Lets look at it this way....The only thing between you and the ground is air, and the tree stand you are sitting in, and the safety harness you are wearing. A fall from 20 feet is going to result in paralysis, at the very least
Now, do you want your life in the hands of a $79 stand made in China, or a Summitt hand made in the USA.
Also, some of the cheaper stands are heavy, cumbersome, hard to put together, uncomfortable, noisy, and less quality.
I am a cheap basturd as well, but my safety is one thing I will not skimp on. Check your local craigslist,there is usually one popping up on there on a regular basis
you will be more comfortable and able to stay in them longer without fidgeting, if you can find a straight tree without many branches. I always used hang ons (don't want to say strap on with this crowd), but couldn't stay in one much over 3 hours. just bought my first 2 man ladder, they seem the most comfortable, but at 60 + pounds it's gonna be permanent so I'm taking my time deciding exactly where to put it. with this heat don't forget plenty of water, in early season dehydration/heat stroke is a possibility. those tree umbrellas give good shade and keep the rain off and can be used as a ground blind too.
Found a nice used Viper SS to try out. Cant beat $150 I guess. Anything else I'm missing? Other than the obvious rifle and boots lol
Next you need a safety harness and tree tether. It is a must for any tree stand.
I use an ole man stand, i love it. the stand you get though, depends on your size, I don't weigh much, so i can get away with a lighter climber.
Safety. get a good harness system, and learn how to use it. I just got a vest type from bass pro, cost about 75 dollars, but thats nothing compared to the price of a broken back. look at it this way, we buy 500 dollar bows, $400 dollar guns, then put a $200 dollar scope on it...then scrimp on a good, easy on harness.
for climbing trees, have a good pull up line. a must have. i use a 35 foot long piece on nylon webbing, it's about 3/4 inches wide, with 2 snap hooks tied in about 3 feet apart, one for my pack, one for my weapon. the nylon is easy to grip and lower, using a narrow cord like 550 para cord is painful on the hands.
I also carry a screw in bow hanger, and a screw in step, for hanging gear, and an auger for starting the holes. I climb the tree, get situated, strap in, then attach my screw ins, then i pull up the gun and pack.
As for what you carry hunting, that depends on your hunting style, ar you going to be hunting a hundrd yards from your trcuk, on familiar property? or are you hiking in a few thousands yards? I myself pack way to much crap probably, but i am a pessimist at heart, i expect the worst to happen.
quick story, I had a friend who would take his gun, stand and a bottle of water, maybe a snack he can shove in his pockets. one time we got turned around in a swamp bottom in alabama, we were never quite "lost" just could not find our way back to our truck! shortly after it got dark, he was like rob, umm you got an extra flashlight?..i said yup. got something to munch on? i said yup and handed him my last honey bun :), how about another bottle of water?..i said yup..I had a compass, but the direct route was taking us thrrough nasty thickets and thigh high water, which i did not want to tackle(it was cold as crap) we finally found our way back to the trail we came in on, and the dang truck was only a few hundred yards away.
Everyone you ask will have a differrent cut on what to carry hunting, it's personal preference, as to what you are comfortable going into the woods with.
