Tell Me About Your Treestand

[Swede]

I prefer a fixed position stand set 20-25 feet above the ground. I have gone up over 30 feet in a few places. I want my scent to not come to the ground anywhere in the vicinity of my stand. I also am trying to avoid being seen. Good cover around my stand is as good or better than height, as far as being seen, but height is a must to move scent out of the area in many places.
My favorite tree stand is a Millennium M100. It is the safest and easiest to hang, and is very quiet and comfortable. I can sit in those stands all day when I want to.
What is your preferred set-up and make/model of the preferred stand?

 

[cnelk]

Our trees don\'t allow the height of much past 15ft +/-

Below is a stand that is about that height and you can see the type of cover.
This is the same stand that Deertick sat with me last year we called in a spike from it.
It was the first step of making him a believer

I use inexpensive hang-ons ($30) as I only sit 3-4 hrs a day

 

[iccyman001]

I love my lone wolf climber. 22-25 feet is ideal for me and I am very happy :upthumb:

 

[rudyc]

Lone Wolf climber or hang-on. Never go much more than 15\' or so up.

I ALWAYS wear a harness and ask that ALL of you folks do as well. I know way toooo many people who have been put on hurt street for the rest of their lives when they did not wear the harness \"just this one time\"

You will not bounce as well as you\'d like if you take a dive.

 

[Swede]

You will not bounce as well as you\'d like if you take a dive.

Amen rudy. I tried it once, and don\'t need another experience to be a believer. I know I was close to being history. I landed on my head and shoulders from 12 feet up. So to answer your question, yes I use a harness. I also use a drop line so I am attached from the time I leave the ground.

Looking at Brad\'s trees reminds me that we use what is available. In flatter areas it works well. In some steeper draws and canyons I would find a bigger tree. I remember dad cutting timber on the west coast. He used trees larger than Brad\'s for bedding larger trees he was about to fall. He cut Redwood, Cedar and Douglas-fir over12 feet in diameter at the stump. As a kid, I always enjoyed seeing those monsters come down with a groan then crash.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

For my son and I.

 

[Stringunner]

my treestand knowlege has come completely from Swede. So my techniques are the same as his....with one major difference, i still sit all day in uncomfortable stands! :downthumb: One of these days I am going to drop the coin and take his advice about the M100. He has offered several times for me to sit in one just so I can see the difference, but I know if I do that, my hunting budget just got larger. :crazy:

 

[dapper]

I\'ve always been a fan of lone wolf stands. I have a climber and a hang-on, as well as their sticks. I usually go 30 feet up for whitetails and feel the safest in a climber, since you can virtually be strapped to the tree the entire way up. But sometimes trees don\'t allow a climber.
I prefer the height for keeping my scent controlled better. But sometimes you can\'t get any height but a treestand is still benefical. This past fall I shot a nice bull from my lone wolf hang-on that was set at five feet. The tree was dead, from a previous fire, so I didn\'t know how stable it was. The tree stand would provide a flat surface to shoot from and I knew I\'d move less on the small platform as compared to being on the ground. I would have preferred being much higher, but sometimes you have to do with whats available.



Dan

 

[ABQ_Chica]

Last fall was my first season in a treestand, so I don\'t have much experience. Didn\'t think I would like it, but ended up loving it. But before investing in any stands or gear, I did a lot of research, got a lot of input from other hunters, and was very happy with what I chose:

Stand: Millennium M100u
It\'s lightweight with a large platform, relatively speaking, and a comfy seat. Was very easy for a total newbie to hang, and also the best Mother\'s Day present EVER.

Climbing sticks: Ameristep Rapid Rails
These are lightweight and perfect if you prefer a more secure ladder-type climb. The only downside is they\'re bulkier to carry in and out than screw-in pegs or many other climbing sticks. But it was a worthwhile trade-off for my situation.

Harness: Muddy Safeguard Harness along with a lineman\'s rope and a Hunter\'s Safety Lifeline
I was ALWAYS connected climbing up, in the tree, and climbing down.

Many thanks to Swede for writing an excellent book on hunting elk from a stand, and thanks to mtnmutt for lending the book to me.

 

[elkmtngear]

I have 3 stands and they are all el cheapo models from different manufacturers. Been using them for many years.

Finally bought a safety harness last Season.

Many of the stands I hunt in the elk woods are old wooden stands, some still solid and usable after 20+ years. I\'m always extra cautious when stepping onto and moving around in those old treestands. Most are 25 to 30 feet up. :wtf:

I\'ve got a spot picked out for a new stand this year, and I\'m leaning toward the Lone Wolf Assault II, because it is only 11 pounds, and I\'ve got to pack it in around 2 miles.

Swede\'s book was a great thing to have in my daypack this Season for long afternoon/evening sits. :upthumb:

 

[Swede]

Many of the stands I hunt in the elk woods are old wooden stands, some still solid and usable after 20+ years.

Jeff, those old wood stands are dangerous. I would much rather read posts, about what has happened on your hunt, than about what happened to you from some bereaved friend. Those old wood stands give way without a seconds notice. I have a doctor friend that broke his leg when a wood stand, with rotten material, suddenly gave way. I am pleased you are using a harness now. The next thing I may read, is about you using a safety drop line.

I am pleased that people on here, who have the tree stand book are sharing. Let me know if I can answer any questions or assist in any manner. There are no secrets on \"how to\" things. I truly hope the information you get from the book and here on BTO increases your chance at scoring on elk. Tree stand hunting is definitely not rocket science, but it helps to have a good understanding on some basics.