I an thinking about setting up some ladder stands on my Sisters property.Its about a 10 hour drive and I want to leave them up in some prime locations year round.So when I hunt thier I dont have to go in and hang stands and mess the place up just before I hunt it.Its a small piece of land and I might hang 5 or 6 stands that would cover most anything and any wind condition.

Anyway I have never used a ladder stand.I am looking for something descent that can withstand being left outdoors year round for at least 4-5 years without much maintanance.

Any recommendations on stand makers.Price point is definatly an issue,Ease of setup,stability,durablity,comfort.

I dont know much and am a greenhorn on the subject of ladder stands.Give me some feedback for you guys in the know who use ladder stands?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I have a 'Big Game' brand that has stood up well. Got it at Bass Pro. The model I have is roomy with a good size platform. (Important for archers.) Don't pinch pennies and get a too-small platform.

Thanks Dana!Bass pros about 10 miles from my house.I will check it out.

Basic $60 ladder stand with a good cushion for your butt. Light to put up and cheap but sturdy. JF

I have generally always used the cheap ones. I prefer the small seat and no handrails, as I shoot sitting down as often as possible. shooting while sitting offers less movement and is much more stable. I use a hook on the tree to hang my pack to the left of me, at a height that allows access to my water bladder tube. I shoot right-handed and having the pack on the right can get in the way of your drawing elbow. I also add a cable or chain to secure to the tree in case that a strap ever fails.

Make sure the platform goes back to the base of the tree so you can tuck yourself against the tree until time to shoot. Also leaving the stands up, paint them real good with some camo paint to keep corrosion at bay. Check the straps yearly , squirrels love to chew on them.

My "perfect" ladder stand is no more than 15 feet high. I even cut the stand legs down some with a hack saw if I have to. Secondly, no "gun rest", the bar across the front. Just don't even put it on. You'll only find it a nuisance. Thirdly, I want the stand to have a fold up seat, let's you get back against the tree. And fourth, the seat much have side bars for stability. I even make my own side rails if it didn't come with them.

As for where to buy them, I don't think anyone maker is really head and shoulders above another.

I currently have 14 up on about 250 acres. The biggest thing to do yearly is inspect and replace when needed the ratchet straps.

My favorite was my folding aluminum ladder, but it was melted in a fire this spring. I would love to find another one because I backpack mine on club hunts. For permanent stands I just weld them with 1" square tubing and make most 12' tall. A backup chain is a great idea too.

The Sportsman Guide archers stand is less than $100 (usually) and is 18' high with a metal seat platform that squirrels won't chew through. It's a good stand to put up and just leave.

I'm in shock...like everything else these days its a lot higher this year.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-18039- archer039s-ladder-tree-stand?a=2112746

I used nothing but ladder stands for the last decade. I always buy the ones on sale so long as they are all steel. Expanded metal seat and platform. I normally weigh over three hundred pounds at 6'4". I stand on the seat as long as I can for the good times of the day and sit when I have to. Killed a ton out those cheap stands.

I love my Muddy Stronghold 1.5. Super comfy.

What Jack here posted is very important. I have seen certain stands, where there was too much "air" from the rear of the platform, to the tree itself, and makes for a uncomfortable sit, as when you have to stand, you could easily slip in the "hole". Harness or not,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I use alot of them now, and I am in my mid 70's. For public and being mobile, I take the bottom section off the 15 foot standard stand, and so I am left with about 9 feet..... easy for me to put it up solo and move around when needed.

As for leaving them up year round, here is a tip. On your initial set up, have someone else help you. When setting your stand up, first put a "chain", around the tree, which is attached to the tree. After that, go ahead and ratchet strap it tight.

IF, for any reason that strap, breaks, or fails etc, that chain will prevent that stand from going anywhere.....

Also as the stand, sits in the elements, the average ratchet strap will get weak. The tree might grow and stretch, animals might chew it, etc,,,, I replace my straps every year. But because the chain is on that tree, I can confidently climb it, and not worry about the ratchet strap, giving out, when I do change it,,,,,,,,

Anything above 10 feet, I use the inside bracket, which secures from the ladder to the tree, I also use a ratchet on that...

I live in an area that has lots of sportsmen rummage sales in the spring. I have been fortunate, to be able to buy, River Edge ladder stands, etc, cheap,,,,,, Cheap stands work well, but can be noisy,,,,,,

Stands that connect with clips, are noisy, so each clip, should be silenced, with hockey tape, so there is no rattle. Along with Hockey tape, I use pipe insulation, and Stealth Strips, to silence my ladder stands, where needed.

Hope this helps

I paid the little extra and got the 2 man version, so much nicer being able to have a little more wiggle room. If you hunt in COLD weather the first thing you should do is remove all that noisy velcro and codura shooting rails and seat cushion because it is NOISY!! I don't use the rails so I didn't mess with them, but I replaced the seat cusion with one of those foam rubber seat cushions you can pack in and out. Not only does it quiet things down a lot, but it doesn't give the squirrels something to chew up while you're gone.

I have a couple Big Game brand, and one other brand I can't remember the name of (American something?). One thing I'm watching for is rust around the rung bolts, like anything you get what you pay for and let's face it most these stands are manufactured with cheap chinese metal.

If you leave them out make sure to check or replace your winch strap every couple years!

I buy the two man stand that Walmart sells. They close them out once a year and I can get them dirt cheap. The two man stands just have so much more room which is great.

Rivers Edge brand !

I agree the Jack. The platform must go back against the tree and the seat needs to flip up. I don’t get up over 10 feet but decorate my stands with old Fake Christmas trees that people throw out. It takes a while but I can stand up and move and shoot over them.. I like to see the deer coming. They can’t see me simply deadly.

I also like the Archers ladder stand from Sportsmans Guide. They have gone up to 160 dollars though

Here are some things t look for. 1. U need a seat that folds up against the tree. U need a large enough foot platform to stand up and move your feet around. U get what u may for.

Not saying there the best but I own three API/ Muddy and a Millennium. https://millenniumstands.com/ .......Sold my API climber as I was nearing 60 . Nothing wrong with buying a less expensive brand and giving it a good looking over and re enforcing it . Carry your cell , hope there's signal make sure someone who cares knows we're your at . If your use in stand in same location year after year etc , check it good in daytime for rope rott etc . We have ours year round on private land that's why I state this . Two seaters are good to bring wives or girlfriends, just ask them how much they weigh and calculate both weights before you both get " up there" . Pray they gave you and honest " weight " count ! LOL

Thanks for your time and input folks.Got some excellant feedback.Much apreciated!

I prefer ladder stands, too. A half dozen will mean a pretty good investment these days. Putting up ladder stands by yourself, especially the double wide versions may require some help. Same goes for moving them if needed.

If you're hunting solo, you may want to go with hang-ons and a set of climbing sticks that you can carry with you between stands? Cheaper, easier to install and move, and less likely to be stolen if you leave no climbing sticks at each tree. Just something to consider. Good luck!

The platform going all the way back to the tree, it is good. But you don't need all the other fancy s***. JF

Just looking at rivers edge lockdown wide, looks like a nice one. I have used a lone wolf climber for years but the older i get have been losing confidence in myself climbing with it.

Yaa,I am going to do some shopping and looking around to see whats available im ladder stands.

Thanks for all the info once again ladies and gents!

JUst always keep an eye on the straps. I go with simple cheapo. and only set up so I'm 10 or 12 feet.

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