I only hunt a 160A leased piece right out my back door. At 77 pushing 78 real hard I only use ladder stands, 4 of them, possibly 5. Little tricky to put up some times but once up they stay for the duration of the season or till I get a deer. One's physical ability makes a big difference on what you use. Knowing you limitations come in to play also. What ever you chose to use, for gosh sake's do it safely guys and gals. .
I have the summit viper, a muddy vantage stand with the muddy pro sticks, and just ordered my first saddle. As far as being comfortable, you will never beat the summit viper in my opinion. It's a legit lazy boy attached to the tree. However, when it comes to chasing big bucks on public land, or private you have to share it's just not practical. I made the switch to the muddy vantage and pro sticks to be more mobile so that I could scout more then I hunt, and capitalize on fresh hot sign. After having packed the muddy for a couple years and slowly dwindling my "necessities" to the least amount of things possible, I've made the switch to the saddle. In short, I've made an almost complete 180 from comfort being my number one priority, to packability and time of set up and take down being number one. I'm not throwing comfort completely out the window, but at the end of the day the more mobile I can be, and the more time I can spend in the woods, the better my chances are at a mature buck, and for me that means hanging and hunting being as quick and easy as possible. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Good for you. I’m using the XOP Vanish and sticks myself this year. I’m loving them so far. I did the typical quieting mods (rope, stealth strips, rubber bicycle tube) and the weight seems very manageable. I did get a set of quick brackets, but it’s otherwise not bad to hang. I just need to a little more practice to get my system down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I own some Summit stands, and they are awesome, but last year I used the Lone Wolf hang on stand and really loved it. This year I'm gonna incorporate a tree saddle, I can't wait. It seems like it'll be really versatile and portable.
I have an advanced tree stand that has the “post” you hang on different trees, then just move platform and seat, Any word on these,?. Sent from my iPad using Bowhunting.com Forums
I'm pretty picky when it comes to trees. I was depressed when I found this spot because I either like cover trees like pine in front of my stand or I like a cluster of trees and there were none of those. Vegging over the area today I realized a ladder stand would be perfect for the area because I can use smaller trees. Its a long way so I'm going to use my drag sled.
I am using an Aero Hunter Kite tree saddle this season. Last year it was Lone Wolf hang ons and a couple of different ladder stands. Im not very experienced hunting, but it seems to me a tree saddle is one of the best ways to hunt from a tree in light weight, mobile, safe set up. I feel much safer in one than I do a tree stand. It’s very comfortable. https://aerohunter.us/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66 Anyone else use one of these? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Get the Air Raid, for just a little added weight you get much more room. The XOP sticks are nice, the large upswept steps are great and much safer than others. With the tree brackets 1” farther from the tree you get a much better foot hold than other sticks also. Four sticks gets me plenty high.
I keep a lone wolf climber and a lone wolf hang on with climbing stick in my truck at all times during the season
May be a dumb question but how do you get up the tree? Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
Soooo I went to the store today and ended up getting a new stand lol, A Summit Viper SD Ultra. I've wanted one for a while now and finally made my mind up to get it. I'm pretty excited to get it out in the woods and break it in.