There no better season for bow hunting that summer, and if you want your hunting trip to be successful, then you need to take a ladder stand with you. This is a good, cheap way to provide a good vantage point when you’re bow hunting, while also concealing you from the wild creature that you might be hunting.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a list containing five of the best ladder stands for bow hunting so you’ll be able to make a good choice no matter which one you go with. Additionally, we’ll also provide you with a buying guide in order to help you narrow down your search even further.
Top Ladder Stands for Bow Hunting: Comparison table
Last update on 2023-06-02 at 14:35 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Guide Gear 15-Foot Ladder Tree Stand
A lot of great features make the Guide Gear 15′ Ladder Tree Stand of the best ladder stand for bow hunting. First of all, it’s affordable. It’s also quite light and easy to set up. It has also been tested by experts so you can be sure of its high-quality.
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When it comes to durability, this is a very durable product as it’s made from sturdy steel build which keeps it steady and reliable for years.
This ladder stand has a spacious 17.75 x 10.5-inch foot platform as well as a 19.5 x 10-inch seat platform. It also features pinned ladder sections that help you transport it more easily along with an adjustable ladder support bar which adds more stability.
Pros
- Lightweight weighs 52 lbs.
- Easily portable and foldable
- Good value
- Durable
- Has several straps
- High weight capacity at 300 lbs
Cons
- Requires some rust-proof coating
- Does not have a shooting rail, or armrest
2. Guide Gear 16-Foot Deluxe Ladder Tree Stand<
Last update on 2023-06-02 at 14:35 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Guide Gear’s 16-Foot Deluxe Ladder Tree Stand is among the best ladder stands for bow hunting out there. It combines, comfort, luxury with durability.
Since it’s made from steel, it will last you for years to come. It also has a durable padded seat with a steady foot platform along with flip-up footrest to ensure maximum comfort.
Unlike the previous ladder stand, The Guide Gear 16-Foot Deluxe has a flip-up shooting rail which is very helpful. It also has pinned ladder sections along with an adjustable ladder support bar. It’s also quite light, weighing in at 52 lbs. It has a weight capacity of 300 lbs, which is very decent.
As for the platform and padded seat, they’re 17.25 x 12.25 inches, and 19.25 x 13.5 inches respectively. The seat is 21 inches high with 16-foot armrests.
Pros
- Lightweight weighs 52 pounds
- Easily portable
- 25 x 12.25-inch platform
- 25 x 13.5-inch padded seat
- Durable
- High weight capacity at 300 lbs
Cons
- A bit noisy when moved around
- Instructions are not very helpful
3. Guide Gear 18-Foot Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand
Easily one of the best ladders stands for bow hunting that you can get. For a very low price, you’ll be getting a very durable product that is also lightweight and bigger than a lot of other ladder stands.
- JUMBO LADDER TREE STAND – The Guide Gear 18’ Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand is great for deer hunting. The jumbo design features an oversized seat and platform with a built-in, padded hunting seat cushion.
- OVERSIZED – Made for big hunters, our deer stands for hunting offer an alternative to narrow, cramped deer stands. Offering extra elbow and leg room, an oversized foot platform, wide seat, and a 300 lb. weight capacity.
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Thanks to its steel construction, you can expect this ladder stand to last you for years to come. It also has a weighing capacity of 300 lbs without making the slightest squeaking noise.
If you happen to be a big guy, then this is one of the best ladder stands for bow hunting you can get. It has a seat size of 13.25 x 26.25 inches along with two-seat pad silencers, so you stay concealed when moving.
Guide Gear 18′ Jumbo also has two stabilizer straps, an adjustable support bar as well as a ratchet strap. As for the foot platform, it’s padded and is 13.25 x 26.25 x 19 inches in size, which allows you to stretch your feet freely. The flip-up seats are also rather comfortable.
This ladder stand also allows for easy transport thanks to its 3 pinned ladder sections. Moreover, its assembly is quick and easy. The whole ladder stand weighs 68.5 lbs.
Pros
- Lightweight weighs 52 pounds
- High weight capacity at 300 lbs
- Very spacious allows for 2 persons
- Excellent value
- Durable
- Quick and easy setup and assembly
Cons
- Instructions are not very helpful
- Requires some rust-proof coating
4. Sniper Deluxe 18-Foot 2-Man Ladder Tree Stand
This ladder stand will provide you with an excellent vantage point that can make your shots a lot easier. The padded shooting rail can be flipped up depending on which type of shot you need to take.
Last update on 2023-06-02 at 14:35 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Sniper Deluxe 2-man is one of the best ladders stands for bow hunting if you’re planning to bring another person with you. However, you can also use that space to store your stuff if you’re by yourself. It’s very sturdy and will stay stable.
When it comes to space and size, the Sniper Deluxe offers a 37 x13-inch foot platform and 13 x 38-inch seat with 1-inch cushioning.
The padded flip-up shooting rail is extremely helpful as it allows you to line up your shots more easily. Additionally, the Sniper Deluxe features two safety harnesses, fasteners, and an adjustable support bar.
Lastly, this ladder stand can hold up to 500 lbs and weighs 65 lbs.
Pros
- 17-ft high seat
- Very High weight capacity at 500 lbs
- Very spacious allows for 2 people
- Weighs 65 lbs
- Durable
- Good value
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy when moving
5. Millennium Treestands L220 18-Foot Double Ladder Stand
This is among the best ladder stands for bow hunting that’s designed for two people. It offers plenty of space. It’s also comfortable, steady, and boasts many great safety features.
- HUNT COMFORTABLY
- BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME
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While you’re 18 ft high on this ladder stand, the ComfortTech footrests along with the adjustable shooting rails will make your experience much better. You’ll also be able to hunt for hours on end when you’re on this ladder stand since it features comfortMAX seats.
When it comes to durability, this is a very strong ladder stand that will last you for a very long time thanks to its weld steel construction and powder coat finish.
As for the safety features, you’ll find that Millennium Treestands L220 features SafeLink Safety Line along with an adjustable tree brace that has a stabilizing brace.
Moreover, you’ll be able to adjust the height of the stand from 7 ft to 18 ft depending on the situation. The dark green color will also ensure that you stay camouflaged in the majority of hunting environments.
Pros
- Steady and comfortable
- Double folding seats
- Adjustable shooting rail height
- Platform size is 40 x 32 inches; seat size is 40 x 17 inches
- Durable
- Seat height is 7 inches
- Very High weight capacity at 500 lbs
Cons
- A bit expensive and bulky
- Complicated setup
Choosing the Best Ladder Stand for Bow Hunting – Buying Guide
In this guide, we’ll be discussing the features and aspects that you need to take into consideration when you’re buying a ladder stand for hunting.
Comfort
One of the most important things to consider in a ladder stand is how comfortable the seat is. Keep these three things in your mind when you’re making a choice:
First off, the seat must be cushioned and wide enough to fit you and allow you some extra room for flexibility. We recommend you avoid metal seats for this purpose.
Second, the seat has to feature a backrest, so you don’t experience any backaches when you’re sitting for a long time.
Last but not least, you need to make sure that the seat is able to fold against the tree completely. This will give you the space you need when you’re shooting game.
Platform Size
Space is a crucial factor. You need enough space to be able to stand and lean against the tree comfortably. We recommend shooting a ladder stand that comes with a platform that can be extended towards the tree as close as possible. This helps you hide more effectively.
Footrest
While it might seem trivial at first, having a footrest will prevent your legs from hanging aimlessly. It will also prevent your feet from tiring way too soon. In order to make your shots count, you must always be in a relaxed state.
Stand Height
The main issue with ladder stands is that most of them are shorter than 20 feet, which is not high enough to make for a great vantage point. Having a high ladder stand is also great for keeping you camouflaged from the game you’re hunting, which is also very important.
To keep it simple, the taller the stand, the better it is at giving you a clear view and keeping you hidden.
Handrail
Handrails are not vital, though they make the ladder stand safer, which is not to be taken lightly.
With that said, some handrails can be inconvenient as they limit your freedom when taking shots by blocking the way sometimes. This is why it’s best to go with a ladder stand that has an adjustable handrail so you can get the best of both worlds.
Durability
When you’re 18 ft or higher from the ground, the last thing you want to happen is for the stand to collapse suddenly. For this reason, you need to get a stand that’s made of steel. As for the weight capacity, if you’re going to be on your own, then 300 lbs should be enough. If you’re going to have someone with you, then we recommend a ladder stand that has a weight capacity of 500 lbs.
Noise
You don’t want a squeaky ladder stand that will alert everything in your vicinity. This is why you need a ladder stand that won’t produce much noise when you’re standing on it or moving it around. Make sure the ladder stand you choose stays quiet even when you’re climbing it.
Ease of Installation
You shouldn’t any time when installing the ladder stand. For this reason, you’ll want to choose a ladder stand that is quick and easy to set up.
Pro Tips
Safety Guide
Your safety should be of the utmost importance. The last thing you want is to get injured or even worse, die because of an accident that could have been easily avoided.
To ensure maximum safety, you need to make sure that the ladder is properly secure and won’t fall. We also recommend you put on a lifeline or safety harness at all times, so you stay safe even when you fall off.
Wind
While this might sound weird at first, you need to take wind into consideration. If you’re operating in windy conditions, your experience will be severely hampered because of it. This is why you always need to take wind into consideration and, if necessary, take the appropriate precautions.
Bow Hanger
Evidently, you won’t always keep holding the bow. Sometimes, you’ll want to place it somewhere you can reliably reach into when you need it. This is where the bow hanger comes into play.
You can attach the hanger into the tree using a screw so you’ll only have to equip the bow once you’ve spotted your target. However, there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind.
For instance, you need to keep track of the wind. If it’s windy, the hanging bow and quiver might make some unwanted noise that will alert nearby game.
More importantly, there are hunting grounds that make it illegal to pin bow hangers onto trees. Make sure you’re familiar with the laws relative to the hunting grounds you’re in.
Camouflage
Staying hidden is vital to your hunting trip’s success. In order to keep yourself hidden, we recommend using some sort of a camouflage blind that blends in well with the tree where you’ve set up the ladder.