Yes, I understand that saddles and lightweight hang-on stands receive massive amounts of coverage these days on YouTube from influencers in the bowhunting community. In a similar way, you see plenty of “big name” hunters sitting comfortably in expensive (typically elevated) box blinds (think Redneck, Muddy, etc.).
I don’t own a box blind or a saddle, but I do have many hang-on stands. That said, I don’t use them for “hang and hunts” as promoted heavily on YouTube by DIY public land hunters. Even though I spend at least half of my bowhunting time on public land in South Dakota and Wisconsin, when I do so, I sit on the ground in natural blinds. My hang-on stands are placed in high-percentage spots on private land well before deer season, giving me plenty of time to clear shooting lanes, etc.
When I bowhunt on private land in these states, my favorite elevated stand choice is a ladder. But I’ve learned that not all ladders are created equal. I own several of the ultra-cheapies (less than $100), and while at times they can do the job, you are often severely limited in them because the platforms are so small that standing/balancing is difficult, if not dangerous (yes, I always wear a safety harness). These small platforms are also nearly impossible to turn in, should deer show up on the other (offhand) side of the tree. Finally, these cheap ladders don’t position the seat far from the tree, so it’s often impossible to draw your bow and aim straight out from the stand without your elbow hitting the tree. Not good!
During the last couple of years, I’ve settled on two affordable, top-notch single ladder stands — one 16-footer and one 18-footer. I’ve now spent hundreds of hours in them while bowhunting whitetails, so I can tell you from experience that either one of them is an excellent choice.
Ol’Man Assassin 16-Foot Single Ladder Stand
I have numerous proven spots to bowhunt on private land in Wisconsin, but there’s one funnel between two swamps that is especially good. During early season, deer travel through the funnel on their way to a remote quarter-acre food plot, and during the rut, bucks pass through it when searching for a doe-in-heat. Because this funnel is so good throughout the lengthy archery season, I have it covered with an Ol’Man Assassin 16-foot Single Ladder Stand.
My Ol’Man Assassin is attached to a red oak measuring about 20 inches in diameter. Shot distance to the south deer trail is only 12 yards; distance to the north deer trail is 28 yards. The stand faces east. I’ll list the primary specs below, but I’ll touch on three of my favorite features.
The first is the patented ComfortMAX contoured tight-sling seat. I don’t know how to explain this seat to you except to think of a hammock. You aren’t sitting on a cushioned board or mesh seat; you’re sitting on fabric that is stretched across metal. It is unbelievably comfortable, no matter how many hours you spend sitting in the stand. The second is the 20- by 18-inch platform. It’s large enough that I can easily and safely turn in the stand for shots to the south (my offhand side in this ladder). The third is the arm rests. They are positioned tight to the seat, so you feel “locked in” to the ladder while sitting, and they are the perfect height to rest my arms while waiting on a whitetail.
Specifications — Model OL-16
- Exclusive patented ComfortMAX contoured tight-sling seat
- Durable powder-coated finish
- Oval steel construction
- Arm rest
- Accessory hooks
- Stabilizing straps included
- Tree brace included
- Capacity: 300 pounds
- Weight: 53 pounds
- Height: 16 feet
- Platform size: 20 inches wide x 18 inches long
- Seat size: 19.75 inches wide x 17 inches long
- MSRP: $189.99
Click here to learn more about the Ol’Man Assassin 16’ single ladder stand.
Big Game Hunter HD 1.5
Two of my best spots in a South Dakota river-bottom feature a Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 ladder stand. Although I’m not positive, I think the “1.5” part of the product name refers to the very large seat and platform. It’s not a two-person stand (think 2.0), and it’s not a narrow single stand (think 1.0), so they call it a 1.5.
The height of this stand is 18 feet 6 inches to the shooting rail, so compared to my other ladders and hang-on stands, it’s one of the tallest. I’m not afraid of heights per se, but I like to say I have “a healthy respect for heights.” In other words, I’ll climb that high provided a stand features a LifeLine System (so I can stay attached from the ground to the stand), the ladder sections and rails are tremendously strong and stable, the platform is large and stable, and armrests keep me planted in the seat.
The Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 comes with a full-body harness but not a LifeLine system, so I added that myself to my setup. However, everything else I require to climb 18 feet off the ground are provided/included in the HD 1.5. I can’t stress this enough: This ladder is rock-solid, from the moment you begin climbing to the moment you step onto the platform and eventually sit down on the seat.
The ladder’s shooting rail would be in the way when shooting my compound from a sitting position, so I leave it in the “up” position while hunting. Of course, if you were hunting with a crossbow or firearm, the shooting rail could be very helpful.
My two favorite features of this ladder are the 23.5- x 29-inch platform, and the Flex-Tek Seat, which flips up and out of the way if you prefer while standing. Like I described above with the Ol’Man ladder, the Big Game ladder seat is hammock-style, so you can sit forever without becoming sore. The seat also has a comfortable backrest. The amount of foot space on the platform is large when the seat is down, and it’s a dance floor when the seat is flipped up. In a word — awesome!
Specifications — Model BGM-LS0550
- Adjustable, removable, padded shooting rail that flips up
- Flip-back footrest
- Flex-Tek Seat contours to legs and back for extreme comfort
- Construction: Steel, oval tubing
- Stabilizing straps included
- Tree brace included
- Full-body safety harness included
- Capacity: 350 pounds
- Weight: 61 pounds
- Height: 18 feet 6 inches to shooting railPlatform size: 23.5 inches wide, 29 inches deep
- Seat size: 23-inches wide, 18-inches deep
- Seat style: Flex-Tek Seat, flips up
- Seat height: 20.5 inches
- Backrest: 23 inches wide, 18-inches tall
- MSRP: $229.99 (Note: I regularly see street prices of $159.99, and sometimes as low as $139.99; it’s a tremendous value!)
Click here for more information on the Big Game Hunter HD 1.5 single ladder stand.
Final Thoughts
Before the 2025 whitetail season gets rolling, do yourself a favor and place one of these top-notch single ladders in one of your favorite private land hotspots. You’ll sit longer because you’re more comfortable, and you’ll make better shots because of each stand’s roominess stability.
