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Ladder Stands

Are These Now the Safest Treestands in the Woods?

By Michaelean Pike

I’m going to be honest. The first time my husband tried to take me hunting, I took one look at the spindly climbing sticks leading to the treestand he’d so carefully hung for me and told him I was going back to the truck. After much debate, my husband finally realized he’d underestimated my fear of heights and agreed to take me home.

It took a few days for him to convince me to give it another try, and I was pleasantly surprised with the new treestand he’d set up for me. This time he had a sturdy ladder stand with a wide, roomy seat waiting. Although I still wasn’t crazy about leaving the ground, the solid ladder made me comfortable enough to climb up.

Once I grew more accustomed to the idea of bowhunting from a treestand, I learned to appreciate the qualities of hang-on and climbing treestands as well, but I still love hunting from an ultra-secure ladder stand. An increasing number of bowhunters are also discovering the advantages of hunting whitetails from today’s advanced ladder stands.

As a whole, bowhunters are getting older. Hunters who could at one time easily and safely utilize treesteps or climbing sticks are finding themselves a little less confident in their own agility. Instead, many of these older hunters are turning to easy-to-climb ladder stands.

And it’s not just older bowhunters who find that ladder stands feel extra safe. Young hunters and those new to the sport are also reassured by a good ladder stand. Numerous hunters say that, when descending from a treestand after dark, they’d much rather navigate a ladder than a set of climbing sticks or steps.

Ladder stands have other advantages. There are a number of ladder stands designed for two hunters, so when the day finally comes that my husband wants to spend several hours trapped in a treestand with me, we can hunt together. A two-person ladder stand also presents a perfect opportunity for parents to bring along a young child who wants to hunt but may not be ready to hunt alone. My brother-in-law uses a ladder stand when he brings his six-year-old daughter along with him. A treestand skirt conceals her movement so she is free to fidget as much as necessary without spooking the deer.

If ladder stands have a disadvantage, it’s limited mobility. In the past, ladder stands have been heavy and bulky and frequently required two people to set them up. Because of that, ladder stands have enjoyed most of their popularity among bowhunters who hunt private land and can leave their stands set up for long periods of time. Most public-land bowhunters have resorted to climbing and hang-on stands.

But today’s ladder stands are changing all that. Innovative stand construction has reduced the weight and bulk of many ladder stands, making them easier to pack in and out of the woods. Now bowhunters who worry about theft on public land can enjoy the comfort and stability of a quality ladder stand and still be able to take their stands safely home with them each night.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-climb stand or would like to introduce a novice to bowhunting, you won’t go wrong with any of these quality ladder stands.

Ladder Stands for Whitetails

If you want a comfortable all-day hunt, you could lug your La-Z-Boy out to the woods with you or you could invest in the Rigid Rail Ladder Stand from Amacker Outdoors. The Rigid Rail’s ultra-comfortable Dream Seat folds up for 360-degree shooting, and the large platform extends all the way to the tree. Optional extensions will take the Rigid Rail all the way to 24-feet high. With a weight limit of 400 pounds, the Rigid Rail will accommodate large-framed archers and gear safely. The Rigid Rail weighs 70 pounds.

The Ameristep Non-Typical Z Lounge Ladder Stand was designed for maximum portability. The Z Lounge offers a special folding design for quick set-up and take-down. Constructed from lightweight aluminum, the Z Lounge weighs just 50 pounds.The Z Lounge features Ameristep’s innovative Truss Technology System, which replaces the traditional stabilizer bar found on most ladder stands. This compression-lock system utilizes downward pressure for maximum stability and minimal movement. With the Truss
Technology System, the Z Lounge can be set up safely in crooked or leaning trees, allowing you more options for setting up your stand. The Z Lounge stands at 16 feet.

The 100-percent steel API Ultra-Steel Ladder Stand is a reassuringly sturdy ladder with a 20x15-inch mesh textilene seat. The 18x17-inch platform is constructed from reinforced steel mesh, and the Ultra-Steel attaches to the tree with a 2-inch ratchet strap, two stabilizer straps and a U-shaped stabilizer bar. The Ultra-Steel is over 16-feet high at the seat and weighs 48.5 pounds.

Big Dog Treestands manufactures a number of solid ladder stands. For mobility, you can’t beat the Big Dog BDL-090 Hound Dog, a 15-foot tall ladder stand with a generous 19.5x13.5-inch seat. The non-skid mesh platform measures 19.5x13.5 inches, and the Hound Dog comes with an included full-body fall-arrest system for added safety. The Hound Dog weighs just 42.8 pounds.

The 15.5-foot tall Stealth from Big Game Treestands features Flex-Core Seat Technology for superior comfort. The Stealth’s ladder is made up of three single rail sections, and the ladder flares at the top to provide you with additional leg room. The Stealth’s platform measures 19x10 inches. At a mere 35 pounds, the steel Stealth is ideal for bowhunters who don’t have the ability to leave a stand up for long periods of time.

Unique is the True Quiet Resin Tree Stand and Ladder System from C&C Innovations. Instead of steel or aluminum, the True Quiet Tree Stand is constructed from resin. The absence of metal parts means that this stand is rust-proof, quiet and ultra-lightweight. The True Quiet Resin Tree Stand features a 20x30-inch platform with Edge Alert Technology. Combined with the optional Ladder System, the True Quiet Resin Tree Stand weighs less than 30 pounds.

The Direct Outdoor Products 15-Foot Ladder Stand offers an 18x13-inch platform and a roomy 20x15-inch bench seat. Three single-rail ladder sections are easily set up with the included quick-
connect pins, and this sturdy ladder stand weighs 72 pounds. Best of all, the 15-Foot Ladder Stand is so affordable, you’ll probably want to snap up more than one.

The LD14 is a bestseller for Family Tradition Treestands, and it’s not hard to see why. This deluxe ladder stand is over 12-feet high with a sturdy 21.5x20-inch platform. Family Tradition’s Ultra Rigid Double-Rail Ladder eliminates the need for a horizontal tree brace and wrap-around tree straps. An ultra-comfortable nylon webbed seat makes those extended sits far more enjoyable. And at just 49 pounds, the LD14 is easy to pack into the field.

If you plan on spending long hours in your treestand, check out the Gorilla Big Fella. The Big Fella features Gorilla’s XPE zero-G seat and padded High Density Foam armrests to make all-day hunts extremely comfortable. The Big Fella is 20-feet high at the seat. Additional features include an anti-sink tamping bar, an extra-wide top section and a folding footrest. Although the Big Fella lives up to its name with a roomy 26x20-inch platform and 18x12-inch seat, it weighs in at a less-than-hefty 59 pounds.

The 15-foot Cougar from Hunter’s View offers steel construction and a 12x17-inch platform. Outfitted in Sniper camouflage, the Cougar weighs just 43 pounds. With a wide, sturdy ladder, the Cougar can accommodate a maximum weight of 300 pounds and comes with a full-body fall-arrest system.

The Millennium L100 20-Foot Single Ladder from Hunting Solutions features a safety-
boosting double rail ladder which requires no brace to the tree. The double rail ladder also makes the L100 a snap to set up. The 20x17-inch ComfortTech seat is perfect for long hunts, and the L100 offers a roomy 20x18-inch platform. The L100 weighs 80 pounds and folds for easy transport.

Lone Wolf is known for its outstanding treestands, and the Alpha Ladder is no exception. This quality treestand offers a ladder adjustable in 4-foot sections so that it can be set to 4, 8, 12 or 16 feet to the platform. The Alpha Ladder features a flip-up seat with a contoured foam pad and a spacious 30x19.5-inch platform. Large-framed archers will like the 350-pound weight rating. The Alpha Ladder weighs 60 pounds.

At 18.5 feet tall, the Archer Ladder from Muddy Outdoors gets you where you need to be to go undetected while still providing the security you’re after. The Archer’s flared base provides stability, and the dual ratchet strap system and adjustable brace will keep it tight to the tree. The 14x17-inch platform is perfect for the bowhunter who likes to shoot standing or sitting, while the waterproof seat provides the needed comfort for long hunts. And at just 50 pounds, the task of setting it up can be a one-
man job.

The Ol’ Man 20-Foot Bow Lite Ladder was specifically designed for bowhunters. The Bow Lite features Ol’ Man’s ComforTech Seating System to make long hunts more enjoyable, while a wide ladder base makes for a rock-solid climb. A 15-foot model is available as well for bowhunters who require less height. The Bow Lite weighs just 45.2 pounds, so it’s extremely packable.

The new 13-foot Pack-N-Stack by Rivers Edge weighs a scant 33 pounds and, when broken down, can be easily packed to those far-off destinations. Don’t be fooled by how light this stand is—the Pack-N-Stack features a durable, welded tubular steel frame that is rated for 300 pounds. Set-up takes minutes, and the sling-style seat will allow you to hunt in comfort. The Pack-N-Stack’s powder-brown finish vanishes in the woods, and this ultra-convenient stand is available for a very wallet-friendly price.

The StrongBuilt 17-Foot Supreme Ladder Stand offers welded all-steel construction and a non-glare finish. The large 24x20-inch platform is built from non-slip metal mesh for solid footing, and the seat, armrests, backrest and shooting rail are all padded for extra comfort. The Supreme Ladder Stand attaches to trees from 10 to 18 inches in diameter with two nylon web straps.

Constructed from heavy-duty, thick-gauge steel, the Summit Single Shot Ladder Stand requires no stabilizer bar to prevent ladder and platform wobble. The Single Shot offers a removable, padded 24x12-inch seat with backrest, and the 23x21-inch platform provides plenty of leg room. The Single Shot weighs in at 90 pounds.

The Hunter Extreme Comfort Ladder Stand from XOP Outdoors certainly lives up to its name with removable, closed-cell foam padded seat, armrests and backrest. The Extreme Comfort stands 16-feet high at the seat and features a 16x12-inch platform. Tubular steel construction and pinned ladder sections make this stand as sturdy as it is comfortable. The Extreme Comfort weighs just 63 pounds.

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