I have always either hunted from the ground or a permanent stand at my grandfathers in Mississippi. I know a guy that purchased a Summit Viper and he hated it. Tried it two times and decided he likes his ladder stand much better. He paid $300+ for it and sold it to me for $150. He gave me three climbing harnesses, all three are brand new and just the type that comes with a stand why you buy it, although one of them is really nice. He also got me an extra set of foot things to lift the bottom part of the stand. There are zero scratches except where it grabs the tree and all the cables look great. So the advice part. I have a rope to pull my bow and pack up. I have a small hand saw. What else do I need to hunt from this thing? What do you bring up that you would advise a new climber to bring with? I was going to bring a couple screw in foot pegs as well, just in case. And I have been practicing with it, this weekend will be my first weekend using it.
Two things, make sure your attaching the two sections together when you climb in the event on slips. They tell you to use the back strap strap which works just fine. I personally have my haul rope attached to both sections, save me the step of moving the back pack straps, and they have tendency to get stuck between the stand a tree. The second thing is the stand comes with a strap that you attach to the seat section once your up the tree, this prevents the section from sliding down when you stand up and take weight off the seat. it works fine. how ever you may want replace it with a good bungy cord... I find faster and more secure, plus it doubles and you can attach your pack to the stand when your hiking it. Its a great stand if you can stay awake in it.......Good luck.
Bow/backpack holder and cup holder. I've used a couple of different bow holders, I like the ones that fold in half like an elbow. Makes it considerably easier for me. Then you need something that will give you the ability to see and call all of the deer within a 50 mile radius. Other than that, you're good.
sort of a side bar; but do you guys use the ratchet/buckle straps that come with climbers to anchor it to the tree once you're up? I ask b/c my aluminum API is a great stand - once I'm up and locked on. However, getting that way absolutely terrifies me. I can climb up OK, but all the jacking around with the "security" straps makes me break out into a cold sweat every time; even when I'm attached to my climbing rope. Since it's literally your life on the line, I'm not asking for a recommendation - just a "what do you do" question.
Third hand stabilizer straps. Makes climber rock solid and can use them to strap coat/pack/whatever to stand while hiking in sent from old school can and string
The things I think are needed to make life much simpler with a climber: 1. Pull Up Rope with clips on atleast one end. It helps to not have to tie knots everytime you hook your bow up 2. A Rope to attach the top and bottom sections together (MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS). The older Summits came with a cord attached in the middle of the stand, if yours is like this do yourself a favor and go ahead and tie it to the back V part of the stand. It is a pain in the butt anywhere that you can kick it with your feet! 3. If the stand does not have a bag or bags on the side of it, they can be had very cheap from walmart. It makes it nice to hold your hooks, bowhangers, straps, pull-up rope, etc...! If you have everything at your disposal once you climb up it makes life easier instead of fumbling around for hooks and such. 4. I also carry a Retractable Ratchet strap, it serves two purposes. I put it around the pieces for easy and quiet travel when I pack the stand in and out and I use it to strap the top section to the tree once I reach desired height. It is not necessary but it makes the stand feel that much more rock solid when your in it. 5. Hand Saw and Pruner combo pack 6. Also a suggestion, I find it easier to climb with my backpack on rather then pulling it up. Its all preference though.
thanks, I checked those out and they look like the ticket. I like their bow holder also. Wait, there goes another $80. I take my "thank you" back.
Get the Kentucky bowhunters package. Comes with several things and a much better value. You'll be glad you did sent from old school can and string
