Sound dampening your tree stand

[Mescalero]

I use a climber exclusively now and am going to do a better job of sound dampening it. I'm considering wrapping the platform or part of it with camo paracord or rope. I've seen that on YouTube. Stealth strips seem to get good reviews. I also found some stuff called TrueTimber made out of "silencing micro fleece" on Amazon which costs about the same as Stealth Strips. I plan to use something like that for other metal parts especially those that might contact each other as I'm hiking in with the stand on my back. I've seen where others have used black Gorilla tape or even electrical tape. But I wonder how long that will remain adhered to the stand, especially in cold weather and I don't want something that leaves sticky if it has to be removed. For me, probably the most noise I make is when I'm putting the climber together and joining metal on metal. At least that's what I think, but I bet just moving around in it and standing makes more noise than I realize.

What have those of you who use climbers or hang-ons or even ladder stands done to dampen the sound?

 

[K-dub]

I have used the black styrofoam pipe insulation. Already has the slit cut, just cut to length and secure with electrical tape. Could also use the sports wrap that sticks to itself. You can get it in a multitude of colors and any sporting good store, usually in the "protection " section.

 

[Boll Weevil]

Get a can of Great Stuff (the expanding foam) and shoot it into the tube/frame.

 

[Rakkin6]

Get a can of Great Stuff (the expanding foam) and shoot it into the tube/frame.

This works good for the hollow sound. I got my Summit Viper sprayed with LineX that goes in your truck bed. Stops any clanging when walking in and setting up.

 

[peytoncreekhunter]

Maybe buy some of that rubberized paint. I used it once to "seal" the bottom of a aluminum flat bottom boat and noticed it dampened the sound a little when I dropped stuff.

 

[Willysman]

I use a climber exclusively now and am going to do a better job of sound dampening it. I'm considering wrapping the platform or part of it with camo paracord or rope. I've seen that on YouTube. Stealth strips seem to get good reviews. I also found some stuff called TrueTimber made out of "silencing micro fleece" on Amazon which costs about the same as Stealth Strips. I plan to use something like that for other metal parts especially those that might contact each other as I'm hiking in with the stand on my back. I've seen where others have used black Gorilla tape or even electrical tape. But I wonder how long that will remain adhered to the stand, especially in cold weather and I don't want something that leaves sticky if it has to be removed. For me, probably the most noise I make is when I'm putting the climber together and joining metal on metal. At least that's what I think, but I bet just moving around in it and standing makes more noise than I realize.

What have those of you who use climbers or hang-ons or even ladder stands done to dampen the sound?

Summit used to make a treestand silencer kit. It was a foam backed camo tape. Don't know if they still make it though.

 

[Hookem]

Zip tie pipe insulation tubing. You can spray it for a camo look if you don't want it black. Comes off easily. Also the spray foam in the tubes helps as well. Camo duct tape works well in the hard to reach or small places.

 

[jaybird62]

X2 on the Great Stuff.

 

[ImThere]

Spray foam as mentioned
Pipe insulation and get vet wrap at TSC comes in camouflage if that matters to you
remove any metal buckets or anything that can bang together

 

[Ladys man]

This works good for the hollow sound. I got my Summit Viper sprayed with LineX that goes in your truck bed. Stops any clanging when walking in and setting up.

How much weight did the line X add?

 

[holstonangler]

Those metal or plastic tabs that hold the seat to the tree are the loudest things on the stand. Looking for a way to cut mine off and use something else.

 

[Specializedjon]

This works good for the hollow sound. I got my Summit Viper sprayed with LineX that goes in your truck bed. Stops any clanging when walking in and setting up.

I know the LineX is heavy. How much did it affect the weight of your climber? Great idea.

 

[Rakkin6]

How much weight did the line X add?

Maybe 1.5 to 2 pounds

 

[AJared]

Great ideas!

 

[jejeffrries71]

While it is not sound dampening, if I sit in a stand long enough, I will eventually have to dampen it!

 

[Mescalero]

A lot of great suggestions/recommendations. Going with the Great Stuff and will try out the Stealth Strips.

 

[david k.]

Those metal or plastic tabs that hold the seat to the tree are the loudest things on the stand. Looking for a way to cut mine off and use something else.

Ditch the summit seat and buy a Hazemore net seat. Quieter, lighter, faster set-up and take-down.

 

[middleTNbowhunter]

Stealth Strips are awesome. Highly recommend.

 

[ImThere]

I wish I had pictures of mine with the pipe foam it looked and functioned awesome

 

[Willysman]

Hunter Safety Systems used to manufacture a foam backed camo tree stand silencer tape. 4 in by 20 ft. You have to cut it to fit. That is what I've always used. It works very good. They have since discontinued it but in browsing ebay this morning I did find two sellers that had it. I've used it for climbers that I leave out year round and it's still in good shape. I would advise that you rub the stand down with alcohol so it will adhere good if you should take that route.

 

[Mescalero]

I've got a question about using the Great Stuff. I got a can of it and it has the approx 6 inch attachment. My question for those who have used Great Stuff to spray into the hollow tubes of their climber stand, do you also attach a longer plastic tube to that attachment so you can spray the stuff as far into the hollow tubes of the climber?

 

[gary66]

practice the routine from truck to top of tree, get a routine with as few steps as possible. Get to the point it can be done blind. Anything like spray foam could trap moisture and cause the stand to rot from the inside out, be my only concern. I'm a remodeling contractor, seen a lot of rot from trapped moisture.

Haven't used a climber for a few years but when I did the stand went from my back to the tree in one move, The base, top and pack sat attached to the tree like a table top. I could stand, check things out, cool off, whatever before the climb making no noise at all. Once ready, remove the bungee holding the combination together, set pack down, lift top slowly and quietly attacking to tree. Pack and bow/gun already roped for the climb. Ready to climb.

My stand can be folded, I stopped doing that. I also combined tops from different stands with a bottom that is totally adjustable with the squeeze of a cam..."North Star Tree Cat Archer" haven't made them for many years. The top collapsed on a climb but the base has always been solid. The best thing I did was to cut a piece of industrial ergo mat to fit the wire mess base using para cord to attach it. Keeps my foot work silent and any sunlight causes it to warm keeping my feet warm. It also keeps the top separate from the base eliminating noise. LW came out with their own mat after that, but it's thicker than an industrial mat.

I live in a woods...I hung the stand from a tree and took my time camoing it up. Would come upon it at different times, got it and the bottom of that black mat blended well.

Last buck I shot from it I took after making noise Up in it all day from early dark til end of day and enough light left for me to get out without causing too much noise. I decided I'd had enough so I lowered the ML down, as soon as it hit the brush 2 bucks popped up on the other side of the ridge I was on. I'd already started to pack up...pull it back up and watched the bucks dance in and out looking for what made the noise never lookin up, only at where the ML hit the ground. A nice 8 danced past a huge tree that provided an opening. Hit the ground where he stood. Noise isn't always a bad thing I've made noise going in, seen deer flee, silently made my way off a distance, climbed and watched them come back glued to where they heard me.

One thing that always helps is game films...Video your approach and climb, you'll see what can be made better.

 

[holstonangler]

I've got a question about using the Great Stuff. I got a can of it and it has the approx 6 inch attachment. My question for those who have used Great Stuff to spray into the hollow tubes of their climber stand, do you also attach a longer plastic tube to that attachment so you can spray the stuff as far into the hollow tubes of the climber?

I did a couple of my vipers back 15 years ago with great stuff and both are still working great. I leave them out October through January. I think it waterproofs it more than anything and the aluminum versions aren't going to rust.