During hunting season, a reliable tree stand is a must. Especially when you’ll likely be sitting up there for several hours each day. We set out to find the companies making tree stands right here in the USA. Below are our findings, including a ton of details about each. Drop us a line if you have any questions, and happy hunting!
Full List of Tree Stand Brands Made in the USA
Lone Wolf sells a range of tree stands designed to help make hunting easier and safer. The Assault II from Lone Wolf is “the lightest in the pack,” weighing in at just 11 lbs. Even at that lightweight, though, it still has a weight rating of up to 350 lbs. and can fit into just about any tight space. The straps are easy to set up on various tree shapes and sizes and include a 6-point fall arrest system. While this stand doesn’t come with the normal equipment pockets that you’ll find on larger tree stands, the Assault II does have an in-cast bow holder.
The Grey Ghost Tree Stand from Woodsey Too is made for fitting into awkward spaces. It is great for crooked trees and weird areas where most other tree stands just won’t work. The reason it works well for crooked trees is the slim frame and adjustable arm. You can adjust the arm and keep the platform level anywhere from 90 to 45 degrees, giving you a full range of motion for any tree angle. Even better, the seat has a full range of motion, allowing you to turn 360 degrees for the perfect shot at any time. It is made for both bow and gun hunting, whether you are going for deer or any other game. The swivel is super quiet, and there’s no slippage from the tightening system around the tree.
The Den Prowler deer stand from Cougar Claw is designed to be a super quiet treestand. The aluminum frame will provide good support, and it is made to be relatively easy to set up. There are 16 adjustment holes on the frame, so you should be able to set it up at the angle you want, whether for bow or rifle hunting. In addition to being the quietest, it’s also made to be comfortable. The Den Prowler has dense foam cushions on the bottom seat and backrest, which would be much appreciated after several hours of sitting in it.
When we started talking to Donnie Paul, president at Cougar Claw, we discovered that he has been in the hunting and fishing business for over 40 years. He’s even had first-hand experience with the difference between foreign manufacturing and locally produced stands! “Volume, volume, volume, that is what it was all about,” says Paul (when talking about the importers). Being made in the USA (in Foley, AL, specifically) gives Donnie and the team much more quality control. “If I have an idea and want to make a change in my product, I can go to my shop out back and make the change now. I personally look at just about every tree stand made at our factory. Quality is first with every Cougar Claw Tree Stand shipped.”
The stand weighs 19.9 lbs and has a weight rating of up to 300 lbs. Cougar Claw also has “Cub” (kids) and “Bubba” (heavy) versions of this stand to accommodate every hunter.
The Chippewa Wedge-Loc Treestand is made to be easy to secure and stay tight. It comes with either a chain rigging harness or a strap rigging harness, both of which will work just fine. However, the strap harness would work better when it comes to minimizing noise. The seat isn’t as padded as some others, but it gets the job done, and you save on weight if you’re a mobile hunter. This entire tree stand weighs just 14.5 lbs. It also has a weight limit of 475 lbs. It fits trees from 7″ to 21″ in diameter and comes in a few different seat heights ranging from 20″ to 25″.
The Treewalker ProMag Treestand works for a variety of different hunters, no matter if you are bow hunting or gun hunting. It has a combination of features – a shooting rail, bow rest, multi-position backrest, and other customization options that give you a lot of flexibility. The ProMag stand also offers both standing and sitting positions. You can easily do both in this stand and feel safe and steady. The noise level was non-existent, and it fits nicely on a variety of tree types and diameters.
How to Find Tree Stands Made in the USA
Tree stands are a vital part of a hunter’s arsenal, and finding a quality product that is also produced domestically can be challenging. Fortunately, when it comes to tree stands, plenty of options proudly bear the “made in the USA” label.
Here are the best ways to shop for tree stands made in America, so you can find quality, durable products that also support your local economy.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
First, let’s define “made in the USA.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “made in the USA” means all or virtually all components are sourced and assembled in the United States. So for a tree stand to qualify as “made in the USA,” the materials must be sourced domestically and the product must be assembled in the US as well.
For more details about the FTC guidelines, you can read our detailed article covering the FTC regulations.
Materials
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a tree stand is the material it’s made from. Generally, the best tree stands are made from high-grade aluminum or steel. Other common materials include canvas and wood.
When shopping for a tree stand made in the USA, ensure that all materials used are sourced from the US.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight yet strong material that creates many of the best-quality tree stands. When shopping for tree stands made in the USA, look for products with aluminum components that are sourced from within the country.
China is the world’s largest aluminum producer, and in contrast, the USA falls quite far behind, coming in at number 9. This means that while it is possible to find aluminum made in the USA, you are more likely to come across foreign-made aluminum, especially for companies that are looking to cut down on manufacturing costs.
So, make sure to check the country of origin of the aluminum itself before buying your tree stand.
Steel
Steel is a metal alloy that is prized for its strength and durability. It’s often used in constructing tree stands, particularly those intended for heavy-duty applications. Like aluminum, China dominates steel production, producing about half of the world’s steel, followed by Japan and India.
The USA is not too far behind, ranking fourth in world steel production. It’s important to note that steel produced in the USA is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel, so it’s all the more important to find tree stands made with American-made steel.
Wood
Some tree stands are made with wooden components, and those, too, must be sourced domestically to qualify as “made in the USA.” When looking for American-made wood, look specifically for hardwood like oak, hickory, or maple. Although China again dominates the hardwood market, the USA comes in second, so finding American-made wood should not be too difficult.
Canvas
Canvas is a fabric often used to make tree stand accessories, such as seat covers, backpacks, and gun scabbards. The canvas in tree stands is almost always made of cotton, although linen may also be used at times.
Cotton is a major crop in the US and is a 21 billion-dollar industry. So, looking for American-made canvas made of cotton should be a fairly easy task. On the other hand, stay away from canvas made with linen, as linen is not largely produced within the USA.
Labeling
The next step to finding tree stands made in the USA is to look at the labeling. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US code states that all foreign-made products must be labeled as such. You’ll have to look specifically for the FTC-protected “made in the USA” label to look for US-made tree stands. Although, in theory, it’s easy to find American-made products by simply looking for this FTC-protected label, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, there is no pre-approval process for the “made in the USA” label. So although the label is protected, it is ultimately up to the companies themselves to determine whether or not their products meet the criteria to use the label.
Secondly, companies may use confusing words on their labels to trick consumers into thinking their products are made in the USA. Examples of such labels include:
- Assembled/Designed in the USA: This means only a part of the entire manufacturing process takes place in the United States.
- Made in the USA with imported materials: This product cannot be considered “made in the USA” as it uses foreign materials.
- Made in America: America can refer to either Mexico or Canada, not just the United States.
Lastly, some companies may use the American flag sticker on their products’ labels. However, the flag itself does not signify that the product is made in the USA.
Other Tips
Here are some other tips that you should keep in mind to find tree stands made in the USA:
Buy from Reputable Companies
Look for companies that have a good reputation and are transparent about their manufacturing process. A company with a good reputation is more likely to produce high-quality, well-made products.
Check the Company’s Website
If the company has a website, check it for more information. Most reputable companies will provide detailed information about the materials they use and their production process. You can check the website’s About Us section or the product page. “Made in the USA” is a huge selling point, so you should see this advertised somewhere on the website if this is the case! On the other hand, if you can’t find any information regarding the product’s origins, it’s likely the product is made abroad. Companies are not required to label the country of origin of their products, so silence says a lot in this case.
Check Social Media
Social media can be a great way to learn more about the company and the origin of its products. Many companies have Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, where they may post photos and videos of the production process.
Call the Company
If you still have questions about the origin of the product or its quality, don’t hesitate to contact the company directly. Most companies are happy to answer any questions and provide additional information.
Tree Stands Not Made in the USA
When researching USA-made tree stands, we found many brands that are not making their tree stands in the U.S. We’ve included a full list below as well as where their products are made.
- Summit – Made in China.
- X-Stand -Made in China.
- XOP – Made in China.
- Ol’ Man Treestands – Made in China.
- Rivers Edge – “Manufactured overseas”.
