Im going to start out this thread with my Summit Viper SD that I bought at Bass Pro for 259.99.


Here is how it should look when you're going to or from your hunting spot


When you strap it to an appropriate tree overlooking a deer trail, food plot, or what have you, it should look like this


Most if not all climbing treestands that Summit makes has the quick cable connect system so you dont have to worry about losing your pins that hold the cable to the tree


The system has a piece of metal that acts like a spring so the cable cannot slide out when you move around in your stand


The climbing stirrups and bungee cord are very easy to learn with if you are new to climbers. They have a strong hold on your feet, you'll know they wont slide out while climbing


What your feet should look like while climbing


When you get to a comfortable height, wrap your alligator strap around the tree and seat portion f your stand and strap it down. So when you stand the top wont fall down


the seat is the best part about the stand, you can sit all day in a Summit stand and will not be sore like some other stands I've had before (Gorilla brand )

PROS: No pins for the cables
The seat is super soft like a Lazy Boy
Climbing stirrups are easy to manipulate

CONS: Price, its a little high, but its worth it



If you have a blind or a knife that you use everytime you hunt, tell us about it so we can help new and experienced hunters get better safer gear. Any gear you use is welcome here (camo, ammo, boots, gloves, scent blocker, etc..)

you should have a cord or rope to keep the bottom half from falling away from the top half while you are on a tree.

just a thought

For cold weather I like Cabela's Dry Plus insulated jacket and bib overalls. The stuff has kept me warm and toasty through moose, elk and deer hunting. Not cheap, but it's worth the price in nasty weather.

I have all 3 of the items discussed in this thread. I haven't used the Summit yet but I'm looking forward to trying it out. The Cabelas coat and bibs work great for hunting when its cold and so do the Danners.

I put a good word in for Cabelas MT050 line as well. I've been using the coveralls for 4 years now and they have kept me warm and dry and I've been in both extremes with these coveralls.

One constant theme you seem to read on the boards is Cabelas clothing and Danner boots.

My hunting buddy, departed now several years, always used what we had. Here he is at 105 in the field deer hunting:





If that picture ticks you off, he was 105 and died a few months later at 106. He always made do with what he had and did well.
And he never had much.

That's awesome...

I hope I can kick it till that age...

I have never climbed with the viper, but I've carried it and it is lighter than most its size. My dad liked it so much he bought a second, which is why I have carried one, but never climbed one.

I like Carhartts, warm as hell, pretty weather resistant- (I use the artic extreme or w/e- nylon not canvas) but they are heavy. I usually just use my old army boots, either the gortex or the summer wt depending on conditions. I rifle hunt in an area with practically no trees.

Man I forgot I even made this thread...
Medicine man, if your still looking at getting a stand, this one is it! I used it just about everyday this past season and looked forward to sitting in it until I could get a nice buck.
For bow hunting, it definitely is perfect. Just sit the two pieces a little bit closer together so you can stand higher than normally.
And make sure to get the footrest portion that bolts on to the lower platform, that was my only con with this stand.
Lets keep this thread going guys!