bottom part can't fall down the tree out of your reach. Climbers are nice when you are required, like on public land, to remove your stand every day, and you can go to any hieght you wish.

I have a hang-on type stand that I use with climbing sticks.
There are days when I wish I had a climber so that I wouldn't have all that bulk to carry. The reason I like the hang-on is that I can get in and out of it very quietly and relatively quickly. I can get down at mid-day and come back later toward afternoon, or I can stalk after a deer that passed by my stand out of range. With a climber, it's pretty tough getting down without making a fair amount of noise.

Good luck.


Keep 'em all in the Bull.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I have always been partial to Summit and have used a Summit Bushmaster for the last 2 years. However, I recently purchased an API Grand Slam Supreme from a good friend. He sold it to me for less than half the original price he paid and was only used one time last year. I really like this stand as it is very comfortable and easy to climb with. You can always find good deals on "like new" stands after the season is over and sometimes during the season.

Just to let you know how heavy that Hunter's View stand is... the total weight of my Summit and my API combined is 37 lbs. The Summit weighs 16lbs and the API weighs 21lbs. Strap one of those Hunters View stands on your back then try a Summit or API and you will see and feel the difference.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

I to was new to climbing stands until this year. I borrowed a summit cobra xls from my brother in-law and loved it. just be sure to read the instruction book, and watch the video then practice a bit. it is really much easier than they look when they are hanging in fake trees at outdoor stores. i highly recommend the summit cobra, i seen one today at the local outdoor store for $219.00. did i mention it only weighs 17 lbs.

RE: does anyone use climbing treestands?
 

My dad and I use the API Grand Slam Supreme.Nice stand.We don't use the foot straps on them though.Instead we wedge our feet at an angle under the bars coming down on the base of the stand.This in our opinion gives you more control then using the straps.