If you hunt from a wooden treestand, you may want to change your habits. Almost every hunter I know knows someone who's had a treestand accident of some kind or another. These accidents often occur because hunters are hunting from a homemade stand or a manufactured stand that's past its prime.

There are several types of treestands available, so if you're in the market for a new treestand, do a little research before making your purchase. The type you choose should be based on the style of hunting you intend to do. Also remember that your life depends on your treestand performing flawlessly.

HANG-ON STANDS

Hang-on style stands have been around for decades and continue to be a popular option among hard-core hunters. Many of today's top treestand companies manufacture hang-on stands that have comfortable seats, large platforms for your feet, and are as light as a feather. When secured to a tree, most hang-on stands are extremely quiet and, unlike some other stand styles, don't stick out like a sore thumb.

The Deer Deck by Summit Treestands is a great example of the hang-on style treestand. It weighs only 18 pounds, has a 24" x 36" platform and a comfortable padded seat that makes hunting all day easier on the back end.
 
CLIMBING STICKS

Many hunters who choose hang-on stands do so because they are portable. If you plan to hunt off the beaten path, a hang-on style stand is a great choice. When choosing a hang-on stand, realize you will also need a way to get into the tree. Climbing sticks are one of the best ways of reaching your hang-on treestand.

The Summit Swiftree is another great option. This portable climbing stick has enclosed steps that secure the foot when climbing so that your foot can't slip off the end of the stick. It is 17-feet long and comes in three sections made of non-flexing tubular steel.

If you don't use a climbing stick with your hang-on stand, the other option is screw-in steps. However, if you hunt on public land, screw-in steps are illegal to use in most states. If you hunt on private land, they are a viable option.

CLIMBING TREESTANDS

The climbing treestand is probably one of the most popular treestand styles on the market today. In the past, though, hunters have had bad experiences with climbing-style stands, and some hunters have near-death-experience stories where they've slid down the trunk of a tree while using a climbing treestand. Thankfully, over the last couple decades, climbing stands have improved dramatically, and they are now safe to use, quiet and provide extreme mobility to the hunter using them.

Most hunters who use climbing stands swear by them because they offer plenty of options. You can hunt a runway today and a scrape line that is half a mile away tomorrow. With a climbing stand, climbing sticks and ladders are unnecessary. Simply strap the stand on your back and go.

A good example of a quality climbing stand is the Loggy Bayou MEGA Transformer. The Shur-Lok cable system makes adjusting the stand to any size tree simple. The platform is 20" x 36", making it large enough for almost any hunter. It has a padded seat, armrest and a removable front bar. At 22 pounds, this is a great stand that is easy to transport and makes climbing in and out of trees a breeze.

Another great climbing stand is the Summit Viper SS. Summit has been building climbing stands for decades, and it's clear that they know how to build a strong, comfortable climber without the squeaks often associated with climbing stands. The Viper SS uses Summit's unique Summit Lock construction, which makes transporting the treestand on your back a piece of cake. The Viper SS also features a strong all-welded aluminum construction. The platform is 20" x 29", and the stand weighs 20 pounds. Like the Loggy Bayou, the stand comes with a padded seat, arm rest and seat bar.

LADDER STANDS

Although many hardcore deer hunters have shunned ladder stands in the past, they're beginning to gain popularity among some hunters because they're easy to climb into. Plus, some ladder stands will accommodate two hunters, which is nice when filming your hunt or when hunting with children.

The biggest complaint about ladder stands that I've heard from hunters is that, in the woods, ladder stands stick out like a pimple on a prom queen. In the last few years, however, several companies have designed ladder stands that hug the trunk of the tree closer and blend in better. Some companies also make ladder stand accessories like Camo Stealth Strips or branch holders that help the ladder stand become part of the landscape in the woods.

In the past, many hunters who enjoyed being extremely high in a tree didn't like ladder stands because many of those stands only got you 15 feet off the ground. This year, Ameristep is offering a new ladder stand called the Skyscraper, which puts you a whopping 22 feet above the forest floor. At the heart of the stand is a unique truss system that makes the stand extremely strong and sturdy. The stand comes in Realtree camo and weighs 85 pounds.

If you want to take your hunting buddy hunting with you, you may want to consider the Gorilla Kong Two-Man Ladder Stand. This stand has two comfortable seats that put you 17 feet above the ground. Even though the stand is large enough for two hunters, it only weighs 80 pounds.

For concealing a ladder stand, check out the Ameristep Magnetic Stealth Strips. These 3D leaves cling to the stand to help break up the outline of the stand. I have seen limb holders on the market that hold tree branches that can be secured to a stand.

There are dozens of stands on the market these days, and choosing the right one can take some time. If you want to hunt with your kids, a 2-person ladder stand may be the best option. If you want to get off the beaten path, a climber may be the perfect fit for you. Regardless of what type you buy, most stands today are strong and long lasting -- a far cry from the death traps made from old 2x4s and nails that we used to hunt from.

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