You guys ain't lived until you've tried getting these on a tree without a harness. I knew the guy who invented them and I still have one of the first sets he sold.

Anything you're trying to install in a tree without being tied off raises the pucker factor.

I'm walking the straight and narrow from here on. I'm officially geriatric and can't afford a fall.

Like most of y’all, I never wore anything safety related in my younger years. And yeah I had a Baker climber…just the bottom half. Hug the tree and pull yourself up, it’s literally a miracle I have hair on my chin and chest, lol!
Like I said, when I became a Dad and realized I now have someone DEPENDING on me for their lives, I better start doing things a little less reckless.
I’ve had several harnesses and it’s a toss up between the Muddy and Summit as far as which is the most comfortable. With that said, they’re only comfortable and useful if connected. And I’ll say this, my wife has NEVER complained about any safety equipment I bought, just the actual stands themselves, lol. Lifelines are must haves in my opinion if you use a lock on.
I’ve looked into using a saddle but then you’re back to using sticks so I might as well be really comfortable in a lock on.
And I’ll be ordering those Thirdhands for the climber here shortly. I like that idea. I’ve done a lot less climbing during the early season with my hip, but next year it will be back to normal.

I think a saddle in conjunction with a lock-on would be the best of both worlds. I preposition most of my stands well before the season starts, even my climbers. I have two of those. I have one of the old Summit Trophy Chairs with the inflatable bladders. It's like a lounger in a tree. Hard to beat comfort-wise.

The lifeline sounds interesting.

seriously just how uncomfortable are those saddles. Have to be. Plus you have to carry as much as you do with a climber .More if you go high. Steps platform ect. What is the point unless something else to sell...

Hawk Denali zero gravity ladder stand. You sit in one and you won't ever be happy with anything else. Of course I'm 60 ...

We have to keep permanent stands “hid” and not in the “quail woods” we don’t want the owners thinking we own the place. They know hunting goes on, but you don’t advertise it. We have a few Tower Stands and ladder stands up if the owner or guests want to hunt. But those usually last a whole hour then I’m picking them up and taking them back for breakfast before the quail hunts.
Jbyrd, I’ll check out the Hawk. I hunt mainly the drains through the property and can keep lock-ons and ladders hidden very well.

I've never enjoyed hunting out of a ladder stand. Feel too exposed. I like a hang-on tucked away in the boughs of a hemlock or spruce tree. They're hard to see so theft becomes less of an issue plus it offers great concealment from game.

I think it's time to start dumping on stands. I'll go first. Summit.

Ah, nah man!! I like my Summit Viper. I have no clue how old it is, but it’s been a good one. I change the cables every other year and the seat about every three years.

As far as ladders, put’em up and leave’em. Replace the straps every year as needed and wrap in burlap as it falls apart. They’ll get so used to it they’ll rub trees next to it and put in scrapes, lol.

Setup properly they are very comfortable. Some are more so than others . Plus I have a lot more options for trees to climb. I love to hunt out of split and triple trees. You can't do that out of a climber

Depending on your climbing method, rope being the lightest, and platform(squirrel steps or ring of steps are very light).

Wannabe I got 5 of them Last 3 years bass pro has them on sale for 139-159 ATV style gun rack on shooting rails. Foot rest and extra wide seat they are like sitting in a recliner. Other 4 guys I hunt with over the years each took a turn in mine and the next year I was volunteered to put 8 of them together. Between mine , my son , and other hunting buddies we have 15 total . All of them are summit climber fans Well until 4 years ago . Best thing about a ladder is quick and quiet up and in the tree.

Amen on Always wear your harness and Always let someone know exactly where you will be and when to expect you back.
I fell 15’ several years ago while taking down a lock on stand. I was wearing a harness, but as I came down the tree I had to unhook to get around the crouch. When I went to flip the lanyard back around the tree my something stung my “catching” hand. My immediate response was to pull back which resulted in my losing my grip and falling. Fortunately I was not hurt but have never had the wind knocked out of me like that. My other failure that day is nobody knew where I was so it would have been a long time before someone came looking.

My take always is now I use a double lanyard hanging stands so one is always hooked and #2 my wife and my best friend have gps pins of all my stand locations.

I have used the life lines for years climbing in and out. At first I thought maybe they were overkill, but two years ago one saved me while climbing tree steps before daylight, I had a step pull out. Down the tree I slid and the lifeline caught me preventing about a 12’ fall to the ground.

20ft?!? Good Lawd, I won’t be able to see anything in the drain, lol. Maybe in late season it might be ok. I need about a 12ft model. I’ve got a lock-on that’s in between 3 trees growing together that may be all of 12-15ft max. We’ve had deer walk within 3-5yds and never pay any attention. 5 deer have already been killed out of this stand this year. Here’s a pic of my son in the stand when he shot his first archery deer. We had to wait 20 minutes for deer to leave to even get down to track. (I was in a ladder stand 30yds away)

No I use only 2 sections on most set ups. Have to use 4 to get to 20 ft
Son you put a Denali on any of those you put that stuff you got in the yard sale ! Lol
I’m going to my farm tomorrow I’ll take a pic of one using all the sections and 1 using 2

Informative and fun thread.

I always wear one when climbing grain bins, the more I read this the more I’m glad I hunt at ground level.

Here’s the safety rope we use and harness. I can put this on in 30 seconds after I got it adjusted

Those life lines are really lifesavers and hopefully work. They make me feel a lot better this year than ever before with the new hip, lol!