im in the market for a few new treestands. i dont feel like spending hundreds on one stand. i plan on buying 3 or 4. whats the best you guys have used? and why? thanks for the help.
The only one I have used is one my wife bought me for Christmas last year. It is a Comfort Zone from ****'s. I really like it. I would rather use it over the two ladder stands I currently own as a matter of fact I just got back from hanging it. She got it on sale for $39.99. It was regularly $89.99. Sportsmans guide has a stand by their Guide Gear brand that is very similar for $29.99 and an over sized one also. I plan on buying one of the over sized ones and one or two of the standard ones to try out this year. They have a really good selection of them that won't break the bank. Ameristep makes a good one and so does Lone Wolf if you want to spend a little more. Just look around. IMO, you can't go wrong with a hang on. Here is the link to the over sized Guide Gear: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-magnum-extreme-hang-on-tree-stand.aspx?a=686897 here is the link to the economy one: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-hang-on-tree-stand.aspx?a=585712
Oh an dI like mine because the price was good, its comfy, its a lot lighter than a climber and it is pretty easy to move if I need too. All in all its a good stand and won't break you buying a few of them.
Lone Wolf, nothing else even comes close. They aren't cheap, but it's your life your talking about here man! They are an investment that will last forever!
If I hunted public land and wanted one to haul around or move a lot then I would go the Lone Wolf rout. All my stands will be staying up all season and not coming down until January. Then back up in June-August. Thats why I choose these cheaper ones. No matter what you buy, always harness up.
For me personally Lone Wolf takes the cake. I have a couple of Gorilla stands as well and they are fine.
I have two Gorilla stands and they are great for a fixed position stand that you intend to leave in one spot. Very comfortable to hunt out of. I am very excited in that I will be purchasing my first lone wolf stand in less then a month. Assault II with 4 climbing sticks. Can't wait!!!
[QUOTE i dont feel like spending hundreds on one stand. i plan on buying 3 or 4 [/QUOTE] Lone Wolf's are nice but they cost a ton, so if you're not wanting to spend a small fortune, like myself, you won't be sorry with River Edge stands, Gorillas and even Guide Gear stands.. I have them all.. I've found them all on sale from 79.00 down to 35.00 a piece.. and thats the ones with large platforms...look on Ebay too.. I know Quicksilver/Fran gets some good deals there too. If you do look at the guide gear stand, i recommend that you buy their larger stand not the small one ...its too danged small..
Spend the big money on the harness. I have some climbing sticks that I wouldn't even go near if I wasn't comfortable with my climbing harness.
This lock on talk brings me to a question for everyone. What do you guys use to climb up to the stand with? I personally use screw in steps. Yes I said screw in steps. I like them because they wont fall off a tree while climbing. I know a lot of people don't like them because they can turn on occasion but, if you screw them tight to the tree and go that extra turn using a rubber mallet to lock them into the bark, they won't turn. besides who is going to steel a bunch of screw in steps, if they even know they are there. What do you guys use?
I use Guide Gear sticks or Gorilla sticks for the most part, I have a few stands set up with screw in steps and one set of rapid rails
I've used both in the past, but I prefer using a good set of climbing sticks. It makes me more mobile and it doesn't take as long to set up as the screw-ins do. Make sure the screw-in steps are legal where you're using them. I know that public land in some states won't let you. I'm hoping to buy a set of Lone Wolf climbing sticks this year.
I own the land. As far as I know I don't mind. lol If I hunted public, it would have to be sticks as it is illegal to use screw ins on public lands in NC. I used the screw ins on a few trees last season and went to look at them the other day and could barely tell that I used them.
I have a number of different brands of stands on my lease. I prefer the Lone Wolf stands by far. I have to carry everything in and they are perfect for that. Also they are so quiet, in my opinion they are the best stand on the market. Considering how long they last it is money well spent. Good luck on whatever route you take and always use a harness.
I'm like Troy (Shed)... I've got everything you can imagine (like 35 hang-ons presently, I think) -- from Lone Wolfs to things that aren't even made any more (Staghorns)... For the stands I want to leave up all year, you can't beat going to a Tractor Supply Company or a D ick's Sporting Goods when the season's coming to a close and picking up a bunch of them for $30 apiece...
Much like everyone else here I've owned a variety of stands over the years from the $35 no-name brands to the Lone Wolf stands. Without question, the Lone Wolf is far superior in just about every aspect. Are they pricey? They sure are. However, you're making an investment that will most likely outlast just about every piece of hunting gear you own from your boots to your bow to the clothes on your back. If you can't afford multiple stands, just buy one or two. You can jump around very easily in them if need be. If you make an effort to buy one or two each year in place of other stuff you don't really need you'll have 1/2 dozen before you even know it. Then you can go back to spending your money on stuff that you don't need. :D
I like the Gander brand ones for my cheaper leave in stands for after work 4 hour and less sits. I like Ol Man Roosts for longer sits. I love my LW alpha assault for jumping around.
