This stand uses a pivoting bar to sit on while climbing, which can be folded down out of the way or left in place as a safety bar. Somewhat surprisingly, the Lone Wolf Sit & Climb II actually folds to a super-slim four inches, which is a smaller package than the hand climber. Summit Viper SD – Best Climbing Tree Standįor the less athletically-inclined hunter who prefers to sit down while climbing, yet still wants superior portability, this stand fills the bill. Here are some of the top climbing stands. Hand climbers are those you hang from the seat by your hands while climbing, and sit-down climbers, which allow you to sit while climbing. Since they are usually taken down when done, it lowers the risk of theft. Modern climbing stands are light enough to be moved from place to place, expanding your range without the need to carry ladders, steps, or climbing sticks. The biggest advantage of a climber is mobility. Repeating this process allows you to climb to the desired height. Putting weight on the platform locks it back into place and lets you move the seat up. When the seat is moved upward and weight is put on it, it locks onto the tree, allowing you to pull up on the platform with your feet, which loosens its grip on the tree and move it up the trunk with your legs. So how do Climbing Stands Work?Ī seat and a standing platform are attached to a tree with a strap, a cable, or a piece of metal that has a blade that bites into the tree. Much the same way lumberjacks used to climb trees with a strap and spikes on their boots.

How they work is both ingenious and simple. We put together this list of pros and cons for each style to help you decide.Ĭlimbers are arguably one of the greatest innovations in bowhunting. Have you been looking hard at stands but just can’t decide between a climber or fixed hang on? Or maybe you are torn between the mobility of a hand climber but are thinking about the relative safety of a ladder stand. Climbing vs Hang On vs Ladder, Which is Best? Now that you remember why you are looking for the perfect new tree stand, it’s time to dig into the Top 5 of each stand type. It’s Safer – Orange safety gear can be seen from farther away when you’re on high, and when you take a shot, it’s pointed down at the ground, and not towards a neighbor’s house, a road, or another hunter.Staying mindful of wind direction and patterns is still important when using a stand. This is especially true in flat, level areas less so in hilly ones where the surrounding ridges might be on a level or above your stand. Scent Control – It keeps your scent above ground level.Mobility – Because of the above fact, you can get away with moving around more in a stand than on the ground, which makes it easier to get into shooting position, and to stay comfortable, which helps you to stay still.Concealment – Height is an advantage, but you can go one step further and add accessories like a tree stand blind as cover, and a camo tree umbrella for added comfort and cover.Deer that have been spooked enough times by hunters in stands can learn to be wary though. Deer don’t naturally expect danger from above they expect it to be on the ground level with them. High Ground – Hunting from a tree stand places you above the eye level of deer.Better Line of Sight – Sitting in a stand gives you a higher vantage point, which means you can see more of the woods around you, and farther, which provides more time to set up a shot.With that background, it’s helpful to refresh yourself why exactly a tree stand will give you the advantage this season. These were mostly clunky, heavy, and awkward contraptions, but they worked, and their basic design is still used today. It wasn’t until the late 1970s when the first practical tree stands appeared on the market that their popularity started to take off. These usually consist of a few plain boards across a couple of branches and a few more nailed to the trunk for steps to climb up to it. Those who did use a tree stand built their own. Hunting from a height has always provided an advantage, but many built a box blind, still hunted, or created blinds from natural features in the land. There was a time not all that long ago that hunting from tree stands really wasn’t all that popular, but that’s not to say it wasn’t done. *Last updated at 17:59 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Advantages of Hunting from a Tree Stand X-Stand

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