Black_Rap

Well I'm just getting into bow hunting, and feel that a portable tree stand would help out a lot. I put up a permament (sp?) stand last summer over a deer trail, and didn't even see tracks around it over the fall. I'll be hunting a new place this next fall, and I don't wanna mess up their patterns by pounding nails into any more trees. I want a comfortable stand for all day hunts. I would mainly be bow hunting out of it, but I might bring it up north and rifle hunt with it once in a while. I weigh 180 pounds right now, and will get bigger (I'm only 16) and I want it to last for a while. I have a budget of only about 2 or 3 hundred at the moment. Do you guys know of anything that will fill my needs?
~Cody

Edited by - Black_Rap on 02/10/2002 21:11:00

pabuckhunter

look thru old timer and some of the others on line I think climbers are best way to go easy to set up and all just need a tree if you live where there is trees that is <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Deleted User

[Deleted by Admins]

DeerThug

BR, opinions vary as do the choices of stands. Your budget is well over the amount of what you will ever need in the way of a bowhunting stand. As for the rifle, I don't rifle hunt so I can't comment in that area.

I own several API stands and they are alright. Nothing great, but they work find. Riversedge Stands I do not reccomend. As for the climbing tree stands I stay away from them due to needing a straight, branchless tree. The up side to the climbing stands is you don't have to put in steps or the need for climbing sticks.

In my opinion (and there are alot of others) Lone Wolf has produced one of the finest stands in the deer woods. The cost is around 150.00 for the basic setup. This stand is tough, light, and above all Quiet.

Good luck and happy hunting.

boltman

The best stands on the market in my opinion are the ol'man vision and grand vision series. They're all I use, they're very quiet and very comfortable. They account for about 90% of the stands you see around here.

That being said, I'd be very suprised if the permanent stand you put up was the cause of the lack of deer activity around your stand, especially if you put it up several months in advance. Hunting a stand for a week in a row will tend to drive them away, but only for a few days. Building a stand one afternoon two months before the season isn't going to affect them at all. Myself and some friends have rode 4-wheelers all over a 40 acre piece of land all day and the next day there were deer tracks everywhere on top of our 4-wheeler tracks. Deer aren't bothered as much by stuff like that as we think they are.

cball

Check out api outdoors.or Summit treestands.I like the api bowhunter..

Jason N

www.summitstands.com

You can't beat 'em.

timbercruiser

Personally I like the Summit Viper. If possible try out several stands of friends and neighbors if possible prior to purchasing one. Comfort to me is very important, and these that do not have back support make for a long afternoon.

PABowhntr

Ditto on the API climber recommendations. I own one and couldn't be happier. With your light weight you shouldn't have any problem with selection...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Two Beards

Cody-
Here are some links to some portable hang-on stands:

www.apioutdoors.com
www.lonewolfstands.com
www.chippewawedgeloc.com/

I have a dozen stands from these manufacturers,all good stands...although I do feel the Chippewa stands are a cut-above. API's Baby Grand is very comfortable with a large platform, but a little heavy to be moving all the time. If you plan to leave it in one spot for a lengthy period of time this would be a good choice. If you plan to put it up and take it down frequently I would recommend Chippewa's Wedge-Loc model and Lone Wolf's climbing sticks.

As far as climbing stands, my brother and I have two API Bowhunters we're trying to sell...in case you happen to be driving through central Iowa soon <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>.


TB