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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Hey guys. I want to buy a climbing tree stand for this year's gun deer season but I don't know a thing as far as what to look for in a good stand, safety issues, etc.
I've been hunting from ground blinds and its time I move up!
I'm in the Chequamegon forest so need something I can remove to stay legal thus my choice for a climber.
Also, my back is not always the best so I want something that is easy to get up and down in that won't stress it out.
Can anyone give some 101 advice? Recommend good models? What to look out for? Prices?
Thanks to all at "TreestandsFirst.com"!
Jono
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Posts: 260
Location: Kentucky | I've used all kinds over the years and have hunted the Nicolet National Forest. My best advice for a climber is the Ol Man Vision w/ foot rest. They make the best climber I've ever used! Light, easy to carry, VERY QUITE. Sturdy, will fit almost any tree. Good luck to you !
Bret |
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | Lone Wolf. |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Jono,
If you do any amount of bow hunting I have the ultimate stand for you. It is the API Grand Slam Super Star. Here is the description.
Grand Slam Super Star
The Super Star is the only treestand that provides sit-down/stand-up climbing and instantly transforms for bow or gun hunting. For gun hunters, the padded camo footrest/shooting rail is position up for quiet benchrest shooting accuracy. For bow hunting, the rail is locked down as a footrest and the unique, padded climbing seat can be repositioned for a wide-open shooting window. For backpacking, the seat section and platform fit together snuggly forming an easily manageable package. Included are: non-slip safety strips, cinching straps, seat stabilizer strap, adjustable foot straps, backing straps, ditty bag, and safety harness.
I bought this stand last year and love it. The cheapest place I found it, along with other good deals on hunting equipment is at www.natchezss.com
Price is $207 from them. |
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | Hey Norm, API which is a division of Outland Outdoors went bankrupt this spring. |
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Another vote for Lone Wolf comes in...I've had a few private replys to the same.
Norm, the Grand Slam lite is $165 on that site - must be closing out due to bankruptcy? Are the aluminum tubes hollow?
Thanks a lot for the help, guys. I appreciate it.
Jono
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Posts: 376
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin | The tubes are hollow and will creak and pop in cold weather. The lone wolf is cast aluminum. |
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Posts: 1438
| Jono-
Be careful with using climbers in the national/state forests. The stands are supposed to "not cause damage to the tree" to be legal. Most climbers will pull at least a small amount of bark off or will leave a small cut through the bark which allows disease or bugs into the tree. Depending on what warden you run into, this may be a problem. I'm not saying that other people don't do it, just want you to be aware of it.
Also, be careful in the stand. My buddy about killed himself last year while putting his stand up. He is fanatical about wearing a harness when he is in the stand but didn't ever get that far before falling.
If the rule above has changed, someone let me know.
Scott |
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Thanks for the heads up, Theedz. Ya, the regs still read like you stated. Hopefully it's more about not screwing in steps, pounding nails etc. than using a climber.
Jono
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Don't know anything about bankruptcy or anything else with Outland. All I know is that stand is awesome. It is very quiet, relatively light, and very comfortable. I have buddies that love there Lone Wolf's also, but I have zero complaints on my API and they are lots cheaper. Maybe that's what led to a bankruptcy?? |
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Posts: 216
| I have to agree with Norm A.P.I. climbers are awsome.
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Check your local (state level I guess) about the tree damage. It usually has to do with how far into the tree the spikes have to go. Somthing about penetrating some layer. Maybe it would be the feds if you are in national forest??
I can't even tell you the brand I'm using. I can tell you that I tracked a deer for four hours tonite and gave up. Bad tree stand wouldn't you say. I'll be looking again in the am. Like a fish that won't release well, gotta keep it up until it is done. |
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Posts: 80
Location: IL | I think the only choice is the Summit. It is the lightest and in my opinion the most silent.
I used climbers ever since the were first invented. However our mutual friend Dick has a system which consists of an aluminum locking stand with a pouch that carries 8 folding tree steps. I have about 25 lock ons but never thought of them in the way he does.. He can get up and down just as fast plus he doesnt have to trim the tree clean before entry. It opens up a ton of doors. Once you get used to it you will never use a climber again unless you are going higher than 25 feet. Then you cant beat a climber...
Try the Summit Cobra. You might be able to find one on ebay for cheap. |
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not muskies but: climbing treestands