For many years Ive hunted on the ground with my bow. This year I still wish to be mobile and stealthy but in a tree. My goal this season is hunt hunt small ponds in heavily wooded areas and funnels in a Huge 5 year old cut over and in thickets.. .

Who uses them and what makes and models do you use? How safe are the really? How effective are they in assassinating a deer? How quick and quietly can you get to your location 20 foot above that sweet spot? Ive thought about the. "X-Stand Sit N'Climb" but it might be too small for comfort.

I have been debating getting a climber since I sold my stands about 10 years ago. I think I will stay on the ground,but, if I were going to buy a climber that is versatile it would be the xop Strike Force.

It will fit in smaller trees compared to most climbers I've used. Where ai hunt there are areas that have smaller trees that most climbers wont work on. If you are concerned about comfort, the sling seat type will be better. XOP makes the Enforcer that is a sling seat. A little heavier but you will usually sacrifice weight for comfort. The Summit stands are comfortable but if Im going to use a climber for public land I want something versatile. My son has the XOP Strike Force and I am impressed with it overall. Quiet when its being carried and packable, and seems quiet when climbing.

How on earth do you use that thing!?

The xop has a belt that goes around the tree. Put your feet under the bar at the base of platform. Need to be in decent physical shape to use a hand climber, if not, go with a sit n climb like the Enforcer or a Summit Viper.

I use a climber and I like it a lot but I feel you spend a lot of time searching for the right tree. Obviously you can only climb as high as the lowest limb, so you need to be able to find a tree that allows you to get the height you want AND be in the sweet spot. A daunting task at times for sure. I have actually given thought to purchasing a tree saddle or similar brand. That is the one that you wear like a safety harness. Then you would only need a set of climbing sticks and could go up any tree. But I am only debating it and haven't tried one. And last but not least with a climber I always belt myself to the tree as soon as I get in. Right at ground level. It takes extra time to keep moving your strap as you go up and down but the safety factor alone is well worth the time. Good luck in your choice. Climbers are versatile but can be loud is another consideration. I also scout for trees well before season in my best spots. Nothing is worse than a climber on your back looking for a tree to put it in when you decide to try a new spot. Go find one ahead of time!!

I have a Summit SD climber. It is very effective and easy to use, and is so comfortable to sit in, its ridiculous......

With a little practice, it is very quiet, going up, and very safe, since you are attached.......

ALWAYS ALWAYS be attached to the tree, with your harness system, as you climb. I have a Tree Spider system, which is so light you do not know your wearing it.......

The down side to my stand, is the weight,,,,, it is 18lbs, and so its not that light......

I do not like the straps, it came with, they are not comfortable,,,,,,,,

Some users, strap them to a molly system, I use a set of back pack padded straps

I hunt with a system that is effective, so sometimes it is from the ground, or the trees, and I also have hang ons......

but you asked about climbers

go on the big game forum, there was an excellent thread on this topic, from many users,,,,,,, Cheesehead Mike, on the Wis forum is a very experienced hunter, who knows a lot on climbers, talked to him, the guy knows what he is saying.....

a lot of times, I cache my climber and use it when I get there, but I hunt a lot of remote areas in the UP, so I can get away with it.....

hope my small amount of info helps

X Stand works great for me

Summit climbers are rock solid and easy to use. I've been using one almost exclusively for almost 20yrs. No problems setting up or shooting from one

I have a summit open shot that I like pretty well. It's light and comfortable enough. I wouldn't want to sit in it all day but a few hours is no problem at all.

I used to have a big heavy climber. I carried it a ways back and up in the hills through rough terrain one morning. Got into position and proceeded to freeze because I was sweating...had to go home early.

I use an XOP Hand Climber SEAT as my platform with a tree saddle. ALWAYS attached to the tree and I use a rock climbing harness or my tree saddle (Newtribe Aerohunter).

I used API for many years some of my friends used Summit Vipers.

Lone Wolf hand climber for me. I've tried a lot of others and none compare for my tastes. Light, quiet, fast and hard to see from the ground.

Tree stands don't assassinate animals. Just an FYI.

I have two of the Summit Viper's and I really like them. My 15 year old son and I both use them and they seem really safe. I like their attachment system best. They use a cable around the tree and the popular V-blade that bites in from the front. Very solid on the right trees. Very comfortable too!

I have a lonewolf climber and it's great, but I use my lone wolf lock-on with the climbing sticks more.. I'm a carpenter and used too being in the air and still find climbers sketchy at times..I prefer climbing sticks and lock-on and recommend it for everyone...but all and all I like lonewolfs best.!

Big Shot Buck Shot.This is the Best stand period.You can face the tree or move the seat back and face the front..I sold All the above stands mentioned except for the Wedge lock and I was a Master dealer for Summit and API.and The Buckshot is the winner My 2 cents

Best Period ! In one persons opinion.

Chance,

The negative of a climber other than passing branches on the way up, is that there is a bit of an art form to adjustment. Trees get smaller as you go up. You have to start with the stand being too tight and tipping up so as you climb, it will level out.

How much noise do they make? Going up and turning to get a shot?

arrow hunter evolution

If you're hunting a 5-year old cutover, are there going to be any trees large enough for a tree stand?

Regardless, 20 feet is a pretty good climb and that height lessens the optimal angle for a shot.

They're as safe as the person using them. You sound like they're new to you. Become very familiar with them and practice climbing before you try to hunt with one. It will help you develop realistic expectations.

Wouldn't know how effective they are in "assassinating deer." Can't say as I've ever assissinated one. I have killed quite a few though. I try to do it with respect and as humanely as possible.

"How much noise do they make? Going up and turning to get a shot?"

Do you mean a Tree Saddle of a Climber? Tree stands can creak or pop when you stand sometimes. My best advice is to put it by your bow and go out and use it every day. It becomes second nature.

Saddle/Harness. VERY quiet if you get everything set up nicely. Your steps/platform can make noise in the tree bark when you move. I love the Saddle. I don't think I would ever use a Stand again.

The main thing with a Saddle is figuring out how you want to get up and down the tree and what you want to stand on while up there. There are some new products coming soon....

Go to http://www.saddlehunter.com/community/index.php and read up if you are interested

many good ones out there, i really like my tree lounge, but they are out of business now, the old fella passed away and left the business to his daughter and i guess they closed shop but i would never sell mine i am glad i found a brand new secondhand one for 300 us

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