If you are picking the best tripod deer stands for open fields, the deciding factor is not the seat or the swivel. It is how the stand handles wind, how it breaks up your silhouette against an empty horizon, and whether one person can carry it to the spot. We spent 2026 season sorting six freestanding and tower-style stands against exactly those three problems, and every pick below has to earn its place in treeless ground.
Open country leaves you no ladder stand options. A treestand needs a trunk of at least nine inches within bow or rifle range, and a mature cottonwood over a food plot is exactly the tree that gets cut down the year before you buy a stand. A freestanding tripod solves that, and it lets you set up on a field edge, a strip of brush between two fields, or the open water side of a creek bed where the wind carries your scent past anything you can hide behind.
The trouble is that a stand that works beautifully under a mature oak behaves very differently in the middle of a harvested field with nothing to break your outline. Height that helps you see over the stubble also puts you in a clean line against the sky. That is why our ordering below leans on anchoring hardware, blind walls, and carry weight rather than on the usual comfort-first logic. If you still want the comfort-first version, our tree stand roundup covers the wooded setups in detail.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Tripod Deer Stands for Open Fields in October
Guide Gear 6-Foot Tower Blind
- One-way mesh walls
- Two-hunter 4x4 platform
- 500 lb capacity
- 6 ft to shooting rail
Guide Gear 12-Foot Tripod Stand
- 12 ft to shooting rail
- 360-degree swivel seat
- Collapsible steel frame
- 300 lb capacity
VENATIC 6-Foot Tower Blind
- Cross-braced steel tubing
- Four-by-four platform
- Adjustable ladder
- 500 lb capacity
All Six Tripod Stands Compared in 2026
Six stands made the cut, and they split into two families. Four are enclosed tower blinds on a freestanding base, which is the only real answer to exposure in open ground. One is an open rail tripod, which is lighter and cheaper but leaves you visible. One is a two-person ladder stand that needs a tree and is included for comparison, not for treeless fields.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
Guide Gear 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind |
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Guide Gear 12 Foot Tripod Deer Stand |
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BIG GAME 16 Foot Big Buddy Ladder Stand |
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Check Latest Price |
VENATIC 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind |
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Check Latest Price |
RuskBlinds 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind |
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Check Latest Price |
FUNHORUN 5/6FT Hunting Stand with Blind |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Guide Gear 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind Review
Guide Gear 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind, 2-Man Stand Elevated, Hunting Gear Equipment Accessories, 4 by 4 RT APX
Steel construction
6 ft to shooting rail
4x4 platform for two
500 lb capacity
118.8 lb package weight
Pros
- One-way mesh keeps your outline hidden while you see out
- Two hunters fit the 4x4 platform comfortably
- 500 lb capacity handles gear and cold-weather layers
- Adjustable ladder makes entry and exit simple
Cons
- Package weight near 119 lb makes relocation a two-person job
- Assembly required before first use
This is the stand I would put in the middle of a harvested bean field with nothing within a hundred yards, and it earns that spot because of the walls rather than the frame. The Realtree APX camo and the one-way mesh mean deer see a patterned box while you see a clear field. Reviewers repeatedly single out the mesh as the difference between productive mornings and deer that lock onto the stand at 80 yards.
Height is listed at 6 feet to the shooting rail, which sounds modest next to the 12 and 16-foot options in this roundup. In practice that is the right number for open ground, because you clear the standing eye line of a deer without putting a long pole above the horizon. The 4×4 platform is genuinely roomy for two, and the 500 lb capacity is the most generous figure in the group.

The steel construction is heavier than aluminum alternatives and that shows up in one specific complaint that appears across reviews. Owners say the stand is difficult to relocate once assembled, and the package weight confirms why at 118.8 pounds. Plan the site before you build it, because moving this after assembly means two people and a utility trailer.
Everything else is straightforward. The adjustable ladder handles entry and exit, which matters more than it sounds in a field with no tree to brace against. The Realtree pattern is a mid-tone bark and leaf camo, so it reads well against standing corn and poorly against a fresh-cut stubble field where everything around it is tan.

Who the two-person 6-foot tower blind works for
It suits pairs, families, and anyone hunting a spot that feeds two people every evening. Two hunters on a 4×4 platform can sit all day without crowding, and a shared blind halves the number of trips you make carrying gear to the field.
It also suits bowhunters who need to draw without a trunk in the way. A ladder stand forces you to shoot around a tree, while a full enclosure gives you a clear 360-degree window to work with. The mesh keeps your arm and bow movement hidden from deer working upwind.
Where the 119-pound package weight becomes a problem
It becomes a problem the moment you want to move. Owners of this stand report that relocation after assembly is genuinely difficult, and the assembled weight is not something one person should lift alone. If your hunting spots change week to week, this is the wrong tool.
There is a second limit worth stating plainly. Six feet clears a deer’s line of sight over most cover crops, but in genuinely wide-open ground with a distant horizon, a taller stand gives you a safer vantage. If your field is more than roughly 100 yards deep with no intermediate brush, weigh that against the mesh advantage here.
2. Guide Gear 12′ Tripod Deer Stand Review
Guide Gear 12′ Tripod Deer Stand Tower for Hunting Climbing Hunt Seat, Hunting Gear Equipment Accessories
Alloy steel construction
12 ft to shooting rail
360-degree swivel seat
300 lb capacity
71.4 lb item weight
Pros
- Twelve feet clears standing deer eye lines over open stubble
- Quiet cushioned suspension seat with padded armrests and backrest
- Twenty-inch diameter footrest adds stability at height
- Collapsible frame carries on foot
Cons
- Single-person platform with a 300 lb limit
- Open rail leaves you exposed in the open
- Some owners report assembly complexity
This is the best tripod deer stand for open fields when your budget is the deciding factor and you are willing to trade concealment for height. Twelve feet to the shooting rail puts you well above the eye line of a standing whitetail, which is the single most useful thing a stand can do in open country. Reviewers consistently describe the sight picture over open terrain as the stand’s strongest feature.
The seat is the other reason it has held up. It is a cushioned suspension design with padded armrests and a cushioned backrest, built to stay quiet, and it rotates through a full 360 degrees so you can watch a deer walking behind you without standing up. A 20-inch diameter footrest supports your feet, which is what keeps a narrow single seat from feeling precarious at that height.

The steel frame is sturdy and the whole thing collapses for transport, which is unusual for a 12-foot stand. Item weight is listed at 71.4 pounds, and buyers note that it is one of the more manageable tall tripods to carry on foot. That matters for run-and-gun seasons where you move every few days.
There is no blind on this stand. Nothing blocks your outline, which means it belongs at the edge of standing cover, in brush, or behind a windbreak rather than in the middle of a bare field. If your hunting ground is genuinely open, look at one of the tower blinds below instead. Pairing a feeder with the stand is the standard fix, and our deer feeder guide covers placement in detail.

Why 12 feet changes the sight picture in open ground
At twelve feet, you are looking down on deer rather than across at them, and that changes how they behave. A whitetail that spots movement at eye level bolts from a quarter mile. A whitetail looking up at a stationary figure is a much harder problem for it to solve, especially with a feeder drawing its attention within 20 yards.
Buyers also report the height helping with visibility over terrain, which is the other half of the open-field problem. From a low sit you watch the backs of deer moving through a draw. From twelve feet you can see the draw and the flat behind it at the same time.
Where the single-seat 300 lb limit hurts
It caps you at one person and one hunter’s load. Late-season clothing, a safety harness, a bow or rifle, and a thermos will eat into a 300 lb rating faster than most buyers expect, particularly if you are hunting in full winter layers.
Open rail is the second limitation, and it is not a small one in wind. Owners of tall open tripods report sway at height, and a creaking seat or frame gives away your position. If silence matters in your ground, lubricate the swivel before opening day and test the stand with a full load in place.
3. BIG GAME 16′ Big Buddy Ladder Stand Review
BIG GAME 2-Person Ladder Tree Stand for Hunting Deer 16′ Tall, Camo/Black
Welded steel platform
Holds 2 hunters
16 ft climbing height
Flex-Tek seat
4-point harness included
Pros
- Sixteen feet puts you above whitetail line of sight
- Flex-Tek seat contours to your back for long sits
- Padded flip-up rail steadies a rifle or crossbow
- Full-body safety harness in the box
Cons
- Requires a tree with a 9 inch minimum trunk
- Not a freestanding tripod and will not work in open fields
- Older design first listed in 2013
We include this stand for one reason: it shares a shopping category with the freestanding tripods and shows up constantly in open-field searches, and we would rather explain it than let you buy it by mistake. This is a sectional ladder stand. It climbs a trunk and straps to a tree. It cannot stand in a field.
Judged as a tree stand rather than a field stand, it is a good one. The 16-foot height sets you above the whitetail line of sight and well out of its wind, and the welded steel platform carries two people on a double-wide seat. That makes it workable for a parent bringing a child, or for two partners sharing a sit.

The comfort package is the strongest part. A Flex-Tek seat contours to your back and legs, both armrests are padded, and the padded flip-up shooting rail steadies a rifle, crossbow, or vertical bow before flipping out of the way when you need to stand or draw on a deer behind you. A 4-point full-body harness ships in the box along with a ratchet strap and stabilizer straps.
For rifle hunters with mature timber near the field, that combination is hard to argue with. For the open ground this article is about, the answer is blunt. Reviewers and owners both note the tree requirement as the defining limitation, and no version of this stand works without a trunk of at least 9 inches.

Who the 16-foot two-person ladder stand works for
It works for hunters with good timber along a field edge, and for pairs who want to bring a second person up a tree rather than share a single open seat. The double-wide platform and the two-person rating are real, and the sectional ladder makes climbing to 16 feet manageable.
Rifle and crossbow hunters benefit most from the padded flip-up rail, which holds a steady rest for longer shots than a bare pipe. Bowhunters get clearance to draw in an open arc since the seat sits away from the trunk.
Why it does not belong in treeless ground
Because there is nothing to attach it to. Every feature on this stand, from the ladder to the support bar and stabilizer straps, is designed to pull a platform tight against bark. Without a trunk, the structure has no vertical support and no safe ascent.
That leaves the safety gear useless too. The included harness needs a strap point above you, and there is no ladder section to clip into. In open ground with no tree, you would need a freestanding stand with a full enclosure and a ladder built into the frame, which is exactly what the four tower blinds in this roundup provide.
4. VENATIC 6′ Tripod Hunting Tower Blind Review
VENATIC 6′ Tripod Hunting Tower Blind, 2 Person Elevated Tripod Hunting Stand with 4′ x 4′ Platform for Deer Hunting, Antelope and Elk
Cross-braced steel tubing
4x4 platform
Adjustable ladder
500 lb capacity
100 lb package weight
Pros
- Large steel tubing and cross-bracing resist sway and wind
- Full steel interior frame adds rigidity
- Adjustable ladder for entry and exit
- Arrives in two boxes for manageable handling
Cons
- Windows sit high and small for some shooters
- Mesh visibility reported as mediocre by some users
- Tight fit for two full-size adults
- Instructions could be clearer
The VENATIC builds its case on the frame. Large steel tubing with cross-bracing under the platform is what keeps a freestanding blind from racking when a gust hits from the side, and reviewers call out the sturdiness and stability more than anything else. The full steel interior is also unusual at this size, and it gives you something solid to sit against while a crosswind pushes the stand.
It is a 6-foot tower with a 4×4 platform and a 500 lb rating, so the headline capacity matches the Guide Gear 6-foot tower. Where it differs is in the finish. The cross-bracing is the selling point for exposed ground, and the tripod-style base under the platform is what spreads that load across the legs.

At 100 pounds package weight, it sits in the middle of this group. Still heavy enough that moving it after assembly is a chore, but a little easier than the 118.8-pound Guide Gear tower. Reviewers also note that the unit arrives in two separate boxes, which makes the parts easier to handle than one giant carton.
Assemble with the bracing in mind. A tripod-style base resists side load, but only when the legs are properly spaced and the foot pads are sitting on solid ground rather than soft plowed edges. Loose soil is where these frames rock.

Where the cross-braced steel base earns its keep
It earns its keep in side wind. Most tall freestanding stands rely on a wide leg spread, and a wide spread trades height for wobble. Cross-bracing under the platform ties the three legs together so a gust pushes against a rigid triangle instead of racking the frame.
That stability also helps at the moment of the shot. A stable platform means your follow-through does not end with the stand rocking, and a steady rest matters more when a deer is at 40 yards in open ground with nowhere to hide.
Where the window placement frustrates shooters
Window height and placement are the recurring complaints. One critical review notes the windows sit too high or too small for comfortable shooting, and other users report the same when they are seated on the platform. Bring a tall chair or a stool if you are over about six feet.
Mesh visibility is also mixed across reviews, and the 4×4 platform that two people are told fits comfortably is described by several buyers as tight for two full-size adults. If you are pairing up and both of you are large, measure the seated footprint before committing.
5. RuskBlinds 6′ Tripod Hunting Tower Blind Review
RuskBlinds 6 Ft Tripod Hunting Tower Blind, 2-Man Elevated Hunting Stand, 4′ x 4′ Camo Platform for Deer, Antelope, Elk Hunting
Steel and polyester construction
6 ft to platform
4x4 platform for two
500 lb capacity
106.3 lb package weight
Pros
- Lookout mesh windows hide you while giving a clear view
- Full steel interior frame and tripod base add stability
- One-year manufacturer warranty
- Works as a ground blind by removing the top
Cons
- Frame shows rust and may need annual painting
- Window height too low for hunters over six foot two
- Mesh is difficult to see through
- Heavy at 106.3 lb once built
This blind is listed at 6 feet to the platform on a 4×4 footprint, and the lookout mesh is what it is really selling. Owners note that the windows let you line up a shot while the deer side sees a solid panel, which is the right trade in the middle of an open field where your outline is the only thing giving you away.
The full steel interior frame and tripod-style base give it a 500 lb rating and a rigidity that reviewers describe as holding up to wind. It also has a use most listings do not emphasize. Buyers report that the top portion works as a ground blind on its own, so the same unit covers a low sit and an elevated sit in the same season.

Two things work against it. The frame shows signs of rust according to owners, and some buyers expect to paint it annually, which is a normal cost of a steel blind left out through a wet fall and winter. Hardware quality is also reported as inferior to the welded pieces on the older models in this group.
At 106.3 pounds it is the second-heaviest unit here, so it shares the relocation problem. Build it where you plan to hunt. Customer service drew positive mentions for replacement parts, which matters if a bolt or a window frame wears out mid-season.
Where the lookout mesh and steel frame hold up
They hold up in exposed ground with wind from any direction, which is the situation this article is about. A full steel interior and a tripod base mean the stand does not rattle or flex when gusts hit, and the mesh keeps your hands and face hidden during a draw.
The dual-use design is the sleeper advantage. One blind covers an elevated morning sit over a food plot and a ground-level evening sit on the same property, and owners confirm the top section separates for that purpose.
Where rust and low windows cost you
Low windows are the practical limit. Buyers over six foot two report the sill height is uncomfortable with a standard chair, and the front windows sit on the sides of the panel rather than straight ahead, which is awkward for a straight-on shot at a deer walking your direction.
Mesh is also described as hard to see through, causing eye strain on long sits. If you wear glasses or plan to sit all day, test the mesh at midday glare before committing. And if the stand stays out past December, budget a coat of paint on the frame.
6. FUNHORUN 5/6FT Hunting Stand with Blind Review
5FT Hunting Stand with Blind, 1-2 Man 4′ x 4′ Platform Deer Stand Tripod
Iron alloy construction
5 ft elevated platform
500 lb capacity
Ground stakes included
104.7 lb package weight
Pros
- Heavy-duty ground stakes are included in the box
- Reinforced cross-bracing and 360 guardrails resist tipping
- Four large one-way mesh panels give a 360 view
- Step-by-step illustrated instructions with torque specs
Cons
- Blind window height too low for taller hunters
- Front windows sit on the sides rather than straight ahead
- Mesh is hard to see through and causes eye strain
- Blind material may fail after one or two seasons
The reason this stand is on the list is the box contents. Heavy-duty ground stakes are included, and in open ground under a rising wind that is the difference between a stable blind and a tipped one. Most competitors sell anchoring as an add-on, and in the flattest country you are hunting, add-on stakes are the first thing owners forget to pick up.
The structure itself is serious. It is built entirely from high-strength iron alloy with reinforced cross-bracing, a rigid frame, 360-degree guardrails, stabilizing crossbars at the base, and corrosion-resistant coatings for a 500 lb rating. At 5 feet to the elevated platform it is the lowest blind in the group, which works well when you are hunting brushy field edges rather than a wide-open horizon.

Four large one-way see-through panels give a 360-degree view, with at least two window openings on each side. For concealment that is the right layout in open country, and the unique camouflage pattern is designed to blend into the surrounding habitat rather than to read as a pattern.
Owners also single out the manual. It has step-by-step illustrated guides, a tool checklist, and torque specifications for the critical joints, and that level of instruction is unusual at this size. Several buyers mention modifying the blind after the first season, which tells you the platform holds up and the fabric is the part that needs attention.

Where the included ground stakes pay off in wind
They pay off on the first hard gust. Open fields are the worst case for a freestanding frame, because there is no tree to damp movement and no brush to break the wind. Stakes on each leg turn a tall steel structure from something that rocks into something that stays put.
The 360 guardrails and base crossbars add to that. They matter beyond safety, because a rigid frame does not transfer motion into the platform, and a platform that does not rock is a platform where a rifle rest stays usable in a crosswind.
Where the blind fabric falls short
The same two complaints appear repeatedly. Window height is too low for taller hunters, particularly above six foot two, and the front windows sit on the sides of the panel rather than straight ahead, which forces an angled shot on a deer coming at you.
Buyers also report the mesh is difficult to see through, and that the blind material itself may not last beyond one or two seasons even though the frame does. Treat the fabric as a consumable and budget for a replacement before you need it.
What to Consider When Buying a Tripod Stand for Open Fields
Every factor below matters more in the open than under a canopy. Under trees, cover hides hardware problems and a leaf canopy blocks wind. In a harvested field, nothing does either, so you feel every weakness in the frame.
Height and line of sight
Height determines whether deer look at you or past you. A whitetail’s eye line while feeding sits well below 6 feet, so most of the freestanding blinds here clear it. Beyond that, the ceiling is set by sway, not by the deer’s behavior. Most tall open tripods in this roundup top out around 12 feet, and forum hunters report that taller free-standing frames get noticeably more sensitive to wind.
Weight, carry weight and who moves the stand
Package weight in this group runs from about 71 pounds to nearly 119 pounds. Forum feedback is consistent on one point: anything over 100 pounds is a two-person job, and many owners of the heaviest models say relocation after assembly is the single biggest regret they report. If you hunt the same spot all season, weight is manageable. If you move weekly, it decides the purchase.
Blind walls versus an open rail
This is the most important fork in the category. An open swivel rail is lighter, cheaper, and easier to aim, and it works at the edge of standing cover. A full enclosure costs weight and carry effort and buys you concealment, which is the deciding factor when there is no natural break in the terrain. If you are choosing between an open 12-foot tripod and a 6-foot blind for bare ground, the blind wins.
Wind, anchors and ground stakes
Open ground is the hardest case for stability, and only one stand in this roundup includes heavy-duty ground stakes. For the others, plan on an anchor kit. Hunters on hunting forums describe auger-style stakes, ratchet straps, and concrete as the methods that actually work in exposed fields, and the standard advice is to set up well before opening day so you are not driving stakes on a windy morning.
Camouflage against an empty skyline
A camo pattern only helps if it matches the background, and open fields change color through the season. Mid-tone bark and leaf patterns read well against standing corn and poorly against fresh stubble. The stronger tool is a feeder. Forum hunters report that deer focus on the feeder and largely ignore an elevated, motionless blind, which is why a feeder within 20 yards of your stand changes the math more than any pattern swap. If you have not set one up, our feeder roundup covers the placement.
How to Set Up and Anchor a Tripod Stand in Open Ground
Setup method matters as much as the model in open country, and most failures happen before the hunt rather than during it.
Assemble before opening day
Forum hunters overwhelmingly recommend building the stand well ahead of opening day. Steel frames and cross-bracing are loud, and hammering bolts within earshot of a bedding area in October is the fastest way to push deer out of a field you have worked all summer. Assemble on a driveway, break it down, and carry the parts in.
Anchor the legs properly
There are four reliable approaches in open ground. Drive angled stakes at each leg and strap the frame to them. Use auger-style ground anchors screwed into the soil at each foot. Set the feet in poured concrete, which is permanent and only sensible on land you own. Or lay wide boards under the feet on soft ground so the legs bite into something that does not shift.
Check the soil before you commit. A tripod that rocks on loose plowed ground is far less stable than the same frame on firm ground, and no amount of strapping compensates for a foot that sinks. If you are considering a ground blind instead for a low-concealment spot, our ground blind roundup covers the trade-off.
Break the skyline and manage scent
Add height-reducing cover where you can. A horizontal rail of natural material or camouflage fabric across the top edge of a blind interrupts the flat line that makes an elevated shape obvious at distance. The same principle applies to the legs, since the frame below the platform is the part deer notice late.
On scent, set up early enough that the wind has time to clear your approach, and note that the wind at 12 feet is often not the wind at ground level. Pick the hour that matches the wind you actually have, and if you shoot a bow from an open platform, our crossbow roundup covers the quiet-shot options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tripod deer stand for the money?
The Guide Gear 12 Foot Tripod Deer Stand is the value pick in this roundup. It reaches 12 feet to the shooting rail, has a quiet cushioned suspension seat with padded armrests, a 360-degree swivel, and a 20-inch footrest, and it weighs about 71 pounds. The catch is that it has no blind, so it belongs at the edge of standing cover rather than in bare open ground.
Which tripod deer stand is the best for open fields?
For genuinely treeless open ground, an enclosed tower blind is the right answer, and the Guide Gear 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind is our top pick. Its one-way mesh keeps your outline hidden while you see out, the 4×4 platform fits two hunters, and the 500 lb rating is the most generous in the group. The 6-foot height clears standing deer without putting a long pole above the horizon.
Are tripod deer stands safe in high winds?
They are safe only when anchored. Open ground gives a tall steel frame nothing to damp movement, so most hunters drive angled stakes, auger-style anchors, or ratchet straps at each leg, and some set the feet in concrete. Frame material matters too, since iron alloy and cross-braced steel hold better than lighter single-tube designs. If you cannot anchor it, choose a lower blind or set up behind a windbreak.
How do you anchor a tripod deer stand in an open field?
Four methods work in open ground. Drive angled stakes at each leg and strap the frame to them, screw auger-style ground anchors into the soil at each foot, set the feet in poured concrete on land you own, or lay wide boards under the feet on soft ground. Check the soil first, because a foot that sinks into loose plowed earth will rock no matter how many straps you add.
What height tripod stand is best for open fields?
Six feet is the sweet spot for a blinded stand and 12 feet for an open rail tripod. A blind at 6 feet clears the standing eye line of a deer while keeping its silhouette compact, and a 12-foot open tripod looks down on feeding deer from farther away. Going taller than that on a freestanding frame adds wind sensitivity faster than it adds sight picture.
Can you bow hunt from a tripod stand in the open?
Yes, and a blinded tripod is actually better than a ladder stand for it. A ladder stand forces you to draw around a trunk, while a full enclosure gives you a clear 360-degree window with the mesh hiding your movement. Keep the platform steady, use the guardrails and footrest for balance at height, and remember that standing to shoot in a crosswind is where tall open tripods get rocky.
Final Verdict for Open Field Hunters
For most people hunting treeless ground in 2026, the Guide Gear 6 Foot Tripod Hunting Tower Blind is the best of the best tripod deer stands for open fields. The one-way mesh solves the silhouette problem, the 4×4 platform handles a pair, and the 6-foot height is tall enough to clear a deer’s line of sight without towering over the horizon. Its only real drawback is weight, and that is manageable if you build it where you plan to hunt.
Run your seasons around that. Move often, hunt from the edge of standing cover, and want height above all? The Guide Gear 12 Foot Tripod gives you the sight picture for far less and carries at about 71 pounds. Hunting exposed ground and already own stakes, or you want the stabilizer frame most? The VENATIC cross-bracing is the sturdiest base in the group, and the FUNHORUN is the only one that includes heavy-duty ground stakes in the box.
Whichever you choose, set it up before opening day, anchor every leg, and put a feeder within 20 yards. In open country, the stand is the easy part. The anchoring and the patience are what put deer in your range.


