Tree stand thoughts

[Saltwater60]

I don’t have a lot of good trees where I’m hunting and I need to get up high. I saw too many deer just walk on buy last season. I have a few trees I could probably set up a conventional stand on. My thoughts are maybe this leaves you pretty exposed to be spotted by deer. Maybe not since I’d be on a hill anyway but the deer can come from a hill that I’d even or lower with. I hunt kind of in a valley of sorts. They are generally in the bottom of the valley in the brush or walking the creek area.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/big-game-treestands-the-apex-tripod-stand

 

[Saltwater60]

This one looks pretty nice too. Different design.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hawk-big-denali-15-ladder-stand

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Fixed are nice and quick once set up. Climbers are easily mobile but require just a little more work......but......you can get as high as you want.

 

[MoMan]

This one looks pretty nice too. Different design.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/hawk-big-denali-15-ladder-stand

Yea, when I saw your 1st post in the thread, my mind went right to; 'how about a ladder stand'. Then this was next.
I hunted out of a ladder stand for years, with great success. As a matter of fact, when I left from up there, I left my stand set up for my Buddy's young Son.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

20' is a nice height

 

[Saltwater60]

Thanks guys. I think I may go that route. I’m disappointed that there is no option for a DMP in the area that I hunt. I may have to branch out and try some other areas but they would be state lands or WMU.

 

[Saltwater60]

I’m having trouble finding one i stock anywhere. What do you all think of this one. I’m a gander member and can have it for $150.

RE664 RIVERS EDGE RELAX WIDE 1-MAN

The Relax Wide™ ladder stand features an extra-wide, TearTuff™ mesh seat that brings all day comfort for those extra-long hunts. For extra room, this stand also features a 23" wide platform and a removable, padded shooting rail. Sit back and relax on your next hunt with the Relax Wide™ ladder stand.

www.huntriversedge.com

 

[whauburger]

I bought a rivers edge 2 man stand a couple weeks ago. I have always used hang on and climbers. My kids been asking to go so I needed one....first step assembling bolt holes were not aligned. I had to drill and modify myself. Not a huge deal but annoyed me. I reached out to the company about quality control and never got a response. I won't purchase rivers edge again.

 

[Saltwater60]

I bought a rivers edge 2 man stand a couple weeks ago. I have always used hang on and climbers. My kids been asking to go so I needed one....first step assembling bolt holes were not aligned. I had to drill and modify myself. Not a huge deal but annoyed me. I reached out to the company about quality control and never got a response. I won't purchase rivers edge again.

I get the mistake but the no response thing is a bigger deal to me. Thanks. This is tough and they seem to be about the only thing available right now. I’ll have to dig a little deeper.

 

[whauburger]

I was limited because I needed a "2 person". If single is an option for you there are a few nice looking ones I saw but do not have personal experience with. I like hang on stands usually because you can set them on odd shape trees and go as low/ high as you like.

 

[thegatman]

I use tripod stands. Pretty portable. Can be moved to new area very easily. Do not need a tree.
A little uncomfortable but easy to set up. Make sure you get the one that has locks on the legs to prevent it from folding up while you are in it.
Downside: You can’t use a harness as there is no tree to attach it too.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Still lookin for one of these....

 

[Saltwater60]

I found the ladder stand I wanted today at cabelas and I bought it.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

I found the ladder stand I wanted today at cabelas and I bought it.

Nice, good luck with it. Heck, if you are ever in the Catskill area, i got about 6 or 7 "abandoned" tree stands on my 26 acre property. Some of them overlooking 700,000 acres of state land that butt up to my land, i am surrounded on 3 sides by state land. I do NOT hunt, you can have them, as long as you dont mind climbing up and taking them down.

 

[Saltwater60]

Nice, good luck with it. Heck, if you are ever in the Catskill area, i got about 6 or 7 "abandoned" tree stands on my 26 acre property. Some of them overlooking 700,000 acres of state land that butt up to my land, i am surrounded on 3 sides by state land. I do NOT hunt, you can have them, as long as you dont mind climbing up and taking them down.

Sounds like a beautiful place. Lucky you and hopefully you’ll never have too many neighbors. Sounds like my dream retirement property.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Sounds like a beautiful place. Lucky you and hopefully you’ll never have too many neighbors. Sounds like my dream retirement property.

Thanks, it is awesome. I will never have neighbors due to the property being surrounded by protected state land. There is only one private "road" going in and out, and i OWN that one road. Its amazing, and a retirements dream. I strictly use it for getting away, hanging, and shooting. I can shoot anywhere on my property with NOBODY caring or even knowing. I can shoot from trees, prone, from my car, or ATV, can shoot at night with tracer rounds, can blow up explosive targets and tannerite, can unload 1,000 rounds of 5.56 in a few hours and when done hear nothing but birds chirping, NOT sirens blasting.

I have a simple cabin which i converted from an old saw mill on the property. It has a pot belly stove, some bunks, a couch, and kitchen. Only thing is some mice and chipmunks had there way in there, and it needs some refreshing. I am looking into putting a modular type structure/home up there though. As rural and secluded that it is, luckily there is actually electric up there. I also have fresh mountain stream water flowing thru, so tapping in with a well will be no issue, add a septic and i am good.

I have been looking into a new set up, perfect for off grid, or property like mine, called Boxabyl. Check it out. Of you google Boxabyl you will find that for $50,000 you can have one delivered that is fully functional with appliances and electric, and plumbing, that can be erected in less than 2 hours. It is literally a folding and unfolding 20 foot by 20 foot home that can be delivered. It is fireproof, waterproof, bug proof, tornado and wind proof and mold resistant as well.

Check out Boxabyl..

 

[Saltwater60]

Wow that property sounds like my dream. If it has a creek or a pond I’m coming squatting when I retire!!
As nice as that delivered home sounds I’d like the saw mill better probably. I love old homes. I actually have refused to buy anything newer than 1940. When we retire I may have to go back on that though. My wife wants a U shaped ranch so we can have a bedroom/bathroom on one side, living space in the middle, then guest bedrooms and bathrooms on the other leg of the house.

 

[whauburger]

Not to derail but I loved old houses until I moved into a house built in the early 40's. It's been 1 problem after another.

 

[Saltwater60]

Not to derail but I loved old houses until I moved into a house built in the early 40's. It's been 1 problem after another.

You’re good.
My house was built in the late 1800’s and I love it.

 

[whauburger]

Previous owners didn't seem to take as great of care of the house as I hoped.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Wow that property sounds like my dream. If it has a creek or a pond I’m coming squatting when I retire!!
As nice as that delivered home sounds I’d like the saw mill better probably. I love old homes. I actually have refused to buy anything newer than 1940. When we retire I may have to go back on that though. My wife wants a U shaped ranch so we can have a bedroom/bathroom on one side, living space in the middle, then guest bedrooms and bathrooms on the other leg of the house.

Well my friend, i have to tell you, there is indeed a stream on the property. In fact, its the dividing line of one section between my property line and the state property line. Also, the stream runs into a reservoir that holds the tap water for NYC, and other counties. The state owns every part of the waterway, EXCEPT my piece of land. There are some spots of the stream that pools up, is about 3 to 4 feet deep, and is surrounded by rocks. We go in there and cool down in the cold, clean , mountain water, surrounded by rocks and tiny waterfalls. People would probably pay big money for this "spa" experience, lol.

I can literally sit in the mountain spring water, sipping a drink with my wife, and an AR 15 slung on my back, in fact i have done that exact thing. Now the old abandoned saw mill has a section of it converted into a little "cabin", with pot belly stove, some bunks, and a kitchen area. The rest of the sawmill is honestly just a shell of a building. It is structurally sound, nothing leaking from the roof, but there is no longer a floor, and big sections are missing around the perimeter. That said, its nothing that cannot be restored, and there def is a lot of older, full of character, wooden pieces all over.

It would be a decent sized job to transform it too a truly complete livable space, but once done it would be incredible.

 

[Saltwater60]

Well my friend, i have to tell you, there is indeed a stream on the property. In fact, its the dividing line of one section between my property line and the state property line. Also, the stream runs into a reservoir that holds the tap water for NYC, and other counties. The state owns every part of the waterway, EXCEPT my piece of land. There are some spots of the stream that pools up, is about 3 to 4 feet deep, and is surrounded by rocks. We go in there and cool down in the cold, clean , mountain water, surrounded by rocks and tiny waterfalls. People would probably pay big money for this "spa" experience, lol.

I can literally sit in the mountain spring water, sipping a drink with my wife, and an AR 15 slung on my back, in fact i have done that exact thing. Now the old abandoned saw mill has a section of it converted into a little "cabin", with pot belly stove, some bunks, and a kitchen area. The rest of the sawmill is honestly just a shell of a building. It is structurally sound, nothing leaking from the roof, but there is no longer a floor, and big sections are missing around the perimeter. That said, its nothing that cannot be restored, and there def is a lot of older, full of character, wooden pieces all over.

It would be a decent sized job to transform it too a truly complete livable space, but once done it would be incredible.

Awe man that’s just awesome. Sounds like my dream for retirement. I’d say if you ever sell it let me know but I certainly don’t plan to retire in NYS.
I’d love to see some pictures and I’m sure you will tell me there are brook trout in your stream since they are my favorite fish. Just beautiful.
Seriously enjoy it. It seems like you know you have a Jen but let me tell you - YOU HAVE A JEM!

 

[Saltwater60]

Tree stand arrived too stinking hot to put it together today. Plus I have other crap to do. Tomorrow?

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Awe man that’s just awesome. Sounds like my dream for retirement. I’d say if you ever sell it let me know but I certainly don’t plan to retire in NYS.
I’d love to see some pictures and I’m sure you will tell me there are brook trout in your stream since they are my favorite fish. Just beautiful.
Seriously enjoy it. It seems like you know you have a Jen but let me tell you - YOU HAVE A JEM!

Thanks bro, i am very lucky to have it. Its funny too cause i bought it about 15 years ago in my late 20's to early 30's, and strictly as an investment to sell for a profit one day. In fact the first 10 years that i owned it, i went up maybe 3 times. Fast forward to the past few years, and when it should be the time for me to sell it, my mind set and priorities in life have changed and the property has become more valuable to me for what it is, not for what its worth monetarily.

Its a bug out retreat, quiet hidden, secluded sanctuary for me and my family. Mostly though i use it as my own personal shooting range, and getaway. Its funny too, cause ive been looking for brook trout in my stream, but alas i have never seen them. With that said though, my stream feeds a HUGE reservoir upstate, and in that massive body of water are probably the biggest trout, bass, and catfish you can ever catch, see, or eat. The reservoir is right across the road from my land, and i could walk to it, but unfortunately the reservoir doesnt border my land, just the stream that feeds it does.

I have considered catching some brook trout from the reservoir down the street, and releasing them in my stream. I just dont know if it would be viable ,as the stream in many, many spots trickles down to literally a few inches deep and a few feet wide, then it can literally explode into 10 feet wide and 2 feet deep for a section, and then back and forth to a trickle. Not sure if they can survive in a stream like that.

If i do ever decide to sell, i will let you know. I totally get though not wanting to retire in the state. In fact, that is my reason for not completely setting up permanently up there. With the 26 acres i could transform it into a liveable and sustainable farm, for myself and immediate family, but i havent ONLY cause its in NY. Instead i have started buying in Pennsylvania, and i eventually want about 150 acres out there. Better gun laws, cheaper taxes, etc. Its a tough decision, but i am weighing both options, and eventually one of the properties will need to be sold. The decision is made tougher too because the upstate property i own outright, and only pay taxes on it. My other ventures have mortgages, so decisions decisions.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Tree stand arrived too stinking hot to put it together today. Plus I have other crap to do. Tomorrow?

Good luck with it, it looks like a good one. Take your time putting it together, its been sh&%ty out, dont kill yourself. Have fun with it brother, good luck.

 

[Saltwater60]

Good luck with it, it looks like a good one. Take your time putting it together, its been sh&%ty out, dont kill yourself. Have fun with it brother, good luck.

Will do thanks buddy.

 

[Saltwater60]

Thanks bro, i am very lucky to have it. Its funny too cause i bought it about 15 years ago in my late 20's to early 30's, and strictly as an investment to sell for a profit one day. In fact the first 10 years that i owned it, i went up maybe 3 times. Fast forward to the past few years, and when it should be the time for me to sell it, my mind set and priorities in life have changed and the property has become more valuable to me for what it is, not for what its worth monetarily.

Its a bug out retreat, quiet hidden, secluded sanctuary for me and my family. Mostly though i use it as my own personal shooting range, and getaway. Its funny too, cause ive been looking for brook trout in my stream, but alas i have never seen them. With that said though, my stream feeds a HUGE reservoir upstate, and in that massive body of water are probably the biggest trout, bass, and catfish you can ever catch, see, or eat. The reservoir is right across the road from my land, and i could walk to it, but unfortunately the reservoir doesnt border my land, just the stream that feeds it does.

I have considered catching some brook trout from the reservoir down the street, and releasing them in my stream. I just dont know if it would be viable ,as the stream in many, many spots trickles down to literally a few inches deep and a few feet wide, then it can literally explode into 10 feet wide and 2 feet deep for a section, and then back and forth to a trickle. Not sure if they can survive in a stream like that.

If i do ever decide to sell, i will let you know. I totally get though not wanting to retire in the state. In fact, that is my reason for not completely setting up permanently up there. With the 26 acres i could transform it into a liveable and sustainable farm, for myself and immediate family, but i havent ONLY cause its in NY. Instead i have started buying in Pennsylvania, and i eventually want about 150 acres out there. Better gun laws, cheaper taxes, etc. Its a tough decision, but i am weighing both options, and eventually one of the properties will need to be sold. The decision is made tougher too because the upstate property i own outright, and only pay taxes on it. My other ventures have mortgages, so decisions decisions.

Brook trout can live in surprisingly small streams. The stream you described is a lot of the habitat for brook trout in my area. That keeps most of them small and short lived but that’s life. I’ll bet they are in your stream unless they stock the reservoir and there is a ledge or spillway they can’t swim upstream to. You could always call the DEC and ask them if they stocked the reservoir or ever surveyed your stream.
If you do the stocking thing you plan to do it with small fish 6” or less and see what happened. They may all just wash down stream anyway. Try a 6.6’ aping rod with a small worm and go very stealthy upstream and just dip it in quietly to see if there are any Brookies in your stream. Here are the brook trout and stream that I was catching them in last year at a state park near me. You can see a few small pools and it’s only 1’-5’ wide and few places if any were over 2’ deep. It’s a cold spring fed creek and they are sensitive to acid rain.

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

Brook trout can live in surprisingly small streams. The stream you described is a lot of the habitat for brook trout in my area. That keeps most of them small and short lived but that’s life. I’ll bet they are in your stream unless they stock the reservoir and there is a ledge or spillway they can’t swim upstream to. You could always call the DEC and ask them if they stocked the reservoir or ever surveyed your stream.
If you do the stocking thing you plan to do it with small fish 6” or less and see what happened. They may all just wash down stream anyway. Try a 6.6’ aping rod with a small worm and go very stealthy upstream and just dip it in quietly to see if there are any Brookies in your stream. Here are the brook trout and stream that I was catching them in last year at a state park near me. You can see a few small pools and it’s only 1’-5’ wide and few places if any were over 2’ deep. It’s a cold spring fed creek and they are sensitive to acid rain.

WOW, holy s$%t those pics could literally be pictures of my stream and property. No joke, especially that 2nd picture, looks exactly like my land. Its in a valley like that too, and there are many fallen trees sitting across the stream. If you look at your 2nd picture from that exact perspective, the right side of the stream would be state land, and the left side of the stream would be my land, with the center of the stream being the property line division.

Based on the exact pics you are showing me, then my stream 100000% could hold brook trout. Like i said, those could have been like they were taken on my land. I just showed my wife your pics, and she said, "were they on our property", lol. Thats so funny. Listen, if you like property like EXACTLY the land you are standing on in those pics, then you will LOVE my land, its like an exact snapshot.

Lol, i HAVE to ask, the land you are on and the stream, that is not up in Ulster county is it, by chance??

 

[Saltwater60]

WOW, holy s$%t those pics could literally be pictures of my stream and property. No joke, especially that 2nd picture, looks exactly like my land. Its in a valley like that too, and there are many fallen trees sitting across the stream. If you look at your 2nd picture from that exact perspective, the right side of the stream would be state land, and the left side of the stream would be my land, with the center of the stream being the property line division.

Based on the exact pics you are showing me, then my stream 100000% could hold brook trout. Like i said, those could have been like they were taken on my land. I just showed my wife your pics, and she said, "were they on our property", lol. Thats so funny. Listen, if you like property like EXACTLY the land you are standing on in those pics, then you will LOVE my land, its like an exact snapshot.

Lol, i HAVE to ask, the land you are on and the stream, that is not up in Ulster county is it, by chance??

No it was Allegheny state park down south in nys/pa line. Same latitude just west of your property. I love it there and it’s beautiful so yes I’d like your property.
Here is the stocking list in ulster county.

Spring 2025 Trout Stocking for Ulster County

The following listing reflects the anticipated number of yearling and older trout to be stocked into listed Ulster County waters during spring 2025.

www.dec.ny.gov

PFR - Ulster County — Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited

www.midhudsontu.org

 

[Dunedain Ranger]

No it was Allegheny state park down south in nys/pa line. Same latitude just west of your property. I love it there and it’s beautiful so yes I’d like your property.
Here is the stocking list in ulster county.

Spring 2025 Trout Stocking for Ulster County

The following listing reflects the anticipated number of yearling and older trout to be stocked into listed Ulster County waters during spring 2025.

www.dec.ny.gov

PFR - Ulster County — Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited

www.midhudsontu.org

Yep, my reservoir and creek are mentioned in those lists. Well, not really MY reservoir, but you know what i mean, lol.