Double/Two man ladder stands

[Dukslayr]

I know there have been some posts on stands and ladder stands in particular, but I’m looking to get some thoughts on double ladder stands specifically. On the new piece of property I bought the previous owner left up a bunch of stands. Many are hang on stages and some are old double stands. My goal is to remove all the hang ons and add well built long term double stands in strategic spots...probably 5-6 on this 200 acre piece. I have a young son at home who’s not old enough to hunt yet but he’s the main consideration for putting these stands up. I intend to hunt with him out of them until he’s ready to go solo. So, safety, comfort, concealment and quality are my key motivators here. For the sake of discussion I’m not concerned about the cost at this point so we can remove that barrier. We will also have some tower blinds up so those are not part of this discussion as an option. I’ve come across the following:

- Millenium L220 18’
- X Stands The Commrade

I know the Millenium stand has to be of high quality. I own and have owned a number of their hang stands and they’re great. I’m assuming this lander stand would be no different. I have no experience with X Stand but that giant of a stand looks very comfy; concerned with lack long term experience with the company though. Anyone have experience with these stands? What other stands/options am I missing here? Thank you for any input!

Thomas

 

[swat1018]

I agree with you on both counts, I'm a big Milenium fan, and that X stand looks mighty comfy.

 

[Doublewide]

August of 2020 I purchased both the Millennium L110, single ladder stand, and the Millennium L220, double ladder stand. When ascending either stand, about half the way up, the ladder flexes and makes a single loud clanking sound, this is not a sound you want made while hunting. I contacted Millennium regarding the problem and they responded that this was the first time they had heard of that problem. Their only suggestion was to review the setup instructions to be sure if I assembled the stand properly. After heeding their advice and not finding any operator error I fixed the flexing and clanking of the stand by attaching a ratchet strap from a step midway up the stand to around the tree and then back to the step. I have less expensive two man stands that have are just as comfortable as the Millennium at 1/2 the cost and have been in use for numerous years. When I purchase another ladder stand it will be one of the more economical stands.

 

[roymunson]

I'm interested to know as well. I have a couple cheap double sets that are 12-15' high. Have to be strategic where you put them. For when I'm hunting with my kids, hwoever, as a rule of thumb, it's ladder sticks and a millenium on a bracket. Lower profile, though ladder stands have their place.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

One small detail that I always look for in a stand....are arm rests. Besides all of the normal stuff...safety, size, height, climbability, concealment, etc...I just prefer an armrest on all of my stands. It's amazing how a small detail like that can make an all day sit or even just a 3 or 4 hour sit more comfortable. They allow you to shift weight and get into a comfortable position. So for the comfort factor...especially with a youth hunter...that might be a consideration.

The Millenium stand doesn't have arm rests, and I would personally strike that one from my list. I do have 4 Millenium 150's that are the most comfortable stands I have ever sat it...but no arm rests, and it annoys me.

 

[Doublewide]

After reviving this thread I did find a more recent one that many members contributed to that may help with your decision, it's titled Favorite Ladder Stands. As long as this one is open I will make a few more comments regarding the Millennium L220. The mesh seat is comfortable but on this two man stand their is a support bar that divides the middle of the seat. If hunting alone and you want to position yourself in the middle of the stand, so your profile is hidden by the tree, it is extremely uncomfortable. Unless you enjoy sitting on a bar as opposed to sitting at a bar, which is probably another thread. I also purchased the blind for the stand and I won't be using it again for the following reasons: while I believe it helped with scent control the material flapped when a breeze was present. I had the blind set up on a food plot for the youth hunt and while I didn't see it affect any does or fawns in the field I thought that there is no way a nice buck would put up with that sound. Where possible I also set up game cameras capturing a game trail or food plot along with the image of my tree stand in the background, this way I can monitor deer activity along with the stand to see if anyone else could possibly be hunting a stand when I'm not present. When I reviewed the pictures after the youth hunt I was amazed at how our silhouettes stood out within the tent, I had the front zipper open and the back closed, even though the background was camo, and we were also, I don't think we could have stood out anymore if we were trying to be seen.

 

[Dukslayr]

After reviving this thread I did find a more recent one that many members contributed to that may help with your decision, it's titled Favorite Ladder Stands. As long as this one is open I will make a few more comments regarding the Millennium L220. The mesh seat is comfortable but on this two man stand their is a support bar that divides the middle of the seat. If hunting alone and you want to position yourself in the middle of the stand, so your profile is hidden by the tree, it is extremely uncomfortable. Unless you enjoy sitting on a bar as opposed to sitting at a bar, which is probably another thread. I also purchased the blind for the stand and I won't be using it again for the following reasons: while I believe it helped with scent control the material flapped when a breeze was present. I had the blind set up on a food plot for the youth hunt and while I didn't see it affect any does or fawns in the field I thought that there is no way a nice buck would put up with that sound. Where possible I also set up game cameras capturing a game trail or food plot along with the image of my tree stand in the background, this way I can monitor deer activity along with the stand to see if anyone else could possibly be hunting a stand when I'm not present. When I reviewed the pictures after the youth hunt I was amazed at how our silhouettes stood out within the tent, I had the front zipper open and the back closed, even though the background was camo, and we were also, I don't think we could have stood out anymore if we were trying to be seen.

Good info. I’m glad I didn’t pull the trigger on a bunch of them yet. These things sound like some limitations to heavily consider.

 

[gonzalezeb]

I've bought several "cheaper" 2 man stands from Sportsman Guide....though, I don't believe by "cheaper" the quality took a hit. With that said, one of the stands has some very moist soil under it (I didn't realize this when I first installed it). To combat this, I purchased the Ameristep Ladder Stand Levelers (https://www.amazon.com/Ameristep-4NAT050-Ladder-Stand-Levelers/dp/B00KBWB2U4). I found having this broader footprint significantly impacted the stability of the ladder...so much so...I have decided to install them on a majority of my stands this spring (if not all of them).

 

[Charles Clear]

Check out the Primal Vantage stand. Extremely sturdy. Double stands are hard to beat. I did the same to hunt with my son. He's 17 now, but I still love the double stands.

 

[PatinPA]

Amazon.com : Muddy Partner 2-Man Ladderstand, Black, One Size : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Muddy Partner 2-Man Ladderstand, Black, One Size : Sports & Outdoors

smile.amazon.com

I bought this one a few years back. I would rate it as ok. the seats are comfortable except for the bar at the top of the seat is right across my shoulder blades. I bought a back pad to put over it so it's not too bad. My other complaint is the shooting rail is too low. I saw a hack I'm going to try to raise it up though. Lastly they are a bear to put up but I think all of the two man stands are. I put a ladder up the tree and hooked up a pulley. It still sucked.

 

[Someday isle]

I do not have any two man stands but I’ve got three X-Stand ladder stands. All three are the 17 foot versions. They are very comfortable and so far have been trouble free. The first two of them are three years old. They really are a breeze to set up and very safe and stable stands. I also have two Rivers edge stands that are five years old. They too have been terrific stands.