Tree Stand Varieties

Types of Tree Stands

Where safe and legal to use, hunting stands provide a huge advantage for bow hunters and rifle hunters alike. There are several types of common stands, mostly used on or around trees.

Permanent/Fixed Stands
Permanent stands are those which are attached or built onto a tree or similar structure and remain for use time and time again. Often made simply of wood and nails, these types of stands are usually not permitted on public hunting land. In fact, you probably cannot use them at all unless you have your own private hunting grounds. These stands are often just a flat wooden platform upon which to sit or stand. Some people get more creative and practically build a tree house from which to hunt. If you are going to build and/or use a permanent stand, be sure to inspect it thoroughly before each use to make sure the wood or other materials have not come loose or rotted.

Portable Stands
Portable means that when you are finished hunting, you take the stand down and bring it home with you until next time. There are a variety of different types of portable hunting stands. They come in many shapes, sizes, and prices.

Fixed-Position Stands
These are very common stands which consist of a simple platform. They are very basic and must be carried up a tree and attached with belts and straps. These platforms require a separate climbing apparatus like a ladder, tree branches, or steps you've attached to the tree.

Climbing Stands
These are essentially "self-climbing" stands. You would situate yourself on the stand and shimmy yourself and the stand up the tree until you've reached your desired height. These types of stands can be very handy for quick setup and takedown, but there is a certain difficulty of use, especially if you're not terribly strong.

Ladder Stands
Ladder stands are just like the name suggests: an all-in-one ladder and platform. This type of stand consists of a fixed-type platform surface and an attached ladder. These usually stand around 10 or 15 feet from the ground. Much like the fixed stand, the platform must be strapped into place, but the attached ladder provides extra stability, not to mention ease-of-use to get in and out of your stand.

Free-Standing Tower Stands
These are stands that do not rely on a tree at all. They are basically a large-scale tripod with built-in ladder and a seat on top. These can be used anywhere as long as there is flat, firm ground beneath it.