TREE STAND CHOICE

[lucky strike]

OK GUYS -HERE'S A TOUGH ONE! WHO MAKES THE BEST ,LIGHTEST
AND MOST SECURE CLIMBING TREE STAND?? AFTER ALL MY YEARS ON THE GROUND I NOW HAVE TO GET IN A TREE. THE PROPERTY I AM HUNTING JUST DOESNT ALLOW IT-HARDEST PLACE I EVER HUNTED!
THANKS,LS

[Partikle]

Here you go. This is what I have and I won't buy another stand. One tree stand for unlimited trees. 4lbs.

http://www.deerjohn.net/saddle.html

[wabi]

Partikle,
How do you climb the tree? I've thought about a similar product, but just wasn't sure how well it would work.

[curmudgeon]

Check out Northstarr, Freddie Bear.com

[deerman]

SUMMIT VIPER OR LONE WOLF.

[crazyfarmer]

second the summit viper:)

[Partikle]

Partikle,
How do you climb the tree? I've thought about a similar product, but just wasn't sure how well it would work.

Hi Wabi,

You can use tree steps, but in the area I hunt, we drill holes with a cordless drill and then hammer in 12" pieces of rebar that is used for concrete. For the bottom 5 steps we use rebar that has a smaller diameter and then you can pull the bottom 5 steps out when you’re not hunting, and trespassers don't realize it is a hunting tree because they don't notice any steps and there is no stand in the tree.

I also hunt in a few cedar trees and then you can use the branches to climb if you like and you don’t have to go as high because you have excellent cover. I just need a few steps then for where I will place my harness and rest my feet. I just got mine this fall and I really enjoy it.

The Ambush Saddle like anything else takes a little getting used to. I have been using it or a similar item for the past 25 years and would not even consider switching to any type of stand be it climber, hang on, or ladder. Switching to a stand would be like backing up.

The Ambush saddle has so many advantages over stands that they really can not be compared and one of them will last for the rest of your life. The Ambush saddle is also TMA (Treestand Manufacturers Association) approved.

-The idea is simple, you sit in an adjustable, comfortable hammock like seat facing the tree to which you are securely fastened.
-Your feet rest on steps placed around the tree at the same level.
-You can move 360 degrees around most trees to shoot any direction, no missed opportunities as with stands.
-No noise associated with set-up, very important when hunting in a bedding area.
-No clanky dead weight to pull up the tree.
-Opens up far more huntable trees, because their are less tree size restrictions
-Trees leaning less than15 degrees can also be hunted.
-Unlike climbers you can hunt trees with branches between you and your hunting position.
-You are always attached to the tree even when ascending and descending the tree. The saddle comes with its own safety climbing belt.
-Most falls from treestands are while getting in or out of the stand, with the saddle you are always attached to the tree.
-No cumbersome stands to carry when scouting in heavy cover, which in Michigan is where most big bucks are taken. Ever notice treestand commercials, the hunter is always walking through relatively open terrain. If they showed them walking through brush it would be ugly.
-Weighs about two pounds and will fit in your pack
-Never have to worry about any creaking noise at crunch time.
-No noise associated with snow or ice on a platform.
-You can move around and use the tree as a blocker so any unwanted deer can pass by without seeing your profile sticking out from the side of a tree.
-You can prepare as many trees as you want and rotate your hunting locations while owning only one saddle.
-Rotating sites increase your element of surprise, and decreases contamination of individual sites.
-Never worry about stolen stands again.
-Never worry about someone else hunting your stand when you are not there. In pressured areas that is a huge problem.
-Other hunters can not hunt your location because your saddle is always with you.
-Comfort, to sit all day during the rut phases when most mature bucks are taken, your system must be comfortable.
-Nearly half of my good Michigan bucks taken during the rut phases have been taken during midday.


Like any other product you must become comfortable with it and that may take a little time. I suggest paracticing in it while hooked to a tree with your feet on the ground. Once comfortable with that place some steps two feet off the ground and practice from there. To say it doesn't work is simply ridiculous, yes there may be some larger people that will have some discomfort at first, but give it a chance.

The saddle is not just another me to product, it will totally change the wayyou hunt and can dramatically increase your opportunities. I attribute at least 50% of my kills to that style of hunting.

Yes, my picture is on the Ambush Saddle and I do endorse it because it simply works better than anything else. I may be an idiot because I am not being paid to endorse it, I endorse it only because it works.

I have made some minor modifications for my personal use which I can not elaborate on because of liability issues.

This is a product that every serious hunter should try, it will separate you and where you can hunt from the rest of the pack, and when hunting pressured areas that makes a huge diff_optce.

[TNXBow]

The Summit Viper get's my vote.

[ninepointer]

OK GUYS -HERE'S A TOUGH ONE! WHO MAKES THE BEST ,LIGHTEST
AND MOST SECURE CLIMBING TREE STAND?? AFTER ALL MY YEARS ON THE GROUND I NOW HAVE TO GET IN A TREE. THE PROPERTY I AM HUNTING JUST DOESNT ALLOW IT-HARDEST PLACE I EVER HUNTED!
THANKS,LS

Without question, the climber that best meets your requirements is the Lone Wolf Hand Climber. This is the Ninja of tree stands. I've never seen one so light and so quiet and easy to set up in the woods. Go to:
www.lonewolfstands.com

Ninepointer

[duber]

Summit or Summit or maybe a Summit.I have a Gollioth which is made for bigger hunter (rated for 350 pounds) . My buddie has a Viper which is for regular size hunters.Both are a great stand.

[Deanmac]

I now use mostly shooting houses, latters, lockons w/climbing sticks.

But when I take a climber it is the Ol' man vision. You can bow or gun hunt with this stand. Face toward or away from the tree with a gun.

It packs up real compact to carry.

[GREYWOLF]

The VIPER by far . One of the safest stabel climbers out there I haxe 2 of them

[shurite44]

I have a viper. Very nice and easy to use. The harness system seems overly complicated to me though.

[Daniele]

I have hunted out of three different climbers, one of them the SUMMIT VIPER which i still use and i can't see myself getting a different one;
easy to use, comfortable, safe and versatile.
My son and i both have one; for those concerned with less bulk to pack i might recommend the SUMMIT BULLETT BACKPACKPACKER, it has all the VIPER features i think and it collapses to carry.
Daniele.

[Flintlockr]

I recently replaced my Viper with a Timbertall Brute Lite from http://www.treestand.com , my new Timbertall is much lighter than the aluminum Summit (5 lbs lighter) and just as roomy and comfortable!
Additionally the Timbertall Treestands have a unique feature which allows you to level the platform as you climb, Very handy if you are climbing to a height over 15' because you can tighten your cable as the tree circumference gets smaller!

I have nothing bad to say about Summit Treestands (they are bullet proof), I've also heard from some buddys that Loggy Bayou is making a very nice comeback, unfortunately I've heard quite a few bad rumors about Lone Wolf reliability problems.

Still the Timbertall getys my vote! ENTIRELY MADE IN THE USA!

http://treestand.com/Merchant2/merchant ... gory_Code=[/url]