I'm in the market to buy a ladder stand or two this year. I'm kinda late in the game to be realizing that I need to be buying a stand or two. But I'm not complaining that someone stole my stands or anything... WAIT! Yes I am them low life son's of bitc... (breath) The woods were invaded by loggers this summer so I'm sure I know it was loggers that took them. Since I'm having to replace the stands I'm wanted to ask the forum what everybody's opinion on different ladder stands are. I don't have the years that Treefarmer has on me by no means. But 20 years playing soldier took its toll, and I need the comfort. So if you're going to sit for a long period of time and want comfort what would be your pick?
I just did a bunch of research on double man stands, I find the ones with the largest platforms under the seat tend to be the easiest to get in and out of and move around on. The top 3 were the Muddy Rebel & Muddy Nexus, the largest was the Hawk Sasquatch. These typically runs in the high $300 range.
For half that price you can pick up a Millennium Double Man Vine Stand at Sportsman guide if you are a member;
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/summit-the-vine-double-ladder-tree-stand?a=2122771
Bossman, your making me feel old! I've got 2 or 3 ladder stands and have no idea what brand they are. My delight used to be using climbing stands.
The welding shop at the local vocational school made some exact copies of the Amaker climber. I bought one for $25 back in the early 80's. Back then I had more "zoom" than good sense, the tales I could tell! Those were the days when safety belts were unheard of and the big spikes on the stand would make a pine tree bleed. Another maintenance man bought one and didn't like it so soon I had 2 Amaker style climbers. I was smart enough to actually lock both pieces, seat and foot rest with a chain to the pine tree. Then some jerk stole the back straps. Had new back straps made and added another eye for the chain to secure the new pieces. Always had to carry extra bolts and wing nuts, just in case. One year after a hurricane, the timber company had some loggers go in and salvage the storm timber right before the early M/L season that used to be in late October. I was ready with one of my stands hidden in a good looking spot and when I went to it, the stand, the chain, the lock and the tree were all gone.
Back to the ladder stands, get one with as many sections as possible 'cause you may need to be way up the tree and then if you only need a short stand just use a couple of ladder sections will do. Depends on the spot. I bought one ladder stand that had a rather narrow ladder and could not put both feet on a rung, that one was hard to climb before I had my knee and hip replaced. I gave it to one of my buddy's sons. Told him where it was and for him to go get it. It may still be there for all I know.
I'd still like to try one of those mirror type ground blinds like you got a few seasons back. Sittin' at ground level is probably going to be more in my future as I get older but I still have my original climber hanging in the barn.
Thought I'd babble a bit about stands, y'all have a good evenin'!
Treefarmer
Treefarmer, I to had one of those Amaker style climbers that someone had copied. Yes it had the two spikes in it that would make the pine tree bleed sapp down into the seat at the bottom of the tree if you left it there over night. Back in the day if you had an Amaker you were in high cotton. I will also have to say that the Ghost blind mirror that your talking about is the bomb as well. Just sometimes I just like to get high... well up off the ground that is.
