10 Best Treestands For Bow Hunting
Updated on: November 2023
Best Treestands For Bow Hunting in 2023
TREESTAND Gear Hanger - Coated Hangers to Eliminate Noise and Non Slip Strap Attachment - ON Your Tree in Seconds! - ONLY Gear Hanger with NO Plastic Parts
Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness, Small/Medium
- STAY SAFE THROUGHOUT THE HUNT: No dangerous dangling straps or confusing weave-through buckles
- LIGHTWEIGHT MEETS PHENOMENAL COMFORT: Weighs only 2.5 lbs; incredibly lightweight which allows for all-day comfort and mobility
- VERSATILE ENOUGH FOR ALL-SEASON USE: Can be easily worn over lightweight clothes or underneath cold-weather gear for all-season use
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Primary Treestrap, Suspension Relief Strap, Safe-Use Instructions, and DVD all included
- 5 YEAR WARRANTY: Strongest in the industry
- Size: S/M (100 -175 lbs.) , L/XL (175 -250 lbs.), 2X/3X + $10.00 (250 - 300 lbs.)
Bow Buddy Bow Hanger | Hang-On Buddy Treestand Bow Holder Removable with Rubber Grip Compound Bow Holder for Archery Hunting (Hi Profile)
- EASY INSTALLATION: The Hi-Profile Hang-On Buddy works on all tree stand and ladder stand models. Can be attached to the platform or seat.
- NO TOOLS NEEDED: Quick attach/detach turn knob for easy installation without using tools.
- HEAVY DUTY: The Hi-Profile Hang-On Buddy's solid steel construction easily holds compound bows and most crossbows.
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: Holds your compound bow or crossbow with superior strength and durability. Keeps your bow or crossbow close with minimal movement.
- HIGHER PROFILE THAN THE ORIGINAL HANGON BUDDY: Works anywhere on the stand due to this bow holder's higher profile. Allows for bow cam clearance.
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Summit Treestands 81120 Viper SD Climbing Treestand, Mossy Oak
- Closed-front aluminum climbing stand
- Suspended foam-padded seat with backrest in Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity camo
- Weighs 20 lbs. and holds up to 300 lbs. Green Utility Strap
- 18” W x 12” D seat size, 20” W x 26.5" D platform size
- Includes Full-Body Fall Arrest Harness System and all necessary hardware. Versatility, comfort and functionality while being lightweight
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Mossy Oak Vintage Camo Hoodie for Men, Mens Hunting Hoodies, Camouflage Clothes
- DESIGN: This mens hunting hoodie is made from a 70/30 Cotton/Polyester blended fabric with a jersey fleece liner for warmth in cool temperatures. It features a drawstring hood, kangaroo hand warmer pocket, and elastic cuffs.
- COMFORT: A traditional camo hooded pullover design with a ultra-soft feel of a classic sweatshirt. It's perfect for all season use to keep you comfortable and warm in a lightweight feel.
- VERSATILITY: A great outer garment for mildly cool weather that doubles as a warm layering piece in cold conditions. Works for all types of hunting from Fall deer to Spring turkey and features a dull finish to fool the eyes of the wariest of game.
- MOSSY OAK CAMO: Available in Mossy Oak Vintage Greenleaf, Obsession, & Original Treestand camo patterns.
- MEN'S CHEST SIZING: Small (34"-36") | Medium (38"-40") | Large (42"-44") | X-Large (46"-48") | 2X-large (50"-52") | 3X-Large (54"-56")
Realtree Outfitters Multi-Purpose EZ Hanger Combo Pack (3 Pack), Green
- Includes EZ hangers in three lengths 13", 23", 34"
- Keeps bow, rifle, or hunting accessories at arm's reach
- Hinged rods easily and securely screws into trees
- Adjust to any angle needed
- A must have for tree stand hunting
A Mid-season Refresher on Tree-Stand Safety
Falls from tree stands during hunting season result in severe injuries and even death. It's never too late to take another look at keeping safe while hunting from a stand.
Regarding firearms the department cited three common-sense rules that every hunter should know: "Know your target and what is beyond your target, point the muzzle [of the gun] in a safe direction [and] treat every firearm as if it were loaded."
IDNR also gave advice for hunting from tree stands. According to the department, falls from tree stands are the number one cause of hunting accidents in the state. In 2020, over half of accidents were from falls from tree stands. IDNR also offered tips for hunting safely from stands.
Here in Southern Illinois this season, falls from tree stands have resulted in one death and two hunters who have been seriously injured. The injuries occurred in Union County, in unrelated incidents, on the opening day of firearm deer season.
Bow season continues and a firearm antlerless season begins for some counties throughout the state on Dec. 30. In light of the recent incidents, it's a good time to look more closely at safety measures for hunting from tree stands.
IDNR reminded hunters before firearm season began to "check ladder stands before climbing to make sure they are secure, [to] wear a Fall Arrest System/Full Body Safety Harness when leaving the ground until returning to the ground from the tree stand [and to] use a haul line to raise and lower equipment and unloaded firearm or bow into a tree stand."
Most tree-stand accidents occur when hunters are getting into and out of their stand, according to Jeff Hopkins, IDNR's safety education administrator. Therefore, IDNR teaches hunters to always wear the fall-restraint system upon leaving the ground.
"Most tree-stand accidents actually happen when you are ascending or descending into your tree stand," Hopkins said. "What I mean by that [is] individuals are actually climbing up and then when they go over to step onto the platform is usually when they slip and fall or if they are trying to get out of their tree stand and step over to their climbing sticks or apparatus is when they slip and fall. They are not attached to the tree at that time. So we highly recommend using some form of harness system that has a lineman's belt or lifeline that connects you to the tree at all times in case you would slip and fall."
Hunting-safety experts recommend you check your equipment prior to the hunting season. Although it is the middle of deer season, it's not too late to give equipment another check if you didn't do it before the season started.
Once the season is over, Hopkins says that hunters should not leave their stands out. Often hunters leave ladder stands up and attached to the tree all year long. Hopkins says not to assume that the stand is still in good shape. Always be sure to check the straps.
"It's recommended in the spring when you are done using that ladder stand you take the tension off all the ratchet straps and anything that would be holding it to the tree so that the tree has its growth area, so that it doesn't wear and tear on the straps," Hopkins said.
If the stand is not in an area where it can be watched over and protected, Hopkins said that it is a good idea to drop the stand for the summer then put it back up in the fall prior to hunting season. "Take all your straps, your ratchet straps, in with you so that they don't get wear and tear or chewed on by the squirrels. Check 'em. Make sure if you need to that you replace them prior to hunting season so that you have good straps."
Hopkins recommends the safety harnesses for ladder stands as well as "hang-on" stands.
"Ladder stands are safe, but you do need to be careful when you utilize those, also," he said. "Climbing up you could slip off a ladder rung and fall. When you actually get up in the stand you still need a fall restraint system just in case you get comfortable in your area. Sometimes you forget exactly the size of the area of the platform you are on and you can still slip and fall."
New tree stands should be checked as carefully as older ones.
"If it's a new one you want to check it to make sure everything is tight, that the bolts are tight, and everything is in proper working order before you actually attach it to the tree and utilize it for hunting season," Hopkins said.
Hopkins again stressed using a fall arrest system with climbing stands and to keep it attached to the tree at all times while you are ascending or descending.
"Some individuals believe that just because it's a climbing stand they don't need that. Well, yes, you do," he said. "You need to be attached in case your stand would slip or anything would happen with it."
Wearing a fall arrest system (FAS) is the best way to prevent a fall. But what happens when you do fall, and you are hanging and unable to recover back into the stand? Being suspended in air can be deadly as well.
The force of the fall, your own weight and the straps around your legs and hips combine to restrict the flow of blood through the femoral arteries and veins. As your heart continues to pump blood, it is trapped in the lower extremities.
So be sure your fall-arrest system is equipped with a suspension-relief strap so that you can relieve the pressure around your legs and allow the blood to flow back up to the heart. Even better, find an FAS that allows for a controlled descent to the ground.
If your FAS does not have a suspension-relief strap and you find yourself in that situation, while you wait for rescue, there are certain things you can do: Continue moving. Push off from the trunk of the tree with your legs. Or try raising your knees and pump your feet back and forth. That helps push the blood back up to the heart.
The department had also reminded hunters to always use a haul line for all equipment. Don't put it on your back or have anything in your hands while climbing, Hopkins cautioned.
"Remember the three-point-contact rule," Hopkins concluded. "As you are climbing you want to be sure you have two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand always attached to your climbing apparatus."
Remembering a few simple, common-sense rules, checking your gear and being prepared for an accident if it should occur will help you through the season without mishap.
