Best Ladder Stand For Bowhunting

In the fall, and if you want to bow hunt, then you’ll be busy grabbing the right gear for the job. However, even with all the best big-game hunter gear, you could lose out because you can be seen by the deer. For a bow hunter, a ladder stand is a key thing to take on your hunt.

Ladder stands for bow hunting often comes with a gun rest in case you try another form of hunting. However, what they offer for all hunting types is the chance to stay out of sight of the deer.

It is much safer to use a ladder tree stand for bow hunting, as well as having a better and clearer view of your surroundings. Finally, once you have the perfect ladder tree stand, you have maximum comfort as you wait for your prey to come along.

X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand, Black
Guide Gear 15.5' Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat, Hunting Gear, Equipment, and Accessories
Muddy MLS1550 Skybox Deluxe 20' Tall Single Steel Ladder Tree Stand with Adjustable Padded Shooting Rail for Big Game & Hunting
Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18' 2-Man, Black
Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft.
X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand, Black
Guide Gear 15.5' Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat, Hunting Gear, Equipment, and Accessories
Muddy MLS1550 Skybox Deluxe 20' Tall Single Steel Ladder Tree Stand with Adjustable Padded Shooting Rail for Big Game & Hunting
Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18' 2-Man, Black
Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft.
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X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand, Black
X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand, Black
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Guide Gear 15.5' Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat, Hunting Gear, Equipment, and Accessories
Guide Gear 15.5' Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat, Hunting Gear, Equipment, and Accessories
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Muddy MLS1550 Skybox Deluxe 20' Tall Single Steel Ladder Tree Stand with Adjustable Padded Shooting Rail for Big Game & Hunting
Muddy MLS1550 Skybox Deluxe 20' Tall Single Steel Ladder Tree Stand with Adjustable Padded Shooting Rail for Big Game & Hunting
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Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18' 2-Man, Black
Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18' 2-Man, Black
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Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft.
Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft.
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In our guide, we have some of the best ladders stands for bow hunting that offers more platform space, comfort, and safety features than others you can find. (Find the Best Crossbow Scope)

By the end, you can skim through the buying guide to see what you need with your bowhunting ladder stand, and how you can get the best tree stand hunting experience.

Why You Need a Good Ladder Stand For Bowhunting

There are several advantages when using a ladder tree stand compared to hunting from the ground:

  • The longer range of visibility
  • Less likely for the game to spot you
  • Hard for the gme to smell you
  • Safer hunting as your arrow faces the ground

It’s not for everyone to hunt from a ladder stand. The benefits can be the deciding factor in whether you bring anything home.

Here are a few more details to consider while choosing the best ladder tree stand for your hunting needs.

Several factors influence the height of your tree stand . The tree stand has to be high enough to provide a clear view of the surrounding region, but not too high where you are obscured by the canopy.

Your tree stand should also be high enough so that your scent is picked up by the wind and delivered away to the nostrils of neighboring deer instead of being carried away. A kite is the most amusing way to figure out what height this is, but you could simply just climb a tree or ladder.

The ideal height for both elements is around 16-20 feet, and you’ll note that most ladder tree stands are made in this range.

Bow hunters must pay special attention to height because they must be high enough so that the deer do not see them drawing the bow. You’ll need to be a little higher than a rifle hunter to do this. You should probably err on the side of caution and go up to 22 feet. (Read Is It Illegal To Shoot A Bow And Arrow In Your Backyard)

Climber

They are clever innovations that allow you to climb the tree using the tree stand. The stand’s weight creates pressure against the tree, locking it in place. The platform and seat are separate so you can let go of one to raise the other. It’s kind of like a creepy crawler up the tree.

Climbing tree stands are highly adaptable. They’re usually small and portable, making them ideal for hiking. No other tools are required to climb the tree. If you want to move around a lot during the season, or if you hunt on public land, climbing tree stands are fantastic possibilities.

Hang-On

Hang-on tree stands to combine the portability of climbing tree stands with added stability. It’s a good junction. The stands are lightweight and collapsible, making them easy to transport. Each one comes with robust brackets or straps for mounting. This allows you to leave the stand. You can also buy extra brackets or straps and hang them in different trees. Then you can carry your stand to whichever tree you desire.

The disadvantage of hang-on tree stands is their accessibility. Most hunters use climbing sticks to fasten to the tree, going up to the stand, adding to the weight, or leaving it in the woods.

Ladder

Less portable than the previous two tree stands, ladder tree stands are more stable. These are frequently left in trees for the full season. So, they’re sturdy and safe. The frames and ladders are sturdy, and the platforms are larger. This gives you greater stance room.

Of course, this comes at a cost. Ladder tree stands are substantially heavier than climbers or hang-on stands, making them harder to transport. Not even you can set it up. As a result, ladder tree stands are ideal for repeat hunters who have found a wonderful hunting site.

Climbing and hanging on tree stands are usually for one person, and you can operate them alone in most cases. Ladder tree stands may need two people to set them up, especially if they’re heavy. However, once up, they offer more than enough to cater to two people compared to the other offerings. (Read How Long Can A Crossbow Stay Loaded)

Top Ladder Stands For Bowhunting Reviews

X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20' Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand

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1. X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20’ Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand

This climbing tree stand has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It includes a foot platform that is 22 inches wide by 26 inches deep, giving you plenty of room to hold your bow or gun. In addition, the adjustable seat can be flipped up for a standing shot.

The 22′′ wide x 16′′ deep seat with comfort-FleX seat cushion offers maximum comfort. The padded armrest and backrest provide some back and neck discomfort relief.

It includes three rugged steel construction ladder pieces that connect via a silent ladder lock system. The nicest part is that there is no noise or clanking sound as you climb up to the seat. The jaw safety system keeps it firmly attached to the tree and prevents it from swinging or twisting.

Its steel lock also helps keep you secure at the base of the stand when tightening the ratchet strap. The Jayhawk Ladder Tree Stand With Jaw is a safety system that includes a ladder section and jaw.

It includes one 4-point full-body harness fall arrest system that disperses your body’s forces. A flip-up shooting rail is useful for precise shooting with a bow or gun and offers even more standing room. It also comforts your hand and protects you from falling.

The weight of this tree stand for bow hunting is 79 pounds, which is not too hefty to carry by yourself. However, you may require help in getting this setup. The Duke 20′ Single-Person Ladder Tree stand comes with many safety features that enable you to hunt in any condition.

Pros

  • Full body safety harness (4 point.
  • Comfort-fleX mesh seat for standing shots and padded armrests for additional comfort.
  • Mesh pocket for drinks.
  • Silent to assemble ladder sections.

Cons

  • May need two to erect the best climbing tree stand
  • It May be heavy with other hunting gear

It has a cushioned shooting rail that can be flipped back or removed for bow hunters. To avoid metal-on-metal contact, it also contains self-lubricating nylon washers. When you set this up, it remains silent and does not alert the animals in your presence.

The HeliX oval tubing structure gives that this stand will withstand even the harshest conditions. With a suggested retail price of just under $240, this is the best 20 ft. single man comfy ladder stands you can find.

Guide Gear 15.5' Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat

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2. Guide Gear 15.5’ Climbing Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting with Mesh Seat, Hunting Gear, Equipment

The ladder stand for bow hunting by Guide Gear comes next. This is a large single-man ladder stand that has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It boasts a 26′′ by 15′′ reticulated foot platform with a footrest rail, allowing you to take down the game in a single stroke.

During 6 to 7 hours of sitting, the 17′′ x 18′′ flip-up seat with a backrest ensures your comfort. The padded armrest enhances your hunting experience.

You can use the ladder stand for bow hunting and using a rifle thanks to the adjustable, flip-up shooting rail. When bow hunting, you can flip the ladder support bar to the rear. If you’re using a gun, make sure it’s in the right position.

It comes with three ladder parts of the same size that bolt together. The middle section is stabilized by a stabilizer bar, which is initially difficult to adjust.

It only weighs 52 pounds, making it easy to transport. The sections can be detached and stowed behind your truck to be set up on a tree in the woods. In addition, once you’ve gotten used to it, building and disassembling takes about 20 minutes.

It’s made of powder-coated steel, which lasts a long time and performs well in all weather. The translucent and sturdy seat mesh is appealing for sitting on. Gear Guide provides a lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects.

The Guide Gear ladder tree stand comes with all the features you’ll need to boost your hunting efficiency. It gives you exceptional sightlines up to 15.5 feet, allowing you to keep a close eye on your surroundings.

Pros

  • Effective flip-up seat
  • Well-made ladder stand for bow or rifle
  • 3-piece ladder section
  • Adjustable support bar

Cons

  • No jaw safety system
  • No safety harnesses

The ladder stance is wide, allowing you to rest both of your legs comfortably. With a guide price of around $330, you get a lot of steel construction for your money. However, it lacks a safety harness, which is a disadvantage. Also, if you have a broad build, carrying your hunting gear may be a bit of a challenge.

Check out the Guide Gear 18′ Jumbo Ladder Tree Stand if you want a big seat. Overall, if you’re a lone hunter, the Guide Gear 15.5′ is ideal hunting gear to team up with for your next hunt.

Muddy Skybox Deluxe 20 Foot Tree Stand

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3. Muddy Skybox Deluxe 20 Foot Tree Stand

Muddy’s Skybox Deluxe is one of the finest bow hunting ladders available. The Skybox can safely hold up to 350 pounds of weight. It features a 19” wide x 25” deep foot platform that allows a hunter to openly place their legs for a clean shot.

In addition, the 2-way adjustable flip-back shooting rail moves out of the way to give bowhunters more room.

It includes a 22” wide x 17” deep Flex-Tek seat that is extremely comfortable and enables lengthy periods of sitting. If you wish to take a standing shot, the seat flips back. Your hunting experience will be more comfortable thanks to the padded armrests.

Climbing is safer and easier with the four double rail ladder sections. You can hold a height of 20 feet by holding the railing. It includes one 4-point safety harness that appears to be of decent quality. Breathability is ensured via the air-flow mesh, which provides some comfort.

The tree stand is 82 pounds, which is weighty, but easy for one person to handle. You may entirely disassemble it and load each component into your vehicle one at a time for traveling.

You can sit comfortably all day thanks to the flex-tec sling-style suspension seat. When you sit in the seat and try to place your legs on the footrest, it feels rather far away.

You’ll need a tree with a diameter of at least 9 inches to set this up. Though the bigger the tree the more the stabilizer straps must grip onto. (Read our Samick Sage Recurve Bow Review)

Pros

  • Comes with a safety harness
  • No metal-on-metal contact
  • Large powder coated construction
  • Lumbar support

Cons

  • Expensive compared to rivals
  • Relies on two stabilizer straps to hold you against the tree

Overall, this is a large stand that is well-built and costs slightly under $330. However, the comfort it gives on the field outweighs the cost.

It is made of heavy-duty steel that is both strong and long-lasting. The seat mesh and stitching are durable enough to stand in a variety of weather situations. Muddy also offers a 12-month warranty on this tree stand from the time it was purchased.

Since its release, the Muddy Skybox Deluxe has been a popular 20’ tall ladder tree stand. It has a flip-back two-way padded shooting rail that allows you to adjust height and depth while shooting.

Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18' 2-Man

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4. Rivers Edge RE649 2-Man Ladder Stand 18’ 2-Man

Rivers Edge introduced the RE649 2-man ladder stand for hunters and wildlife watchers. This dependable tree stand allows you to pay more attention to your surroundings. It’s perfect for two hunters or a single hunter who needs some extra elbow room, as well as a bow and other hunting gear.

This ladder tree stand can hold two people weighing 500 pounds and still have space for a gun or bow. The 36′′ x 12. 5′′ curved foot platform gives you plenty of room to adjust your legs properly.

It includes a 38′′ x 12′′ padded seat that can accommodate two people. It has a 17-inch seat height from the foot platform, which is suitable for practically everyone’s height.

The shooting rail may be adjusted in two directions to keep your hands in a comfortable position.

Two high-quality safety harnesses are included with this tree stand. You also receive a ratchet strap and a crisscross stability strap to assure your safety when you’re 18 feet above the earth in any situation.

Three 56-inch ladder sections are included, allowing you to set up the tree stand at an 18-foot height.

The ladder stance is 13 inches wide, allowing one person to climb at a time. When you climb to the top of the ladder, though, it does not appear to be much broader.

For convenient transportation, all the elements of this ladder tree stand may be separated. It does, however, weigh 63 pounds, making it easier to carry and requiring less effort. When you’re setting it up for the first time, it takes 30 to 40 minutes.

This tree stand is made of steel, so it will last longer and work in any weather. Rivers Edge has also field-tested it to assure years of reliable use.

Pros

  • 2-seater means you can take your hunting partner
  • Large carrying capacity
  • Comes with a safety harness
  • Robust steel construction

Cons

  • No footrest
  • Heavy to carry with gear

With a rough guide price of just under $250, which is ideal for a 2-man stand or if you require extra space. The system takes less effort to put together than comparable ladder tree stands on the market. You must complete the warranty registration process at Rivers Edge to receive a particular warranty on this ladder tree stand.

You also get a user manual with simple instructions that walk you through the entire assembly procedure. The depth and height of the shooting rails can be adjusted. You can take it off to hunt with a bow or to provide extra space for a cleaner shot.

Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft

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5. Millennium Treestands L110 Ladder Stand, 21 ft.

One of the most comfortable ladder stand options on the market is the Millennium Treestand.

It has a 20” x 32” platform and a foldable seat for more convenience and versatility. The stand is roomy, with plenty of space for you to walk about and change positions to get a flawless shot on target.

Climbing the dual-rail ladder is stable. It gives you something to hold on to and makes the ladder system far more durable than a standard section ladder. When you put your weight on it, the twin rail will prevent it from bowing out or wobbling.

The Millenium is the heaviest stand on our list, with a weight of 92 pounds and four ladder sections. The dual rail ladder system also lets you place the Stands at various heights, ranging from 8 to 21 feet, to give that you have the best possible shot.

A great plus is the adjustable shooting rail. You’ll appreciate the adjustable rail if you’re a rifle hunter. The rail allows you to get to the height you’ll need and keeps you rock-solid throughout your initial shot.

While all of that is wonderful and well, bowhunters often find the incorporated shooting rail to be a bitter pill to swallow.

The millennium single ladder stand is among the roomiest and most comfortable ladder stands available It also offers a foldable seat size of 20” x 17”.

Pros

  • Includes additional safety features
  • Adjustable platform
  • Durable alloy steel
  • Ladder rails for ease of climbing

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Expensive

If you’re a bow hunter, back recline the seat to give yourself enough room to make a precise and flexible shot on target. Another disadvantage is that the seat is not removable and cannot be removed if the rest of the stand-up is to be kept.

The Millennium is pricey, with a suggested retail price of $500 to $600, but when you consider the level of comfort you’ll enjoy, there’s simply no comparison.

We also discovered that setting up the stand requires two people, and to set matters worse, there is no explicit instruction on how to do it.

Best Ladder Stand For Bowhunting X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20’ Single-Person Ladderstand Hunting Tree Stand

Ladder Stand For Bow Hunting Buying Guide

When choosing the best ladder tree stand, some specific areas make all the difference. Rather than use headings and things to look out for, this buying guide highlights areas and issues you can face when using the best ladder stand for your bow hunting exploits.

Is there a comfortable seat?

One of the most important factors to consider while selecting a tree stand is the seat. It must be wide and cushioned to fit you while providing the flexibility to shoot game.

Along with this is the seat height, too high and your feet may dangle, and too low and you can’t stand easily once a deer is in sight.

Second, a backrest is required to avoid back pain when sitting for lengthy periods. Mostly, pick a folding seat and a seat folds flat against the tree as you stand up to offer more shooting space when deer or boar appear in range.

How much standing space do you have?

Before investing in a single ladder stand, make sure the platform is large enough for you to stand and lean against the tree comfortably.

To achieve the best results, the ladder stand should include a platform that extends backward as close to the tree as workable, preventing you from being too far forward.

Does your ladder seat have a Foot rest?

In a top tree stand for bow hunting, you’ll need a footrest to prevent legs dangling as you are waiting. Besides this, you need to ensure they have either a flip-out footrest or a flip-up footrest.

While feet and legs can tire without a foot rest, you don’t want them to be in the way when you stand, hence a flip-up footrest that gets out of your way.

What is the Height of the Stand?

One disadvantage with ladder stands is that most of them aren’t tall enough. To keep you out of sight as much as possible, a ladder stand should be at least 20 feet high. The higher your stand, the less likely you are to be spotted by the deer. As a result, you can stay out of sight as much as possible.

Handrail

A handrail is likely to be included with any ladder stand you choose but isn’t a necessity. An adjustable shooting rail is preferred, as these offer extra security for the hunter while seated in the stand.

However, because they frequently impede bow shooting, consider a padded shooting rail that can be adjusted and isn’t cold to the touch. A padded shooting rail can stop you from falling forward as you take your shot.

Is the Stand Robust and Sturdy?

No hunter enjoys falling off the stand while seated on it. To avoid this, choose a ladder stand constructed of steel. The following is the acceptable weight capacity:

  • A single ladder stand has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
  • The weight capacity of a double man ladder stand is 500 pounds.

Is the stand Quiet?

Another factor to consider when choosing a ladder stand is how quiet it is. Choose one that will not squeak with every movement you make on it. Because it may cause your deer to flee. Not just when shooting, but also when climbing.

Installation

Finally, select a ladder stand that will be simple to set up. Choose a ladder stand for bow hunting. You can erect yourself, if possible, when they are made from a lightweight design, yet have a solid steel construction for rigidity.

Final Verdict

When testing, it was clear the X-Stand Treestands The Duke 20’ Single-Person Ladder stand Hunting Tree Stand would come out on top. First, with the steel jaws, there is never any notion you will slip compared to straps that carry out the same function.

Besides this, comfort excels compared to others and the drinks holder is a small but welcome addition. With added features such as foot rest, safety harness, and overall usability, it has to be the best ladder stand for bow hunting or even shooting.

Best Ladder Stand For Bowhunting

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