Few things can give your customers the advantage over a big buck like a comfortable, well-placed treestand. Elevated deer stands put hunters above a deer’s normal field of view, giving treestand hunters a distinct advantage over those hunting from the ground. Hunting from a treestand also gives deer hunters a better overall view of the surrounding area, allowing them to see — and harvest — deer they might never have seen hunting at ground level.

There are three main types of treestands available to give your customers that elevated edge they need to bag a big buck. Hang-on stands are simple stands that attach to a tree by a belt or chain and require steps or climbing sticks to access. Some are stable, others a little rickety. Ladder stands, available in both single- and double-wide configurations, are usually very stable, and the ladder attached to the stand makes them easy to access. But they are heavy, and most require two people to put them in place. Climbing stands are two-piece stands that are used to climb a tree and then hunt from once the desired elevation is reached. They are less stable than ladder stands but are easy to carry way back into the woods where the big bucks live.

Let’s take a look at one of each kind that would likely appeal to your customers with fall hunting seasons quickly approaching.

Hang-On — Lone Wolf Alpha Hang On II

The Alpha Hang On II by Lone Wolf is a top-quality treestand that would serve any hunter well. At a weight of only 11.5 pounds, the stand will hold 300 pounds, making it suitable for hunters small and large.

The Alpha is also quite roomy, with a large 10x19.5-inch platform. The seat measures 14x12 inches and is 21 inches off the base. The stand securely attaches to even awkward or sloped trees, thanks to a unique offset bracket design with four points of contact to provide a stable attachment on uneven trees. The self-leveling seat and platform independently adjust to the slope of the tree, while the padded seat is contoured for maximum comfort during all-day hunts.

The Alpha’s versatility applies not only to hunters, but also to trees. It will hang easily on tree trunks ranging in size from 4 inches to a whopping 22 inches in diameter. It folds down quickly for transport and even comes with backpack straps for convenient carry.

Note that hunters using a hang-on stand are going to need some way to access that stand. Consequently, it’s a good idea to carry some strap-on tree steps or climbing sticks that allow hunters to easily and safely climb into their stands. One of the best systems I’ve seen is the Lone Wolf 4-Piece Climbing Sticks. The lightweight sections are easy to pack into the woods and simple to attach to your tree, and they offer good stepping and grabbing surfaces for getting to your stand.

Ladder — Big Dog Stadium Series XL

Ladder stands are perfect for hunters not comfortable climbing small climbing sticks. Double-wide stands even allow hunting partners to hunt together or, better yet, to take their children along on the hunt with them safely.

What the Big Dog Stadium Series XL (BDL-105) gives up in convenience and portability with its fairly heavyweight steel construction, it more than makes up for with the stability it displays when correctly mounted to the tree. In fact, it will hold a whopping 500 pounds of hunters and gear—making it one of the sturdiest ladder stands available.

The Deluxe Comfort BDL-105 features a padded seat, armrests, shooting rail, and a back-rest cushion. The roomy curved foot platform measures 53 by 13 inches. This seat is extra secure with four ratchet straps. For your safety, the seat includes two fall arrest systems and pinned ladder sections. The dual rail ladder construction features an integrated support bar. 

The Big Dog Stadium Series XL also gets hunters well above their query’s line of sight. The base of the stand tops out at 17.5 feet above the ground, several feet higher than many double ladder stands. For an extremely comfortable and very safe ladder stand, you really can’t beat adding the Big Dog BDL-105 in your treestand inventory.

Climbing — Summit Viper SD

There’s nothing more versatile than a lightweight, sturdy climbing stand — especially for younger, fit hunters who love a run-and-gun style of hunting. This best-selling treestand from Summit offers versatility, comfort and functionality while being lightweight yet sturdy enough to perform reliably season after season.

Engineered to keep hunters comfortable and concealed, the Viper SD has been Summit’s most popular model for nearly 20 years. Featuring a foam-padded seat that can be raised for bow hunting and lowered for gun hunting, the full-perimeter frame allows for sit-down and stand-up configurations. A solid front bar enables easy climbing and doubles as a gun rest. Plus, the climber weighs in at a highly portable 20 pounds, with a nesting frame that packs on your back.

Other special features of the Viper SD include critical parts of the stand’s platform being filled in with a custom-engineered expanding foam to reduce unintentional noises, high-quality extruded aluminum and precision welds that provide maximum rigidity and strength, and Summit’s patented attachment system that requires no fumbling with pins, knobs, nuts or bolts. Hunters need only to size the cable to the tree’s diameter and insert it into the retention bracket, and the QuickDraw trigger locks securely in place. Then simply pull the “trigger” to remove the stand from the tree.

Lastly, the Viper SD features Summit’s patented RapidClimb climbing stirrups, which are easy to use and fit any boot. Designed to keep hunters’ boots securely attached to the platform, these ergonomic stirrups allow them to quickly and safely climb to their desired height.

Wrapping Up

Note that treestand accessories also represent a profit center that shouldn’t be overlooked by hunting retailers. From umbrellas, camo covering material, attachable shooting rests and climbing sticks to safety belts and harnesses, which should always be used when hunting from an elevated platform, a good selection of accessories can lead to add-on sales for treestand buyers.

One more thing: Please remind your customers that safety is always paramount when hunting from elevated platforms, as falls are one of the leading causes of injury for hunters. In fact, consider posting these guidelines in the area where you display your stands. You just might save a life.

 Since the majority of accidents occur while climbing in and out of stands, always use your safety harness while ascending and descending.

 Never carry firearms, bows or equipment when climbing your stand. Instead, pull them up with a cord after you are safely in place

 Always select the proper tree for use with your treestand. Select a live, straight tree that fits within the size limits recommended in your treestand’s instructions.

 Never get in a hurry. Take a few extra minutes to be careful so you can enjoy hunting for many years to come.

A brief course on treestand safety is available at www.huntercourse.com/treestandsafety.