Hunter’s Tree Stand Tips
This is part 5 in this 5 part series a hunter’s tree stand buyer guide.
In part 5 of this series I would like to discuss tree crotch tree stand. They consist of a platform that you nestle in a crotch of a tree. They are the lightest of the different makes and models of stands on the market. Some come hinged in the middle and when you stand on it the corrugated edge digs into the tree.
The safety of this type of tree stand is a big concern for me. Unless you’re an experienced tree climber or if you invest in a tree climbing system then I would not recommend them. I would also not use to hold all my weight. With that if you fit into the above category this type of tree stand is very light in weight and can almost accommodate any larger sized tree.
I have used it many times in those last minute stand spots. I have personally bagged some very nice sized bucks out of them. It never fails when your hunting you come along a fresh scrape or huge deer rub and you don’t have time to go back and get your climbing stand or hang on stand. You can use it conjunction with tree steps or a tree climbing system. I personally prefer the tree climbing system to hold my weight and use the crotch tree stand to park my feet. It will ensure a safe platform and will steady your aiming for that killing shot.
The tree stand can be carried all day without discomfort some have hinges like I noted and will fold up and fit into a backpack. They are incredibly light and durable to boot. I do a lot of still hunting and carry it along with me in case I run across a nice area I have not hunted before.
The final category of tree stand I wanted to cover in the next article will be an adjustable platform that are new to the market. I will give a more in-depth look at it in the next section but would like to cover some basics here. Finding the right tree for any tree stand can be pretty tough. Some trees lean to far forward some lean to far back. The adjustable platform gives you a chance to accommodate it to almost any tree in any situation. The platform allows you to adjust it to any angle of the tree or any limb. The adjustable tree stand comes at a high price point but definitely worth talking about more in the next section.
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I take issue with your characterization of crotch-mounted treestands as being unsafe. I and my friends have used a design I developed for over 15 years, and have had no structural or mounting failures whatsoever. After experiencing how much more solid they are to stand on, the typical hanging stands scare the shit out of me. Hanging stands have poor lateral stability, and someone with a slight fear of height like me, find them difficult to adjust to.
A crotch stand instills confidence because of the presence of tree trunks beside and/or in front of you, not to mention the solid footing underneath. For many, the elimination of fear is a huge factor in safety. Properly installed they can’t dislodge straight down, they can only dislodge in a twisting fashion. To eliminate this issue in less than ideal installations, such as a vertical trunk on one or both anchor points, we sometimes use lagbolt “stops” on top and bottom of the points where the teeth dig in.
I’ve never used a climbing stand so I can’t relate to their stability. Here in Kansas it’s difficult to find suitable trees for their conveniant use. We also tend to leave them up all season, especially hunting private ground. Even in public hunting areas we have only had three stolen in the 15 years of use. Security chains will discourage that activity.
I am having difficulty finding manufacturers of crotch stands to compare my design to, as I would like to market them. They should fullfill a need in every stand hunter’s experience. I’ve worked as a Tool and Die maker for over 17 years, so I know how to build stuff right. Could you refer me to the type you are familiar with? Respectfully, Kell Hawkins
The reason I term them unsafe was becuase of the small platform. If the hunter does not securely mount them it could cause serious injury,. But I agree if you take the time with proper safety you can hunt in them safely. But with the current number of hunter injuries being so high I would only recommend them for the advanced hunters that are proficient at practicing safety first.
If you wish to write an article for here with a rebuttal I would be glad to post it I can also edit this original entry put in the pros of them from your point of view.
I value your opinion thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for your respectfull reply Scot. The platforms on my crotch stand designs range from a “mini” 10×20″ to 17×28″. The fold down seat I sometimes incorporate is only 8″ deep by 14″ wide. While not as comfortable as the “armchair” designs so prevalent nowdays, they allow more “useable” platform, and are not so conducive to falling asleep. I doubt if those large seat designs have more useable platform than my larger designs. Often I don’t mount the seat, but stand most of the time, sitting on the platform momentarily as needed.
I suspect I’m like most people, and have a slight fear of heights, which usually goes away after a few outings on my crotch stand. This is helped by the extreme stability of footing, and the fact I have two to three tree trunks within reach to instill balance and mental security. This elimination of fear may be the biggest factor in tree stand safety, and I don’t mean be over confident. How many of us have almost lost our balance, for no apparent reason while standing still on our tree stands, and get the shit scared out of us? This NEVER happens on the ground. It’s caused by fear.
With nothing in front of me, I NEVER get used to standing on my hang-on stand, so, like most people, prefer to sit. This forces one to stand and turn to take an “off-side” shot…at a time when you are NOT focused on safely doing that! I’m quite sure this scenario is big in the accident statistics, along with falling asleep in your “armchair”, and stepping on to a laterally unstable hang-on stand, with too much lateral(sideways) pressure, which, with many designs, can cause it to disloge severely enough to cause a fall.
With my crotch stands, if the full-width piano hinge fails, and you are NOT properly harnessed,(like most people in stands) you have the tree crotch underneath you, and two or more trunks for support, increasing your chance of extraction from the situation. Not so if a hang-on or climbing stand has a mechanical failure. You are on the ground before you know what happened!
The 3/16″ pin in the piano hinge I use would have to shear in 12 places at the same time to produce a sudden failure. It’s more likely that failure would occur slowly. I weld each loop that captures the pin to eliminate them opening up. I haven’t felt the need to test them, but suspect they would easily hold 1000 lbs. The hinge placed on the bottom causes the stand to “pop” over center hard enough to make removal difficult. They won’t “fold-up” prematurely. Like I stated previously, we have NEVER had any type of failure in over 15 years of use!
From long experience with my crotch mounted stands, I submit that they are SAFER than the average hang-on stand, using equal safety precautions. The main factors here summarized are: unequaled stability underfoot, having a crotch below your position, and being surrounded by two or more fear-reducing tree trunks. I don’t suggest that it be the only type stand in one’s arsenal, but most people should find a use for one or more, depending on the types of trees encountered in their hunting areas.
If you want to view my design, I have an embarassingly amateurish video clip on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKxR1a5faLI
Next time I’ll get someone to help me! LOL
Scot, I would like to know of other similar types of crotch mounted stands such as the one you refer to. I have not found any in production in my searches. Years ago Cabelas’ offered the “Bear River” but they seem to be out of production. That design DID look unsafe! Thanks for your help. Kell Hawkins
were can i buy crotch tree stand