Climbing Stands

[jrynef]

Anyone carry climbing stands in and out very often? I do since I hunt public, and mine is heavy, bulky, and not made well to backpack in. Are all climbers like this? Or is there a good one out there thats packs well and doesnt weigh a whole lot. I bet mine weighs 30 pounds. I barely have strength to climb a tree once i get there. I was wanting some input before i invest in a different climber. I have a cheap Game Winner climber.

[WyoHunter]

Look at the Summit line of climbers. Most are between 18 and 22 pounds and are easy to use. Climbers from all makers weigh from 17 pounds and up. Check out the Lone Wolf climbers too.

[Larry]

Your best investment will be a good used Summit climber. They pop up regularly on Craigslist in the $125-150 range. You can get lucky and get one for $75 if the timing is right. Don't get suckered into spending $200 for a used one. Back when I primarily hunted public land, my Summit would nest together very well and was extremely light. It was quiet to walk with and made hardly any noise climbing a tree.

Please please PLEASE wear a safety harness and attach it to the tree from the moment you leave the ground to the moment you touch back down...if you don't already. A good safety harness is another solid investment for anyone going up high, especially in a climbing stand.

[bowhuntntxn]

You Game Winner is steel, and weighs about 28 pounds. Find a good aluminum stand and you lose nearly 7 pounds right there! Summit, Lone Wolf, Ole Man are some great light weight climbers, but they cost more than the Game Winner brand.

Like Larry said, good deals on used models pop up from time to time, so just keep looking for one. Aluminum is the only way to go!

[jwiggins]

Natchez shooters has aluminum ol'mans for $199 right now. 19lbs in the standard size, easy to carry, quite and rock solid on a tree.

[Raypo]

Summit all the way, light and easy to climb

[BrianL]

Check out TimberTall stands. Brute lite and baby light.

http://www.timbertalloutfitters.com/store/products.asp?cat=10

[Jake88]

I have the Lone Wolf Climber, its awesome! Very light and packs well. It is pretty expensive, around $400. The seat does pinch your backside if you do an all afternoon sit, so I made a small redesign (in the backwoods of Manituage Canada on a black bear hunt). Cut a piece of 1/4" plywood about 4" wide and just long enough to keep the front seat webs from pinching inward.
It is a very sturdy stand and will last forever so think of it as a last time stand investment.

[Red_RaiderHTC]

summit has there new 2012 model that only weighs 14Lbs but its between 250 and 300 dollars...
I always carry mine in and out... You get used to the weight by the end of the season.....

[donfish84]

Another vote for summit. My wife and I use ours regularly

[pigsticker64]

Summit is the only way to climb

[Free q2]

Summit 100%

[Deerhunter123]

summit used to make one called the openshot, not sure if they still do, but it is lightweight

[DoubleGArchery]

Check out timber tall, easiest I've ever used to climb.

[ETABNT]

Summit all the way, light and easy to climb