Can anybody offer some advice on a climbing tree stand? I know nothing about these, have never used one but decided that something I can take to a tree, use to climb up and then take away with me would be handy.

What should I look for in a stand, and what kind of trees will it go up? I take it the tree has to be smooth and free of branches up to the height you want to sit at, are there any particular brands of models that are more popular?

I feel very happy with my Lonewolf climber.

It's the lightest one and it's the main reason I chose Lone Wolf. You won't often use a heavy climber or worst you'll go hunting not far from your car.

For details, I think other members can give them, their English being far better.

Definatly get a light weight one, you don't want to have to pick a tree based on how close it is to the car. It also needs to be quiet, both when carrying it and when you are standing on it. Some of my buddies use Tree Lounges, but you couldn't give me one of those heavy noisey damn things. Summit makes some nice climbers. I also highly recommend you carry a lightweight limb saw and pruning shears, otherwise you won't be able to use a lot of trees.

Express,

I currently own 7 climbers, many from different manus and diff styles. I've also hunted from at least a dozen of different types of climbers.

Heres my take on them:

The best most user friendly are the Cable type stands, they are much faster and much quieter. IMO the best stands out there are made by Summit. If you are a big fella get the Goliath, if not get a Viper.

Another good tip is to always tie off the top piece once you are at your desired height regardless of what type of climber your in. The last thing you want is your top piece to slip into the bottom piece when you stand up to shoot your bow.

Reloader

Express,

Don't go cheap on this. I promise you this can be most important purchase of your hunting career. It can mean the difference of an enjoyable comfortable day in a tree and holding on for dear life and hoping a deer doesn't come by because your afraid if you stand up the stand is going to break sending you plunging to the ground or hanging around by your safty belt. I have used several and the best that I have ever used is the Summit brand. The Summit Viper and Cobra are very comfortable fairly light easy to climb with and will make you feel secure in the tree. I can set in one all day. My second choice would be the Api brand. The bow hunter and the Grandslam are nice stands also. the only thing about them is the chain is more difficult to climb with than the cable of the summit. all the others that I have used are not even in the same ballgame. you can get lighter but they are not as secure and for comfort and and easy use the viper and api are the tickets. avoid anything made by warren and sweat and anything carried at wal-mart.

I'm with Reloader and the Cat Doc, Summit is the ticket. I am a big guy (maybe a little too big) 5'11" and 250 lbs. and the Summit Viper XL works like a charm for me. Great advice about tying off your climber seat (upper) part of your stand when you get to height. Also make sure to put some traction strips on the 'floor' you'll be glad you did in some misting rain, snow or occasional mud on your boots.

I have the API but it is more a rifle stand - it has the bar around the front and forces you to stand up to shoot a bow - and it is heavy. The lone wolf seems to be a very good stand - light weight, quiet and no bar so you can shoot sitting. It is pricey but I think worth the $$.

Here's another vote for summit. Regardless of the one you choose, do yourself a hugh favor and always use a full body harness such as the seat- of-the-pants or similar.

Count me as an additional huge fan of Summit climbing stands. Three years ago two of my friends and I all bought Viper climbers from Natchaz SS website: http://www.natchazss.com. We are all 100%+ satisfied with them in every way. As amatter of fact Natchaz sent me a close-out flier that has sthe best prices I have ever seen for Summit climbing stands.

The Viper Ultra Regular price $249.99 on sale for $169.99

The Revolution Regular price $289.99 on sale for $209.99

Both of these stands deature Summits adjustable wrap around cable system and feature a 300lb weight limit.

If you or anyone else is interested email me at http://www.Art338wm@aol.com
and I will email you the info on how to order one

I've got an old Baker climber from the early 70s and all the trees around here (San Antonio) are either too small or too crooked. Anyone interested?

I have 2 Summit climbers and here's my take on all climbers, they are a pain in the ass but it's the only way to go if you don't have an alternative. Even the quietest ones are still noisey and if you don't find the perfect tree, you still have to make noise trimming limbs, etc. I will look for the name of the manufacturer, but there is a company that makes a packable, foldable, ladder stand. No parts to put together, folds into 3 sections, backpack straps, 14' to the seat, and all you do is unfold it and lean it against the tree and secure with straps. Weight is 22-25 pounds I believe. I have not seen or read an in-field review but it looks a lot better than the climbers for a few reasons. You don't need the perfect tree, nothing to put together except the unfolding part (no pins, etc.), quieter, and it has a faster set up time. I think Cabela's sells them too.

I've got (or had) a couple of the old Baker stands also and tried them again, man are they bad! Its a wonder none of us ever got killed and that we managed to shoot a lot of deer from them. I thought about giving them away also, but I was afraid somebody else would die, so I just took em apart and used them for scrap metal.

Summit and loggy are the only two I have and they are both fine but they have foot straps. When you are climbing you cant bend compleatly over to fix these at 20 ft. like you can on the ground. I think the new plastic loops on the new summit will be better. Do tie off the top to the bottom and be carfull not to put weight near the tree or it can slip!!! If anyone has ever had a climber slip even 2 or 3 inches it is as scary as it gets wear your harness for sure.

I've got a Loggy Bayou Mega Transformer climber and LOVE it. It's a cable system that's EASY to setup, climbs easy, and is very comfortable to sit in.

I looked at the API's and Summit's also and couldn't tell enough difference between the three comparable makers and models that I was looking at.

Loggy Bayou is a company based out of my home state so that swung my decision to the Loggy Bayou. I don't regret the decision at all

quote:

Some of my buddies use Tree Lounges, but you couldn't give me one of those heavy noisey damn things.

Yes they are a bit on the heavy side and they aren't real quiet either. But they offer the security and shooting positions that just cannot be had by other design IMO. As far as being noisy I don't find that an issue since I set up about an hour before daylight.

I have an API grand Slam Mag Extreme(I'm not overweight, dunno why I didnt get the regular GS), its heavy, and yes the chains are sometimes difficult to get around a fat tree(short arms...) but the seat sling and back pads are nice, you can sit back a pinch and not have to sit bolt upright. I wouldnt mind tryin a Summit.

"Another good tip is to always tie off the top piece once you are at your desired height regardless of what type of climber your in. The last thing you want is your top piece to slip into the bottom piece when you stand up to shoot your bow."

The first time I tried out my "tree lounge" I didn't have the pieces tied together so I climbed up a tree only to have the bottom piece fall to the ground once I sat down. Luckily I was in my yard so I only had to wait a few hours for my family to come home to rescue me. I can tell you there is no way to get this stand down without the foot piece! John

quote:

I didn't have the pieces tied together so I climbed up a tree only to have the bottom piece fall to the ground once I sat down.

Never had that happen (yet) But at least you were comfortable while you were waiting.

Oh yea it's comfortable, but the weight and bulk make it a bee-atch to carry very far and as a result it stays home most of the time. John