CHOOSING THE RIGHT TREE STAND FOR YOU

If you haven't yet chosen a tree stand for this hunting season, it's about time you got to the store to start checking out models and prices. Choosing a tree stand is something that many hunters don't think about because they don't realize how many options they have.

The following are some explanations and descriptions for the most common tree stands on the market today, as well as the pros and cons of each.

Climbing Tree StandsThe first tree stand you might consider is the climbing stand, which provides steps for the hunter to climb up into the tree, and allows a kind of perch at the top. This is growing in popularity among hunters who like to move around quite a bit, because it is portable and easy to transport with just one or two people The major benefit to a climbing tree stand is that it's easy to set up and just as easy to tear down. Fifteen minutes, and you're on to another part of the forest. It is also easy to adjust according to height for different hunters, which is helpful if you're taking turns in the stand or using it on alternating weekends. Unfortunately, however, the climbing tree stand is one of the most expensive types, and it can be fairly limiting. The instructions offer strict guidelines as to the type of tree you can use with this stand, and you can't use it on a tree that has low branches or an irregularly-shaped trunk. Even worse, it is far louder than other types of stands, so you need to get out early to avoid alerting game that you are around.

Fixed Tree Stands

The less-portable option when choosing a tree stand is the fixed stand, which is usually cheaper than your average climbing stand. It is accessed by a ladder from the ground, and is fixed to the tree you use. Most hunters leave these stands out all during hunting seasons, and sometimes all year 'round because they are much harder to disassemble. The best thing about fixed tree stands is that they become part of the environment. Since you're not moving them around every few days (or every few hours), animals begin to assume that they belong in the forest. Furthermore, they can be attached to less-than-perfect trees, and can be supported by much thinner trunks.

Ladder Tree Stands

The third type of hunting tree stand that I want to discuss is the ladder stand, which is essentially a lean-to ladder that leads up to a shooting platform. This is one of the more dangerous types because the ladder is screwed into the tree, but can easily fail during inclement weather or because of shoddy workmanship. In most cases, they are permanent, and require a large truck bed for transport.

Tripod Tree Stands

If you're hunting in an area where there aren't any trees, the tripod tree stand is erected on three "legs" with a platform on top. Some are accessed by a ladder attached to one of the legs, while others must be accessed by other means. They are usually a benefit only if you are hunting in an open field, and are far too bulky to be erected in the middle of a forest.