Tree Stands

[mneal]

I have a tree walker... love it. Lightweight... sturdy...easy to climb... Mesh seat that is very comfortable...

[beambowhunters]

Thank you, everyone for all of the advice. I'm still learning, so it's all much appreciated.

Genesis, your little boys are adorable! It won't be long and they will be hunting along with you I am sure. Well, I did end up getting a cheap Summit stand. It's the Viper SD Infinity. I filled it with Great Stuff foam filler and then wrapped it in soft cloth with the camo tape, so I am hoping it will won't be too bad. I will find out this evening.

The picture is of my daughter. This was her first time tracking a deer. Thankfully, the lighted nock worked perfectly because it had just stormed before I started tracking. It hadn't gone very far at all though.

Also, about 15-20 mins. before these four does came through, a very nice buck came into the woods from my left side. He was only about 5 yards right beside my stand, so I had no time to react as he was so close. He was at a fast walk though and went right in front of me and walked away stopping at 32 yards behind three small trees. It wasn't long though and he was walking off just as quickly as he had come in.

I was in shock because I've never had a big buck that close to me while hunting and also because I was never expecting to even see one. Even now, I still can't believe it. I think a more experienced hunter would be picking out a place for him on their wall. Should I have tried to stop him? How?

I realize now, he was coming into the woods down wind and making his way through to scent check the does that bed on the other side of the woods. At least that's what I think. Luckily though, he came into the woods right in front of me, so he didn't wind me. In fact, he didn't even notice me at all. He wasn't even looking around and seemed to have his mind on one thing only. Are the bucks right now still on a pattern?

[mrbb]

well congrats again on the kill, the story and the enw stand
best of luck to you with it
Only think I might add is, lots of the camo tape they sell in stores is very shinny on a sunny day
and its why I always prefer the camo cloth tape, costs more but no real shine to it, also doesn't squeak when wet! a nice lus
But Summit makes a fine stand, just go slow and learn how it works
and wear a safety harness both climbng and once set up
MY worst fall came climbing down the tree witha climber once yrs ago
the base slipped off its bite about 8 ft from the ground, and slid fast straight down, and then stopped at about 3 ft from the ground
and I had then straps that held your feet in tights, well, the sudden stop was too much for me knee's and ankles and tipped me over the side of the stand
lets not forget when the platform drops out, your head goes face first right ibnto the tree! LOL
didn't break anything, got lucky!
but sure taught me to make suer every move is solid before going up or down a tree with a climber!
and that was on a very smooth bark'd tree
I now don't climb them types of tree at all !
But that was again yrs ago on a climber when ther were made out of angle iron, and didn't conform to tree so well LOL

be safe and best of luck getting that big buck!

[Genesis 9:3]

My oldest (3yrs) cries every time I go hunting without him... which is always right now - life sure can be rough sometimes, but I try to explain it to him as best I can.

In regard to the buck... first, congrats on even seeing one! I've yet to see anything resembling a trophy buck (in comparison to the ones I've seen on here and elsewhere). So in that regard, seeing one is an accomplishment! I tried to find my post on the first deer I saw (must have gotten recycled?) to share how shook up I was just seeing a spike standing 10 yds out... but never the less, if you are like me, you wouldn't have been able to do anything because you were trying not to have a heart attack!

But if you are able to keep your whit, I've watched enough hunting shows, and tried it once or twice... let out a short "MERP" (mimicking a doe grunt) and it will stop that deer in it's tracks. Of course it will be looking for the noise and you might be busted, so make sure you draw back on the animal first! It would also be helpful to do it when you don't think it would stop in a bad spot to shoot.

Regardless of what I say about not regretting it, you'll be kicking yourself all season for not trying to take a shot... my wife tells me not to kick myself, but I think it's a coping mechanism :) However, nothing stinks worse than taking a risky shot at a buck, wounding it and not being able to retrieve it! Don't regret making good decisions. At least now you know the potential in your area! Be sure to post a pic when you harvest him!

PS - how did the expanding foam work on your stand? I tried it with mixed results...

[gonehunting 45]

I have a summit viper. Great for climbing and the bar swings out of the way for bow hunting. 21 lbs I think. I have packed this stand in and out of public land for years. The problem with back backing your stand are the shoulder straps that come with it. Couple years ago I finally changed mine and what a difference it makes. I went with the military back packing straps and waist belt. Found them on e-bay. Best 18$ I every spent.

[blackbeard]

Lone Wolf, hands down.