As long as you can physically handle it and have confidence that you can handle it....I see no age restrictions. At 60+ years old peoples heath varies immensely and make it impossible to say that everyone can or cannot do something.

If you think you can...go for it!!!!

As for tips, ALWAYS wear a safety harness...I never leave the ground without mine on period.

Height restrictions...I dont see the need to go over about 20-22ft off the ground unless your in some sort of steep hill situation and need to shoot uphill. At 20ft I've had deer walk around my stands for hours without seeing me.

As for tips on climbers...I've only owned a summit viper, very nice stand and very comfortable but I'd look for something lighter if you have to walk more than a mile or two on anything but flat easy ground....some of my way far back spots in bluff country are a real hike with 30-40lbs of gear. Even a 5lb reduction in weight would be huge. I'll be looking at a xop or summit specialist as my next stand.

Good luck!

 

Yep. 58 can look a lot of different ways. I work with some guys that are in their early 60s that would give anybody a run for their money. I also encounter plenty of people in their 30s and 40s that could otherwise pass for 100.

Hip replacements aren't necessarily an indicator of overall health, strength, or agility. Some very fit people that are just predisposed to arthritis, or had set in after an injury.

Anyone ever heard of Bo Jackson?.....

 

Bo Knows....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXVAiFBEpwA

 

I have used a bunch of different stand types and I have had some serious work done on my right knee. probably the easiest to use the lowest impact to the body is a climber if we are discussing a mobile hunting system. They are pretty light these days and many are very easy to operate. If you run a strap from the bottom to the top at the very back of the stand it can even help you climb. The Olman stands have a strap that runs from the foot stirrups up to the V of the top section. It is intended as a safety in case the bottom slips but it can also be used to lift the bottom when climbing so your arms and legs can work together. This could easily be duplicated for use on other stands.

 

im 56 now and I am still using the same loggy bayou climbing stand I bought 25 years ago, but years of smoking and not exercising are have taken their toll. I think wanting to be able to still use my climber might be the motivation I need to start working out lol. to me climbing stands just make it so easy to make changes in stand location cant count the times I have seen deer feeding on acorns or using a trail 50 yards away and the next day I moved my stand 30 yards and be in the perfect spot. I finally bought a safety harness 2 years ago but have rarely used it but I think this year I will make sure I do probably pushed my luck long enough.

 

Never was a fan of climbers as we have few trees that would not require lots of trimming & public land, trimming not allowed. I did hang ons several years & now I love ladders. I have a Deer Hauler that makes it pretty darn easy to move a 16' single. The doubles are tough though. I am planning on just adding wheels to my ladders. Physically, I've been lucky but knees are going now. Your still a kid in my book but common sense comes first. ONLY YOU know what is right for you. I'll turn 73 in my ladder stand in Nov. unless I fill that Buck tag b/4. I've been in Archery/Bowhunting 58 years now & just got back into Field/Target competition after a 30 year layoff (still allways bowhunted). I'm goin kicken & scratchin all the way to the grave.

 

I'm in my mid 50's and use a climber all the time. I had a buddy that was over 70 still using one..........I think you need to make the call yourself.

 

.......I think you need to make the call yourself.

Best advise right there. Not one person other than yourself should have any bearing on weather you can safely climb.

 

I'm 56 and still do the majority of my hunting out of climbers its like everything as you age you still get there just might take you a tad longer. Seen last night on American Ninja Warrior guy made it through the entire course and was 52 years old.

 

I am 60 and use a climber for early season hunting.Just for the mobility reason.Always use a harness now,never used to when I was young and bulletproof.Ladders for the thick stuff later season.I dont like climbers anymore but I just hate deer hunting in a tent.I got a Summit Viper SD and they are heavy but comfy.Best of luck to you.

 

Only you can tell if you can do it or not. Truth is it really isn't that strenuous.
Stay tied off, from the time you leave the ground. Most accidents happen while climbing or descending. Height wise, I have a 50 foot hoist rope that I double over and tie one end to my bow, the other to my pack. The highest I will go is till the rope starts to pick up the equipment. I rarely go that high. It is also a good way to gauge how high you are when you are climbing in the dark and can't see the ground. Be sure to inspect your bolts, traction belts, straps... regularly. Keep in mind that a tree narrows as it gets higher. Start out at the bottom with the platform tipped back and as you climb it will level out. I use a lone wolf because of how compact it folds up, how light weight it is and that it is rated for 350 lbs (I'm a pretty big guy) but some guys complain that they are uncomfortable. If you can find a store that has a display where you can actually sit in them and look them over, I would try some out before you buy one.

 

My Dad is 66 with a knee replacement. He still uses his Loggy Bayou he bought 25 years ago.

 

he got his money worth outa that one!

 

For those of you who do use climbers for added mobility, do you use a day pack as well. I like to stay out all day rather than returning to camp. What is the "hike-ability" like with a climbing stand, a pack and a bow or rifle?

 

I just strap my pack onto the back of my climber if I plan on staying out all day. It's a bit heavier, but easily manageable. I'll turn 53 this bowseason and it's not really much of a problem at all.

 

Look at the bottom of both your feet, there isn't a expiration date stamped on either. You are only as old as you feel, I'm 57 and just bought a new climber for this year. I got a summit titan for the extra room, sit and climb stands are nice I can see myself falling asleep in this new one.

 

I have one of the old Loggys. I would never consider using it as a climber, ever. I do use it as a hang on. I took enough express trips down the tree to have learned. If you are going to use a climber get a modern up-to-date model, there is a ton to choose from.

You are too old for a climber when you can no longer carry it in, set it up, ascend the tree, descend and carry it out.

I had an older guy ask me (and I am not young) to help him hang a stand, said it was too hard for him to hang. I told him if you can't hang it you have no business being in it.

 

never had a problem with mine still using it. 5-6 pounds lighter than most of the new ones, and rock solid when you get it set up.

 

If your in good enough shape to actually carry it to the tree, climbing the tree should be no probablem. Its more work getting it to the tree and back to the truck than climbing.

 

Started many years ago with a Baker then a Loggy and now I use one of three Summits that I have. At 64 years of age I feel it is important to be in the best shape possible. I run 3.5 miles every other day and do between 60 and 100 pushups. While I know the day will come I think I still have a few years left to climb trees. As others have said be sure to wear a safety harness. Guy I used to hunt with didn't think a harness was necessary and now he sits in a wheelchair instead of a tree stand.

 

58 years here, bought my first climber last year, Viper SD. Comfortable enough I actually fell asleep in it last year......................Do not have knee or hip issues, but have ankle issues and last year was nursing a torn rotator cuff, no problem up and down in the tree. Hoofing it from the truck to the tree was the worst part, but it was very doable, way better than my ladder stand. And yes, safety harness, always.

 

Hit 60 this past June and don't really feel any different than when 50 came along. Started with an Amacker climber and used it until about 5 years ago when some *sshole kiped it. I've been using a Summit Python and come close to falling asleep in it some days. I also use a few hang-ons which can be IMO more strenuous than using the climber. Never liked stepping off a perfectly good ladder. Just do it methodically and use the safety system and you can do it as long as your able to still sit up and take nourishment.

 

I hunt with a guy who's nearly 70 and he uses one regularly.

 

I'll be fifty-five in November and I'm still pretty spry. I can't chase bird dogs from sunrise to sunset like I once did but I still get around just fine in the woods. My oldest brother is almost seventy years old and still referees soccer and basketball. I've seen guys ten years younger than him act like they are twenty years older.

I'm not saying I can't see the sunset on the horizon, I do, it's inevitable but I intend to keep going till I can't go no more.

 

I love climbers!!! Just follow all safety rules. Take your time learning to use one. Preferably in the yard. If you can leave the stand and a life line in the tree for several hunts it is even easier. Sliding a prusik up a life line is easy.

Have said that nothing beats slipping into an area with a climber and whacking a deer the first sitting.

 

Depends on how good of shape you're in. I know a few 60+ yr olds that still use them, then I know 40 year olds that can't use them. Just depends on the person.

 

I'm 51 and had a hip replacement 6 years ago. 50 pounds over weight and I use my Summit Titian with no problems.

 

I'm 63 and still use my api climber I also strap my day pack on it .I have a good friend thats 74 and still uses his climber .

Like already said you are the only one that can make that call .Good luck .If it cools down some this week I'll be climbing a tree Saturday morning with it .

 

I'm 56, and in good shape, but I quit using one about five years ago. Partly it's about safety. I've seen how Murphy's Law is in overdrive with bow hunting. I've also had mine (a good one with teeth) slip a foot or two a couple of times and that scared the $#!+ out of me. Add to that all the local people I've known who ended up broken, paralyzed, or dead, as a result of tree stands and I've really changed my approach.

After switching to quick ladder platforms and ladder stands I never looked back. As I matured as a hunter I also came to appreciate a stealthy and quiet approach that climbers just didn't offer. The latter two stand types also allow me to tie in Prussik knot safety lines so I'm never disconnected. When I arrive at my stands I can be quietly and safely hunting in a fraction of the time as with my climber.

As a famous German philosopher once said: "Ve get too soon old, und too late schmart!"

Here's my latest, just set up today: