tree stands?

[huntinhick]

Hello all,

I am looking at all kinds of tree stands and need some input.  I hunt western washington state, thick tall pines or the edges of clear cuts.  I may have to hike a couple of miles up a fire road or a mile through the trees.  So that said, I love ladder stands easy to set up and easy to climb but heavy thought maybe I would pull it in on a deer cart.  climbers look good but the trees here can get massive and have some pretty good size branches coming off of them.  most of the hang ones I look at seem very uncomfortable, however they seem the best option for my area. I think I will use the lone wolf steps if I get a hang on.  Also I would like a stand that is safe enough to doze for an hour or so. I really like the tree lounge but my concern is that it will not fit many of the trees in the are I hunt and I am not sure if the National forest guys would flip out if they find me hacking branches of the trees to climb up them.  any input, sugestions or experiances are welcome. 

thanks
Carl

[kyelkhunter3006]

I've hunted out of all three kinds.  I like them all, I've managed to take a nap in all three (with the proper harness/tied myself to the tree), so I think that means they are all pretty comfortable, depending on model. 

My advice for ladder stands is to not try to set it up by yourself, you'll end up getting hurt.  The bigger stands are more than a handful for two guys to put up, much less going it alone.  You'll get real tired of pulling it around on a cart, they are bulky and not meant to be moved very much.

If you can leave a stand and not worry about it getting stolen, I'd use a hang-on, but if you are in the National Forest area, you'll need to find out if you put steps in the tree itself (not to mention the branch cutting thing0, or if you must use a strap-on climbing stick.

If leaving the stand isn't an option, you'll have to get a climber, but like you said, you'll have to look for the proper trees.

You might look on the websites and see what they have to offer.  I know that I saw a portable ladder stand in a catalog.  It was 12 feet I think, and the ladder broke down and everything folded up like a climber does.  Only weighed about 30 lbs, much lighter than a regular ladder stand.  It was North Starr Treestands.  I just found the catalog (Natchez Shooters Supply).  14' tall, 24 lbs, costs $250.  Even has a shooting rail for guns.  I've been thinking about it, but haven't decided if I want to shell out $250 for a stand.

[ken2222]

I have no problem napping on my "lone wolf"....I hunted from it up til 2 seasons ago when I built my permanent tree blind. I use the strap on climbing sticks and have done so even with my permanent blind. Evergreens just about necessitate the use of a hanger unless you're cutting a path...just my $.02
Ken

[Land_Owner]

Hanging a ladder stand alone should not be a problem if you are armed with a light stand (up to say 150 lb), 100 feet of parachute cord (700 lb test 7-strand nylon type P.cord) and a block and tackle that you can later use to hang/gut your deer.  Using a rock, toss the end of the P.cord around a tree limb that is well above the final ladder stand height.  Tie the P.cord to itself. 

Now you have a P.cord loop around the tree limb.  Haul away on the P.cord until it returns to you.  Form a loop in the now doubled P.cord (now 1,500 lb capacity).  Clip one block into the P.cord loop and pay out the tackle while holding on to one block as you haul the doubled P.cord up into the tree.  Tie off the doubled P.cord to the trunk or low stout (>200 lb capacity) limb of the tree when the upper block is well above the height of the ladder stand.

Hook the lower block onto the back rest of the ladder stand.  Haul away on the tackle and the tree stand is now standing upright.  Raise, lower and ease the ladder stand onto the tree trunk until it meets your expectations.   Put the legs on rocks so settlement won;t be a problem.  Tying off the tackle will allow you to ascend the ladder stand to web strap it to the tree for temporary security.

Simple.  One man installation.  Reverse the process for disassembly.

[snapcrackpop]

Cabela's now has a $80 15' ladder stand that weighs 33 pounds made by Loggy Bayou

And Basspro has a $269 15' telescoping ladder stand that weighs 24 pounds by API.