Novashooter
Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2023
- Messages
- 286
I wasn't sure to put this in the Whitetail, Bear, or gear section, so please understand this post isn't only directed for whitetails, but I'm assuming most people in trees hunt whitetails. I'm mainly a ground hunter for a number of reasons, sometimes ground blind, sometimes low profile chair, so tree hunting is something I'm not experienced with. I own an older tree stand I got second hand years ago, I'm not even sure of the brand. It's your typical stand that used to be the defacto standard 10+ years ago. Just a basic steel platform and tiny little seat. It does the job for what it is, but I'm not sure the last time I used it to good effect. The last time I used it I as so uncomfortable I only sat for 2 hours before I was drenched in sweat from the pain. That was almost 3 years ago. I have hunted from ladder stands, as well as other tree stands, and I'm just not really happy with anything I've found so far. One of those cheap 2 man ladder stands is not too bad for a single guy, but at that point it's a semi-permanent stand mostly only good for private land I could build a proper box blind anyway. Tree stands are just so limited in my area of the Dakota's, Minnesota, and Wyoming/Montana, especially climbers. I've never hunted from a climber, and I don't see how a person around here could. The only time a tree is straight, with no branches more than 4 foot up is at a golf course. Maybe northern MN in the pine forest? Hang on stands are usually not a ton better. The last time I used my own the tree had an ever so slight, maybe 5 degree forward angle I didn't know about until I was already sitting. Just that little bit was absolute hell on the legs. Any little knot in the back is horrible. A lot of times deer hunting, the best spots are oak or cottonwood trees, and normal tree stands just don't go in them very well, that's if they aren't too big. Most of the time I don't even bother, I just sit on the ground.
Now I have a need for a good tree setup that is somewhat portable, but I have no need for ultralight. It needs to be able to handle less than picture perfect trees. My main issues are comfort related. If I were a typical 5'7 guy I'm sure most stands are fine. At 6'5", most are not enjoyable, at least nothing I've found so far. I would definitely like something with a real seat like many ladder stands. I've looked at the Millenium 150, but they won't work in 90% of the trees I need them in. I haven't ruled out ladder stands, but being as most public land you can't leave stands overnight, I'd rather not use them. I haven't seen any ladder stand that looks remotely comfortable and roomy under about 65 pounds, and being as the ladder is the only real structure holding you up, I'd rather not go ultralight on one.
It seems a lot of the good tree stands I should have bought went out of business in the last few years like Twisted Timber. I'm not convinced any Lone Wolf model could be more comfortable than what I already have, and the adjustment looks pretty minimal on them anyway. I definitely want a real seat in one. I'm not seeing much for clamp on stands besides the lightweight minimal designs. Oddly the climbing stands appear to be more geared for the comfort, sit all day style. I've considered using one like a clamp on, maybe a couple ratchet straps to keep them from shifting while climbing in and out. Cougar Claw looks like they make a pretty good stand, but there's another stand called the Gunslinger that intrigues me more. One of the problems of being 6'5" is that none of the platforms of any stand I've tried are big enough to get my legs even 90 degrees without my feet hanging off the end. I see some boats platforms a LITTLE bigger, but they would have to be at least a foot longer than most to make any real difference to me. If I can't stretch my legs out a little, I can't sit more than a couple hours. The Gunslinger being backwards looks like I could rest my legs way out there. Both the Cougar Claw's and Gunslinger adjust for angles. Obviously they won't handle way out of wack trees, but I am curious how they handle gnarled oak and cottonwood trees. Unfortunately it looks to me like either stand is going to be limited to trees maybe 10" to 16" around, which is kind of limiting. I would like to hear from others If I'm completely wrong. I'd love to find out there is a way to strap these to a tree 30" diameter without climbing 40' to the top. There is one tree stand I found that I will talk about later being as it's such an oddball.
I initially discounted saddles/slings just because they are the epitome of lightweight and minimalistic, at least I thought so. My one and only experience with one was quite basic. Just a little saddle that you wore, and it supported your butt and lower back a little. It felt secure, but at the same time you can't really sit down in it. Sure you could rest your knees against the tree, but that's not fun, and all your upper body is left unsupported. Otherwise you are left standing, and it's not long before you feel it in your legs or hips. I never hunted with it, but I have a really hard time believing a person could hunt more than 2-3 hours from one like that, which is fine for what they are meant for, but not what I want. Later I found there is a whole variety of saddles out there, and the ones that interest me the most are the hybrids. Specifically the JX3 Hybrid saddle. It's basically a chair you hang from. There are others out there I see, but nothing seems to be close to the JX3 as far as thought for comfort. I see plenty of reviews online for them, however, I can't find anyone who did a good 6+ hour sit in one. Nothing is ever comfortable after a full 12+ hour all day sit, but I don't do that very often anymore. I would at least like to make it from before sunrise to noon though without too much discomfort. So how comfortable are these really?
Last I have a couple of oddballs that I actually really like. The first is the Woodsey Too tree stand, which I think is a phenomenal idea. If they weren't $500, I would have already bought one. It's pretty light, and the seat should be plenty comfortable. The angle adjustment looks perfect. My one and only concern is the platform is tiny, I doubt I would have more than my heels on it. I'm not as concerned about that, as I could easily fabricate some foot rests. It's too bad they didn't mount the seat closer to the tree. You would loose the full 360 swivel, but I don't care about that anyway, I'd rather have leg room. I have not called them yet to see if that's something they would do. The last oddball I actually not even a tree stand. Millenium, and I assume others make aluminum portable tripod stands. I don't need a ton of height. 8' to the floor is more then enough for me. Not dealing with climbing or harnesses would be nice. The real bonus is this could be useful in a lot of area there simply are no trees, especially around home in the Dakotas. I hunt a lot of areas that are nothing but tall grass or cattails from the ground, but a tripod put up into a bush or small tree for concealment has crossed my mind before. If that stand had any kind of platform, I might try it. For the price, I might buy it and make my own platform for it.
I'd like to hear how others, especially bigger guys have deal with tree hunting for longer sits.
Now I have a need for a good tree setup that is somewhat portable, but I have no need for ultralight. It needs to be able to handle less than picture perfect trees. My main issues are comfort related. If I were a typical 5'7 guy I'm sure most stands are fine. At 6'5", most are not enjoyable, at least nothing I've found so far. I would definitely like something with a real seat like many ladder stands. I've looked at the Millenium 150, but they won't work in 90% of the trees I need them in. I haven't ruled out ladder stands, but being as most public land you can't leave stands overnight, I'd rather not use them. I haven't seen any ladder stand that looks remotely comfortable and roomy under about 65 pounds, and being as the ladder is the only real structure holding you up, I'd rather not go ultralight on one.
It seems a lot of the good tree stands I should have bought went out of business in the last few years like Twisted Timber. I'm not convinced any Lone Wolf model could be more comfortable than what I already have, and the adjustment looks pretty minimal on them anyway. I definitely want a real seat in one. I'm not seeing much for clamp on stands besides the lightweight minimal designs. Oddly the climbing stands appear to be more geared for the comfort, sit all day style. I've considered using one like a clamp on, maybe a couple ratchet straps to keep them from shifting while climbing in and out. Cougar Claw looks like they make a pretty good stand, but there's another stand called the Gunslinger that intrigues me more. One of the problems of being 6'5" is that none of the platforms of any stand I've tried are big enough to get my legs even 90 degrees without my feet hanging off the end. I see some boats platforms a LITTLE bigger, but they would have to be at least a foot longer than most to make any real difference to me. If I can't stretch my legs out a little, I can't sit more than a couple hours. The Gunslinger being backwards looks like I could rest my legs way out there. Both the Cougar Claw's and Gunslinger adjust for angles. Obviously they won't handle way out of wack trees, but I am curious how they handle gnarled oak and cottonwood trees. Unfortunately it looks to me like either stand is going to be limited to trees maybe 10" to 16" around, which is kind of limiting. I would like to hear from others If I'm completely wrong. I'd love to find out there is a way to strap these to a tree 30" diameter without climbing 40' to the top. There is one tree stand I found that I will talk about later being as it's such an oddball.
I initially discounted saddles/slings just because they are the epitome of lightweight and minimalistic, at least I thought so. My one and only experience with one was quite basic. Just a little saddle that you wore, and it supported your butt and lower back a little. It felt secure, but at the same time you can't really sit down in it. Sure you could rest your knees against the tree, but that's not fun, and all your upper body is left unsupported. Otherwise you are left standing, and it's not long before you feel it in your legs or hips. I never hunted with it, but I have a really hard time believing a person could hunt more than 2-3 hours from one like that, which is fine for what they are meant for, but not what I want. Later I found there is a whole variety of saddles out there, and the ones that interest me the most are the hybrids. Specifically the JX3 Hybrid saddle. It's basically a chair you hang from. There are others out there I see, but nothing seems to be close to the JX3 as far as thought for comfort. I see plenty of reviews online for them, however, I can't find anyone who did a good 6+ hour sit in one. Nothing is ever comfortable after a full 12+ hour all day sit, but I don't do that very often anymore. I would at least like to make it from before sunrise to noon though without too much discomfort. So how comfortable are these really?
Last I have a couple of oddballs that I actually really like. The first is the Woodsey Too tree stand, which I think is a phenomenal idea. If they weren't $500, I would have already bought one. It's pretty light, and the seat should be plenty comfortable. The angle adjustment looks perfect. My one and only concern is the platform is tiny, I doubt I would have more than my heels on it. I'm not as concerned about that, as I could easily fabricate some foot rests. It's too bad they didn't mount the seat closer to the tree. You would loose the full 360 swivel, but I don't care about that anyway, I'd rather have leg room. I have not called them yet to see if that's something they would do. The last oddball I actually not even a tree stand. Millenium, and I assume others make aluminum portable tripod stands. I don't need a ton of height. 8' to the floor is more then enough for me. Not dealing with climbing or harnesses would be nice. The real bonus is this could be useful in a lot of area there simply are no trees, especially around home in the Dakotas. I hunt a lot of areas that are nothing but tall grass or cattails from the ground, but a tripod put up into a bush or small tree for concealment has crossed my mind before. If that stand had any kind of platform, I might try it. For the price, I might buy it and make my own platform for it.
I'd like to hear how others, especially bigger guys have deal with tree hunting for longer sits.
