First tree stand hunt, need tips!

Safety harness my friend.
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Spend some money for a GOOD safety harness. The simple loop that comes with most tree stands and goes around your chest is NOT good enough -- you can easily fall out of it. And even if you don't fall out of it, the stress on your body when it slips off your chest and up under your arms can cause serious damage.

Get a lineman-style harness that goes over your shoulders, around your waist and chest, and under the crotch.

I've read that 1/3 of hunters who use tree stands fall out of them. And more than a few have wound up in a wheelchair.
 
Read what the rest of the posts say, lots of good stuff. The one about walking to and climbing in light clothing and then putting on the heavy stuff when in the tree is a good one.

Something not mentioned, and forgive me if I missed this but it appears you have not bought a stand yet, is what to chose for a stand.

I'll not champion a spicific brand. I've owned a good number over the last 30 years and with the exception of my first one, a Baker, all of them have had plusses and minuses. That old Baker though.................well it tried to kill me a few times.

Here are some general things I would look for:

1. Folding stand. Makes it much easier to get to and from site. Takes a little longer to set up though. And I will admit that I have two Timbertall Baby Lites that do not fold but rather nestle that I really like but in general stands that fold flat are better for carrying.

2. Pick as light a stand as will do the job. The less the stand weighs the further you are likely to carry it. This makes you less likely to pick a spot because it looks "good enouogh" and is close.

3. Ask about how easy the stand is to attach to the tree. I like my climbers but have used strap on styles a lot. Strap ons can be a pain. But, and this is important, with a strap on you can almost ALWAYS find a tree very close to the spot you want to hunt. This is not always the case with a climber. Some of the areas we hunt are heavy on the Live Oaks and they just do not lend themselves to climbing, especially the older trees.

4. Make 100% sure you have a GOOD carry strap system. Pads on the shoulders and a strap around the waist just as you would with a backpack to transfer the weight to your hips. Same reason as for a light stand.........you will carry it further.

Last thing...............with a light, easy to set up and easy to carry stand you will be far more likely to change spots because it will be easy. I don't care how careful you are with scent and the like it is a good idea to move from spot to spot and if your stand is a pain to move you will not so it as often.
 
That is correct, I have not yet bought a stand. I want to go and look around to see what my options are for stand placement. I think I would prefer a climber but I dont know how many trees I am going to be able to find that are optimum for climbers (no low limbs). I should be able to get out this weekend.
 
excellent points by bswiv.

I replaced the carry straps that came on mine with carry straps from an Army rucksack so they would have some padding, etc., then I just tied the pack on the back of the stand. Really an unbalanced load, but manageable.
 
I am with RR on the scent thing. I just never got into the washing/spraying thing. I just do not worry about it and pay more attention to wind direction and seeing the deer before they see me. Are you going to put the stand on private or public land? A safety harness is a must though.
 
Treestand

If you want to buy a portable climber and plan on hunting with a bow, cut a piece of cord exactly 20 feet long. When entering new areas with different elevations you can sometimes go too high and make very steep angles to shoot. If you have a rope of a known length you can then judge your platform height. I have hunted exclusively with treestands in Indiana for about 25 years and have found the summit stands the easiest to put onto a tree in the darkness or with minimal light, the API products are very good as well. Both brands will have all day comfort, but the summit is easier to install. If you choose a stand that has a rail on the top, or hand climber, you can then buy burlap and attach it top the top bar. Cut it long enough to cover the platform. When packing the stand simply roll the burlap around the rest bar. My two cents, but I do have 2 P&Y deer to my credit, so I would like to think I have learned a little along the way.
 
The stand will be going up on private land. For this hunt I will be taking my ruger gp 357. I never really got into the bow hunting thing but im gaining interest in it and sure to be at it next year.

What are the draw backs of a latter stand? Are they just not as mobile?

Thanks Roberts, I will take a good look at summit and API stands.
 
Regarding the harness. Just buy the cheapest that you think you are worth. If you are only worth $10 that is the one to buy but you might want the BEST. Kinda like motorcycle helmets. If you are not worth anything dont use one-esp motorcycle helmets.
 
buy a comfortable stand - if you aren't comfortable, you won't sit still/long.

always use a safety strap.

consider the sun when deciding on a tree - your hunt will be misrible if you have the sun in your eyes and/or are in the sun the entire hunt.

hunt as high as you can - the higher you are, the less likely deer will see, hear and smell you. i have been known to hunt 45+ feet when rifle hunting.

if you are using a climbing tree stand, NEVER attempt to climb a leaning or crooked tree.

never climb a palm tree for 2 reasons. (1) you can't tell when they are rotten until you are up in them and on the way down and (2) coral snakes love to live in them.

always use a rope to pull your firearm up to you.

if you are hunting in the south, buy a Thermacell...they are worth their weight in gold. no matter how high you hunt, skeeters will find you.

try to put or place your tree stand in the tree prior to your hunt. this way you can find which way to face and how high you want to hunt. once i climb my tree i will tie a piece of flagging tape around the tree at the desired height i want to hunt (so when you are climbing your tree before daylight you will know when to stop). i always try to hunt high but sometime conditions don't allow. this also allows you to cut any limbs or small trees that will be in your line of sight.
 
dang! I wish there were palm trees in Iowa! :)

Thanks for the tips, I am planning to go out well in advance to do a little scouting. I have some farmers in the family and have a few different locations to choose from. I have quite a bit of time yet. Shotgun (first season (includes handgun) doesn't open until December 1st.
 
Since you said it was private land, when you scout tie some flag tapes on good trees. If you have enough room, try and have a best one that plays to the prevailing wind and then a few alternates, since the wind will automatically change the day you are going to hunt:p.

If it is pretty secure private land, I would pack it in prior to the season and stash it close to where you are going to use it. Saves a lot of work not having to carry it in and out every day. Also lets it get "scent neutral" for that area.

If not secure, you can always do the same thing and just lock it up with one of those long bike locks and then throw some brush over it.
 
Yeah, thats a good idea to get it set up early. I think my best route would be to get a hanger and use climbing sticks or tree steps. I cant imagine there are going to be many trees that are big, straight, and naked enough to use a climber. Time will tell though, we've been getting so much rain lately I haven't had an opportunity to get out there.
 
If you use a hang on and climbing sticks, I have seen guys that do that, throw a lock on the stand in the tree and then remove the bottom stick when they leave. Just makes it harder for someone to mess with your stuff. But, again, since you are on private land might not make a difference.
 
I am anal about the scent thing. More so during bow season and scouting. I can appreciate everyone's opinion on the subject. I think that every precaution taken is one less thing to worry about. Having said that, everyone that said wind direction is the most important thing is correct.

Choose yourself what to do about the scent control. Rubber boots are a must IMO while scouting. Everything you touch, you leave your stink. Look with your eyes not your hands. Momma always told me.

You should concider these things about stand location.

Line of sight to the game you wish to shoot.
how far can you see and can you shoot that far. Also how far away are you visible to the game.

If hunting a trail or opening in the woods, try to be one tree deep in the cover instead of out in the open. You see them and are not sticking out like a soar thumb.

How high is determined by how far you can see and how high you feel comfortable should a breeze start rocking your tree. It should be enjoyable not scary.

After wind direction, and more important than camo is can you sit still. Movement will give you away from a great distance. Comfortable tree stands mean you can sit still and have greater success hunting.

Play the wind, don't fidget around and be alert. You stand a 30-70 chance if you pay attention of seeing the deer before they are right under you.

Have fun! that is the big idea.
 
Now that I'm more alert and have recovered enough to speak sensibly on the subject (less narcotics these days :)) I'll tell you how I set up my portable stands.

I always look for a tree with a smaller tree right under it. Around here that usually means something like a pine with a cedar right beside it. That pine is probably 60-80 ft tall and is usually straight as a board with no limbs for 20 ft or so so literally the sky is the limit with a good climbing stand. (as long as it's not a loblolly pine (short needles, small cones), bark is to thin and too fragile to hold a climber's teeth in, longleaf pines are perfect IMHO). I climb to the point where I can see over the cedar but the cedar covers my legs. This helps cover any inadvertent movement and also gives you a bit of scent cover. Not that cedar is going to necessarily be stronger scented than you, but every bit helps as they say.

If I can't find a setup like that with a cedar nearby I look around for a pine with any other kind of small tree with limbs that will cross over the line of sight between the game trails I'm hunting and my stand. Look for available natural cover at your stand height and then blend in with it or add to it as necessary.
 
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