Folding / portable high seats - advice please

[Spear Chucker]

Does anyone have any views on which are the best of the various portable / folding high seats on the market?

By "Best" I really mean build quality / strength / durability / functionality and value for money.

It is really for foxing prior to the shooting season or dealing with impromptu situations. The seat will not be permanently situated and stored in a barn after use. Keen not to be found dead after four days ripening in the sunshine, with a load of scaffolding sticking out of my back end.

GDK outdoors do a collapsible ladder type Telescopic high seat Backpack design ,
the AI decoy chaps have one (PRE-ORDER NOW) Folding High Seat - A1 Decoy
and Bushwear have a version BushWear Panther Folding Highseat
and Dauntsey have one too Dauntsey Guns: High Seat, 55150040000, Hercules - Folding High Seat

Are there any others I should be looking at?

many thanks in advance

 

[willie_gunn]

Does anyone have any views on which are the best of the various portable / folding high seats on the market?

By "Best" I really mean build quality / strength / durability / functionality and value for money.

It is really for foxing prior to the shooting season or dealing with impromptu situations. The seat will not be permanently situated and stored in a barn after use. Keen not to be found dead after four days ripening in the sunshine, with a load of scaffolding sticking out of my back end.

GDK outdoors do a collapsible ladder type Telescopic high seat Backpack design ,
the AI decoy chaps have one (PRE-ORDER NOW) Folding High Seat - A1 Decoy
and Bushwear have a version BushWear Panther Folding Highseat
and Dauntsey have one too Dauntsey Guns: High Seat, 55150040000, Hercules - Folding High Seat

Are there any others I should be looking at?

many thanks in advance

We ran a couple of cull days earlier this year, primarily using portable high seats belonging to various members. The ones we used were a combination of the old Jagersport models, and those of the Bushwear/Dauntsey type.

The advantage of the Bushwear/Dauntsey type is that the shooting rail is attached to the top of the backrest, as compared to the A1 Decoy type of seat where the shooting rail is attached to the base of the backrest. The former gives a broader array of possible shots compared to the latter. In both cases, though, the shooting rail is not going to be as stable as in, say, a permanent high seat.

I am not a fan of the collapsible telescopic ladder type of seats, but that's really just down to presonal preference.

 

[Greenmist]

Someone posted the other month of a high seat they made using a folding ladder and an ibc cage, not quite something you could walk around with on your back, but certainly more portable than a conventional seat.
I also have a GDK seat, its usable but the rest isn't ideal, I'd term it a try seat, if the area proves good, erect a proper one

 

[The Grouse]

I've got the GDK seat, as one foxing permission is rather on the flat side. It does the job, but if having to put it up and take it down each time it can be a bit of a faff, would likely look to replace it with either the bushwear or dauntsey version as I can't leave a permanent seat in place.

 

[Namman]

Does anyone have any views on which are the best of the various portable / folding high seats on the market?

By "Best" I really mean build quality / strength / durability / functionality and value for money.

It is really for foxing prior to the shooting season or dealing with impromptu situations. The seat will not be permanently situated and stored in a barn after use. Keen not to be found dead after four days ripening in the sunshine, with a load of scaffolding sticking out of my back end.

GDK outdoors do a collapsible ladder type Telescopic high seat Backpack design ,
the AI decoy chaps have one (PRE-ORDER NOW) Folding High Seat - A1 Decoy
and Bushwear have a version BushWear Panther Folding Highseat
and Dauntsey have one too Dauntsey Guns: High Seat, 55150040000, Hercules - Folding High Seat

Are there any others I should be looking at?

many thanks in advance

My mate and I have used Bushwear Panthers and the cub extension for years.
No problems.
I did buy a collapsible ladder type some years back but didn't get on with it.
The rungs are way to narrow for size 9 boots and I was always worried about trapping my fingers when assembling, disassembling it.

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

My mate and I have used Bushwear Panthers and the cub extension for years.
No problems.

Me too, although I’ve not used it much over the last few years due to the proliferation of fixed seats.

I used to take my beating stick up the seat with me to use as a moveable front rest as the rail is a bit of a stretch and it just adds that bit of stability to the rail…. Made life easier to shoot on-side out to 90degrees plus too…. for the off-side, I used to slide my bum off the seat, stand on the best rung and take a ‘standing shot’ across the back of the seat.

Light enough too… on occasion, I’ve carried the seat, the cub extension and the free-standing legs kit along with the rifle etc out to the most suitable tree. A bit of scrim over the rail just breaks up your outline.

Cheers

Fizz

 

[Mr. Gain]

I used to take my beating stick up the seat with me to use as a moveable front rest as the rail is a bit of a stretch and it just adds that bit of stability to the rail….

I do the same but with a trigger-stick, which can be used to tension the rail.

 

[willie_gunn]

Me too, although I’ve not used it much over the last few years due to the proliferation of fixed seats.

I used to take my beating stick up the seat with me to use as a moveable front rest as the rail is a bit of a stretch and it just adds that bit of stability to the rail…. Made life easier to shoot on-side out to 90degrees plus too…. for the off-side, I used to slide my bum off the seat, stand on the best rung and take a ‘standing shot’ across the back of the seat.

Light enough too… on occasion, I’ve carried the seat, the cub extension and the free-standing legs kit along with the rifle etc out to the most suitable tree. A bit of scrim over the rail just breaks up your outline.

Cheers

Fizz

That's an excellent idea.

It would be easy enough to put together a small brace with a 1"/30mm Terry clip on top that can then be attached to the shooting rail.

 

[pob]

I use a 6 year old Seeland Hercules like the one from Dauntsey. It's still going strong and has never given me an issue. I find the shooting rail supports very useful, but I did change the bolts for knurled knobs. I bought one from Swillingtons. Looks like you might struggle to find one new.

The advice on these things is quite often to avoid the telescopic leg ones.

Good luck finding what you're after.

 

[Koenig]

I have the GdK version, which whilst OK needs stiffening across the shooting bar. I put a link on here some years back with regard to how to do this. I’ll see if I can find it.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Someone posted the other month of a high seat they made using a folding ladder and an ibc cage, not quite something you could walk around with on your back, but certainly more portable than a conventional seat.
I also have a GDK seat, its usable but the rest isn't ideal, I'd term it a try seat, if the area proves good, erect a proper one

Put an axle across the IBC cage below the foot area then a couple of old bicycle wheels maybe with wing nut fixing makes moving them easier as it works like a wheelbarrow.

 

[Tim.243]

Does anyone have any views on which are the best of the various portable / folding high seats on the market?

By "Best" I really mean build quality / strength / durability / functionality and value for money.

It is really for foxing prior to the shooting season or dealing with impromptu situations. The seat will not be permanently situated and stored in a barn after use. Keen not to be found dead after four days ripening in the sunshine, with a load of scaffolding sticking out of my back end.

GDK outdoors do a collapsible ladder type Telescopic high seat Backpack design ,
the AI decoy chaps have one (PRE-ORDER NOW) Folding High Seat - A1 Decoy
and Bushwear have a version BushWear Panther Folding Highseat
and Dauntsey have one too Dauntsey Guns: High Seat, 55150040000, Hercules - Folding High Seat

Are there any others I should be looking at?

many thanks in advance

I use a number of my tree high seats as viewing platforms so will spot something get down and get in range, other times I will just pitch up and wait on the sticks tucked into the hedge.
The thing is if you take one with you set it up get a decent deer then I guarantee after 5mins of dragging the deer sticks and your rifle the seat it will get dumped then go back for it..
Good luck

 

[75]

I've had a Bushwear panther for years. It's generally in a lot of the time but I have left it out for months / years at a time and it's still fine. Rail is a bit bouncy so I added a couple of bits of thin tube from the ladder to the front of the rail. Think I used the two parts of an old telescopic washing line pole. Doesn't need much but makes a world of difference to stability.

 

[wytonpjs]

I have 2 of the GDK telescopic - ones mine and never been used, the other was used by another stalker a lot. Time hasn't been kind to the seat/uppers on the latter but the ladder portion has stood up to weathering quite well. I also have an A1 one bought off here from a fellow stalker virtually unused. Its more robust but is dammed heavy and I wouldn't want to carry it far! The telescopic ones are definitely lighter and more practical for a carry in.

Remember, these are temporary high seats so will have limitations. If you need better, go for a permanent one.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I've got GDK telescopic seat, works ok but bit flimsy/wobbly for permanent use. Used it last week,4 fox cubs nowhere near permanent seat and awkward place to shoot from the floor owing to contours of ground.
Seat up against convenient tree,3 first evening and last 1 next morning.
Highseat back in the shed,job done.

 

[Spear Chucker]

Dear All, thank you all so much for your advice and tips. Some really helpful (and clever) stuff in here. It looks like the Dauntsey version is no longer around.

I use a number of my tree high seats as viewing platforms so will spot something get down and get in range, other times I will just pitch up and wait on the sticks tucked into the hedge.
The thing is if you take one with you set it up get a decent deer then I guarantee after 5mins of dragging the deer sticks and your rifle the seat it will get dumped then go back for it..
Good luck

This is the problem, one of the lessons I have learned over the years is that less kit is often a blessing. The only thing is that in the position I have in mind, the height will give me sight along the entire front and side of a pheasant pen. Field craft may be the better solution.
Always terrified of spending £300 and finding that -like the clever butt-out jobbie and the Napier lifting ratchety thing that cost £100 (and got used once after making enough noise to be heard in Holland) it could be an expensive addition to the pile of stuff I bought and never used more than once. All monuments to the skill of the marketing-wallah and my own naivety.

Really grateful to you all for your help. Thank you. Happy hunting!

 

[Tim.243]

Dear All, thank you all so much for your advice and tips. Some really helpful (and clever) stuff in here. It looks like the Dauntsey version is no longer around.

This is the problem, one of the lessons I have learned over the years is that less kit is often a blessing. The only thing is that in the position I have in mind, the height will give me sight along the entire front and side of a pheasant pen. Field craft may be the better solution.
Always terrified of spending £300 and finding that -like the clever butt-out jobbie and the Napier lifting ratchety thing that cost £100 (and got used once after making enough noise to be heard in Holland) it could be an expensive addition to the pile of stuff I bought and never used more than once. All monuments to the skill of the marketing-wallah and my own naivety.

Really grateful to you all for your help. Thank you. Happy hunting!

I stood tonight in the same place two night back rifle on sticks. Fox came out whack just shot a big cub but came home as a mate has 2 fallow and needs to put them in my chiller. Pitch up and wait.

 

[FISH BOY]

My mate and I have used Bushwear Panthers and the cub extension for years.
No problems.
I did buy a collapsible ladder type some years back but didn't get on with it.
The rungs are way to narrow for size 9 boots and I was always worried about trapping my fingers when assembling, disassembling it.

Question for Panther owners please as some toad snapped the rail off my panther recently.

Bought a replacement from Bushwear today, but could someone please tell me what tools I will need for a field fix (will be half a mile away from the truck and will be stalking so don’t want to take the kitchen sink)

The joint in question is where the rail meets the ladder as an anchor - looks like a13mm nut - thinking adjustable spanner and a leatherman will do it?

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

Just written myself a note so I can look in the morning… unless someone else beats me to it….
Cheers

Fizz

 

[FISH BOY]

Just written myself a note so I can look in the morning… unless someone else beats me to it….
Cheers

Fizz

Gent - thank you.