Tree stands

[RifleBowPistol]

Thinking of getting a tree stand. Don't really want to spend a lot of money on one. I am thinking a ladder stand would be best for me. Because I could use it on our property, which is mostly post oak and hickory. I want to try to hunt some of the east Texas forests at some point, never done so, never hunted any forest anywhere so completely new to me. Tree stands other than just climbing a live oak tree is completely new to me.

I think a ladder stand would be the most versatile, meaning should work in more different types of trees, other than pines that grow close to straight up. But not sure how well a ladder stand would work in a tree that does not grow perfectly straight up.

Any info would be appreciated, before I go buy something. Then I am already finding that many models are out of stock and on back order. Yay. The only places locally to get one, would be Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, or Academy. Academy seems to be out of everything, Cabela's has a few in stock. I could order one, but would really like to see one in person, never having used one.

[KenWood]

Ladder stands are the way to go imo. They are, as you said, more versatile. The only limit is the height. If the tree isn’t straight you can find a log or something to use as a spacer. I have a couple hang ons. I never have hunted in a place where the right tree was conducive to that. As far as brands, I can’t help. I just get damaged ladders from work and build a platform on top with a V cut in, paint, and ratchet strap.

[wes122984]

Ladders are great and my preferred stand type if they are staying put. If it’s something you intend to move around a little bit then a hang on is much more versatile and easy to put up, take down and transport .


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[MnM]

Trying saddle hunting this year using Wild Edge tree steps this year myself. Very mobile so far.

[White Falcon]

My ladder stand/deer cart, will go almost anywhere. Can go from 6', 12', 18'. Easy to pull. Set up 12' at my house. Wheels detach, cans set up in a couple minutes.

[cva34]

My ladder stand/deer cart, will go almost anywhere. Can go from 6', 12', 18'. Easy to pull. Set up 12' at my house. Wheels detach, cans set up in a couple minutes.

prob haul deer on too nice

I'm a climber fan if trees are pretty friendly..Also used them hang Loc ons

Once ya get a loc on mounted they great.. I just seem to run out of hands and arms mounting them

[RifleBowPistol]

My ladder stand/deer cart, will go almost anywhere. Can go from 6', 12', 18'. Easy to pull. Set up 12' at my house. Wheels detach, cans set up in a couple minutes.

I like that idea, right there. Thanks.

[Grady_jones]

I use them in west texas and sometimes i just remove the bottom piece and they are still about 12 feet tall. You can find a way to put them on a lot of trees.

[RifleBowPistol]

I appreciate the info. Like I said, I have never used a tree stand. I have never hunted areas where the trees grew mostly straight up. Every place I have hunted, had short brush like sage, or more often mesquite, cedar or live oaks. Rarely will you ever fin any of those types of trees you can use a hang on type tree stand. Where we live now, we have post oak and hickory. Most of the trees on our property grow basically straight up, much more vertical, than anything I have ever been around. But I have found two trees that I think would be great places to put a tree stand, the only problem is both of them lean maybe 5 degrees to 7 degrees. And number one choice, leans towards the side, I want to put a stand on. I have thought about designing and building a stand that would work on trees that have a slight lean to them. I came up with a idea, that would work and I may build one or two for use on our property, because they would stay there year round. But hunting other places with the design I came up with, sounds like a lot of work. It would be a lot easier to just lean a ladder stand up against a tree, strap it and then find a way of supporting the legs and calling it done. I am not sure how well those work, the concept looks good, but what are they really like?

I figure what ever I do, I want to be at least 17 ft. off the ground, to around 20 ft. Most of the ladder stands, I like the looks of are 18 ft. to 20 ft.

[tickfarm89]

Thinking of getting a tree stand. Don't really want to spend a lot of money on one. I am thinking a ladder stand would be best for me. Because I could use it on our property, which is mostly post oak and hickory. I want to try to hunt some of the east Texas forests at some point, never done so, never hunted any forest anywhere so completely new to me. Tree stands other than just climbing a live oak tree is completely new to me.

I think a ladder stand would be the most versatile, meaning should work in more different types of trees, other than pines that grow close to straight up. But not sure how well a ladder stand would work in a tree that does not grow perfectly straight up.

Any info would be appreciated, before I go buy something. Then I am already finding that many models are out of stock and on back order. Yay. The only places locally to get one, would be Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, or Academy. Academy seems to be out of everything, Cabela's has a few in stock. I could order one, but would really like to see one in person, never having used one.

I have one over here in Cedar Creek that you can have if you want it. I can no longer bow hunt because of shoulder. PM me if interested.

[RifleBowPistol]

Trying saddle hunting this year using Wild Edge tree steps this year myself. Very mobile so far.

I am not sure what saddle hunting is, but from what little I have read, it sounds like something I came up with years ago and never actually tried to build. The idea I came up with I would basically be hanging from a single rope tided to a tree limb. Then have something on the bottom of the rope to sit in or on. Kind of like a tree swing. The biggest problems I came up with, that idea, was getting a rope tided up high up in a tree, almost have to have a extension ladder to do that. Then getting up in the thing, to go hunting. Because of those two reasons, I never tried the idea I came up with years ago. I am not sure that idea is similar to this saddle hunting stuff, I keep reading about.

[MnM]

I am not sure what saddle hunting is, but from what little I have read, it sounds like something I came up with years ago and never actually tried to build. The idea I came up with I would basically be hanging from a single rope tided to a tree limb. Then have something on the bottom of the rope to sit in or on. Kind of like a tree swing. The biggest problems I came up with, that idea, was getting a rope tided up high up in a tree, almost have to have a extension ladder to do that. Then getting up in the thing, to go hunting. Because of those two reasons, I never tried the idea I came up with years ago. I am not sure that idea is similar to this saddle hunting stuff, I keep reading about.

Still have a couple hang on stands to hunt out of. Just trying something different.


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[Johnny44]

I usually set my ladders in very good locations and they end up being part of the tree after the tree grows around parts of the frame. They are real stable when this happens. Because of this I recommend something in the fashion of a Summit Dual Pro with metal seat that you can put a cushion on. I usually set them between 8-12’ depending on the spot. I like stands that use a metal bench so it can stay there forever without the critters eating the seats up. I also use 2 man stands or larger singles for the extra room, I also like burlap or netting. You can screw an umbrella in if thats your thing but I like it simple.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THE STEPS ICE OVER YOU CAN BUST YOUR TAIL END AT THE VERY LEAST.

I’m also a lock-on freak and use my climber bottom to get up to them because I leave the safety rope hanging. Also on many of my Lock-ons or ladders I use a chain and turnbuckle in addition to the strap system mainly for permanent ones. I climb in summit vipers half the time using a hazmore setup like this one in the flic because I’m high speed low drag on many occasions.

https://hazmore.net/pages/silent-seat-and-summit-back-rest

https://hazmore.net/pages/silent-pocket-tree-stand-accessory-pocket

I’m a big fan of these reflective safety ropes too, I buy them in the 10 packs

https://huntersafetysystem.com/collections/lifelines-manual/products/reflective-lifeline-outfitter-10-pack?variant=14038640328822

Best of luck and be safe !



Very few ladders of mine would you see out in the open, usually at the edge of some evergreen or brush. If you have beavers, things can change quick and trees die and turn into widow makers. A good spot will usually stay a good spot even if you have to adapt. Also remember line of sight. I usually don’t go 17’-40’ up plastered against the sky.

[Johnny44]

“Versatile” is a subjective definition but I find my modified Summit Vipers to be the most versatile for me. 80% of the places I hunt you ain’t carrying or wheeling a ladder stand into.

[mikeyb_23]

My ladder stand/deer cart, will go almost anywhere. Can go from 6', 12', 18'. Easy to pull. Set up 12' at my house. Wheels detach, cans set up in a couple minutes.

Did you build this?