Types of Elevated Stands

Portable Tree Stands

Portable tree stands are safe and environmentally friendly. Commercial stands that are manufactured, certified, or tested to Treestand Manufacturer’s Association (TMA™) standards are best. Homemade stands should be avoided. You should practice installing an elevated platform or tree stand while you are on the ground. Portable tree stands come in three basic types.

	Non-Climbing, Fixed-Position Stands These simple platforms provide about four square feet of space. They must be hauled into place and secured with belts or chains. This type of stand requires separate climbing aids such as segmented ladders or screw-in steps (where they can be used legally).
	Climbing Stands Self-climbing platforms allow a hunter to “walk” a stand up a tree using climbing devices for the hands and feet. This type of stand is not suited for trees with shaggy bark, such as some pines or hickories, or for trees with branches between the ground and the desired elevation. Never use climbing stands on trees covered with ice or snow.
	Ladder Stands Ladder stands usually provide a platform 10 to 15 feet above ground. The stands are leaned against a tree and chained or strapped into place. They can be used with a wider range of trees than other portable platforms and provide easier, safer access due to their built-in ladders. Three people are needed to erect a ladder stand safely.
	Tower Stands (Free-Standing) An alternative to a tree stand is a tower stand. These stands are similar to a ladder tree stand but are free-standing and can be placed anywhere that has a firm base.