Tree Stand for the Big Guy

[keegan]

Hello my father is 6'08" tall and 54 years old. He is old school and refuses to get in the air, but every years he gets busted hunting deer (firearm only hunter). I'm set on buying him a stand this year. I'm looking for a ladder stand that has a big platform for him. He is kinda picky on feeling safe so it has to be a big platform. He tried to go up one last year and he said that the seat stuck out too far and it left little room for this feet. He also wears a size 15. I know I"ll have to spend some money, but I'm trying to find a stand that is priced reasonable. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? Thanks everyone.

[Michiganbowhunter_SQ2]

I'd say find a 2 man ladder stand. I'm not to fond of heights either, so I stay away from hang on stands. My Summit Goliath climber and my Ameristep two man ladder stand are two stand that I feel absolutely safe and comfortable in. I paid I think $99 for my two man stand at Wal-mart a few years ago.

[jesse8953]

I got one like this.Lots of room to sit comfortable all day long.http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/luxury-box-deluxe-ladder-tree-stand-by-big-game.aspx?a=209083

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10202190_425003002_425000000_425003000_425-3-2.I got mine at ruralking for $200 2 or 3 years ago. Make sure to get a comfortable safty harness.I got a hunter safty system vest,you can get them in big sizes,Travis[t-bone] from bone collectors has one

Edited July 4, 2010 by jesse8953

[johnf]

If he doesn't like to go up in the air why not get him a good blind?

[RangerClay]

If he doesn't like to go up in the air why not get him a good blind?

My thoughts exactly! Go buy or build your dad a ground brind. If he dislikes treestands why would you make him uncomfortable when you can compromise. You can practically square dance in them things without busting deer. I have one because I have kids and they saw all sorts of deer at 20 yards or less.

Deer hunting is about going out and having fun. Don't spoil it for your dad and buy him something he doesn't want nor like.

[wtnhunt]

Welcome to the forums.

Kinda would agree with those on ground blinds. If he is going to be uncomfortable in a stand, then probably best to not try to get him up in one. If however he wants to try a stand, there are several two man ladder and big person ladder stands that should work well.

[keegan]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I forgot how nice this site actually is. We have talked about ground blinds before and we might go that route instead. He will probably get more uncomfortable in the stand as the years pass. I'll start looking soon. I hunt in Illinois and he won't get a long shot in a blind if he hunts in "the spot", but we might be able to figure something out. Thanks again everyone...Happy Hunting.....

[johnf]

Do they do box blinds up there? Could that be an option?

[rhine16]

I'm with John... Build him a couple elavated box stands. Make em 10 or so feet up so he has a good view and make it comfortable. don't use a ladder, but instead do steps like you would to a clubhouse to make him feel safe.

[Rhino]

I'm with John & rhine...especially if your dad has a particular spot he just prefers to hunt. Build a couple box blinds there for different winds or choose a couple of spots for different winds to hunt. Height would depend on the needs of the position chosen but with a box stand you only have to have it high enough to see. We have some on our place that range from 6' off the ground to 20' up. Matter of fact, we have a couple at ground level placed near the edge of a ridge to overlook wooded bottoms. Most of ours are in the 10' range off the ground.

[Flintlock1776]

I recommend Ameristep "The Choice" 2 man ladder stand for hunting up high. More features than other 2 man stands and very comfortable.

On the ground I have the Double Bull Matrix blind. Primos bought out DB but perhaps you can special order that one for him. It is much taller than their regular ground blind. I've had deer with a yard of the bind while I was in it and that was during hunting season! I was using a bow but had it been a gun.................. :-)

Good luck with your decision.

Edited July 13, 2010 by Flintlock1776

[GWSmith]

You may be "Set on buying him a stand this year" but He may never use it.

Instead talk to him and see if you and him together can figure out why he keeps getting busted!

If it happens all the time or at least quite often the area he is hunting from has him too "exposed" so that either the deer see movement or smell him before he can shoot.

Try to think about it from the deer's perspective and look at the area where your Dad's sitting. Physically go there and look if possible, take pictures, look at different standsite possibilities..but always look at it as if you were the deer;)