Tree stand hunting is a popular method of hunting whitetail deer in many areas, especially northern states and Canada. It is safe to say that tree stands are the most popular hunting and killing deer in northern farmland regions.
It’s not uncommon to see large numbers of hunters sitting high atop trees during the gun season, allowing a wide-angle view in all directions – including down into ravines and draws where deer travel often. As a result, tree stand hunting is fairly safe if you take the proper precautions to remain unseen by deer coming onto your property.
1. Summit Viper SD
Main features:
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- QuickDraw cable attachment system that makes installation easy
- DeadMetal Technology prevents creaking noises from the metal frame.
The Summit Viper SD has been dominating the tree stand hunting space for over seventeen years. This particular model is a lightweight tree stand of 21 pounds and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
This Hunting stand has a cable attachment system called the QuickDraw. The installation process is easy; you take the cable and secure it on the tree, adjust the circumference to your preference, and lock it in position.
The easy installation process with QuickDraw eliminates the use of bolts and tools that take a lot of time and arduous effort to set up. In addition, this stand is designed to be quiet by removing the creaking noises of the metal.
The DeadMetal technology plays an important role in this; the foam filter has been made bigger and fitted inside the aluminum frame, preventing metal noises.
Other features of this tree stand include the wrap-around gun rest bar that is cushioned and a padded backrest and seat.
You will be waiting on a tree stand for long hours waiting for your target; the seating arrangements on this stand allow you to spend this time without discomfort.
Things We Like
- Good quality
- Lightweight
- Well built
- Stable
- Easy installation
- No noise from frames
- Comfortable
Things We Don't Like
- Hard to stow
2. Millennium M7 Microlite
Main features
- Weight: 8.5 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- CamLOCK Receiver system
- SilentHUNT design provides for a quiet hunt
M7 Microlite would be the lightest Millennium hang-on treestand. Aluminum is mainly used for the construction of the overall structure and foundation. It has a SilentHunt modern design that also has a powder-coated finish that keeps it very silent.
The ComfortMax seat is a lightweight sling seat that promotes comfort and convenience for the shooter. With a depth of 26″ and a width of 20.5″, the platform is in the shorter range of the treestand. It has a weight limit capacity of 300 pounds.
You can’t go wrong with the M7 Microlite if you enjoy hiking deep into the forests or hunting from numerous locations. It’s very lightweight to carry around without becoming fatigued, weighing only 8.5 pounds.
Millennium is passionate about hunter comfort, and that is why SafeLink, along with a 35-foot rope, also includes a Prusik knot and carabiner—created to assist in the safe ascent and descent of hang-on as well as ladder stands.
In addition, the unique comfortMAX contoured, secure sling seat should keep you comfy from sunrise to dark. The seat packs up, allowing users more than enough space for stand-up shots, while the platform packs compact for hiking.
The M7 Microlite is made of sturdy aluminum and has a long-lasting powder coat finish. It is also extremely quiet and simple to assemble.
TMA also recognizes that it meets the standard industry requirements. It is designed to support up to 300 pounds. The platform’s dimensions are 20.5 inches wide by 26 inches tall. The seat is 20 inches off the ground. 8.5 pounds in weight.
Things We Like
- Although the quoted weight is incorrect, the item is lightweight.
- For a welded foundation, the base is remarkably robust and silent.
- With a stand, the backpack straps are of high quality.
- There's also a safety net. As a transportable system, nevertheless, a shorter prusik knot lifeline that could also serve as a lineman's belt would have been much more practical.
Things We Don't Like
- Assembly is noisy and inconvenient.
- There is no way to alter the angle.
- The chair isn't very comfy.
- The stand's paint had already been scuffed.
3. Lone Wolf Assault II Hang-On Treestand
Main features
- Weight: 11 lbs
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- 6-point fall arrest system
- A self-leveling system ensures maximum comfort
- Includes backpack straps for easy transport
The lightweight Lone Wolf Assault II Hang-On Treestand is easy to transport. This Lone Wolf treestand has backpack straps for convenient travel to and from the outdoors.
The self-leveling mechanism optimizes the platform angle instantly for optimal convenience, while a unique offset bracket maintains a level and gives a solid point of contact also on oddly shaped tree branches.
A 3D camo design breaks up the contour of the stand plus camouflages itself against the tree to make hunters completely hidden from below. The Lone Wolf Assault II Hang-On Treestand is very lightweight and robust, making it an excellent pick for moving hunters. It comes with a 6-point fall arrest mechanism.
Because the Lone Wolf Assault II Hang On Tree Stand has become one of the lightweight tree stands in its class, you’ll be able to reap the benefits from increased mobility and carry it with you anytime you want to test a new viewpoint. In addition, it’s tough and adaptable, and it’s simple to put up, which is a plus in and of itself.
Certainly, it might not be the most inexpensive one ever created, but if you would like to stay comfortable during a hunting day and feel safe when sitting in a tree, you’ll have to make some concessions.
Things We Like
- In the tree, it was extremely serene.
- It's really light.
- It's really simple to hang.
- When hanging, it feels sturdy as a rock.
Things We Don't Like
- A little on the expensive side.
- The seat isn't particularly comfy for long periods of time.
- Improved backpack straps are required.
4. Hawk Helium XL Hang-On Treestand
Main features
- Weight: 12 lbs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Construction: Aluminum
- Seat size: 16″ x 10″
- Seat height: 20″
The Helium XL has been marketed as the ultimate in big and lightweight hang-on stands by the business. Despite the fact that it is made of aluminum and weighs only 12 pounds, the platform is 24 inches by 30 inches.
Safety measures such as heavy-duty cables are included in the weight to guarantee that it remains firmly in place. The seat is made of soft foam to keep you comfy when lifting heavyweights. It stands 20 inches above the platform and sizes 16 inches by 12 inches.
The stand is attached to the tree with a single strap, making setup and takedown quicker and faster. The strap is well-designed, which is both simple to secure and discreet. To assemble the seat, wrap the strap around the tree and then snap it into the tiny brackets on either side of the bar, which thus keeps the seat in place.
Wrap the foot platform upright against the trunk and also the seat when both sides are connected, then tighten the strap as tightly as it can go. The claws on the upper brackets get a good bite into the trunk as a result of this. Lower the foot platform after tightening the top bracket, which also presses the top bracket further into the tree’s trunk.
Things We Like
- The platform is enormous.
- The seat is really relaxing. Those two features alone make it worthwhile to purchase.
- It's as light as it claims to be.
- Nice thick seat.
- Adjustable seat angle
- Easy to hang
Things We Don't Like
- As you walk onto the platform, the higher grip teeth peel away from the tree.
- Shoulder straps are a disaster. They're sturdy and straightforward webbing, but they're slick and don't grip on the shoulder well enough.
- Whilst in the down position for carrying, the metal post scratches the platform. It isn't a major issue, but it bothers me. We suggest wrapping portions of the platform mesh with 550 cables to cushion the impact and reduce scuffing and scraping.
What to look for when buying a lightweight tree stand?
Sight Distance:
The height of your lightweight tree stands directly impacts how good your vision is going to be during hunting. If you’re going to choose one that is around 20 feet high or more, then make sure that good quality optics accompany it to avoid any frustration later on when assessing whether or not something could be in range.
- Weight:
Make sure that you don’t opt for anything too heavy because you’re going to be carrying this with you through the woods. A good example would be a climber that can weigh up to 25 pounds or less. Lightweight tree stands have an easy way of being portable.
- Price:
As we all know, price is always a crucial factor when buying anything, especially online. So, make sure you lookout for the best offers in terms of price so that you can get what your budget has to offer. Although there are plenty of options available with beneficial features, find one compatible with your budget.
- Style:
The overall style and look of your stand matter a lot, especially if you’re using this in long hunts, depending on how good you feel at the end of it. Your purchase must have some value in that it should be well built, sturdy, and durable.
Conclusion
Tree stands for hunting are one of the most efficient tools available to a hunter. A tree stand, or platform as some call it, can be very effective at allowing you to get close enough to your prey without giving away your presence.
This is because they offer an above-average vantage point from which you can spot them before they have a chance to spot you.
As a result, the tree stand can be very effective for predators like wild pigs or bears and unsuspecting prey like deer that may approach within range without noticing you up ahead. For this reason alone, tree stands are a favorite among hunters everywhere.
It is common to see that most tree stands compromise quality for the sake of being lightweight. Instead, you can get a tree stand fashioned from aluminum or steel.
In my opinion, steel is a strong and durable material that will sustain your weight; hence your tree stand will be sturdy, and you won’t have to be concerned about repairs and replacements. Aluminum is also a sturdy alternative and has the added advantage of being lightweight.
Hunting from a tree stand requires you to be able to gauge distances with some degree of accuracy. The sweet spot is between 10 and 12 feet high; anything above 15 feet is difficult, and below 10 feet will make it much more difficult for the average hunter.
Any less than 9 feet and a hunter should reconsider his position in the woods for safety and comfort. It’s much easier to sneak into a tree stand location undetected than in any other type of hunting scenario.
The tree stand eliminates the need for a heavy tread when walking through the woods, and no awkward noises are made by having all your gear strapped to you.
