How To Choose The Correct Hunting Stand
Topics: treestands, tree stands, deer stands, tree stand, deer stand, deer hunting
There are lots of different hunting environments where it is possible to hang a tree stand.
You may be hunting in a wooded area where the trees are relatively straight with few limbs, or you may be hunting in a river bottom where the trees are thick with many low limbs. You may also hunt in brush country like Texas where the only thing that resembles a tree is a cactus.
There are 4 main types of stands:
* Ladder stand
* Climbing stand
* Hang on or lock on stand
* Tower stand
Ladder Stands
These stands comprise a ladder with a stand at the top of that ladder. The stand at the top is built into the ladder so that the ladder is always attached to the stand once it is assembled. The ladder usually comes in several 3 or 4 foot sections and the stand height is usually about 20 feet high. It is essentially a small platform at the top of some steps.
It is great for people who don’t want to climb up trees, avoiding limbs on the way, or feel insecure at height.
The ladder stand can also incorporate a large seat or platform which can be padded for additional comfort. Some stands also accommodate a skirt or blind to help make you more inconspicuous. Some hunters put a ‘box’ at the top of the steps, providing a complete enclosure. So the clear advantages are:
* Safety
* Stability
* Comfort
* Easy to get in and out of
Because of their stability and safety, they are also suited to a two-person stand, so a parent can share it with a child or buddy.
There are disadvantages however.
Comfort comes at the expense of weight. These models are heavy [average 45 pounds] and are really suited to a hunter who can transport them to the site with an ATV or a truck. They are not designed for hunters who travel a long distance to their hunting area, or like to carry their tree stand with them as they change locations during the day. It is possible to carry them in, but it may take several trips as the ladder sections are usually made of steel.
So the disadvantages are:
* Weight
* Portability
* Setting up time and noise
Climbing Tree Stand
These tree stands comprise two pieces which are a chair and below it, a platform. They are designed to allow you to ‘climb’ the tree while you are standing on the tree stand.
To use them you secure both the chair and the platform around the tree first. Then you raise the upper chair and put your weight on it, then raise your legs and then lock the lower platform against the tree with your weight, then repeat the process as you edge your way up the tree.
Because of the way you ‘inch’ your way up the tree, it is obviously only suitable for certain trees such as the ones that have no limbs below the height you wish to hunt. The trees also need to be relatively straight and not too thick so the securing strap can fit around the tree. It is also not suitable for people nervous of heights or the very unfit.
The advantages are:
* You are very mobile and can carry your tree stand with you wherever you are hunting
* You can use it on any appropriate tree quickly
The disadvantages are:
* It is only suitable for certain types of trees
* It is only suitable for certain types of people
Hang on or Lock on
This type of tree stand is one of the most popular because of its versatility. It comprises a seat and a footrest that are attached to the tree; however, they also require a method to climb the tree such as climbing steps or a climbing stick. The steps can be screw in types or strap types.
This type of stand is versatile because it is relatively light [10-20 pounds] and can be used in most trees.
The weight variation is due to the size of the seat and footrests. The cheaper lighter models have a small unpadded seat and footrests, which can be very uncomfortable if you are spending many hours sitting in your stand. The larger padded seat models are much more comfortable for the extra weight that is added.
The advantages of this tree stand are:
* Versatility
* Weight: light-medium weight
* Can be used in most trees
* It is also very quiet once it is hung.
Its only disadvantage is:
* It requires you to carry steps or a climbing stick[s] as well.
Tower Stands
In parts of the country where trees are sparse or non-existent such as the Texas brush country or the prairie of the Midwest, a tower stand is required.
It is not strictly a tree stand as it is not placed in trees but is a platform with either three legs [tripod] or four legs. The platform may or may not have some sort of enclosure to protect the hunter from the weather and give some camouflage.
Because of their size, they are not portable and are usually left in one spot for some time. This also lets the animals get used to them.
The advantages are:
* Where trees don’t exist, they are the only way to gain the advantages of hunting from a height
* They can also protect the hunter from the elements
* Can be very comfortable due to their size
* They are also very safe and stable
* Can provide hunter concealment
The disadvantage is:
* They are not portable, so a lot of thought has to go into site selection
There is a lot of choice of tree stands for different environments, so it is important to choose the correct stand for the type of hunting environment you are in.
Steve Nickson has hunted deer for over 40 years. See and tag more deer by learning how to use tree stands safely and effectively at www.treestandinfo.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Corporate Relocation Checklist - Make Your Relocation As Smooth As Butter! (1)
The result? A hassle-free, smooth relocation! Download Abhishek's FREE Relocation Report and learn some amazing Relocation tips and tricks - And save lot of your time, money and effort!
The Three Main Types Of Deck Material (2)
It makes an extremely durable deck surface. Ipe is a premium decking product in terms of price. However, it has been exploited for years and is becoming an endangered species.
Why Game Download Sites Are The Rage Today (3)
All this does help them to get their customers from all over the world. Sean is a passionate gamer, who believes in checking out each new title well. But recently, he has stopped going to the stores to get his games.
Why Outdoor Fitness Classes (4)
There are a wide variety of activities offered as part of outdoor workouts; choose something that you like doing. Joining an underwater ballet class, a dancercise or kickboxing class by the pool, peddling through a park trail or even a forest trail, or surfing under expert instructions on mastering the art of riding waves on a surfboard along with other surfing neophytes; all of these can be great ways of putting fun back into exercising.
Sacramento-A Romantic City (5)
Although there are some modern business houses in that area, still it is more of a tourist hotspot rather than a commercial or residential area. You can visit the quaint shops and museums here.
Rock Climbing Training & Conditioning (6)
At further times the objective is to climb a mountain where the track to the pinnacle engages in climbing rocky terrains, which is known as alpine climbing. Endurance training: If you are a comparatively fresh climber, your usual exercises at the neighborhood climbing gym might entail a short cardio warm-up, a few upper body stretches, and a simple route or two.
Day Cruises In Sacramento (7)
Along with various other services the cruise can be an ideal gift for any occasion. You can celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, conduct business meetings, corporate entertainment, office parties, small seminars, sunset dinners, lunch and even weddings on such cruises.
Importance Of Outdoors Fitness (8)
Always remember to pay attention to how your body reacts because if you do not take care of your body you are bound to get affected adversely and risk your well being.
Planning A Summer Vacation In Sacramento (9)
There are many resources available from where you can get tons of information about Sacramento and the places to visit here. Make a list of things: Make a list of all the things that you will need when you are in the city.
What Sacramento Offers On Vacations (10)
It is also a common destination for student tours, class trips and other field trips. It is full of natural wildlife and different animals can be spotted in the city.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Top 20 Tips To Ensure A Successful Travel To Costa Rica (1)
6) Apply insect repellent to your exposed skin. Do not to breathe it in, swallow it, or get it into your eyes. 7) If you are not staying in an air-conditioned hotel room, buy a bed net that has been pretreated with the insecticide deltamethrin or permethrin.
Tourists Flock To Spain For 2007 (2)
The visitor numbers were so good that it broke new records for Spain, with 4 per cent more holiday makers in January 2007 compared to 2007, and a total of 2.8 million tourists overall.
Professional Lawn Care At Home (3)
The next step is to choose a proper grass type. The grass should be suitable not only for the climate but for the usage of the lawn and the amount of care you are ready to put in its maintenance.
Bastille Day In Paris (4)
Each year a theme is chosen, reflecting one of the many nationalities of which France has citizens today. In 2007, the theme was African Music and the square was alive with bongo drums and percussion instruments late into the night.
A Book Review Of "We Are All In The Dumps" By Maurice Sendak (5)
Maurice Sendak is an excellent author and his books are funny, educational, and are just plain good stories. However, some students will not want to look at the pictures, and they shouldn't be forced to do so.
Sewing Machines Are Useful Everyday (6)
The things that you can do with sewing machines are endless all it takes is a little imagination and creativity plus that material and then nothing is impossible. This machine has come along way from when it first became available to people.
Fly Or Die Enriching Your Online Gaming Experience (7)
What you have read here is just a taste of what you might expect on special gaming site. But for a more enriching multi-play gaming experience, fly or die is definitely worth visiting.
The Renowned Paintings Of Artist Thandrai Sunitha (8)
Upon squinting my eyes the darkest value came in the stems and leaves, which were drawn in black. Also around the top and bottom of the piece the more crumpled part of the rice paper was very shadowy as well.
Should You Get A Rear Or Front Drive Diamondback Elliptical? (9)
Precor manufactures some good rear drive ellipticals, notable among which is the EFX 5.23. The MultiSports ECT6600 Elliptical is considered a good buy, for under $1500 (as of time of writing).
Sewing Machines To All Types Of Fixes (10)
Do you think in terms of its varied functions? Or how it can make things easier for you? Well, when I think about sewing machines I think of some of the things I am going to be able to accomplish with it.