AR 34 eight point

I am going to buy a buddy ladderstand for this seanon and was wondering which ones suck and which ones are worth the money?
I have also done the search and there are no threads on the buddy stands.

chucker34

I bought the hunter's view 12 foot buddy stand last year and it is sturdy and quiet. It is nice and wide at 40 inches. The one thing I don't like about it is the platform is only about thirteen inches deep. Wal-mart is selling them for $98 right now. The new ones are supposed to have a flip up shooting rail but mine doesn't. However, I didn't put the rail up at all and it doesn't affect structural integrity. If I had to do it again, I would spend a little more money to make sure the platform is deeper, especially if two people are using it and you want to manuever around one another.

MASTERDIVER

Make sure it's sturdy enough but really make sure the tree can take the weight, especially if it's a 15 - 20 footer. Once your strapped in you are the tree. If it goes, so do you. I suggest a tripod or quadpod. It all depends where and how you hunt. We double dip, rifle and bow in TX.

MASTERDIVER

Oh duh,
I like the ladder stands, tripods and quadpods because of the versitility. We have a tripod in the middle of our front field and have 360* view unobstructed. I've had deer walk directly under the legs and lay down. You are exposed if you don't have a complete or semi cover but if you control your movement and scent the deer come and go. Had a2 man ladder stand but the tree we had it attached to got knocked over last year whenit flooded and crushed it. Pleanty of firewood now though.When I hunted the ladder stand I felt a bit more secure than in a hang on but always remember to control your scent even when climbing the ladder. I use latex gloves I have sprayed with scent away. Allow them to dry first. You can take them off once you get in your stand.Go with what you can afford comfortably and know that you can assemble and place the stand buy yourself if you don't have a buddy to help. After you put it in place, check it from all angles and see how you can camo it without obstructing your shot with a bow or gun. Also what I have noticed is deer can bust you after you have entered the stand from greater distances than you think. If you can see them, they can sure see you. Break up your outline and be still.

VAhuntr

I bought one of the Hunters View Buddy stands from WalMart last year and it is a pretty good stand for the price. I prefer hang on stands and climbers but I wanteda stand for myself and my six year old son. I agree with chucker34 with regards to the foot platform being a little too shallow. Other than that, I'm pretty impressed with the stand.

Might Mite

Are some sturdier than others? I am thinking about getting one. My son is 6 and I want to start taking him along. I would want it to be sturdy and have a nice platform for him. Any suggestions?

chucker34

Do you hunt on your own land or land that you lease? Could you build a permanent? I'm thinking about doing this for next year as I'd like some more room and would feel safer. I've read up on these steel brackets called "Elevators" ($60 gor four) that you bolt 4x4 posts into and the platform secures to the top of the brackets. The brackets are so that the posts will angle down to the ground. I'm thinking of cross bracing the posts with 2x4s and putting a short railing (just tall enough that I can draw over) around the top that I could tie a burlap blind material to. For extra security, I'm planning on chaining it to a tree and/or tying it down with stakes in the ground. If interested, just do a google search and enter the words elevators tree stand and you should find them.

YooperMike

I se the Big Game Two Man Ladder Stand. The platform is huge and in the world of ladders, its pretty tall at 16' to the shooting rail, its about 14 1/2' to the seat. Great stand. Super sturdy and if you're looking a big platform, this is the biggest available now to my knowledge. I got mine at Cabelas after going up in one at the store in Prarie Du Chein. It is more expensive than most, but you will get your money's worth.

illbowhunter

Buddy stands are great as long as you don't have to move them much. They are not a stand you want to try and set up by yourself. I have done it but because of the weight and bulkiness it can be a chore. Once they are up they are hard to beat.

AR 34 eight point

Thanks to all. It sounds like none of them are bad, I am going to try the cheep way, and see if I want to go for the gold after that. My daughter may not even be able to let the arrow fly when she sees the deer.