Ladder Stands

[Omega]

Ok so I decided to go with a 2-man ladder stand for my new area, at least until the lumber prices come down, and have been looking at a bunch of them. I searched here for any past posts but most are older posts and I would like to come at it a different way. Everyone always recommends what they have, which is fine but only a few seem to compare stands against other brands. So I would like to ask it this way; What stands you would stay away from, and why? I am not worried about weight, or ease/difficulty at assembly, but price is a factor. Not that I can't afford more expensive, it's that I can settle for one that will do the job without the brand label. I would also like for it to be able to stay out there year round, and be able to remove the material seats easily enough for off-season storage. Oh, and if you know of a good deal, throw that in as well.

 

[sharpshooter]

Following.

 

[BSK]

Honestly, we've primarily used whatever cheap brand of 2-person ladder Wally World is selling that year. Usually priced around $99. And we've bought around 24 of them over the years. They are up year-round and some have been up 15 years. We wrap burlap around the stand basket (attached at the shooting rail with zip-ties) and take the burlap down after the season to make it last longer. We don't use the thin foam seats that come with the stands. We all carry our own seat with us when hunting out of them.

We're 100% ladder stand hunters now (except for the tower stands we've been erecting over food plots), and for both the one-person and two-person ladders that stay up year-round, the best advice I can give is to replace the ratchet straps frequently. I buy them in bulk from Wally World and each stand's straps gets replaced about every 3 years.

 

[Omega]

Honestly, we've primarily used whatever cheap brand of 2-person ladder Wally World is selling that year. Usually priced around $99. And we've bought around 24 of them over the years. They are up year-round and some have been up 15 years. We wrap burlap around the stand basket (attached at the shooting rail with zip-ties) and take the burlap down after the season to make it last longer. We don't use the thin foam seats that come with the stands. We all carry our own seat with us when hunting out of them.

We're 100% ladder stand hunters now (except for the tower stands we've been erecting over food plots), and for both the one-person and two-person ladders that stay up year-round, the best advice I can give is to replace the ratchet straps frequently. I buy them in bulk from Wally World and each stand's straps gets replaced about every 3 years.

Thanks for the info; I ended up ordering a 15' Realtree brand from Wally World for about $130, and purchased a ladder blind from Academy for $99. I figured for the price I would be good if I got at least a couple seasons out of them. I plan on taking the blind down, at least the fabric, after the season, and the fabric, if possible, from the stand. I may use a cable or chain for off season so the straps don't stay out all year, and replace them right before season opens. I also have plenty of 550 cord, so that is another option, I have left that stuff out for years with little to no affect.

Realtree 15` Two-man Ladderstand W/ Jaw System

Game Winner Universal Stand Blind Kit

 

[BSK]

That stand blind kit is really cool.

Here's what mine look like up with burlap. I use cheap flat-black paint to make the stripes. I just hate big chunks of the same color in the woods. Once we started using the burlap wraps, I was truly shocked by how much movement we can get away with behind that burlap and not have deer notice.

 

[BSK]

What is 550 cord? I'm unfamiliar with that.

 

[Omega]

That stand blind kit is really cool.

Here's what mine look like up with burlap. I use cheap flat-black paint to make the stripes. I just hate big chunks of the same color in the woods. Once we started using the burlap wraps, I was truly shocked by how much movement we can get away with behind that burlap and not have deer notice.

I considered getting a section of camo or burlap to do that, but seen the one above and figured an enclosed one might allow me a small buddy heater if needed (secured of course). I agree, it is very useful in keeping movement shielded from the ground, and even helps with sound a bit.

What is 550 cord? I'm unfamiliar with that.

Parachute cord, it has 7 strands inside the nylon sheath with a breaking strength of 550 lbs. It's proper name is Type III nylon cord, there is also a Type II with a braking strength of 400 lbs. It is very useful for outdoor activities, survival etc., as a retired Parachute Rigger, I have used plenty.

 

[Omega]

Here is a link to some camo cloth that works great, and at $35 for 5'x19.5', it can't be beat. It comes in different lengths but this size is the best value IMO. The 3d leaf patterns look cooler, but this version is much better due to little to no direct light getting through, and insect resistant too. I used to carry one of these panels in my pack to make a quick ground blind when needed.

Yeacool Camo Netting, Camouflage Netting, Quiet Mesh Net

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I do the same as BSK. Cheap Walmart double stands. We have some pretty old ones around. They creak and pop some when entering/exiting from the bushings/washers wearing out, but they're rock solid. We just add a strap ever two years

 

[BSK]

Here is a link to some camo cloth that works great, and at $35 for 5'x19.5', it can't be beat. It comes in different lengths but this size is the best value IMO. The 3d leaf patterns look cooler, but this version is much better due to little to no direct light getting through, and insect resistant too. I used to carry one of these panels in my pack to make a quick ground blind when needed.

Yeacool Camo Netting, Camouflage Netting, Quiet Mesh Net

I used to by the camo burlap at Walmart, but they get expensive when you have a lot of stands to cover. I now buy burlap in bulk, and at 48" wide, it costs about $0.67 a running foot.

 

[BSK]

Parachute cord, it has 7 strands inside the nylon sheath with a breaking strength of 550 lbs. It's proper name is Type III nylon cord, there is also a Type II with a braking strength of 400 lbs. It is very useful for outdoor activities, survival etc., as a retired Parachute Rigger, I have used plenty.

Thanks for the info. Very useful. I may get some of that for the straps going top to bottom of stand, criss-crossed behind tree.