I think it’s time I bought a tree stand

[Saltwater60]

Hunting yesterday and I was sitting on the ground. Not uncomfortable at all but I walked to check a few other spots after sitting for a bit and seeing nothing. I heard some noises around me. Walked down the hill and saw very fresh tracks, walked up the hill and super fresh tracks, walked down and saw even fresher tracks. Due to the terrain I’m missing deer. Also lots of scrub burst since it’s around a creek. Lots of roses and tall grass because the standing water.

I don’t necessarily need a two person stand but they aren’t that much more expensive and I’d rather have the room or be more comfortable. I can across this and it has good reviews. Many others don’t. This should put me up pretty high and be able to see a lot especially if I can set it up on the high side of the hill and not in the valley a bit. I riffle hunt with a shooting stick so range is important to me. I could probably see the other side of the logging road(not car road) and I know deer use that as a highway. Just have to be strategic and maybe cut down a few trees but it’s all my parents land between there and mostly a creek bed.

Hawk Big Denali 2-Man Ladder Stand | Cabela's

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

Hunting yesterday and I was sitting on the ground. Not uncomfortable at all but I walked to check a few other spots after sitting for a bit and seeing nothing. I heard some noises around me. Walked down the hill and saw very fresh tracks, walked up the hill and super fresh tracks, walked down and saw even fresher tracks. Due to the terrain I’m missing deer. Also lots of scrub burst since it’s around a creek. Lots of roses and tall grass because the standing water.

I don’t necessarily need a two person stand but they aren’t that much more expensive and I’d rather have the room or be more comfortable. I can across this and it has good reviews. Many others don’t. This should put me up pretty high and be able to see a lot especially if I can set it up on the high side of the hill and not in the valley a bit. I riffle hunt with a shooting stick so range is important to me. I could probably see the other side of the logging road(not car road) and I know deer use that as a highway. Just have to be strategic and maybe cut down a few trees but it’s all my parents land between there and mostly a creek bed.

Hawk Big Denali 2-Man Ladder Stand | Cabela's

If it's your parent's land you can build a permanent stand. A well made permanent stand is much safer to use than all other types. I know one guy, and am acquainted with another, that fell from their store bought tree stands and broke their backs along with several compound limb fractures. Neither were paralyzed, but had years of recovery before they made it back into the woods. One thought he was going to die of hypothermia because he laid out in the woods overnight.
If I'm hunting alone I will not use a tree stand. I hunt on gun club and state land and cannot put up a permanent stand.

Best of luck in your hunts.

 

[1075tech]

For a cheap stand, I bought the ameri-step 15' two person stand at Walmart for $89. I'm fat so the extra room is nice. I can tie it all together and drag it out to the tree. I ended up buying two so my daughter could use one. I had them on the same land for a couple of years. Had to take them down last year.

I'm in a ground blind this year. No place to put the stands this year. At least the blind I can pack in and stay out of the weather.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I have a two person (comfortable for two children) and a climber. Pros and cons with each.

1. Permanent: Relatively high up. Stable. Can move around a bit. Change positions. Room for a backpack next to me if I like. Easy in and out.

2. Climber: Portable. Versatile. Can change locations, direction, height. Inusually go up to near 25'. Commanding view and incan see / cover quite a bit of area. Takes a little time and effort going up and down.

For me, the biggest variable is convenience. I do prefer the climber most times because of the height and directional advantage. Seat is actually more comfortable than the fixed but not a lot of room to shuffle around. I've already picked another tree to move it to for next season.

 

[Saltwater60]

I have a two person (comfortable for two children) and a climber. Pros and cons with each.

1. Permanent: Relatively high up. Stable. Can move around a bit. Change positions. Room for a backpack next to me if I like. Easy in and out.

2. Climber: Portable. Versatile. Can change locations, direction, height. Inusually go up to near 25'. Commanding view and incan see / cover quite a bit of area. Takes a little time and effort going up and down.

For me, the biggest variable is convenience. I do prefer the climber most times because of the height and directional advantage. Seat is actually more comfortable than the fixed but not a lot of room to shuffle around. I've already picked another tree to move it to for next season.
View attachment 96953

That sure is something to think about. I do like the versatility of the climber. I do have plans to hunt some NYS wildlife management areas.

The attraction to the double seat fixed is we always see deer in this area year after year. It’s a main walkway with multiple deer trail paths. Also my wife likes to take wildlife photos and thought on a nice day we could both sit up there. She doesn’t even weigh 120 LBS and I’m about 175 so we are both small people. She said she would sit up there with me and I’m sure she actually will but not during hunting season.

 

[Jaywmustang]

You can get a extra large one person stand. Not a fan of two person stands, they r a lot harder to put up by yourself.

 

[1075tech]

Since this is family property, can you build a more permanent elevated shooting box? Those are nice. The last two years, the property I was hunting had them 4x8. 6' tall, 12' off the ground with stairs to get in.

 

[Blimey]

They make a huge difference for sure. Much better visibility and greatly diminish odds of detection.

I generally use a climber but if you have the ability setting up a ladder stand is so much more convenient and can save ten min on each side of your hunt.

you can make it safe by getting one of those rope systems that you hook into at the ground and a knot follows the line up as you climb. This way if your ladder stand eventually fails on you after being left up a few seasons you’re strapped in. Most people with ladders don’t strap in until they are at the top, which is no help if it fails once you hit the platform.

 

[Robin]

I was going to build a more permanent blind last summer but for
a variety of reasons it didn't come to fruition. So, I'm sitting in my stand freezing, because as usual I am way under dressed, and thinking, Damn, if I'd built that stand I could be heating up a bowl of soup, or cup of coffee, or, toasting some toast!!! Hah, lots of stuff passes through yer mind when there's no action and the elements remind you that its' not spring, and yer no chicken.
Just glad to be out there and see our mother unfold her beauty as the sun comes up!
God bless you hunters!!!!!
Robin

 

[Saltwater60]

I certainly can build whatever I want. There’s already a ladder on the woods where some one built one of them. It’s likely not safe since we’ve been there about ten years now and haven’t touched it. I’ll look at some plans/videos and see what I can come up with. There are not a lot of good mature trees there so I’ll have to be very selective. I’m a fairly good builder and making a stand won’t be much trouble for me. Any suggestions or links that are tried and true would be appreciated. All I’ll need is the wood and hardware so cost difference should be negligible.

 

[Saltwater60]

I kind of like this one. I can build this and get a climber if I need at some point.
I’m sure my father will insist he pays for this anyway since all the grandkids will use it.

Free Deer Hunting Box Stands Plans

 

[MoMan]

Since this is family property, can you build a more permanent elevated shooting box? Those are nice. The last two years, the property I was hunting had them 4x8. 6' tall, 12' off the ground with stairs to get in.

That's what we have scattered strategically around my Buddy's farms. There is a HUGE difference between sitting outside in the elements, and sitting comfortably in a lawn chair in a nice 'shooting house'!! Just be sure where you want to build it, because obviously unlike a portable stand, if you build it they may not come, and relocation isn't a real option. This is why we have multiples, but then again we've got right at 950 acres spread amongst different farms/terrain/woods.