As technology advances, treestand technology also advances. Not long ago, the average treestand weighed 30 pounds or more and was difficult to lug around in the woods. Today, many stands weigh half that much. Heck, ladder stands are even portable now. Below are a few of the latest and greatest treestands on the market.
GORILLA PRO SERIES KING KONG EXPEDITION HX
The New Gorilla Pro Series King Kong Expedition HX hang-on stand has a comfort mesh flip-up seat that is easy on the bottom for all day hunts. It has a dual density foam backrest and armrests. It has an extreme leveling system and is made of all-welded metal which will provide years of worry-free use. Hunters will be quiet as a mouse in this stand thanks to XT-6 nylon bushing and washers that keeps the stand from squeaking.
SUMMIT DAGGER
Summit Treestands has a new climbing treestand called the Dagger. It is designed to fold up and be extremely compact for hunters who have a long hike ahead of them. Key features include a comfortable padded seat and back rest available in Realtree HD Camouflage.
The Dagger features rapid climb stirrups which are sturdy and fixed to the stand. This makes climbing simple unlike many stands that use flimsy toe straps. All Summit stands are made with Summit Lok technology which is a process where the stand parts are locked into place and welded together. This building process ensures the strength of the stands. The Dagger weighs 21 pounds and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. The platform is 20 x 28-3/4.
“Serious hunters will be pleased with how compact this stand is when folded up,” Clay Hall, National Sales Manager for Summit Stands, explained. “The extra-thick padded seat is very nice.”
LONE WOLF ASSAULT HAND CLIMBER
For 2011, Lone Wolf Treestands introduced a new lean and mean climber for bowhunters wanting to get off the beaten path called the Assault Hand Climber Combo. This lightweight stand tips the scale at 14.7 pounds. It comes with a contoured foam padded seat, a built-in bow holder, comfortable backpack straps and a bungee strap. It can handle a 350-pound man and comes with Lone Wolf’s aluminum 3D camouflage platform that has made them famous.
The stand has a large platform that measures 26 inches by 19.5 inches. Like all Lone Wolf stands, the Assault Hand Climber comes with many Lone Wolf innovations including the self-leveling system that makes leveling the stand in the tree a piece of cake. The Stabilizer Strap Anchoring Support System ensures that the platform and seat are anchored to the tree.
AMERISTEP GRIZZLY WRAP AROUND
Hunters who wish they had eyes in the back of their head so they could see deer coming in behind them will be happy with the Ameristep Grizzly Wrap Around Ladder Stand. This stand does what the name implies: it wraps around the tree a whopping 270 degrees, so hunters can see almost all the way around the tree.
The stand has an extra-large padded seat and shooting rail that also wraps around 270 degrees. Bowhunters can remove the shooting rail if needed. The shooting rail is 18 feet above the ground, providing a birds-eye view of what is going on. This sturdy all-steel ladder stand is rated for 500 pounds and weighs 92 pounds.
SUMMIT RSX EAGLE
Many hang-on stands are lightweight, but not all of them are comfortable. The RSX Eagle by Summit Treestands is lightweight and comfortable. It is made of lightweight aluminum and has a padded backrest and chair that resemble a lazy boy recliner rather than a typical treestand seat cushion.
The RSX Eagle can be hung quickly and easily with the Summit Talon Bracket System. The platform is extra large: 21 inches wide and 27-1/2 inches long. The treestand only weighs 14 pounds. If hunters are looking for a treestand that they can sit in all day, they will be pleased with the RSX Eagle.
LEVERAGE SPEED LADDER
Many bowhunters enjoy using ladder stands, but most ladder stands weigh a lot so they can’t be transported easily. A new treestand brand called Leverage solved that problem with the introduction of the Leverage Speed Ladder.
This lightweight aluminum ladder stand comes with a telescoping ladder similar to what firefighters use. Because it is telescoping and made of aluminum, it is lightweight and compact. The Speed Ladder weighs 38 pounds. The stand has a weight capacity of 300 pounds and is 14.2 feet tall at the seat. The platform and seat are cast aluminum which is durable and looks great. With this ladder stand, hunters can get off the beaten path.
Hunter Safety System Ultra Lite Xtreme
Never take for granted your safety when hunting from an elevated treestand. Falls from treestands are the No. 1 cause of death and serious injury among deer hunters. And a fall can happen in a split second. Always wear a safety harness when hunting from an elevated stand.
Hunter Safety System (HSS) has been the leader in safety harnesses for years. Each year they bring innovative products to market. For 2011, they have the new Ultra Lite Xtreme for the bowhunter who wants a lean and mean safety harness that doesn’t slow him down or add much weight to his setup. The HSS Ultra Lite Xtreme tips the scales at only 2 pounds, has padded shoulder straps, quick leg strap buckles that have a silent rubber coating and a single front buckle.
