Best Ladder Stand for Hunting

Size and Age of the Hunter

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This may sound like a weird thing to consider but trust me, it is an important factor that should be taken into account when it comes to choosing ladder stands. I know you are curious to know why these two factors are important.

For young hunters, standing on a platform that is suspended twenty feet above the ground, up a tree is not very inviting. This concept can be scary for the young hunters. For such hunters, a ladder stand that is equipped with a rail will make them feel more secure while using the stand.

With the assurance of security, the young hunters can carry on with hunting without any fear of falling off the ladder stand. This boosts the confidence of the young hunters as they have one less thing to worry about.

Let us now focus on beginner hunters. Beginners might prefer a ladder stand that can accommodate two people. This ensures that they have at least one more person by their side to teach them the ropes of hunting.

Having seen how age influences the choice of the ladder stand that one buys, let us now look at how size influences the choice of a ladder stand. For hunters who are larger in size than the average person a specific ladder stand is suitable for them.

This ladder stand will be one that is made of sturdy steel construction rather than one that is made of lightweight aluminum material. The reason for this is quite simple. Steel ladder stands provide more stability compared to aluminum ladder stands.

In order to know if a ladder stand can accommodate your side, all you have to do is check the weight restrictions provided by the ladder stand’s manufacturer.

Size of the Platform

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The size of the ladder stand’s platform is an important factor to look into when choosing a ladder stand. One important thing you need to remember when looking at the size of the platform is that, it is not all the time that a bigger platform is better compared to a smaller one.

Yes, a smaller platform can feel as though it is not secure However, the smaller platforms are more portable compared to the bigger ones. Portability of the ladder stand will be of great importance.

This feature is very important especially for standing ladders that have to be carried from one hunting location to another. Remember that the caring of the ladder will be done by you and so will the installing and uninstalling of the ladder stand from one location to another.

A smaller platform also tends to provide more options for location when it comes to stationary ladder stands, and more so those that are of the hang-on variety. A smaller ladder stand is also a the most preferred choice when trying to fit a ladder stand between close branches.

You will find it is easier to position smaller stands compared to large ones.

Which Type of Tree Stand Should You Choose?

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The two types of tree stand that you choose from are either the Lock-On or Hang-On tree stands. Worry not, I will take you through these two types of tree stands. Let us start with the Lock-On stand.

This is a simple one-piece unit consisting of a standing platform with a seat attached to it. You use chains or adjustable straps to attach this stand to a fixed position. This stand comes with one major advantage.

The Lock-On stand can be attached on most tree species, whether their trunks are crooked or their barks are smooths. Now that we have looked into the Lock-On stands, let us shift our focus to the Hang-on stands.

These stands comprise of a separate seat and platform assembly, making them a two-piece unit. These are the most mobile types of tree stands. These is because they allow you to easily move from one hunting site to another.

The ease in which these stands are portable is an advantage to the hunter as it will enable you to quickly reposition your stand and get on with hunting. Portability also protects these stands from being stolen especially if you were hunting a frequently used hunting ground.

The only down side of the Hang-on stands is that they tend to be heavier compared to the Lock-On stands. Therefore, be prepared for some heavy luggage if you opt to buy a hang-On stand.

Accessories Available for the Stand

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In most circumstances, the tree stands come accompanied only with the equipment necessary for hunting. However, this should not worry you as there are plenty of accessories you can add onto your stand to make it more comfortable and increase its camouflage with the surroundings.

One category of accessories you should consider are those that make your stand comfortable. This is because you will be spending a lot of time sited on your tree stand waiting for your game to appear.

The first step to comfort while using your ladder stand is ensuring that your seat is padded. A padded seat is definitely better than a hard-cold metal surface won’t you agree? When your seat is padded, you will be able to patiently sit and wait for your game to appear.

And as the old adage goes, patience pays. Sooner than later, that game you have been patiently waiting for will appear and you will take your best shot at it. Adding extra padding to your seat is not the only way to increase your comfort.

Hang-it-all belts, hangers and shelves are accessories you should consider adding to your tree stand. You know why these items are important? They are of great use because they make it easy for you to access everything you need for hunting.

All the necessary equipment will be right at your fingertips. You will be able to access them without any struggle or fear that some may fall of if you make any movements. How convenient is that!

To protect yourself from harsh weather conditions, you can accessorize your stand with an umbrella. The umbrella will protect you from too much sunlight and also protect your equipment from damage by rain.

Blind kits are other good accessories you can add to your tree stand. Blind kits allow you as a hunter to move without being detected by nearby game especially useful when drawing and firing your weapon.

Ease of Assembly

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This is a factor that you should definitely not overlook while choosing which ladder stand to buy. Ease of assembly is comprised of several factors. The first one that we will look into is the amount of time it takes for you to assemble the ladder stand.

This is especially more crucial for those stands that you move with from one hunting location to another. You want to get a ladder stand that will take the shortest possible time to set up. You do not want to take a longer time than is necessary to assemble the stand.

You want to quickly put together the various parts of the ladder stand and get on with hunting. I am certain that you would not be happy if the you miss to get a shot of the game you have been wanting to hunt down all because you took a lot time to get the stand set up.

The second factor to consider is how quiet is the stand. Does it squeak when you assemble it? Any noise will spoke the game you so badly want to hunt and it will run away. This will definitely disappoint you.

Therefore, ensure that the parts that need to be assembled produce unnecessary noise that will alert the animals of your presence.

Ease of Installation

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This goes hand-in-hand with the assembly of the ladder stand. Once you have assembled the ladder stand, the last step in setting it up on the tree. The tree is what will hold the stand and provide the platform to hunt.

Choose a ladder than will be easy to install. If possible, go for one that you can install on your own. This saves you time and makes for a smooth transition into hunting.

How Solid is the Stand?

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This is a no-brainer when choosing a ladder stand. I am sure you wouldn’t appreciate falling off the stand while sitting on it or worse still, when you are just about to take a shot at your game. To avoid this, opt for a stand that is made of steel material.

The Height of the Ladder Stand

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You should opt for a ladder stand that is at least twenty feet above the ground. This is because, the higher the stand, the less likely you are to catch the attention of the game you are hunting. If you are scared of the height, you can add handrails to keep you secured while hunting.

A Footrest

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A ladder stand is not complete without a footrest. Hunting can take quite some time. The work of the footrest is to prevent your feet from hanging for too long and therefore, making you tired. A footrest ensures that your feet are relaxed while waiting for your game to appear.