Need Advice on Climbing Stand or Other Options

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

Good morning. I bought a Ol Man climber back in the summer. I've used it twice now and realized it might not be for me. I hate the screw caps to cover the ends of the pins. That takes more time to deal with especially in the dark. I cannot shoot my bow from a sitting position because of the side rails. And. with the strap that connects the seating platform to the standing platform it can be a beast to put together to pack out. I do not know anything about saddles and that is probably out of my price range. That cost between $800-$1000 to get into and I just cannot do that. Any recommendations with my Ol Man or on a different route to go with trying to be more mobile?

[Bayouboy]

Summit Treestands | Shop Climbing Treestands

I have had good luck with the Summit stands. If you want to get above the side rails all you have to do is tighten up the sling seat straps and it will put you up higher than the rails. I am hunting out of a Goliath now and it is very comfortable. I don't pack it in and out and actually leave it on a tree I have setup for it. I would not recommend a Goliath for packing in and out since it is larger than most climbers. But, there are other Summit stands that are much better for packing in and out.

[MtnMike]

I have used Climbing stands but not in a long time. Had a buddy fall from his and broke his neck. Had surgery and is back hunting again but he will not use a climber anymore.

[Low Fence]

I hunted from them for years, thought it was the way to go! I hated ol man. Summit was my preferred BUT I liked my viper with rail the best and that rail cost me numerous shots over the years…. Plus with a climber you have to hunt a tree… not hunt a deer, big difference

went with a lone wolf lock on system…. 100000000x times more versatile! Not as comfortable but I’ll trade that for success everyday. New they are expensive but a great tool and used (route I went) very affordable. There are still situations I prefer it over a saddle … but very very few

saddle is king but your right the are very expensive to truely be mobile and hassle free. You can do them on the cheap(ish). But you will fight it and eventually upgrade and be out even more money on 2nd purchase. Used market isn’t as large… cause nobody sells them. Lol

quality sticks and a quality lock on (lone wolf or millennium (far 2nd place but still great on a straight tree) is the best all around set up on a budget

you can be in a used lone wolf alpha and sticks under $300 if you search

quality saddle….. I honestly don’t see it being under $1000 if starting from nothing

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

I hunted from them for years, thought it was the way to go! I hated ol man. Summit was my preferred BUT I liked my viper with rail the best and that rail cost me numerous shots over the years…. Plus with a climber you have to hunt a tree… not hunt a deer, big difference

went with a lone wolf lock on system…. 100000000x times more versatile! Not as comfortable but I’ll trade that for success everyday. New they are expensive but a great tool and used (route I went) very affordable. There are still situations I prefer it over a saddle … but very very few

saddle is king but your right the are very expensive to truely be mobile and hassle free. You can do them on the cheap(ish). But you will fight it and eventually upgrade and be out even more money on 2nd purchase. Used market isn’t as large… cause nobody sells them. Lol

quality sticks and a quality lock on (lone wolf or millennium (far 2nd place but still great on a straight tree) is the best all around set up on a budget

you can be in a used lone wolf alpha and sticks under $300 if you search

quality saddle….. I honestly don’t see it being under $1000 if starting from nothing

How hard is it to learn? It doesn't look like something you can buy in the morning and use that afternoon.

[LivinADream]

How hard is it to learn? It doesn't look like something you can buy in the morning and use that afternoon.

I wouldn't recommend that, but they aren't hard to learn. This is my first year hunting out of one, and I love it. I practiced going up and down a tree in the yard 10 or 15 times, watched a number of YouTube videos on tips and tricks, and read tons of material on forums. Im still learning stuff, but have put about 60ish hours in it this year. I feel like I'm crazy loud setting up, but i see tons of deer from it. Saw 19 the other day in the national forest, half or more within bow range, so I don't reckon the noise is bothering them too much.

I wouldn't get caught up in "setup time" I see a lot of "i can be set up in ______ minutes" I take my time, takes me about 20-25 minutes from bottom of my tree, to completely setup, but I'm more quiet, and not sweating my butt off.

[Bayouboy]

The Gunslinger by Deer Crossing Tree Stands, Inc.

My next climber will be one of these. You do have to paint it.


Most COMFORTABLE Climbing Tree Stand I Know Of

[Charrison]

I am hunting a new place in OK this year and debated saddle vs. climber. I tried a saddle and realized quickly I wouldn't like sitting for long periods of time in it. I went with the Summit Open Shot. It gets the job done but I am getting older and there isn't much to this stand - it's light and tiny, so if mobility is a big concern, this would work fine at under 15 lbs and can strap it to your back.
I did shoot a mature 8-point on Saturday out of it, so it works, I am just liking heights less and less as I get older and this doesn't feel like it gives me a ton of security. Wear a harness!

[Bayouboy]

I am hunting a new place in OK this year and debated saddle vs. climber. I tried a saddle and realized quickly I wouldn't like sitting for long periods of time in it. I went with the Summit Open Shot. It gets the job done but I am getting older and there isn't much to this stand - it's light and tiny, so if mobility is a big concern, this would work fine at under 15 lbs and can strap it to your back.
I did shoot a mature 8-point on Saturday out of it, so it works, I am just liking heights less and less as I get older and this doesn't feel like it gives me a ton of security. Wear a harness!

I don't get as high anymore myself. 30' up a mature pine was the norm for me years ago. Now anything between 17- 20 ft is plenty.

[Sasqy]

Summit !
comfortable and safe

[flywise]

Are you hunting Centex area or east Tx with tall straight trees?

[flywise]

I bought a couple sets of these steps last year. Theywork great but a bit bulky. I typically just need one or two for oak trees to get 10 foor up

[flywise]

And whe I get to a good vantage point I use this( just got it and used one hunt ) works great but will be upgrading the strap.

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

Are you hunting Centex area or east Tx with tall straight trees?

Both. I actually used the climber on Fort Cavazos (Hood) this past weekend. I found a spot with a lot of oaks and found one that was straight with no lower limbs. I would prefer to shoot while sitting. The Ol Man does not offer that advantage. Hunting from the ground works for me also but it is nice to see if one is approaching.

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

Summit !
comfortable and safe

Can you shoot your bow while sitting in the Summit?