Author Topic: I need a good tree stand (Read 1113 times)

Muskie Hunter · « **on:** July 10, 2005, 12:19:11 AM »

I'm looking to buy a new tree stand.I haven't hunted out of one for years since my old Loggy that I bought in 1990.I gave up on that one cause I was making hunters mad that where 5 miles away from me with all the noise that I made trying to get the darn thing up and two days later,when I finnally got 5 feet off the ground,I was able to hunt.Men,that ain't to far from the truth.Since I am pushing 60 years old and I am not as limber as I used to be,I need something that is easy to climb with and quiet.I drove down to Cabelas in West Virginia but got confused with all the new tree stands out on the market.I got turned off with all the advertising hipe so I thought that someone with experience could feel me in on which way they thing that I should go.I'm open for suggestions.Thanks!

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2005, 03:26:25 AM »

Might be time for you to start thinking about ground blinds rather than tree stands. I'm not sure I'll ever use a treestand again. I've gotten to where I fall a lot and it only takes one from up there. Came close to coming out on my first hunt last season and haven't been back in a tree since.

I've tried a lot of them over the years starting with the old original Baker Board that nearly killed me when I was still a young man. I've like Amacker stands and I guess had more of them than any other but most of the ones I liked best Joe no longer seems to offer. He used to make one from Aluminum he called a Deer Thief that I think was my all time favorite but would like it a bit wider now as I'm a bit wider. :lol:

Joe came up with an Adjuster mechanism some years back and used it on some of the Amacker stands and licensed it to Loc-On also. I have one of the Loc-On stands with it I think it is a Contender. When it was new it was really nice but the elastic no longer has enough strength to pull it back in to make the adjustments as you climb or come down. It too is no longer wide enough for me.

If I were to buy another these days it would likely be the Summit Goliath. It has pretty much all the features I've found over the years I like and it's wider than the standard stand and made to hold us over 250 pounders.

Stands are a really personal thing tho and not everyone is looking for the same features. I've seen folks who just absolutely loved stands I'd not use if you paid me to.

Muskie Hunter · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2005, 01:03:47 PM »

Greybeard,
Thanks for your reply.You are right,the more I think about it ,the more I hate the idea of climbing a tree again.There comes a time when a man has to give up riding wild horses,jumping out of planes and running after wild women.The ground blinds do sound like the way to go or even a good ladder stand that isn't to high off the ground..I'll look into the blinds for sure.Thanks Bill.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2005, 02:01:13 PM »

I kinda agree with the Graybeard on this one......most deer hunting accidents occur from falling out of trees than by any other means..........I think I'll keep my butt closer to the ground.......

rickyp · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2005, 02:20:22 PM »

If you have your own land or hunt on a place you can leave them up you may want to look into a ladder stand. they have come a long way. you can not get them wide enough for 2 hunters so no should be big enough for 99.9% of the hunters in field. they also come with nice padded seats, you can get a house blind kit for them. all it will take is a Nice little Colman propane heater to keep you warm.
they are easy to go up and down and once set up are very stable.

the down side is the weight to get them in and out of the woods and you need 2 people to set one up

victorcharlie · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2005, 05:54:22 PM »

One of my buddies built a shooting shack using a large pallet as the base. Had to many trees stands stolen. He packed in the pre-made walls one at a time.......funny, it's still right where he put it.......to heavy to steal!

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2005, 05:22:15 PM »

I'd try a ladder stand.I have 3 Hunter's View "Buddy Stands" put up in different locations that I hunt on private land.Of course they are there to stay more or less.These stands are made for 2 people,but Iam the only one that uses them.I like the room,plus the added weight limit is a plus also.Of course I did mod each of them,such as added welds to the 4 sides of all bars;added weled gusset supports to the bottom of each ladder rung;welded 3/8" cold roll to bottom ladded section 2" up to prevent from pushing into ground;drilled each ladder section and put in stainless cotter keys to prevent sections from coming apart.I also added "blue" locktite to each bolt before using nylon lock nuts.Safe as in your Moma's arms

....Rick

TNrifleman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2005, 04:36:06 AM »

I don't use a tree stand all the time. The stand I would recommend that you take a look at is the Tree Lounge. He sells direct to hunters and offers various packages to suit one's hunting style and needs, as well as pocketbook. This stand is very safe, easy to use, and comfortable. It is also very quiet. I've had mine almost 20 years and it is still in fine shape.