2-Man Tree Stand Suggestions

berger

berger

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I am in the market for a 2-man tree stand.....which will only be occupied by one man....me! :cool:

I see that Cabela's has a couple on sale, so I was wondering if anyone could suggest a particular model, or tell me what I should stay away from.

Thanks!
 
two-dogs said:
one man and a fleshlite? Why such a big stand? Just wondering......... You are not gonna stay up there for a week, are you?
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...cause I am a big, fat guy! ;) I just don't trust the 300lb limit on the one-man stands.

That, and I like the idea of some extra space for my gear.
 
I bought a Guardian XL for my wife and I. You would have to be really good friends if you were sharing it with another guy. I totally get buying a 2-man stand for hunting alone - hanging your stuff over the edge makes it a performance every time you want a sip of tea, a bite of a sandwich, or getting that extra sweater out.

I felt secure in it and it went up well, considering I pre-built half of it in my living room before hitting the field. I also added a carabiner to the safety strap that remains attached to the tree: I couldn't see myself threading and rethreading my harness through the strap every time - especially in the dark.
 
looch said:
I bought a Guardian XL for my wife and I. You would have to be really good friends if you were sharing it with another guy. I totally get buying a 2-man stand for hunting alone - hanging your stuff over the edge makes it a performance every time you want a sip of tea, a bite of a sandwich, or getting that extra sweater out.

I felt secure in it and it went up well, considering I pre-built half of it in my living room before hitting the field. I also added a carabiner to the safety strap that remains attached to the tree: I couldn't see myself threading and rethreading my harness through the strap every time - especially in the dark.
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Thanks! That is one of the stands onsale. How do you like it without a cushioned seat back? Not looking for a couch...just comfort for a few hours at a time.

LS4850-Seat.jpg
 
I have an ameri-step 2 man ladder stand I got at wal-mart. right around the $170 mark if I remember correct. seems to be strong and stable. have only sat in it myself as no one else wants to climb 15 feet off the ground to watch bears. it has 2 spots that go against the tree each one with its own ratchet strap. would have no problem supporting one hunter over 300 pounds. has a flip up shooting rail/safety bar as well. came with 2 safety harnesses.
 
deadeyes40 said:
I have an ameri-step 2 man ladder stand I got at wal-mart. right around the $170 mark if I remember correct. seems to be strong and stable. have only sat in it myself as no one else wants to climb 15 feet off the ground to watch bears. it has 2 spots that go against the tree each one with its own ratchet strap. would have no problem supporting one hunter over 300 pounds. has a flip up shooting rail/safety bar as well. came with 2 safety harnesses.
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I bought something very similar from Walmart just across the border in Calais. Many benefits with a larger stand with the extra room and the shooting rail. I placed various hooks on the shooting rail to hold my thermos and backpack and other stuff. Also bought a clamp on roof for it for rainy days and it is a very comfortable set-up. One thing I did do was weld up all the bolt together pieces. It was a little squeaky before and this made it totally silent.
 
I have a Riverside 2 man and used it this year with my Apprentice Hunter son who weighs 180 and I come in at 240. Plus clothes, and gear. It is rated for 400 lbs, but they probably worried about liability issues. You can get them at Crappy Tire on sale for under $200.
 
berger said:
Thanks! That is one of the stands onsale. How do you like it without a cushioned seat back? Not looking for a couch...just comfort for a few hours at a time.

LS4850-Seat.jpg
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I was not uncomfortable leaning back - my sweater and jacket were enough.

About the front "rifle rest" bar: it is on a simple hinge (bolt through both pieces) and the stop is just a tab of 16 gauge steel welded to the underside of the side rails. If you lean on it, the tabs will easily bend.

I'm assuming that, as with most things these days, they engineered this product to use the thinest material possible under the guise of weight-saving. It's sturdy enough, and if I had to carry it any further than I did I wouldn't want it to be heavier. But if weight isn't a concern, I would try to find the shipping weight information and and pick the heaviest one.
 
I have several and find I like the Gorilla 2 man the best in my eyes. There are a number of things to consider in a stand other then the weight requirements. Big game in my eyes are a dangerous stand because of the latter rungs are to narrow and if you ware a winter type boot you can not put two feet on one rung, which makes it difficult to work your way down. I have fell out of a latter stand from the top, because of battling with turning around to get down, and it is not fun. I also have a summit which is very heavy and the seat system is hang on seats with a arm rest in between them. This makes the sitting area tight and uncomfortable to keep things with you while in the stand.

Just a thing or two to think about when looking into them.
 
I got this one at sail for a good price (thou I can't remember how much). has a mesh seat and back and the shooting 'rest'. I have sat two people in it but didn't feel real comfortable that way. Mostly because I didn't have it secured to the tree all that well. Came with two harnesses and straps to secure to the tree, all the camo stuff and an umbrella. Been up 3 years now, including winters and now starting to see some browning on it. Will have to hit it with some tremclad next spring.



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deadeyes40 said:
I have an ameri-step 2 man ladder stand I got at wal-mart. right around the $170 mark if I remember correct. seems to be strong and stable. have only sat in it myself as no one else wants to climb 15 feet off the ground to watch bears. it has 2 spots that go against the tree each one with its own ratchet strap. would have no problem supporting one hunter over 300 pounds. has a flip up shooting rail/safety bar as well. came with 2 safety harnesses.
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Got one of these two years ago at the end of the season - they were clearing them out for $100. Two other guys in our group picked them up also and no complaints.
 
Tree stands out here are a bit of an issue especially for a guy my size. The tree tends to bend to the ground!! Ground blinds out here.........my landladies son has the best one yet. He fixed up an old oil lease pump shack. Its like having a mini camp you shoot from!!
 
I have a bunch of stands and prefer the 2 man ladder stands. I think mine is a Big Game brand. As mentioned, lots of room for your stuff, easier to get into than hang ons with climbing sticks and easier to swivel around to check your 6. Just got another one to take the place of a rotten wood stand I have.

My wife is going to take her PAL / hunter safety and the 2 man stand is good for newbies. Someday my son or daughter may want to accompany me as well and enjoy getting cold and seeing nothing as well!
 
Dakotomar, ladder stands are by design portable temporary stands and should not be left up year round. the tree swaying in the wind over time WILL crack/break the welded joints which hold the ladder rungs/platform bracing in place. be sure to give it a really good going over/inspection before using it. have seen/heard of stands failing and people falling.
 
Blowing the dust off this thread as Cabelas is blowing out the Guardian XL for 97.99 - that's close to 50% off.

ETA: in fact, it would seem most stands are on sale right now.
 
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