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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Climbing Stands
#4413638
07/23/13 03:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
MHoffpauir
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 30 |
I got my first bow last year and have been practicing, so this year will be my first attempt at bow hunting. I'm not a fan of heights and want to get a really reliable and stable climbing stand. Which brands/type do you guys enjoy using? I'm reading a lot about the Viper SD ( http://www.acadianaoutfitters.com/Viper-SD-limited-Tree-Stand.html ) and it seems like a good one. Any opinions?
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: MHoffpauir]
#4413709
07/23/13 03:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603 |
It all comes down to how far you have to carry it and how comfortable you are with or without the solid bar around you.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#4413715
07/23/13 03:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,983
JGilbert
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,983 |
All things considered (weight, stability, space, comfortability) what do you recommend Bobo?
Rise, PeTA , Kill and Eat! (Acts 10:13, slightly modified!)
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#4413722
07/23/13 03:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603 |
I have the viper SD. Its about as stable as your going to get. With that said, I'm going to change next year to a ligher version and no bar in the front bc you can't shoot sitting down.
I will recommed you get an ultra light harness or or the least amount of cover do to the vest style are very hot and heavy
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: JGilbert]
#4413739
07/23/13 04:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603 |
All things considered (weight, stability, space, comfortability) what do you recommend Bobo? I grew up hunting north of you, and summit was hard to beat. But down hear I walk in pretty deep on public land so ill probably migrate to lonewolf or the summit openshot/specialist. I like the platform of the lonewolf and built in bow stand. ..but like the price of summit a lot better. For a guy like you that has three seasons...I'd go with the bar since thats why I orginally bought mine since its easy to lengthen the seat and you have a bar for you ML or Rifle
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#4413931
07/23/13 05:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,107
catslayer
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,107 |
be careful... had a buddy jack himself up with one pretty bad...
Sombody smells like fried borritos...
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: catslayer]
#4413961
07/23/13 05:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,983
JGilbert
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,983 |
be careful... had a buddy jack himself up with one pretty bad... care to elaborate?
Rise, PeTA , Kill and Eat! (Acts 10:13, slightly modified!)
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: JGilbert]
#4414093
07/23/13 06:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 132
100% OUTDOORSMAN
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 132 |
Climbing stands are not something to get cheap on. Make the investment in a good one. Like BOBO said lonewolf or summit. Find a good tree and practice using it. Once your comfortable w/it. Try using it in the dark, like your setting up for a morning hunt. Using a climber with a headlamp vs using one when the sun is up is two totally different worlds.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: 100% OUTDOORSMAN]
#4414158
07/23/13 06:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,176
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,176 |
My Summit Viper has served me well for over 13 years. But don't climb a dead tree! 
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: kry226]
#4414200
07/23/13 06:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450
FoxTrot
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450 |
I love my summit. I like the looks of the Lone Wolf but why change what isnt broken?
I've never used it in Texas. I use them in MO and IL all the time.
I avoid Dick's and hope they fold.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: FoxTrot]
#4414203
07/23/13 07:00 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450
FoxTrot
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,450 |
And it is very true, dont skimp on price. You will not find a better stand than a Summit or Lone Wolf.
I avoid Dick's and hope they fold.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: FoxTrot]
#4414262
07/23/13 07:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394
Chuck McDonald
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394 |
Almost died climbing a wet pine tree with a climbing stand, Give me a lock on anyday.
Anyway I can't use them now as it is, my lease doesn't have a tree straight enough or tall enough on it for a climber.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: Chuck McDonald]
#4414773
07/23/13 10:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 578
TxHunter87
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 578 |
I would say get a lock on, you can get a nice big platform and get a real good safety harness, you can also get the hunter safety system rope to where you can strap in before you even start climbing so if you slip on the way up to your platform you will be fine and once you are in the platform and your securely fastened in you will find your pretty safe Here is a video of the safety rope i am talking about, you will like! http://youtu.be/hURn7OEkBsg
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: TxHunter87]
#4416777
07/24/13 04:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 145
FeetDown
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 145 |
As we all know, a ton of things have to come together perfectly for a successful bow hunt. Climber stands just add to that list, so learn from others' experiences. Some tips:
- Scout your trees as hard as your "spots"...in much of TX, a good straight tree with high limbs is hard to find, and darn near impossible to find in the dark.
- Most trees taper as you go up. Consider angling your platform upwards 20 degrees or so when you hook on to the base of the tree so that it's level by the time you reach your desired height.
- If applicable, use a Sharpie to mark the hole(s) on your chain that correspond with the diameters of various trees you've chosen - that way, you can quickly set the pin in the AM without the guesswork. Otherwise, you may find yourself climbing up and down the tree a couple of times to make adjustments (tiring and noisy). My climber is about 6 years old though, so maybe they've engineered a way to make on-the-fly adjustments since then.
- Take the extra time at the top of the tree to ensure your platform is level, stable and not creaky. You don't want to find out it's not when you stand to draw on a deer.
- For heaven's sake, wear a safety harness. Aside from safety, it will give you more confidence to bend at the waist for the tough shots.
- On safety harnesses, consider its length - the strap on mine is shorter than I'd like, and it precluded me from turning and drawing on a deer walking behind my stand. Also consider where you position it on the tree - if you stand to shoot, you'll want it to sit higher on the tree.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: FeetDown]
#4416977
07/24/13 05:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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|
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,603 |
As we all know, a ton of things have to come together perfectly for a successful bow hunt. Climber stands just add to that list, so learn from others' experiences. Some tips:
- Scout your trees as hard as your "spots"...in much of TX, a good straight tree with high limbs is hard to find, and darn near impossible to find in the dark.
- Most trees taper as you go up. Consider angling your platform upwards 20 degrees or so when you hook on to the base of the tree so that it's level by the time you reach your desired height.
- If applicable, use a Sharpie to mark the hole(s) on your chain that correspond with the diameters of various trees you've chosen - that way, you can quickly set the pin in the AM without the guesswork. Otherwise, you may find yourself climbing up and down the tree a couple of times to make adjustments (tiring and noisy). My climber is about 6 years old though, so maybe they've engineered a way to make on-the-fly adjustments since then.
- Take the extra time at the top of the tree to ensure your platform is level, stable and not creaky. You don't want to find out it's not when you stand to draw on a deer.
- For heaven's sake, wear a safety harness. Aside from safety, it will give you more confidence to bend at the waist for the tough shots.
- On safety harnesses, consider its length - the strap on mine is shorter than I'd like, and it precluded me from turning and drawing on a deer walking behind my stand. Also consider where you position it on the tree - if you stand to shoot, you'll want it to sit higher on the tree. Use the rope line man style tree attachment and it will give you more flexiblty on strap length and position, on top of that its safer and easier when climbing up or down
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#4429525
07/29/13 03:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
MHoffpauir
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 30 |
I know a guy that took a pretty nasty fall last year and seriously injured his back. I think I'm going with the Viper SD as it sounds like a rock solid stand. Thanks for the input.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: MHoffpauir]
#4442302
08/02/13 07:15 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15
D.Ray
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15 |
I have a Summit and a Lone Wolf hand climber. You can't bet the comfort of the Summit but that comfort comes with a price(WEIGHT and SIZE). I will never get rid of either but if I had to only choose one it would be the Lone Wolf.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: MHoffpauir]
#4442315
08/02/13 07:19 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15
D.Ray
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15 |
Invest in a good harness. I hunted out of the one that came with my Summit for years and finally bought an HHS -- Love it !
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: D.Ray]
#4442406
08/02/13 07:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
PaulLusk
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42 |
I have a Cougar Claw Super Sport Bubba and I think it is great.Made in the USA and very comfortable.
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: MHoffpauir]
#4442497
08/02/13 08:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,532
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,532 |
I know a guy that took a pretty nasty fall last year and seriously injured his back. I think I'm going with the Viper SD as it sounds like a rock solid stand. Thanks for the input. Good choice, I have been using a Viper for 15 years, great solid, comfortable stand.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Climbing Stands
[Re: kmon11]
#4442976
08/02/13 11:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,056
Hooligan
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,056 |
I've been looking at them too. This is something I'm gonna keep saving for because it seems worth the investment in a quality one! Anywhere you can check em out in person? Never used climbers
Militavi Non Sine Gloria
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