Squirrels do it, monkeys do it, and a growing number of deer hunters do it. Bowhunters and, where legal, firearm hunters spend the majority of their time afield up a tree.
It's easy to see why treestand hunting has become so popular across whitetail country. Hunting above the ground provides the bow or gun hunter with some important advantages.
An improved vantage point is one of the least talked about but most important aspects of treestand hunting. It puts you in the driver's seat to see approaching deer before the animal spots anything out of the ordinary. The precious moments from the time you spot a buck until you get a clear shot gives you an opportunity to get into a shooting position without being detected.
Deer can and do look up, but a stationary hunter in a treestand is much less likely to be spotted than the same hunter positioned on the ground. An elevated platform also makes it less likely a deer will smell a hunter. Less likely are the key words. Treestands aren't a guarantee of scent-free hunting in themselves, but when used properly these hunting aids can help hunters control how their scent impacts on deer.
A better vantage point, the ability to move without being spotted, and human scent control combine to make treestand hunting one of the most effective methods of harvesting big-game animals. All these advantages add up to shots taken at unsuspecting and relaxed animals, or in other words, quick, clean kills.
Stand Types
Treestands fall into four categories: strap-on, climbers, ladder, and tower styles. Of the four types available strap-on versions are the least expensive and most versatile. Most strap-on stands are simple designs that feature a platform, a seat, and one or more web straps or chains that wrap around the tree and secure the stand.
Straps or chains are secured tightly around the tree to prevent the stand from moving. A simple lever principle that uses the hunter's weight to pinch the base of the stand firmly against the tree makes these units safe and simple.
Some models feature a screw-in anchor that further stabilizes the stand. Many states prohibit the use of treestands or stand accessories that break the bark. Check with the authorities in the state you'll be hunting before purchasing a treestand.
Light in weight, strap-on stands are a logical choice among hunters who must hike long distances to hunting areas. Hunters who select this stand type will also need to invest in some form of tree steps designed to help in tree climbing. Screw-in steps, strap-on steps, and strap-on ladders are available for use with these stands.
Climber stands are popular among those who hunt in big timber areas. Tall straight trees at least 12 inches in diameter are required for climber-style stands.
With a little practice hunters can shimmy up trees quickly and quietly with climbing stands. Climbers are usually two-part stands that feature a foot platform and a seat that doubles as a climbing aid. Most models incorporate a sit-down/stand-up climbing style that's safe and when a little patience is exercised a quiet method of climbing trees.
The hunter must secure both parts of the stand to the base of a suitable tree, then step inside the stand and secure his feet to the platform using web straps or rubber tie-down cords. The hunter sits on the seat portion of the stand, then bends his legs and lifts the platform portion a foot or so up the tree trunk. Next the hunter stands placing his weight on the platform and wedging it in place. Then the seat portion of the stand is lifted upwards and wedged into place against the tree. This sit-and-stand climbing method allows the hunter to control the pace of his ascent and descent.
Climbing type stands simply don't work in trees that have lots of good-sized branches low to the ground. Small branches encountered while climbing can be trimmed away using a folding saw.
Climber stands feature a lot more moving parts than strap-on stands. Because of their size and overall shape, climbers can be a little more trouble to carry into the woods and set up quietly. On the flip side, hunters who use climbing stands don't need to purchase additional climbing aids such as steps or ladders.
Ladder-style stands appeal to many hunters. Most models are lightweight, easy to set up, and easy to use. Ladder stands can also be used in almost any tree strong enough to support a hunter's weight.
Ladder stands vary in height from 10-18 feet, with most basic models stretching 10-12 feet tall. Extensions are available for many ladder stands that significantly increase the overall stand height. Extensions are normally sold as after-market items.
Ladder stands range from simple models that feature a small platform that attaches to the tree via a strap or chain to an aluminum or steel ladder that runs from the platform to the ground. With simple ladder stands, the hunter normally sits on the platform and rests his legs on one of the ladder rungs. More elaborate ladder stands are available that feature built-in seats, attachable blinds, and many other accessories.
Relatively short 10- to 12-foot ladder stands must be placed in trees that provide plenty of available natural cover. Sitting only 10 feet above the ground doesn't bring the hunter above a deer's natural peripheral vision. Unless a cloth blind, brush, limbs, and other cover can be used to break up the hunter's outline, the concealment provided may not be adequate.
Taller ladder stands simply offer the hunter more concealment from the sharp eyes of whitetail deer and other big-game animals. Models reaching 14-18 feet into the tree tops provide a little extra height that's welcome especially if the hunter must choose a tree that offers little in the way of natural cover.
Ladder stands are easy to climb into and out of and are among the safest of all treestands. Also, the only additional accessory required for ladder stands is a safety belt.
Tower-style blinds get the nod when trees big enough to support traditional stands are few. Some excellent places to hunt deer fall into this category. Forest clearcuts, young pine plantations, tag alder flats, orchards, and Christmas tree farms are just a few of the places where an elevated tower hunting blind is the logical choice.
Most tower blinds are tripod style with one of the legs converted to a ladder. These stands range in height from 10-16 feet. The most popular models feature a 360-degree rotating seat and framework that supports a curtain or drape style blind. Since cover is likely to be minimal at best, the accessory curtain blinds are highly recommended.
The least portable of all treestand types, tower blinds are best suited to areas where the stand can be set up and left in place for a considerable period of time. Tower blinds erected on private lands may be permanently secured to the ground using stakes or by anchoring the legs in cement.
Check with the fish and game department in your state to confirm regulations governing the use of permanent stands on public lands. Many states require hunters to take their stands in and out each day.
Steel Versus Aluminum
Treestands are made from both aluminum and steel materials. Respective manufacturers rate their stands for the maximum allowable weight capacity. Not surprisingly, aluminum stands are lighter and are usually rated to hold less weight than a comparable stand made of steel. On the average, aluminum stands are a little more expensive than steel stands because the raw materials cost more.
Stands made from steel are stronger and can hold more weight than similar aluminum models. Steel stands provide an excellent value for the hunter, but the extra weight can become a problem if the stand must be carried in a long distance or brought in and out each hunting day.
Large men may be limited in treestand choices because of their weight. Many lightweight aluminum models are only rated to 250 pounds. When considering ladder stands keep in mind that the taller the stand, the less weight carrying capacity they offer. Read the fine print on weight capacity before purchasing any treestand.
Tips On Staying Quiet
Putting up a treestand without making deer-spooking noise is one of the greatest challenges a bowhunter faces. The metallic clanks and bangs so often associated with treestands can be reduced or eliminated with a little care.
If the stand is secured to the tree using a chain or metal cable, care must be taken to prevent metal-to-metal contact. Chains and cables can be quieted by dipping them in liquid rubber, the type used to coat tool handles. Simply wrapping these parts with electrical tape will also reduce a lot of the noise.
Be sure all metal-to-metal hinges and connections are protected with plastic washers or bushings. This simple step will help prevent squawks when the hunter shifts his weight or folds the seat up or down.
Avoid stands and ladders that are riveted together. Welded stands are not only stronger and safer, but they have few of the annoying sounds that can occur when two pieces of metal are riveted together.
When carrying stands into the woods, make sure all moving parts are secured with rubber tie-down straps. This prevents pieces of the stand from banging against one another and making unnecessary noise.
Many hunters carry a small chunk of carpet to cover the stand platform. Carpet allows a hunter to shuffle his feet quietly when moving to get into shooting position.
If snow covers the platform of a stand, use a small broom to brush away the snow before it gets crushed under foot. Once snow is packed down on the platform of a stand it becomes almost impossible to move without the snow crunching.
And finally, when setting up treestands take your time. Rushing to get the stand in place creates unnecessary noise. Go slow and take care to make every move a safe and quiet one.
Treestand Safety
Treestands, regardless of their design or material makeup have one common denominator. Hunters should A-L-W-A-Y-S use a safety belt when hunting from elevated treestands.
The treestand manufacturers are so adamant of this statement that most provide a safety strap as standard equipment with each stand sold. If a safety strap is not provided with a new stand, the hunter has an obligation to purchase one and use it on every hunt.
Two types of safety belts are readily available to treestand hunters. Simple and inexpensive designs consist of a web belt that fits around the hunter's waist, a second strap that connects to the tree, and a short length of webbing that connects the two belts together. Intended to be used once the hunter is the stand, most safety belts of this design retail for less than $20 and are available at archery pro shops.
More elaborate safety harnesses are also available. These products resemble the professional climbing gear used in the military and by telephone repair men. Most are built on a yoke design. The hunter steps into the leg openings and secures a heavy nylon belt around the waist. Next a pair of shoulder straps are slid into place like a pair of suspenders. Finally, a chest strap is secured that holds the shoulder straps in place.
Heavy D-rings are stitched into place at the hips to accept a climbing strap. This climbing strap hooks to one D-ring, goes around the tree, and hooks to the other D-ring. When climbing, the hunter lifts the climber strap with each step upwards. D-ring hooks make it easy to disconnect the climbing strap when maneuvering around limbs.
Once in the stand the climbing strap is secured around the tree and to the D-rings, providing both safe and comfortable insurance against falling. Yoke-style safety harnesses are a little tougher to find in sport shops. An excellent product is produced by Fall Woods, Inc. The harness retails for around $75 and is available by calling 800-241-5559.
Another unique safety product protects hunters when they are most vulnerable to falling. Statistics prove that most treestand accidents occur when the hunter is climbing up or down the tree.
The Guardian Climbing Anchor consists of a special anchor that's threaded onto a length of heavy nylon rope. The rope is secured to the base of the tree and at the stand. When preparing to climb a tree, the hunter puts on a safety belt or harness and secures one end of the strap to the waist and the other end to a Guardian Anchor. As the hunter climbs the anchor slides up or down the rope smoothly. If the hunter slips, the climbing anchor binds on the rope and prevents a nasty fall.
Constructed of heavy-duty materials with a lifetime warranty, the Guardian Anchor takes treestand hunting to a new level of safety. For more information contact Sure Step Products at 704-731-6348.
Despite all the excellent products and advice, safety is ultimately the responsibility of the hunter. Hunters should use a safety strap when climbing up or down trees, when in the stand, and also when installing accessories like tree steps. A little common sense and care goes a long way towards making treestand hunting a productive, safe, and enjoyable experience.
Copyright (c) 1996 Mark Romanack. All rights reserved.
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