I will not hunt deer or any other large creature without being in a stand unless I know for a fact (and there is little knowing that) that I am the only one around on level ground for at least a mile in any direction. Rifle bullets should be shot downward--that is a safety rule I have observed my whole life and is not subject to change.
Why Climb for Whitetail?
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I'v always hunted in a stand imo keeps me safe and warm. I hunt in the mountains of west texas and moutain lions arent that uncommon and i dont know about yall but i dont want to be eye level with a big cat that has the drop on me. too many "what if's" on the ground even when i bow hunt if i cant get my stand up high i just sit on a limb..
I am going to teach hunting stands again this August for the MN Deer Hunters accociation(Hibbing/Chisholm chapter) Youth Day. Last year was our 1st year for a hunting stand station, and had over 110 youth participating.
I had 4 different stands and 3 had a different safety system incorporated into it.
On the last group through, 10 minutes before we were done for the day We had a failure with my API Grand Slam Magnum Climber.
http://www.outdoorsupply.com/api2001/gs2500m.htm
The sling style seat failed while a 14 year old was descending. All 3 straps came out of the cleats at the same time and the boy would have fell backwards out of the stand had he not been secured with the safety.
I had 1 strap come loose a couple of time over the 4 years i have used this stand, But all 3 came loose at the same time.
What we learned here was 2 very important lessons.
1. During this event we put more wear and tear on this stand than would normally be done in 5-10 years. We have to inspect our stands several times throughout the session from now on.
2. Youth for the most part are very light and the stand doesn't operate properly without enough weight to lock belt cleats, and the stand itself to the tree. We had several situations where the lower section would slide until the safety cord stopped it just because there wasn't enough weight to cause it to bite into the tree.
I had 4 different stands and 3 had a different safety system incorporated into it.
On the last group through, 10 minutes before we were done for the day We had a failure with my API Grand Slam Magnum Climber.
http://www.outdoorsupply.com/api2001/gs2500m.htm
The sling style seat failed while a 14 year old was descending. All 3 straps came out of the cleats at the same time and the boy would have fell backwards out of the stand had he not been secured with the safety.
I had 1 strap come loose a couple of time over the 4 years i have used this stand, But all 3 came loose at the same time.
What we learned here was 2 very important lessons.
1. During this event we put more wear and tear on this stand than would normally be done in 5-10 years. We have to inspect our stands several times throughout the session from now on.
2. Youth for the most part are very light and the stand doesn't operate properly without enough weight to lock belt cleats, and the stand itself to the tree. We had several situations where the lower section would slide until the safety cord stopped it just because there wasn't enough weight to cause it to bite into the tree.
ehhh
I still/stalk with a recurve bow, To me (here we go) stand hunting is just luck.
Sure you can scout for months in advance and find that perfect spot and hope the deer don't catch on. Don't get me wrong I do scout it is a must but i scout the land so I know were I am at.I have hunted from a stand as well and have harvested some fine deer doing it. But for me I will stick to the ground, hell I don't realy care most of the time if I see a deer or not. I am just happy being in the woods.
Also I make sure I am the only person on the land that day, I have spooked a few guys in the stands comming up behind them, That is my fault, If I were hunting a stand and someone was moving in my line of fire I would be pissed...
I still/stalk with a recurve bow, To me (here we go) stand hunting is just luck.
Sure you can scout for months in advance and find that perfect spot and hope the deer don't catch on. Don't get me wrong I do scout it is a must but i scout the land so I know were I am at.I have hunted from a stand as well and have harvested some fine deer doing it. But for me I will stick to the ground, hell I don't realy care most of the time if I see a deer or not. I am just happy being in the woods.
Also I make sure I am the only person on the land that day, I have spooked a few guys in the stands comming up behind them, That is my fault, If I were hunting a stand and someone was moving in my line of fire I would be pissed...
depends on the hunt
Most of the replys have echoed my view point about elevated hunting vs ground hunting. I would have to say it depends on your hunt, type of ground, and season.
For years I hunted deer from the ground, moved to elevated stands and did better. However here in Mich. the deer are looking up but in many areas now but a elevated stand gives you a much better view over the area and to see deer.
However..as a part of a rescue at heights team, I have always used some sort of harness when putting up a tree stand, climbing in and out of the stand and while on the stand and taking down a stand. Too many examples of people falling or getting hurt from poor construction, poor choise of trees, cold and careless. The old belt style works if you put it over your ribs to absorb the impact of a fall, if it is around your waist you normally will be flipped upside down and your head will wap on something hard and painful. Again, body harness is the way to go plus have a knife handy to cut yourself out, sometime ya all should sit in your saftey harness and see how easy it is to get out of when all of your body weight is on it..good luck.
Now..when there is a fresh snow and I can track a field, it is a blast to track deer in the am after a fresh snow. Another fun ground hunt is stalking a corn field row to row. Again, a totally different deer hunting experience to see how close you can get plus both work when the conditions are right.
There are areas I hunt that no trees are available, time to work on the ground which has been productive for years, just takes a different set of skills.
Each system you may use has it benifits and saftey issues, just enjoy each one for the area you are hunting and what you are hoping to bring to the hunt experience.
Most of the replys have echoed my view point about elevated hunting vs ground hunting. I would have to say it depends on your hunt, type of ground, and season.
For years I hunted deer from the ground, moved to elevated stands and did better. However here in Mich. the deer are looking up but in many areas now but a elevated stand gives you a much better view over the area and to see deer.
However..as a part of a rescue at heights team, I have always used some sort of harness when putting up a tree stand, climbing in and out of the stand and while on the stand and taking down a stand. Too many examples of people falling or getting hurt from poor construction, poor choise of trees, cold and careless. The old belt style works if you put it over your ribs to absorb the impact of a fall, if it is around your waist you normally will be flipped upside down and your head will wap on something hard and painful. Again, body harness is the way to go plus have a knife handy to cut yourself out, sometime ya all should sit in your saftey harness and see how easy it is to get out of when all of your body weight is on it..good luck.
Now..when there is a fresh snow and I can track a field, it is a blast to track deer in the am after a fresh snow. Another fun ground hunt is stalking a corn field row to row. Again, a totally different deer hunting experience to see how close you can get plus both work when the conditions are right.
There are areas I hunt that no trees are available, time to work on the ground which has been productive for years, just takes a different set of skills.
Each system you may use has it benifits and saftey issues, just enjoy each one for the area you are hunting and what you are hoping to bring to the hunt experience.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
45Dave, I guess that during my early daze I was sort of a cross between a squirrel and a monkey. I was one-each little tree-climbing critter. But, for sure: You soon learn which trees to choose and which to avoid. And you learn certain things, such as never rely on a two-point support. Either both feet and one hand, or one foot and both hands, when climbing or descending. The sequence is 3-4-3; 3-4-3...
Learning carpentry via building tree houses didn't hurt, either.
Y'know, a rural upbringing is a Good Thing for later life.
, Art
Learning carpentry via building tree houses didn't hurt, either.
Y'know, a rural upbringing is a Good Thing for later life.
, ArtTheNatureBoy
New member
I think the hunter has the advantage a few feet up off the ground. 15ft is usually good for me. I don't feel comfortable going up much higher than that. Having said that I've killed more deer on the ground than up a tree stand.
guntotin_fool
New member
we build stands all the time, unless you are drunk, you should never be able to fall from a properly built stand.
we use a pair of 16 foot 2x4 to start, making the legs, but the seat is built at about 14'6, with a top rung of the ladder at 13' and a safety rail that rises about a foot and a half above the seat, just perfect for shooting off, and even if you fall asleep, you can not pitch forward and fall out of the stand. we use chain to secure the stand to the tree, and a lock, this prevents them from walking away, (even on private land, its amazing how fast they grow legs) and it prevents idjits from cutting the ropes or straps and leaving the stand to fall over when someone is in it.
we use a pair of 16 foot 2x4 to start, making the legs, but the seat is built at about 14'6, with a top rung of the ladder at 13' and a safety rail that rises about a foot and a half above the seat, just perfect for shooting off, and even if you fall asleep, you can not pitch forward and fall out of the stand. we use chain to secure the stand to the tree, and a lock, this prevents them from walking away, (even on private land, its amazing how fast they grow legs) and it prevents idjits from cutting the ropes or straps and leaving the stand to fall over when someone is in it.
