Tripod Deer Stands

If you are a hunter who wants to get up off the ground, you have many choices. The first option to cross your mind is likely a tree stand for deer hunting. These tree stands are available in ladder, hang-on, and climb-on formats. Another ideal alternative is known as tripod deer stands. What are they and how do they compare to tree stands?

Tripod deer stands look just like a tripod for a camera, but they are much larger in size, have a seat at the top, and are designed to hold human weight. The greatest benefit of these stands is that you do not need a tree! While most hunters hunt in the woods, some lay in wait in open fields. If the grass or brush is overgrown you might miss some deer, but not with tripod deer stands. They get you up and off the ground when there is no tree in sight.

In a way, tripod deer stands are similar to ladder tree stands (minus the tree). Ladder tree stands typically start at around 15 feet, but they can go as high as 20 feet. You will see the same flexibility to tripod deer stands; they can be as low as 7 feet off the ground to as high as 17 feet. The height you choose will determine the mobility. As you can image, a 7 foot tripod deer stand is easier to transport to a better location (even if just a few feet over) than a bigger one. As with ladder tree stands, there are also tripod deer stands designed for two-persons.

The main difference between tripod deer stands and tree stands is the swivel seat. You can move the position of your seat, which is something that you cannot do with most tree stands; the seat is often in a stable and stationary position. What you want to look for though is tripod stands that have locking mechanisms to prevent you from accidentally swinging around with a small movement, as well as those with no ball bearings (to eliminate rust and squeaky noises).

Due to the setup of tripod deer stands, they tend to work better with hunting blinds. These help to keep you concealed. Most often, a tripod deer stand comes with a rail that can be used for safety or as a gun rest. Some manufacturers have wrap around blinds designed especially for their tripods. In addition, you can also find stands that come with conversion tops. These tops can be used for these blinds or as protection from the weather.

If you are a hunter who wants more freedom and flexibility, you can’t go wrong with tripod deer stands. Whether you be in the woods and setup near a tree, in a hole you dug or in an open field, you are up off the ground which gives you many more angles to take that perfect shot from. While most hunters prefer tree stands, make your choice wisely. Whether you want complete control or freedom or are known for hunting in an area without a large number of trees, a deer hunting tripod is likely the best fit for you.