climber stands?

Z

zahnzieh

New member
i normally hunt out of a hang-on or ladder stand, I am thinking about a good climbing treestand. What do you guys reccomend? I am a big guy and did try my buddy's climber, a little too claustrophobic. Also anybody try one of these on a shagbark hickory tree - will a climber work-the bark looks slippery and dangerous - otherwise perfect tree!:o
 
Just be careful if you think its a bad idea to use the climber on the tree it may well be.

You could try puttin a climber on it and then wilgle and hop around close to the ground to test it.

I also have a little story about a friend of mine (by friend of mine i do not mean me) with a climbing stand.

He always takes a length of rope with him now and ties it to the stand and hangs it down the side of the tree since he fell asleep in it and fell out(he was alright). After it happend he then had to shimmy up a pine tree to retrieve his rifle and gear, he also wore coveralls and didn't have so much as a waist belt to help him climb.
 
i'm a big guy aswell, 6'2" and 280 pounds. i use a Summit Goliath SS and LOVE it! it is plenty roomy and stable and rated to 350 pounds.
 
I have had a few minor ordeals with climbers. All my fault. I do have buddies that will only use climbers. If you go that route-learn how to set it up before you go!. Make sure you use the cords to tie the top(seat) to the bottom(foot rest). If you are not sure what I am talking about, send me a note. I even go one step further and carry a small ratchet strap, and strap the seat section to the tree. GET A SAFTEY HARNESS AND WEAR IT(don't ask:cool:)

As to which kind, I cant help. Mine are the el cheapos, a couple are home made. They are handy. Good luck and be careful.
 
Climbers are great IF you have nive straight trees to shimmy up. Pines, some hardwoods, etc.

A benefit is you can hike it in and out with you, so some moron won't steal it. In addition, you won't be advertising to the world you hunt a particular spot like a ladder stand does.

Another is you can get higher than typical ladder stands and get further above a deer's line of sight.

There are some finer points, though. Keep the upper and lower attached with a piece of rope. Guys I know have been stuck sitting in the upper after the lower worked loose (there was no weight on it at the time) and it fell to the bottom of the tree. With the rope, you can pull it back up, get your feet on it, and reset it to the tree.

Pay attention to the weight restrictions on the stands. You mentioned you were on the big side. My best man from my wedding stands 6'3" and weighs ~320 (former offensive lineman). He cannot get into some of the smaller stands. If you can, when considering a stand, see if they will let you get the sample and hang it on something at ground level to get the feel of it.
 
Do you guys reccomend the ones with stirrup straps or built in stirrups? Anybody try the Summit 180 - neat concept, you can even turn the seat around facing the tree. also I noticed with my experience with my buddys stand - tree has to be pretty straight - any bends and you wont get around them!:D
 
Absolutely love my tree loungers. Have two. They grip a tree fantastic. I once climbed a telephone pole with it. Comfortable as can be and I`ve purposely set it at different angles for better shooting advantages.
 
I bought the Ole Man Multivision. I've used it for 5 years now. It's pretty roomy and comfortable. I like to hunt with the front rail removed. But Summit makes some real good quality also.

I like the climber for one main reason. If I pick out an area, and deer end up moving thru 60 yards away, I don't have to bang around and move a lock-on or ladder. I get down for the day, slip over to where I need to be, and pick a tree. It's got a lot of benifits.

Pick out one you can be quiet with. Learn it. Nothing is more frustrating than things not going right while trying to get up a tree before daylight.
 
I'm 57 and just fling a rope to get up into the branches then haul my gear up. A cheap pad is easy on the butt and I do tie myself in just in case I fall asleep.

What do you do if you make a kill? Haul an animal + stand out? I'm usually back in there pretty good, past the day hunters but some of my buddies have had stands stolen (and other stuff) even back there.
 
I use the Summit Bullet Backpacker. I have hang on stands and ladders stands also, but I feel the most secure in my climber. I nap in it with no worries.
 
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