In search of the perfect trad bow ladder stand...

[Triple C]

Last year I had the good fortune of having a well know trad bow hunter here in GA in his 70's down to my farm for a weekend hunt. He connected on a nice doe on his 2nd afternoon sit in a lock on stand that he hung earlier that afternoon overlooking a loaded persimmon tree. To my amazement, he hung the stand only 10 ft off the ground. A little backstory...First day down I showed him all of my ladder stands I had set that I thought were in good locations as I had seen deer out of all of them. All were a minimum of 18 ft high. I could tell he wasn't overly impressed with my setups. After he hunted the 1st afternoon and 2nd morning with no luck, we were having lunch and he asks me if I have a known food source that deer were using. I immediately think of 2 persimmon trees that were loaded and dropping and off we went to check them out. 1st one is on the edge of a small swampy beaver pond with a small rise overlooking it with thick cover. He spots a pine tree about 8 yds from the persimmon and surrounded by thick vegetation and says that's where I need a stand. I grab an extra hang-on and sticks from the shop and he proceeds to hang it. And to my amazement, hangs it maybe 10 ft off the ground. I'm thinking busted. Well...he proved me wrong. 1st sit and he has backstraps on the ground with his self made bow, arrows and stone point. Lessons learned:

• Stand must be over an active food source with a shot opportunity of 12 yds or less.
• Stand must be portable and easy to move during season to adapt to food sources as they change.
• 10 to 12 ft is plenty high for trad bow hunting. Anything higher and the shot angle becomes too steep.

There's a reason he kills so many deer with a trad bow. Boy, did I learn some lessons from him. With that in mind, I began to search for the perfect ladder stand (I prefer them over hang-on's at my age). I've bought a number of different stands over the years. Most in the 20 ft range, heavy and once set, you just didn't wanna move them due to the weight and aggravation of setting when alone. I hope I have finally found the stand that I can easily move from area to area without needing help setting against the tree - The X-Stand Apollo. 10 ft high...weighs 38 lbs...ladder folds and packs against the stand...easily maneuverable...locking jaw system...and easy for one person to move and reset. I have one X-Stand with the locking jaw which I really like but it is a 2 person job to set.

So, I just ordered a couple of these. Hopefully it will fit the bill as a very portable, lightweight ladder stand for trad bow hunting. I'll update as to how I like it when I set em up and begin to hunt this season.

 

[gut_pile]

Good looking stand. Hope it works well for you.

 

[rswink]

Keep us updated, always willing to try new things.

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

 

[BoneCrusher20]

What about a smaller tripod stand, can set-up in front of some trees real close and brush it in for good cover? Most of them by myself i can tip over onto a utility trailer i pull behind ATV drive to next location tip it up and ready to roll....granted i still prefer my saddle for ability to adapt during the year, but if you are anything like the Wise Men that i hunt with they want nothing to do with that! But is another option that we have used for them.

 

[Deadeye]

I like that simple easy design.

Sort of like a Hang On with a ladder attached.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Triple C]

What about a smaller tripod stand, can set-up in front of some trees real close and brush it in for good cover? Most of them by myself i can tip over onto a utility trailer i pull behind ATV drive to next location tip it up and ready to roll....granted i still prefer my saddle for ability to adapt during the year, but if you are anything like the Wise Men that i hunt with they want nothing to do with that! But is another option that we have used for them.

BC20...At 38 lbs, this thing should be light enough to easily move without help. Ladder folds in on itself and straps to platform and can be carried with backstraps like a climber. I've posted several different ladder stands over the years thinking I'd found the perfect stand for trad hunting. Last year was the River's Edge Archer's Lock Down Pro. That is one awesome ladder stand. I removed one section of the ladder but still bout killed myself trying to get it on the tree by myself. And once there...you just don't wanna move it.

Biggest concern with this one is that it is only 10ft off the ground so picking the right tree with plenty of cover will be critical. I'll post follow-ups after I set it up.

 

[suburbhunter]

How sturdy is that ladder? I would be concerned about it buckling in the middle, as opposed to a conventional way of the ladder being against and strapped to the tree for support. I still wouldn't want to crash down from 10'.

 

[Triple C]

How sturdy is that ladder? I would be concerned about it buckling in the middle, as opposed to a conventional way of the ladder being against and strapped to the tree for support. I still wouldn't want to crash down from 10'.

Gonna find out when this thing arrives. Weighted to 300 lbs. Has the locking jaw that all X-stands have which is a really nice feature. And straps at both the top and bottom of platform. Will report back when I set this thing up.

 

[suburbhunter]

10-4

 

[dogghr]

Gonna find out when this thing arrives. Weighted to 300 lbs. Has the locking jaw that all X-stands have which is a really nice feature. And straps at both the top and bottom of platform. Will report back when I set this thing up.

I’ll hold your beer cause that thing looks tricky to set up. And if u fall I’ll give u chest compressions but no way mouth to mouth. Seriously 35# is pretty cool light weight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deadeye]

Honestly it looks to me like the Ladder Part is really there just for entry/exit and not so much for holding it up.

Two Straps around the Top part of the Seat Frame is basically what holds a Hang On stand and this one has that as well. So to me it's actually safer than a Hand On would be with an extra support that also happens to be a ladder.

 

[Triple C]

Honestly it looks to me like the Ladder Part is really there just for entry/exit and not so much for holding it up.

Two Straps around the Top part of the Seat Frame is basically what holds a Hang On stand and this one has that as well. So to me it's actually safer than a Hand On would be with an extra support that also happens to be a ladder.

My thinking as well. We shall see. Plus all the X-Stand ladders come with the locking jaw system that locks the platform to the tree prior to ever climbing to strap it down. Truly a game changer.

 

[Triple C]

I’ll hold your beer cause that thing looks tricky to set up. And if u fall I’ll give u chest compressions but no way mouth to mouth. Seriously 35# is pretty cool light weight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

dogghr...Preciate the offer on the chest compressions. If mouth to mouth required then just stand there and watch to see if I recover. Don't know if you've ever seen the X-Stand ladder stands. Their jaw locking system is truly a game changer as far as setting up. You lock it in place with steel cables from the ground before you ever climb to strap down the platform.

 

[jlane35]

I think I’m going to order one of these. I’m constantly bouncing around looking for the perfect tree for my climber during the rut.

 

[Triple C]

Had the chance to set 2 of these stands this past weekend. Here’s my thoughts after taking it in the field and setting up:
Pros -

• Lightweigt for a ladder stand - 38lbs.
• Compact and easy to transport. Ladder folds in on itself and straps to the platform for transportation. Fits in back of UTV or comes with straps for backpacking which I threw away. Cheap straps and for me, not needed.
• Easy to maneuver and carry in woods. 2 persons not necessary.
• Quick setup. Takes hardly any time to unfold ladder and attach to base of platform.
• Easy for 1 person to set against the tree.
• Locking jaws that secure the stand for initial climb and strap down work great. Anyone that owns an X-Stand knows what I talking about. The jaws are designed to securely hold the stand against the tree while you climb the stick ladder to do final lockdown.
• One person can easily set this stand.
• Pretty sure it eliminates “moving remorse”. Light enough to not dread moving as season changes dictate.
• Comfortable tension seat with no armrest interference for shooting while seated.

Cons-

• Height - It’s only 9 feet to base of platform.
• I can see it being limited in trying to find a tree with background that provides good cover in order to set up for a 15 yd or less shot without getting busted.

Here’s a pic of the stand erected. I tucked it in a cedar tree parallel to a travel corridor between bedding and our largest plot. There’s a large ditch with a natural bridge that deer funnel across and surrounded by red oaks and water oaks. Should be a nice spot to intercept deer as they are coming into the plot.

 

[Redfin]

Thanks for the update. The only reservation I have is the 9ft. If only they gave us an optional 3-4 ft extension. Still may not be a deal breaker for me. I like being lower than most ladders but 9 is pretty low for most of my trees and pretty low in general. Personally, a 3 foot extension would broaden the products appeal I believe. Over the years, I met a lot of guys who were shortening their ladders to close to 12 ft. Otherwise for all it's features, safety in setting up, and portability, it's a clear winner. I like this overall design and I hope Xstand would consider a new taller model or an extension.

 

[Triple C]

Thanks for the update. The only reservation I have is the 9ft.

My biggest reservation as well.

 

[gut_pile]

Seems like it would be a pain to get in and out of, especially with that foot rest on the front.

Other than that, looks good

 

[Redfin]

Never saw a foot rest that didn't fold back but you make a good point. hopefully Triple C will weigh in. With no side rails like a conventional ladder, you are stuck pulling/balancing yourself up using the sides of the seat possibly. Wonder how that works.

 

[Triple C]

Seems like it would be a pain to get in and out of, especially with that foot rest on the front.

Other than that, looks good

gut - Forgot to mention that in my initial observation. Foot rest folds back into stand. Actually found it very easy to get in and out. Foot rest folded out makes a perfect handle to grab as you ascend the ladder. Once on top rung, fold foot rest back and grab back of seat frame to assist in stepping on to platform. When descending, I folded to foot rest back out. I think the bigger issue will be seat height at 10 feet. Pretty easy to find trees to tuck it in with everything green. Probably the best of all trees is a mature cedar where you can tuck it in the greenery but one of those are not always around when you're looking for a 10 yd ambush point.

From setting up two of the stands I can tell you they are easy to carry and easy to set up. Just seems a bit weird with your feet at less than 10 ft off the ground, thinking no way will a deer not bust me regardless of how well I'm tucked in. We shall see in less than two weeks.