Light Packable Climbing Stands. Whats Your Load Out?

[Swampfoxoutdoors]

I need help selecting a climbing stand that is one light weight and two extremely pack able.
I have searched the inter net and ran across a number of tree stands that are in the sub 20 lb range, the lightest being the timber tall baby light weighing in at 12 ½ lbs. I watched a video on their web site and the stand looked as though it had a large pack size when folded up and on your back. I can do a 18-23 lb stand if and only if it folds up into a very small packable size. The places I intend to hunt this up and coming year I will be doing a lot of packing my gear in on back so size and weight are a big deal to me. The summit specialist and the Tree walker Pro mag sl and lt all looked to be very nice but just can’t tell how well that pack.

This is a list of stuff I generally pack when I go hunting, Im giving this as a idea of what im dealing with and how it will work with the stand.

- cabelas northern flight back pack
- orange vest
- Small Magellan GPS
- 10 AA batteries
- Icom v-80 2 meter radio
- Roll up J pole antenna for 2 meter
- Glock field knife
- Cell phone
- Spare socks / camo sweat shirt or light jacket
- Small aerial photo map
- Lighter
- Gloves
- 50 ft of para cord
- 4 sevens cr123 mini quark light
- Head band for above light
- 2 spare cr123a batteries
- Small amount of food
- Metal Water bottle
- Ruger black hawk .41 magnum
- .41 mag ammo 12 extra rds
- Marlin 336 .35 rem loaded (no extra rds)


So all of this probably adds up to about 25 lbs of gear. I have been using a friends climbing stand and I usually hook my pack to the back of the climbing stand. So for example his 23 pound stand turns into 48 pound limb/vine grabbing stand. IM sure I will get a lot of responses on why do you carry that much gear, but hey when your 5+ miles from your truck or nearest road I tend to lean on the safe side of things. It would really suck if you got lost and had to spend the night in the mountains with no food extra clothes communications or camp fire. So guys please if you have any experience with light weight packable climbing stands give me your input and tell me a little about what you tend to pack on extended distance hunting trips.

 

[35 Whelen]

My pack is loaded with clothes, food, quart thermos of hot tea, water, lights, batteries, knife, cartridges, toilet paper, etc., however my "stand" is a lightweight folding chair. I quit climbing trees years ago and now hunt "on the ground." Have killed more deer "on the ground" than I ever did from a tree stand. With this set up I can move quickly and quietly if and when I need too. Also with every thing I bring in I am able to hunt all day, never go back to the truck until after shooting time is over or if I am dragging a deer.

 

[Scrub Buck]

Lone Wolf. If you know where you are why do you pack all of that crap? Rely on your GPS.

 

[speedy claxton]

Hands down the tree walker is the way to go I got one last season that weighs 17 lbs and love it its got the largest platform with built in foot rest and it will climb anything. Its so comfortable if deer season was still in I'd still be sitting in it lol. Best of all its made in America for the price, size, and customer service that's the way I would go

 

[speedy claxton]

P.S. I haul a bunch of "crap" in with me too. Never know when you'll need it

 

[Gulfin]

I can't help you with your stand search but wanted to make a general observation. Anyone that packs in that much stuff for 5 miles with the chance of having to pack a whitetail back out has my utmost respect. That is dedication! Best of luck to you all!

 

[dawgsandbucks]

I have the lone wolf wide sit and climb (Im not a big guy at all, but I like to have a little maneuverability in my stands and I was afraid I wouldn't in the regular sit and climb). I love it. It is 20 lbs, packs down to only four inches, and the way it sits on your back is the most comfortable climbing stand Ive ever worn. The only downside is that it is not a sit all day kind of stand, but this could be fixed by replacing the seat maybe. I have a Summit Viper too, and I like it alot too, but it seems a little heavier, and it is definitely not as packable (in my opinion at least).

 

[harryrichdawg]

Get an aluminum Viper. I have an aluminum Cobra (face away from the tree only) that I picked up at a pawn shop for $40 a few weeks ago. Someone has added some angle iron to it to convert it into a Viper. I'm gonna play around with it between now and the season, and I may change it back to the original setup and use it when I have a long way to carry it. My Gunslingers are the most comfortable stands I've ever sat in, but they're just so heavy to carry.

 

[swamp hunter]

Have You thought about putting all Your stuff on a Deer Cart ?
Roll it into the general area , Then take the Climber off and hunt.
I say this cause You ain,t gonna drag a Deer 5 Miles anyways .
Might as well have the Cart already there and save Your back carring all your stuff in too.

PS , a small roll up Hammock works wonders if,n Your spending all Day. Climb down at Lunch and relax for a couple hours.

 

[DAWGFISH66]

Good God I must be fat and lazy.... I wouldn't want to ride my 4 wheeler 5+ miles before I hunt and I dang sure ain't walking it. A half mile walk is my max and I love my Summit Viper.

 

[Swampfoxoutdoors]

well I guess I should clarify. I have always hunted 500 yards to 1 mile max from my truck and or four wheeler. Im wanting to try some bear hunting this year in the mountains and plan to hike in from the road 1-3 miles (max) set up camp then hunt within a mile of camp for a few days. I have a four wheeler but never crank it unless I kill a deer, I just can not stand sitting in a deer stand and hearing lazy hunters ride around all day on their four wheelers because they are too lazy to walk. But that's my opinion. Please don't take this as a shot to you DAWGFISH66. IM just talking about people in the hunting club I attend. This guy seriously hops on his four wheeler, rides 100 yards max in the woods get in a stand and by 8:00am he is riding around.

 

[Bkeepr]

Grand Trunk Ultralight backpacking hammock in camo, great for hunting off the steep side of a mountain. Put it between 2 trees so it makes a "U", then straddle it and sit down. Use shooting sticks. Lean back and snooze when sleepy. I found one on eBay for $20.

I also have a Hammock Hunting Seat from Fanatic Outdoors, but their website seems to be down. One end of the small short hammock ends in straps to fasten around a tree, the other end is attached to a short telescoping stick. You only need one tree. With a hammock you have to find 2 trees.

 

[jonjon528]

I like walking a good ways into the woods as well (1-2 mi max), and I love hunting from my Summit Viper. I do not carry as much as you, but I usually turn my backpack into a "frontpack" because it's just been easier for me to walk up and down steep slopes with a more balanced load.

 

[Allen Waters]

If your main concern is weight and comfort, and not price. I would highly suggest looking at these stands.......

http://timbertalloutfitters.com/display_item.asp?1001

http://timbertalloutfitters.com/display_item.asp?1003

The Timber Tall Baby Lite is a climbing stand that weighs in at only 12.5 pounds!! and has a 250lb. weight limit ( same as summit viper ).

 

[ripplerider]

Get you a thick ethafoam fanny pad. Costs about $10, weighs maybe a pound. Clip it to your belt. Be prepared to sit very still. That's all you need to hunt effectively here in the mtns.

 

[deadend]

Get a packframe to strap the stand to or an internal frame pack with a meat shelf such as the Badlands 2200. I can put any climbing stand in the Badlands pack along with all my gear and haul out meat as well. Carrying a stand with the supplied straps more than 100 yards is not a smart move and your shoulders and back will agree.

 

[deadend]

http://forum.gon.com/showpost.php?p=5348032&postcount=27