I've only ever hunted from ladder stands on private land in the past but I'm goin to be in some some public land this year and want to get a decent portable climber I can pack in and out each day... I don't need top of the line, but I can afford to get what I need... so... that being said... 1. which stands should I be looking for?? 2. how hard are they to use? I've never used one and have no idea how they work 3. any tips on using them?? tricks of the trade? 4. maybe i'd be better off using a portable ground blind? 5. what accessories should I make sure I have with me??
1 Light and easily pack-able..Most prefer Lone Wolf or Summit 2 Easy practice in the yard with a couple climbs and you'll have it down in no time 3 Picking the proper tree is key, (you'll quickly discover whats right and wrong. After that you'll want to angle the base upward so as you climb and the tree gets smaller in diameter, you'll be standing on a level platform. It's better to error on the to much angle than not enough..standing "downhill" is miserable. 4 The view from an elevated stand and inheritant feeling of invisble-ness makes tree stand hunting the best. Now throw in getting your scent above the quarry..etc etc.. You've hunted elevated stands before. I don't think I need to sell you on that one. 5 A quality harness, and a good pull-up rope, and a couple or 3 bow hangers... along with your normal accesorries and your golden.
I have a Summit Viper and outside of my bow it was the best money I spent. My summit came with an instructional DVD that will walk you through the steps of using it.
The Lone Wolf looks like a sweet set up but I've never hunted out of one, see GMMAT scurry up a tree a couple times. Summit's are def. comfortable. Below is a couple of factors that I went through when choosing my climber. 1. I'm scared of heights, so rock solid at height is a must. 2. I suck at judging the size of a tree 25 foot up and everytime I'd get to desired height the platform would be slanted up or down. Now you can adjust on the fly, but I'm scared of heights so acrobatics above 10 feet was out of the question. 3. Light and packability. I'm a sweater (I'm sweating thinking about sweating). I liked the idea of being in the low 20lbs. I'm also adding a Lone Wolf wolf pack to mine. I ended up with the equalizer. I can adjust top or bottom with the turn of a knob. It's rock solid. I got the sling seat with mine so it sits like my summit. Weighs in at like 22lbs.
One thing I always take with me when I'm using one of my climbers is a screw in tree step. after climbing to the desired hieght I screw the step into the tree right under the cable part of the climber top. Its just adder security to make sure it doesn't fall. Also I ALWAYS use a harness!
My biggest advice with a climber is: Make sure the top and bottom are tied together! I use the Open Shot. It's about 14 lbs so it's really light. The open shot is a hand climber which makes it tough for some people. Try one before you buy it. (or buy one and if you don't like it, sell it to me cheap.)
I'll answer a few of your questions from my experiences... I have owned 1-older model climber (can't remember what it is) and didn't care for it. It was my first one, so I had nothing to go by and chose a larger model which was cumbersome... I broke down and bought a Lone Wolf climber about 4 years ago and the latch system that held the belts kept popping out, so after numerous attempts I sent it back. I loved the stands feel (size and weight), maybe I got a lemon??! I then bought a Summit Open Shot and will buy another one soon, so I don't have to keep transporting it back and fourth to my camp on weekends. It's small and light, in which I use it about 40% of the time. I will typically set-up 5 or 6 hang-on style stands for my go to spots for the other 60%. I use the climber mostly in populated, back-yard hunting, or where there is a lot of guys hunting or to mix it up after analyzing deer movement. As far as tips, I would like to mention, if it hasn't already, to practice in a non-hunting situation, even target practice from it a time or two. I like to pick my trees in advance and will mark the tree height at the bottom of my platform with tape, so after I've cleared my shooting lanes I can make sure I get back to the proper height. Maybe make a note as to what diameter the tree is, so once you wrap it around a tree your comfortable at sitting height. Also pick a tree, if possible, that tilts backwards slightly (5-10 degrees), your back will be happier in the long run with less fidgeting... A Rangefinder is key for me and not having it cost me a big Doe this past season, so I always pack it from now on. You can only remember so many yardages as you get older... Low light effects your judgment along with your sight, so trim your lanes! Good luck, be safe and have fun!!!
I have the Summit Razor and its a good climber. The thing I like about the razor is you can sit & climb with it and then once at the desired height...you can put the climbing bar underneath you. http://www.summitstands.com/catalog.aspx?catid=razor No matter what stand you choose just make sure the shoulder carrying straps are sufficiently padded. The ones that came with my Summit (at least the ones they were sending 4-5 yrs ago) sucked. They were pretty thin and "cut" into my shoulders. Padded straps make a world of difference. Also, get familiar with your stand and listen if there are any noises or creaks while standing. You'll want to eliminate that before heading to the deer woods. Once in the tree and after I pull my bow up; I hook the other end of my pullup strap (end that attaches to the bow)to the climber. You'll be amazed at the number of deer that come directly beneath you. If that strap is hanging down...they'll see and possibly smell it. I had a deer spook one time b/c of that. It will take a few climbs but you'll find a routine that works best for you. Everything else has already been mentioned.
I have had Summit Bushmaster for years. Light, fast set-up, strong. Very comfy seat for long sits. -make sure to tie top and bottom together -practice climbing with the safety harness that is included - you are strapped in from ground up that way - safest way to hunt out of a tree. -you can't beat a good climber for public land -I personally don't like ones with bar around the front as it could get in way during shot time
thanks guys (and gal!!)... need to take a run to BPS and check out the summits, they seem to be priced quite a bit better for me... would love to find a local shop that has the lone wolfs even though they seem to be quite a bit more expensive...
i would just say that you dont have to get a top of the line one but do not buy some cheap one from walmart or something....you will just regret it. But if your going to be using a climber a lot this coming year, once you use it enough a good climber will seem worth it. I have a Summit Viper and i love it. I personally am not a big fan of the lone wolf's because i just dont feel safe in them, i like to have a nice sturdy bar around me.
For bowhunting I really like my API Bowhunter model. I highly reccomend an open front model with no bars across the front. I have heard too many stories about guys hitting their cams or limbs on the front bar. Find one with a good seat!!!
I also use a API. It is not the lights stand but I have no problem caring the stand on a couple mile hikes in the hills of Illinois. I really like the fact that it is big and comfortable. This stand also does not have a front bar and weights about 24 lbs. I think it is called the bow hunter stand. I can easily set in the stand all day. I use it mostly when the deer are moving all day. It is easier to set in the climber than my hang-on stands for an all day hunt. Now if you are runnin and gunnin, I would buy the Lone Wolf stand it is very light and easy to move with. The downside is its price.
