Two-man ladder stands are ideal for sharing the excitement of the hunt, especially with a novice or youngster who savors every minute of the excitement while you coach him/her through the shooting process. Typically, we bag our first deer alone; as great as that experience becomes for the rest of our lives, how cool would it be if it were shared, or perhaps even videotaped. I put up two double ladder stands so that my grandson could visit and we could hunt together. Jesse had never hunted whitetails before, and spending that first day together was priceless. Double stands are a bit more expensive than single models, yet I believe the value is threefold:
The Shared Experience: A double tree stand may be the best outdoor classroom on Earth, as you and your companion sit side by side experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and excitement of deer hunting. How may times have you watched the sun rise or set with another person? Heck, it could become the next dating trend.
Room Galore: Perhaps you’re not old enough for grandchildren or your mate is mad at you … so how is a double stand better? In a word: room. I like to carry lots of gear with me, including a video camera, long lens, a Thermos of hot chocolate on cold days, plus grunt calls and all the usual stuff. The extra room of the double stand allows me to have that gear right beside me with easy access. I can hang my gun or bow and shoot video of squirrels, turkeys, and deer with my harvest gear at arm’s reach.
Safe and Comfy: Double stands are built to support two mature adults, which means the entire stand is well built and extra sturdy. Most come with adjustable heights so that you can opt to be high or moderately high, with 10–12 feet being all the altitude you need for effectiveness. Best of all, you can be comfortable and stretch out with the extra room. Despite the penthouse feeling, you still need to wear your safety harness — and no napping in the tree! The larger size makes the silhouette of the stand a little easier to find in the dark as well.
Ol’ Man Outdoors makes the Two Man Deluxe 16′ stand, a fine choice for having room galore when you want to have a safe and comfy shared experience. It’s worth the upgrade.
Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
