Archery Talk

Putting ladder stands up is typically a two man operation. When my son and I place them we'll lay the stand on the ground with the platform facing away from the tree. The bottom of the stand is maybe 5-6' away from the base of the tree. I'll lift the platform area over my head and walk towards the tree, while my son will be on the opposite side pulling on the stabilizing straps, helping to raise it in to position. Once the platform is resting against the tree and it's level, I'll have my son hold the ladder steady, I climb up to below the platform and place a ratchet strap. Most stands only have a strap at the seat level and climbing the extra 2' or so to initially fasten it, the stand is unsteady. Once the ratchet strap on the platform is tight, Ill place the one on the seat. Secure the two stabilizing straps and the stabilizing bar from the rungs to the tree and your good to go. Rock solid. I do prefer a stand that has a platform that goes full back to the tree. The extra foot room is nice.

Problem with ladder stands is most only go up 13-1/2 to 14 feet. I like to be a little higher, but if terrain, cover and wind direction are good, it can be a deadly set up. Here is one of my favorite set ups. It's in a shagbark oak tree, down wind from a thicket on a oak flat pinch point. Buck will cruise the edge of the thicket scent checking for does. Here's a pic of the setup.




The rest of the stands are a mix of hang-on's and another ladder stand. I still use a climber from time to time. My climber choice? My Loggy that I bought in '97. It folds flat, weighs 14lbs with the hand climber, and when the over center buckle strap on the seat is locked down, it's stable as a rock. I have the version that has the "whale tail" notch and steel grippers that fasten into the lateral supports. Climbs quick, fairly quiet, and pretty light. Killed a ton of deer hunting out of it.

 

My buddy has an older Loggy. He skips the climbing aid and just hugs the tree. He's hunted the same way for 30 years. When he climbs down he kicks his feet away from the tree and slides down. It's scary as hell to watch. He has to buy a new jacket every couple of years cause the treebark eats em up.

 

That's a tough way to climb. Does he attach the stand with a lanyard or anything to keep it from "getting away"? I keep mine attached to the hand climber with about 6' of paracord. If the climber slips off your feet, it can ratchet itself like a bumper jack the whole way down the tree. Nothing like being 22' off the ground, sitting on the hand climber wondering how the ****your getting back down.

 

Nope. He just hops in it and goes.
One time, years ago, we were hunting about 300 yards apart. I was about to climb up and I heard him screaming. I took off running to where he was (the run damn near killed me) and he was about 18' up with his legs and arms wrapped around the tree. The platform had fallen and was hanging around the tree about 3' off the ground. He said he was getting weak and about to fall. He had on a waist belt that was attached to the tree and couldn't slide down. I tossed a knife up to him. Luckily he caught it on the first throw, cut the belt and slid down. When he was about 8' off the ground he couldn't handle it and he let go. Escaped without a scratch. That whole ordeal didn't phase him, he still hunts the same way.
On a side note, back then we didn't even know chest harnesses existed. We thought that if you were attached with a belt you were good.

 

Ouch! Once was enough for me. I remember way back when, thinking how "safe" I was with just the waist belt. Now, I'm attached to a lifeline from the time I leave the ground.

 

On a side note..... I hate summer... 90 degrees, 80% humidity, biting bugs....

Looking forward to this:




And this.....

 

Went deep into the woods last weekend to check out some trail cams, not one tick. Couldn't believe it. I think because it dried out a little the ticks have died down some.

 

The DNR has banned baiting in Michigan as of January 2019 because of CWD. I think it's good. Deer will go back to their normal cycles and not be concentrated on bait. Do I think it's gonna actually do anything for CWD, not really, but that's another discussion.

What I don't understand is how they allow baiting on Liberty and Independence hunts for hunters with disabilities. Doesn't that defeat the entire purpose of the ban?

 

Went out yesterday and hung 6 cameras...hope I have some good ones in the neighborhood.

 

Post some pics when you get em.

 

You know I will!!

 

Got my small food plot worked up today, will do the others on Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Lookin good!

 

Just put together a new stand I got. A Hawk Helium Kickback stand. The post that supports the seat and holds the foot rest is built backwards. Hoping they will sent me another post. I do not want to take this apart again and ship this. I need to learn to weld. 30 seconds of work.

 

I know it's hot, humid, buggy......but damn I love to shoot!!

https://youtu.be/1GR6TeZ4LmA

 

I'm still at the "where did I put my bow" stage.
Good shootin!

 

Year round bow hunter

 

Same in Michigan. It keeps raining and stopping. It was really muggy yesterday and I ran out as soon as the rain stopped and slung my daily 5 hours before the next storm. I really miss fall.

 

We're in the same pattern as last year. One or two days of sunny weather followed by showers and rain. Contractor is supposed to start on a new deck/roof today. Not sure how much they'll get done.