Hunting Tree Stands…  There are many styles and tons of of brands and models to choose from.  Active Lifestyle Info has done the research and will help you pick the best hunting stand for your application.  Whether you are looking for a climbing tree stand (climber), ladder stand or lock-on, we have tried many of them and have also research many other to save you time and money when selecting the best stand.  As stated by all of the manufacturers of hunting tree stands of all types, safety is of utmost importance.  Be sure to follow all safety recommendations and use recommended safety gear!

Let’s first discuss the types of hunting tree stands and what application(s) they are best for.  We will break them down into three major categories.  These will only include elevated stands where you sit some distance above the ground for an improved view.  We will cover ground blinds in a different article.  First is the climbing tree stand which is also commonly know as a climber.  These stands allow you to climb up into a suitable stand and wait for your game species to come by.  Second is a lock-on tree stand.  As the name suggests, this stand locks onto a tree at your desired height and requires some type of ladder or tree steps to get into and out of the stand.  Lastly is the ladder stand.  These are much like a regular ladder but feature seating for one or two at the top of the ladder. 

So, what type of elevated hunting tree stand is best for you?  This depends on where you are hunting, what game you are hunting, what type of weapon you are hunting, your mobility, and how comfortable you are with heights.

Let’s first discuss ladder tree stands.  These are very popular as, once set up, you can quickly and quietly get up and start hunting.  Ladder stands generally come in heights from 12′ to 20′.  They take some time to set up the first time and you generally need 2-3 people to stand them up.  You lean the stand against a tree in your desired hunting location and attach to the tree following the manufacturer’s instructions.  They are designed for a single hunter or for two hunters.  This is always a great option when hunting / training a kid to hunt as you are right next to them to guide them in safe and ethical hunting practices.  I always use the two person ladder stand, even though I generally hunt alone, just so I have room for my hunting bag and gear next to me.  They can be used when hunting with rifle, shotgun, bow (archery), or muzzleloader (black powder).  Once a ladder stand is set-up and attached to a tree it is a fairly large job to move it to a new location.  Make sure you scout thorough to determine where you would like to place your stand.  For this reason ladder stands are commonly used private land or in hunting leases where stand can remain for the entire season or permanently.  We have used many ladder hunting tree stands and have research many others.  Below you will find which ladder stand is the best, in our opinion, and why it made it to the top of our list.

Next, we will discuss climbing tree stands.  Also known as a climber, these stands give you the most mobility and are a great choice for scouting or hunting in a management area where you do not feel comfortable leaving the stand for extended periods.  These stands are generally lightweight, at least the better ones, and have backpack straps that allow you to carry these longer distances to find the perfect hunting spot.  When hunting out of a climbing tree stand you select the height you want to sit at.  I do not like heights and rarely go above 20′.  You do need to select a suitable tree for climbing and generally need a hand saw to remove small branches on your first climb.  CLICK HERE to check out the folding hand saw that we love.  Many climbers allow you to face toward the tree or away from the tree.  Many hunters prefer to face the tree when hunting with a gun.  This gives you better camouflage and you can hold the gun against the tree when ready to take a shot.  You will need to face away from the tree if you are archery hunting.  Climbing tree stands that come with sling style seats tend to be the most comfortable and will allow you to sit all day!

Lastly, let’s discuss lock-on tree stands.  As the name states, these hunting stands lock onto the tree you want to hunt from at a specific height.  You will need climbing sticks or something similar to set up the stand and the get in and out each time you hunt.  These are definitely the smallest stands and are often used by hardcore bow hunters to slip into deep woods locations and wait for that big buck.  Make sure you take into account the cost of the climbing sticks when comparing the cost of a lock-on stand to that of a climber or ladder stand.