Tree stands : ladder and lock on

[DuckDogDr]

Getting back into whitetail hunting after several slow years chasing the ducks.. I have access to 2 areas of private land (each 300 ish acres)

Looking for recommendations of ladder and lock ins/hanging ..
I'm more worried about comfort and ease of shooting (Archery) vs portability since I can leave them in place all season

I'm avoiding climbers. I personally know 2 people that have had fractured vertebrae (one also had a fractured skull) from them falling..
I'm a clumsy bastard to boot so these are completely out

 

[Desk Jockey]

Lone wolf is spendy, but I like my sticks and hanger. I have an alpha and 4 sticks.

I have used Big Game and Muddy ladder stands along with a Walmart grade version and a variety of home built. I prefer home hilt platforms as long as they are high quality and well maintained. The Walmart grade stand was a wobbly death trap. The muddy and big game are fine but creaky and I can never seem to place my feet where I want for a bow shot.

I don’t stand hunt a Lot but I won’t do it without a lifeline safety rope. $35 and it adds some pain in the ass but so be it. Like you, I know some folks who have taken nasty falls and never been the same.

 

[loganwayne]

if your wanting comfort get 150 millennium tree stand. heck i carry an older millennium in on public if i plan to do an all day sit.

 

[Zdub02]

I have a muddy boss xl that is very comfortable with a large platform. Also have an older API lock on that's quite comfy. The mesh style seats seem to be more comfortable to me than a cushion seat. Can't offer any specific models of ladders but whatever ladder stand you use be sure to tape the spring pins and I wouldn't assemble the arm rests - makes for easier shooting with a bow.

 

[cobbc03]

I have a big game hang on that stays on a tree, its comfortable and large, I could use it all day. I just got a hawk helium XL to pack in and out, its lighter and probably a better quality, platform is similar sie and the seat is fantastic too.

 

[WCB]

I vote Millennium for easy of set up and seat comfort...hell they have seat backs on there larger stands. I also have a couple Lone Wolf...I believe Alpha 2 That I use a ton and can't go wrong with those. But comfort hands down goes to Millennium

 

[30338]

Got one Lone Wolf and sticks. I like it and am using it this fall. But have to say that the two cheap ladder stands I have up are very easy to like. I'll be upgrading those to Millenium or Family Tradition stands next year. Or leaving them up and simply adding a couple of higher quality ones. Haven't tree stand hunted in 20 some years. I am wearing the safety harness that came with the Lone Wolf. Would not sit without one on.

 

[TN2shot07]

For pure comfort I don’t think you can beat the Millennium stands, those seats are awesome.
For mobile I use a set of beast mini sticks and a Novix helo, enjoying it so far.

 

[Sooner]

Any where I hang a stand an leave it I buy 20 foot stick sections and any hang on with a millennium style seat. They are by far the most comfortable. Lone wolfs are great for run and gun but, the comfort isnt there like the others. I have a saddle now so I take it most of the time.

By far the most comfortable is my summit viper though. There's nothing like them and I'm not sure how you could fall out of one.

 

[KoolBreeze]

I don’t see how a climber would any less safe than the others, at least not the ones I use. But I never climb without a harness that’s tied to the tree the whole way up/down.

 

[TSAMP]

If your clumsy id start with ladder stands. You may need help putting them up though. Also buy a actual safety harness. The ones that come with are a joke.

 

[OMB]

I bought a couple of the Big Game (I think?) brand ladder stands last year, first time I'd bought new tree stands in a while. They're really solid, but were sort of a pain to assemble and with how they go together, you pretty much have to transport them with the seat and one ladder section attached, so they're not something I can really drag out. Really like the mesh seats they have, pretty comfortable and it seems like the squirrels aren't as hard on them.

I haven't bought new hang ons in a while, but I always buy 10' ratchet straps in bulk and make sure to swap them out every single year.

I've been using some version of Muddy's safety harness for a long time now (I swap them out after 3-4 years of use, for peace of mind even though I've never had a fall.) One metal buckle on the waist, and one on each thigh. I hockey tape around the outside of the buckles so they don't click and make noise when you're walking in.

 

[Rich M]

You're more likely to fall out of a lock-on than a climber. I won't use lock-ons but regularly sleep in the tree in a Summit climber.

I don't like stepping over the cable on a lock-on and have had climbing sticks shift when doing this. Asked myself WTF one day 20 feet up in a big pine. Never again. Prefer ladders and that Summit climber.

Hit Walmart or other big box store late in season when they have a sale - you can get some 2 man climbers for about $100. That's a deal - plus you get some extra room and weight capacity. Remember to loosen strap after season so tree can grow and to tighten or replace it at beginning of season.

 

[Kbhillhunter]

I found a new XOP air raid evolution online for $200. Same quality as LW at a lower price.