A ladder stand is one of the safest types of tree stands.

Tree stands remain one of the most popular ways to hunt for deer in wooded areas. Hunting from an elevated stand reduces the chance that the deer will see or smell you. Plus, the extra height gives you a commanding view of the surrounding area. There are four basic types of tree stands: ladder, hang on, climber, and permanent stands.

Types of Tree Stands

Ladder stands include a platform supported by a ladder, which breaks up into sections for easier carrying. Ladder stands are one of the safest types of tree stands, since there are points of contact with both the tree and the ground.

Hang on stands attach to the tree with a strap mounting system. They are lightweight and easy to carry into the woods.

Climber stands combine the climbing system and platform in one. The climber straps around the tree and lets the hunter “climb” up the trunk. This type of stand is convenient, but it requires the right kind of tree (free of lower limbs, the right diameter, etc.).

Permanent stands are built into the tree. Over time, they can weaken because of continued exposure to the elements. Never trust a permanent stand if it has been neglected or you are not sure how solid it is.

The type of tree stand you use will depend on the trees in your area, the weight of the stand and how far you need to carry it, how many people will be sitting in the stand, and ease of setup, as well as other factors. No matter which type of tree stand you use, always wear a safety harness and practice the 3-point rule (always have three points of contact with the steps or ladder while climbing).

Tree stands and ladder stands are now available at KillZone Hunting!

We now have Rivers Edge and Leverage tree stands and ladder stands available for the 2011 hunting season!

Rivers Edge and Leverage hang on stands are lightweight and portable, designed for hunters who like to move from one location to another with little hassle. Hang on stands work in almost any tree that is strong enough to hold your weight and tall enough for a good view of the surrounding area. They are light and compact for carrying into the woods, and setup takes only a few minutes, so you’re in your stand and ready to go before the deer even know you’re there.

Ladder stands—including the Rivers Edge Oasis and the Leverage Speed Ladder—are easy to get into and safer than any other tree stand available. They are large enough to hold one or two people, which makes them ideal for hunting with a buddy. If you like the idea of a ladder stand but dread the extra effort of carrying it into the woods and setting it up, take a look at the Leverage Speed Ladder. The telescoping design is extremely portable and fast to set up.

See more of our tree stands and ladder stands! Free shipping is available on all orders to the continental United States.

Hang on tree stands are fast and mobile.

Hang on stands and ladder tree stands are two of the best options for hunting if you don’t want to worry about finding the right tree for a climber stand. They are fast, mobile, and give you plenty of height for the best concealment and vantage point.

Safety

Ladder stands are generally considered the safest type of mobile tree stand. They provide the most platform room and are the easiest to climb. Since a ladder stand is connected to the tree and the ground (through the ladder), it has more support than a hang-on stand, which is supported by the tree only.

Using a safety harness is strongly recommended for any tree stand, both when you are setting up the stand and climbing into it for the hunt.

Size and Weight

A ladder stand is more cumbersome to carry through the woods than a hang on stand. A ladder stand also takes up more room in storage. Hang-on stands can be as light as 10 pounds, which makes them one of the most mobile and compact options for tree stand hunting. Ladder stands are heavier and bulkier.

Setup

If you hunt on private land and can set up your stand before the hunt, a ladder stand is your best option. Climbing into your stand on the morning of the hunt is quieter than using a hang-on or climber, and you won’t need to carry any climbing sticks with you or wait for the area to “cool down” after you set up.

If you need to move your tree stand every time you hunt, though, ladder stands can be a pain to haul in and out of the woods. They break down into smaller pieces, but reassembling the stand takes more time than a hang-on or climber. Hang-on stands are easier to relocate.

A ground blind keeps you warm and dry.

With the growing popularity of ground blinds, hunters now have more options for bagging their prey. Although some hunters claim that hunting from an elevated stand is far superior to hunting from the ground, there are plenty of hunters who have found that keeping their feet on the ground and their head protected from the rain is much more comfortable and just as successful as tree stand hunting.

The key to successful ground blind hunting is staying hidden. Since you’re right on eye level with your game, you need to make the extra effort to camouflage your blind and set it up in a place where the animals are less likely to approach the blind head on. Use dead branches and brush to camouflage the top and sides of the blind.

One of the benefits of ground blind hunting is that you stay warmer in cold weather and get protection from the wind, rain, snow, and other elements. While most tree stand hunters pack up when the rain moves in, you can stay warm and dry in your hunting blind in almost any weather.

Because of the size and concealment that a ground blind offers, you can pack in more stuff, video the hunt from inside the blind, and bring along a friend or family member. Being able to move around inside the tent without giving yourself away makes it easier to wait and allows you to bring along fidgety children.

When you or someone you know has a close call with a tree stand accident, you might think twice about climbing into a tree again. A ground blind lets you stay safe while you hunt. It also makes it possible for disabled hunters to stay hidden and lets older hunters continue to hunt well into their later years.

Ground blind or tree stand? It’s a debate that every hunter has an opinion about. Some hunt what they’ve always hunted and what they’re used to. Others like to experiment with new stands or blinds to find what works best for them. We can’t tell you which is better—ground blind or tree stand—but we can give you a few advantages that both have to offer. Then it’s up to you to decide which type of equipment to use.

Hunting from a ground blind is safer, warmer,
and easier to stay in for long periods.

Pros for a Ground Blind

One of the biggest advantages of a ground blind is that it gets you out of the elements. Cold, rainy days can make for miserable hunting, but a ground blind shelters you from wind, rain, and snow and takes the bite out of cold weather. With a roof over your head and walls to keep you warmer, you’ll be able to stay out for longer, even when the weather chases other hunters out of the woods.

As an added bonus, you can use a heater inside the blind, although the exhaust and/or noise can be a dead giveaway for game animals. Not all blinds are designed to be used with heaters, so check with the manufacturer before doing so.

Another big advantage for ground blinds is that you can pack them just about anywhere. No good climbing trees in the area? No problem. Just pop a blind up and you’re ready to hunt deer grazing in an open field or near a waterhole surrounded by low brush. Ground blinds are quick and easy to relocate if the first spot turns out to be a dud.

Finally, ground blinds have an advantage over tree stands when it comes to safety. Since you’re already on the ground, there’s no risk of falling or of a tree stand failing. Being able to hunt from the ground is a deciding factor for hunters who have a fear of heights. Plus, when game animals walk by close enough to touch, you get a bigger adrenaline rush.

Hunting from a tree stand gives you better visibility and scent protection.

Pros for a Tree Stand

Just as ground blinds have their distinct advantages, so do tree stands. Sitting up high means that you can see for longer distances and from a better vantage point than in a ground blind. The increased viewing range gives you more time to anticipate and set up for the kill.

Another advantage of tree stand hunting is the scent factor. On the ground, you are nose level with the animal. Up in the trees, the animal is less likely to catch wind of your scent. In either situation, you should take precautions and set up with the wind in your favor, but hunting from the ground requires greater precautions than hunting from up high.

Which Is Better?

Which type of stand or blind equipment is better depends on where, what, and when you are hunting. The weather, the tree and leaf cover, the time of the season, and the terrain, among other factors, all play a part in determining which type of stand will work better for you. You can get busted in a ground blind just like you can get busted in a tree stand. What matters most is not the type of stand or blind but your knowledge of the animal, your timing, and how you play the conditions of the hunt (wind direction, stand placement, cover, etc.).

Choose what feels most comfortable to you. You might end up using a tree stand for bowhunting and a ground blind for rifle hunting, or vice versa. What matters most is that you are comfortable with your choice and able to enjoy the hunt.

Both ground blinds and tree stands have their advantages and disadvantages. Which one is best often depends on the terrain and your hunting style. Here are a few pros and cons of blinds and stands below to help you decide which type of equipment is best for you.

Better visibility and scent cover than ground blinds

Tree Stands

Pros:

• Unobstructed view of the surrounding area and approaching game
  Keeps your scent off the ground
• Deer rarely look up and spot you (except in areas with increased hunting pressure)

Cons:

• Can’t set up in areas with no trees. You need a good climbing tree within easy shooting distance of your hot spot.
• Fixed stands are more complicated to move, but climber stands allow for easy mobility.

Safer and warmer than hunting from a tree stand

Ground Blinds

Pros:

• Safer than tree stands – no risk of falling
• Warmer – gets you out of the wind and rain
• Good for open field areas without any trees

Cons:

• Can spook deer unless the blind is well camouflaged with natural vegetation and set up ahead of time to allow game to accept its presence.
• Good use of scent elimination on the blind and hunter is a must.

Ultimately, the type of hunting stand or blind that you choose depends on the terrain you hunt and your method of hunting. For the best options, get both a ground blind and tree stand and use the type that gives you the most advantages for each hunting situation you find yourself in.

Having trouble deciding which type of tree stand to buy? Here’s some pros and cons of the most popular tree stands on the market.

Climber Tree Stands

Climbing Tree Stand

Hang On Tree Stands

Hang on stands are convenient because you can set up your stand ahead of time, sneak in to the woods with your climbing sticks on the morning of the hunt, and climb up to your stand quickly and quietly. On the downside, moving your stand takes more work than a climber stand, and there’s a higher possibility of losing your balance when you step from the ladder into your stand.

Ladder Stands

Most ladder stands weigh around 100 pounds or more. The lightest weight I found for a ladder stand was just under 50 pounds. Add in the weight of your other gear, and you’re not going to want to carry this stand very far. If you don’t plan to move your stand very often, or you don’t need to carry it very far, this stand is a good option with the safety and convenience of an attached ladder.

Permanent Hunting Stands

Because these types of stands are left up year round, they require close inspection before each use. Over time, a permanent stand can rot or weaken, which makes it unsafe. One of the biggest downsides of a permanent stand is that you can’t move it from one spot to another.

Freestanding / Tower Stands

These types of elevated stands are best for areas with few trees to support your stand. Some freestanding structures are permanent. Others are portable. Unfortunately, most portable tower stands are a pain to move because of their bulk and weight, so whether or not this type of stand works for you will depend on how much you plan to change locations.