One of the main challenges you will face as a hunter is locating a good spot to launch your attacks from. This mostly comes up while hunting in a place that doesn’t seem to have enough trees. In such situations, using a tripod stand might be the best way to get a higher point of view, which is something you obviously need for the kill. Today, we are going to review the best tripod for bow hunting available in the market right now.
A good tripod has the advantage of being more flexible and portable than a regular tree stand while offering the same benefits. Also, most models usually come with a seat or a platform where users can sit.
In selecting the best tripods, we focused on things such as build quality, weight, comfort, stability and ease of set-up. All these are required to get the best experience from a stand.
Before we delve into the meat of the review, let’s look at why you may, or may not, want to use a tripod for hunting.
Tripod for Bow Hunting Comparison in 2023
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Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Tripod While Hunting
While using a tripod stand for hunting can be very helpful, it does not come without a shortcoming. We will look at it from both perspectives. Let’s start with the benefits; then we will also highlight its drawbacks.
Benefits
There are multiple advantages of using a tripod for hunting. The most common ones are:
Better Vision
The most obvious reason for using a stand is to get a better view and survey of the landscape. Hunting on ground level limits your field of vision, and this holds true even if you’re using a good camera.
On the other hand, using a tripod stand gives you a 360-degree field of view. Thus, increasing your degree of sight and accuracy. You will be able to locate targets you would have missed out on, if you were hunting on ground level.
Better Hunting Spots
Another benefit of using a tripod stand for bow hunting is that it increases your options of where to hunt from. Normally, without a stand, you would need to locate a tree with sufficient branches to climb on and this might not always be in sight or exactly where you want.
However, when you have a tripod, you can choose any spot you like and set up your stand.
Portability
Tripods can be used for both stationary and mobile hunting. Some models are designed to be portable, so you can carry them wherever you want. You can tear them down and reconstruct again when you find a perfect hunting spot.
Comfort
Most tripods come with seats which allow you to relax and remain in positions for long without developing fatigue.
Drawbacks
Like we said earlier, tripods are not perfect. They also have a few drawbacks. These include:
Less Convenient
When you’re using a tripod stand, you have to worry about moving it from place to place. That might not always be convenient, especially if you wish to travel light.
Might Be Identified
While these stands are very effective, there’s more potential for games to identify them than trees as they are more intrusive.
Bow Hunting Tripod Review
After much research and testing, we were able to round off the top four tripods for hunting, in the market now. Without wasting any more time, let’s hit the review!
1. Guide Gear 12′ Tripod Deer Stand
To kick off this list is one of the most budget-friendly tripods in the market for deer hunting – the Guide Gear Tripod Stand. This tripod is a great choice if you’re looking for a quality stand that will not disappoint. Besides being on the affordable side, it offers some of the benefits of more expensive models.
Some of the major highlights of the stand include a suspension with a quiet and comfortable fabric, 12 feet height, sturdy steel construction and up to 300 pounds weight capacity.
Like most high end models, it is equipped with a 360-degree swivel chair which provides a complete view of the landscape. The chair is also outfitted with padded armrests and a cushioned backrest.
This is complemented by a stationary shooting rail with padding, which can be a good support for your rifle (in case you have one). All this combine to ensure you feel very comfortable while you’re up there.
To make it easier for you to carry alone, the stand has a collapsible design which allows you to fold it for easy portability. Some tripods need to be taken apart when you want to move them, and then rebuilt again when you find a good hunting spot. This can be really tiring and inconvenient.
But as you can see, with the Guide Gear, things are quite different. Its foldable design doesn’t only allow for easy transport, but also makes storage easier as there’s less demand on space.
As expected, the stand comes with a simple 3-leg design that provides a firm and stable platform. It is made of steel construction which makes it sturdy and durable; however, this comes at the expense of the weight.
The stand is a bit heavy, at 66 pounds, so you will need to give a lot of effort to move it around even though it has a foldable design. Thus, you will enjoy it most when you set it up in a permanent location.
Overall, the Guide Gear has everything it takes to make it a reliable and comfortable tripod stand without being expensive. We highly recommend it.
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Related Comparison: ATN X Sight vs Photon XT
2. Millennium Treestands T-100 Tripod
If you’re looking for something more lightweight and versatile, then you will not go wrong with the Millennium Treestands T-100 Tripod.
Millennium is a reputable brand that makes some of the best tripod stands in the market. One of them is the Treestands T-100.
The tripod features an aluminum construction, which is responsible for its lightweight structure. It weighs only 36 pounds, which makes it a good choice if you’re looking for something to carry about.
Thankfully, the stand is easy to set up; it shouldn’t take more than a minute if you know what you’re doing. This is mainly because the legs have a non sink, no-slip design which folds easily for transport. Despite being lightweight, the stand is highly sturdy and can support up to 300 pounds weight.
In addition to its portable design, the stand comes with a comfortable mesh seat that swivels at 360 degrees. The seat is generously sized, and so should accommodate most people. Even the footsteps on the stand are large, which makes them suitable and secure for people who has bigger feet.
Thus with the Treestands T-100, you do not only enjoy full panorama but also a comfortable support. This allows you to use the stand for extended periods, without getting fatigued.
Another thing we like about this stand is its height – 10 feet is definitely high enough to keep you hidden. And if you feel that it is too high, you can always reduce it. Or if you wish, you can buy an extension to make it taller.
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3. Sniper Sentinel 13′ Swivel Tripod Deer Stand
No products found.Next up is one of the most popular tripod stands for bow hunting – the Sniper Sentinel Swivel Tripod.
For us, this is the best overall tripod stand out there. Talk about comfort, ease of use, portability, build quality, versatility and what have you – this stand embodies them all.
In other words, if you want a tripod that will give you a lot of value for your money, then this is the unit to go for. It is not only an excellent choice for bow hunters but also rifle users.
With an eye height of 13 feet, the Sniper Sentinel gives you a huge advantage over your targets. This, combined with its comfortable 360-degree swivel seat. Allows you to shoot in any direction without getting noticed.
The swivel chair also features armrests and a backrest, which are padded for optimum comfort. A circular footrest makes swiveling easy and fun.
Like the Guide Gear 12’, this unit is made of steel. This puts it on the heavier side with a weight of 66 pounds. However, it has a foldable design which helps to make things easier when moving it from one spot to another.
A padded flip up rail is included, which can act as a good support for a rifle and a hunting bow. To use it with your gun, just flip it down. Flip it up again to use with your bow.
With this stand, you get a weight capacity of 300 pounds, which is enough to also support your gear.
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Related Guide: Leupold Mark and VX Riflescopes Comparison
4. Sniper Treestands STTP70 The Outlaw Tripod
To round off the list is another wonderful tripod by Sniper Treestands – the STTP70 Outlaw. While this is not the easiest stand to put together, it has one of the most amazing designs with reasonable pricing, making it attractive to budget buyers.
The stand is made up of a sturdy steel construction which is expected to last for years. Like many other tripods, it also comes with a swivel seat which turns up to 360 degrees to give you a complete view of your targets.
To ensure maximum comfort, the seat is well cushioned and also features padded armrests and backrest. This way you can wait patiently for games without developing fatigue.
For easy carry and transport, the tripod comes with a foldable design. It also has a padded flip-up shooting rail which you might find helpful if you decide to use a gun.
The stand weighs around 127 pounds which makes it the heaviest stand on the list. Even with the foldable design, you will need some effort to carry it along. We recommend a permanent set-up once you find a “sweet” spot.
For the height, you get 16-inches, measured from ground level to the shooting rail. The tripod has a weight capacity of 300 pounds.
Overall, this is a decent tripod stand that performs better than average. You should consider it if it fits your budget.
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What Makes a Perfect Tripod for Bow Hunting
The market is filled with a huge number of tripod stands of different brands and models. So how exactly do you identify the right product? Here’s a guide to help you with that.
Size of the Platform
If you’re purchasing a stand for bow hunting, then it should have enough room that allows you to use your bow comfortably. This is especially important if you have a big size.
You should be able to change your position freely and when necessary. This is crucial for minimizing cramps and fatigue. Besides missing games, you are likely to get tired sooner if you stayed in one position for too long.
Construction
Another important consideration you need to make while purchasing a tripod is the build quality. You want to invest in a stand that is strong and sturdy, and can last for a long time.
It should be able to support your weight without wearing out sooner. This is also important for your safety. A good coating is also desirable, as this help to protect the stand in harsh conditions.
Portability
One of the major reasons why you’re buying a tripod, and not any other type of stand, is because it is much easier to carry about. In other words, you’re not confined to a single location.
With this in mind, it’s very important you choose a unit that will be easy to carry around and set-up. Much of this will depend on the weight of the stand. This is why a lightweight model is often recommended.
Comfort
In addition to portability, another area you want a tripod to score high is comfort. This is very important since bow hunting often requires you to spend long hours waiting for your prey. As a result, you want your stand to be as comfortable as possible, as this helps to greatly reduce muscle fatigue and cramping.
The most common indicators of comfort include a comfortable seat (big enough to accommodate you), padded armrests, backrest, and easy to use climb steps. Ideally, the seat should be able to swivel at 360 degree, so you will be able to turn in any direction you want without any obstruction.
Weigh Capacity
This is the maximum weight the stand can hold. In most tripods, this is usually 300 pounds – which we believe should suit most hunters. So make sure you check your weight and that of the tripods before making your final decision.
Height
Also, consider the height of the tripod. You want to choose something that is high enough to keep you hidden from sight. This is also required to give you a good vantage point. Anything from 12–16 feet is great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, yes! In fact, many professionals think they are safer than other types of stands, and we couldn’t agree more. Tripods are built to be very stable and comfortable, and so provide a safe support for hunters or shooters.
This really depends on the brand. However, most tripod stands can support up to 300 pounds of weight. The weight capacity of any tripod is largely dependent on its construction.
The two most common construction materials for tripods are aluminum and steel. The main advantage of aluminum is that it is light weight. Steel is heavier, but usually provides a sturdier support.
One of the easiest ways to conceal a tripod stand is to wrap it round with a camo net, or you can use artificial leaves. Another option is to set the stand in the middle of a cedar tree (a giant one of course).
To purchase any one of these tripods, just click on the corresponding link and you will be take to the product page where you can make a purchase.
Final Words
There you have it – the tripod for bow hunting currently available in the market. These stands will help you stay invisible so you can bang in more games.
They are sturdy, easy to set up, easy to access and portable – which are the key features you need in a tripod stand. We have no doubt you will greatly benefit from using them.
Let us know if you need any more help and we will be glad to assist. We would also like to hear about your experience or suggestions. Make use of the comment section below