Brodie Swisher
Hunting with a sidekick this season? Here’s a look at some of the best treestand options on the market for deer hunting with your child…wife, or significant other.
There was a time when hunting with a child mean’t climbing into a wooden ladder stand crafted from treated 2x4 lumber and nailed against a tree. It was the standard many years ago. The rotting remains of these stands are scattered across the country, serving as a reminder of good times from days gone by.
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of options these days when it comes to treestands built for two. These modern-day stands are much safer, easier to haul to the woods, and provide much longer life than the homemade wooden ladder stands from the past.
So, if you’re shopping for the perfect treestand to help you host a child, wife, or friend on the hunt, check out our list of the best treestands for hunting with kids.
Muddy Legend XLT
The 18-foot Muddy Legend XLT Ladderstand gets you above the game and delivers a comfortable seat for two for your next trip to the deer woods. This 2-person stand features a spacious bench seat, shooting rail and is built with solid and rugged weather-resistant steel construction throughout.
It has a padded shooting rail covered in Mossy Oak camo to give you a solid rest for the shot with your rifle, or flip it up and out of the way when hunting with a bow. Setup is quick and easy, and the stand fits a wide range of tree sizes. The stand features a support bar, 1” ratchet strap and 2 full-body harnesses.
Specs on the Legend XLT
Height: 18’
Seat: 36.5”W x 12.5”D
Platform: 36.5”W X 12.5”D
Price - $159 / www.gomuddy.com
Hawk 18’ Sasquatch
The Hawk 18’ Sasquatch is being touted as the largest 2-Man ladder stand to ever hit the woods. It’s designed with beast-sized MeshComfort Lounger Seats and a platform large enough to handle all your gear and extras. The MeshComfort Seats deliver the ultimate in comfort and easily flip-up and out of the way when you want to make full use of the platform. The stand is built with XL M-Series Tubing & HAWK's patented Safe-Tread Ladder Steps for maximum traction and safety in mind. Other features include a footrest for added comfort and a flip-back shooting rest for a solid shot.
Specs on the Hawk Sasquatch
Height: 18’
Seat: 26”W x 19”D
Platform: 51”W x 36”D
Stand Weight: 127lbs
Capacity: 500lbs
Price - $569 / www.hawkhunting.com
Millennium L224 SL Lite Double Ladder
Millennium has built their reputation on delivering some of the most comfortable treestands on the market in a simple design that’s hunter-friendly and simple to setup. Their stands are built to handle the elements year after year, as well as the abuse hunters dish out season after season.
Their SL Lite Double Ladderstand is no different. It’s built with steel construction and a powder-coated finish. Setup is quick and easy to get you in the woods faster than ever. It has a double-sized platform for ample space for two hunters, and the incredibly popular ComfortMAX contoured tight-sling seat to keep you comfortable on all-day sits.
Specs on the SL Lite Double Ladder
Height: 18’
Seat: 40”W x 16.5”D
Platform: 39.75”W x 22”D
Stand Weight: 94lbs
Capacity: 500lbs
Price - $299 / www.millenniumstands.com
Summit Steel 2-Person Ladder
Summit treestands have long been known as the climbing treestand of choice for hunters across the country. But they also know how to build a super solid ladder stand as well. Their Steel Two-Person Ladder is built to be versatile and sturdy when hunting with a companion, or when you simply want some extra space for all your gear.
You’ll find all the comfort you need with the stand’s comfortable bench seat with a back rail that is padded for extra support. Out front, you’ll find a padded shooting rail that runs the full width of the stand to give you a rock-solid rest for your gun or crossbow, and a footrest on the platform adds even more comfort for long hours in the stand.
Specs on the Summit Steel 2-Person Ladder
Height: 17’
Seat: 36”W x 15”D
Platform: 36”W x 12.5”D
Stand Weight: 70lbs
Capacity: 500lbs
Price - $279 / www.summitstands.com
Big Game Spector XT
The Big Game Spector XT Ladderstand offers one of the beefiest platform designs you’ll find with all the room you need to stay comfortable and maneuver for the shot. It’s a 2-person ladderstand built with steel construction that comes fully loaded with a padded, flip-back shooting rail, and flip back Flex-tek seats. So, whether choose to sit, or stand and stretch your legs, this stand will keep you comfortable and flexible throughout the day. Setup is quick and easy with solid and simple features to make attachment to the tree easier than ever. It comes with ratchet straps and suspension straps for a simple install to trees as small as 9” in diameter.
Specs on the Big Game Spector XT
Height: 17’
Seat: 41”W x 18”D
Platform: 44”W x 29”D
Weight: 85lbs
Capacity: 500lbs
Price - $319 / www.biggametreestands.com
Game Winner Quad Pod DS
The Game Winner Quad Pod DS Hunting Stand is somewhat of a hybrid when it comes to ladderstands. It puts a unique twist on what a ladderstand can be with a design that delivers a spacious platform, comfortable seats, and plenty of room to maneuver for the shot. It has two mesh seats that can move up and down and quietly swivel 360 degrees. The stand is built with strong steel construction and has all the room for you and a buddy, as well as your gear, and a heater, too. The stand is super versatile, allowing you to add a blind around the rail. A quick addition of some Mossy Oak camo netting and you’ll have one of the most spacious and comfortable buddy stands in the woods! Even better, the stand is reasonably priced to make this Quad Pod an easy addition to the farm.
Specs on the Quad Pod DS
Height: 9’
Seat: Individual Swivel Seat
Platform: 57” x 57”
Stand Weight: 171lbs
Capacity: 500lbs
Price - $319 / www.academy.com
Primal Hang-Out Ladderstand
The Hang-Out Ladderstand from Primal offers the independence of a 1-man ladderstand, while delivering the benefits of a 2-man stand. It’s a unique design, unlike anything else out there, giving hunters the comfort and feel of sitting back in their favorite lounger, watching the ball game. It has a monstrous platform for a full range of movement for the shot and individual, flip-up textilene seats with backrest and seat covers for maximum comfort. Between the seats, you’ll find a gear tray that allows you to keep all your tools, gear, and snacks within easy reach. The stand also features Primal’s unique Grip Jaw and Stabilizer Truss System to make the setup process simple and safer than ever.
Specs on the Primal Hang-Out Ladderstand
Height: 18’
Seat: 37” x 15”
Platform: 56”W x 31”D
Stand Weight: 87.5lbs
Price - $414 / www.primaloutdoors.com
Final Thoughts
Introducing a child to the deer woods this season could be one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make. The experiences gained and wisdom gleaned while sitting in treestand can’t be found anywhere else on earth. So, if you’re looking for a fresh option for deer hunting with a buddy, be sure to check out the stands mentioned above for the best of the best in treestands for hunting with kids.
Read More: Free Kids Hunting Activity Sheets!
