Climbing Tree Stands

If you like using a stand when whitetail or mule deer hunting, a climbing stand is a good option to have. With a climbing tree stand you can quickly adjust your hunt location to take into account changed conditions or the result of new scouting so that your deer stands are where they need to be for the best hunt.

Whether you prefer heavy duty climbing tree stands or lightweight climbing tree stands, it's a good idea when selecting climbing tree stands to find climbing tree stand manufacturers that are certified by the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA). The TMA has a thorough set of tree stand safety guidelines for manufacturers that exceeds federal guidelines, and in fact has served as a blueprint for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission via the American Society for Testing Materials.

Climbing tree stands are useful in places where you can find tall straight trees without many limbs. They are designed to let you quickly and quietly assemble the stand and climb into position in just a few minutes without needing ladders or steps.

Climbing tree stands - sometimes called self-climbing tree stands or deer stands - can be heavier than fixed-position stands and generally consist of a top and a bottom section. To climb, you simply raise the top piece and secure it, then pull up the bottom piece and secure that with your feet and legs. While easy to use, as with all tree stands there are several safety considerations, along with a few special concerns unique to climbing stands.

Tree Stand Safety

Become familiar and comfortable with your tree stand before you use it. Practice at ground level before attempting a climb.
Before each hunt, inspect your tree stand for loose nuts and bolts.
Always inspect the safety harness and strap for signs of wear or damage before each use.
Remove upturned sticks, cut saplings, dead tree trunks, rocks and similar items from the ground below the tree stand in case you do fall.
Always wear an approved full body safety harness - a fall-arrest-system - when climbing into or out of a tree stand and when you are in a tree stand. Keep the harness straps tight to avoid slippage. Most accidents happen when climbing into or out of a stand.
Fasten your harness correctly to a safety strap attached to the tree to prevent you from falling more than one foot. Never replace the safety strap with a rope.
Always choose the proper-sized tree for your tree stand. Select a live, straight tree that fits the guidelines recommended by your tree stand's instructions. Never use a dead or rotten tree!
When first installing your climbing tree stand, make sure that the top and bottom pieces are fastened together with a safety strap no longer than the distance that you want to stretch while climbing. Without the strap, if you drop the bottom piece you'll be left hanging with no good way to get down, or back up to your top piece once you do get down.
Make slow, even movements of less than a foot in length when climbing with a tree stand. Always keep three points of contact with the tree and/or tree stand every time you move. Do not carry or wear any gear while climbing.
Older tree stands may come with a safety belt instead of a harness. Replace the belt with a harness! If you insist on using the belt, fasten it under your arms. Never fasten a safety belt around your waist; a fall may result in damage to internal organs.
Always use a haul line to raise or lower your gear and weapon to and from your tree stand. Always unload your gun! If you bow hunt, cover your broadheads. Before descending, lower your equipment on the opposite side of the tree.
If it's icy or if freezing rain starts to fall, stay out of the tree. Even if it's just rain and not freezing, be extra cautious. Boots with anti-skid treads are advisable in any case.
Let a dependable person know your exact hunting location, your planned time of return, and other hunters in your party.
Carry emergency devices such as a first aid kit, cell phone, whistle, signal flare and flashlight on your person at all times and within reach. A fanny pack may be a good place for some of these items.
Make sure that you are comfortable. Fidgeting can cause you to make noise or even slip and fall. You may want to take advantage of tools such as the Allen Tree Stand Umbrella to help you keep dry.

Keep in mind that following all these precautions doesn't mean that you won't be injured; it just means that you're far less likely to be. According to the US Product Safety Commission, in 2005 there were 5,686 emergency room injuries associated with tree stand use that were reported, so be careful!

Stand Placement

Position your stand to take advantage of nearby food and routes that the deer will take to reach that food, and make sure you're downwind of where you expect them to be.

How high should your tree stand be? That depends on conditions. If you're hunting on flat, fairly open ground, twelve or fifteen feet may be high enough. In brushy areas or sloping ground, you may want to go up twenty or more feet. Remember that the higher you go, the longer the shot.

Many hunters get complacent in a tree stand. Remember: deer do actually look up, especially in more heavily hunted areas such as along the east coast. Even if they don't they can certainly hear you and in many cases, smell you.

Climbing tree stands reviews:

Hunting & Fishing Gear Review

PA Bucks

Some climbing tree stand manufacturers:

Summit tree stands (including the Summit Openshot tree stand)
Bark Biter tree stand
Rivers Edge tree stands
Loc On climbing tree stand
Tree Lounge deer stands
Ol' Man tree stands

Be safe, enjoy, and good luck on your hunt!

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