Ladder Stand opinions

[Capt. Steve]

Hey Guys,

I am looking into buying a new ladder stand and am looking for input.

A few models I am looking at are the Gorilla Expedition / Outfiiter - Summit Mega Samson - or the Ole Man Brand.

Are the sling seats better than the other type. I believe the Gorilla use a thick pad with air bladders. Gorilla also uses nylon bushings at all points that pivot or bolt tegether .

The Sampson is a bolt together ladder rather than slip together. Is this a big deal?

This will be my first tree stand and I am looking for all day comfort. I will be in Canada in August Bear hunting so I am looking to purchase soon.

Thanks Steve

[Swamp Monster]

I have one of the Gorillas....great stand. The seat flips up and the platform is large enough to stand and move around on comfortably. The platform actually extends almost all the way to the tree, so when you stand, you can stand close to the tree to break up your outline. The Gorilla was the first stand to offer this feature, but now there are others with similar designs.....they are far better than others when it comes to the ability to stand. The seat is large and comfortable enough for long sits.

They are bulky and a bit noiser to place, but they are solid and safe.

Cabelas has a 16' to the platfrom stand with a large platform and fold up seat, no cushion, but you can ad your own. It's put together with locking pins. I think it's $140. I use ladders almost exclusively and I plan to buy a couple of these.

If budget was not an issue, the 18' Sampson would be my hands down choice. It is hands down the Caddy of ladder stands. I like to have a lot of stand sites and at $300 or more a pop, just not feasible for me.

[JBIV]

All good stands, give Rivers Edge stands a look. They have been good stands for me for a few years now and they won't empty out your wallet.

[explodingvarmints]

i noticed that deer seemed to pick these stands out wayyyyyyyy too easy and then avoid that area all together. this would only matter if you were going to put it up a few days before you planned to hunt that location. sounds to me that swamp may leave stands up all year or most of the year so the deer can get used to them. there is no doubt that they are very safe and generally more comfy than hanging stands for an all day sit; however, i don't like how they stick out when put in the woods all of a sudden. for what it's worth my #1 favorite hanging stand for comfort is the baby grand dad........ lots of room.

[Swamp Monster]

Yeah, it helps to put them up early or keep them out year around. Some of mine are still up from last year, but they likely will be moved.
I have found they pay little attention if any to them. Years ago, I had a doe get between the ladder and the tree and scratch herself on the ladder! She didn't seem to concerned about the fat blob a mere 12' directly above her head!
That said, I rather set them up in cover, both around the base of the ladder and ofcourse backcover when your in the stand. Setting them up in this manner will be noisy, no getting around all that brush etc, but it pays dividends in the long run.
It might seem like a great idea to attach some limbs etc, but after they dry out, they are just noisey as you climb (they tens to shake with the ladder)

[clattin]

Even though you might still be able to buy them, I'm pretty sure Ol'Man went out of business. Too bad, I like their climbers. The Gorilla stands look just like them.

CLattin

[deputy]

i have the ladder from summit and let me tell yah what.bring a pilliow and get ready for an all day snooze awesome stand.

I also like and use northstarr tree stands from hillsdale michigan.

[Lil' Tanker]

have you considered a climber

I was against them at first because of safety reasons, but once you get use to it they are great

I have slept many hours in my summit- viper

[bartley]

id never hunt out a ladder myself. but then again, i wouldnt hunt out of a 8ftx8ft plywood shack with a heater and lazy boy in it either. nor do i hunt over bate piles (often.)

the deer may "get used to it" and still go near it after a while, but they are also used to my house and eat out the garden. that doesnt mean they dont know im here.

id rather the deer have no idea im there then to just be comfortable around me.
but to each his own.
~chris~

[GVDocHoliday]

I'm not familiar with any of these stands. I'm just going to make some suggestions. Since you're looking for all day comfort, look for something that doesn't have pressure points...basically bars, or rails for a seat where a lot of your weight will be positioned. I myself am biased towards the Ol' Man style mesh seat as I use their Grand Vision climber and I sit in that thing all day with maximum comfort. I'm also going to suggest something with side bars, as they will allow leaning points and add extra saftey in the case of accidentally taking a little nap. I'd also opt for the tallest one, the one that will get you higher into the tree canopy. Usually the tallest ladder stands I've read about go to 18", usually 15" but they can go higher. Also look for something with ease of transport, as most bear hunts go deep into the thick stuff.

[luv 2 bowhunt]

It isn't a ladder stand, but it sure is hard to beat the TREE LOUNGE.

[2-BIG]

I have 5 OL MAN ladder stands and I love em! You can't beat the sling netting seat, they are by far the most comfortable seats. ;)

[Swamp Monster]

id rather the deer have no idea im there then to just be comfortable around me.
but to each his own.
~chris~

If a deer scratching their back on the stand while your in it is not comfortable I certainly don't know what is.... :rolleyes:

[safetreehunt]

Ladder stands are great. They're easy to get in and out of, and that becomes important as your average bowhunter ages. Easy is good. There is, however, a false sense of security as you climb a ladder vs. a set of sticks or some other nasty method of ascending to a stand.

We all climb ladders from time to time and usually don't fall off, but let me tell you that falling from 3 or 12 feet is no fun (as you can see in my avatar). All of the ladder stands I've seen are metal. When metal gets wet, it is very slippery. Falling from a ladder stand is just as easy to do as with any other type of climb.

What is important is that you keep yourself tethered to the tree, or ladder all the way up and down. I recommend a climbing rope with a prusik knot as a minimum. If you'd like instructions on how to set this up, send me a PM.

Jim

[Hawker]

Wear a saftey rig no matter what stand or how high period, also i know deputy put's non-skid tape on his rungs.

[ArrowFlinger]

What is important is that you keep yourself tethered to the tree, or ladder all the way up and down. I recommend a climbing rope with a prusik knot as a minimum. If you'd like instructions on how to set this up, send me a PM.

Jim

:yeahthat: