[Hunt'nFish]

ehunter, I'm not a bowhunter...just rifle. And yes, knowing where the vitals are in the animal at that angle is important. I did bought a bow with that intention, only one bow season conflicts with the fall URB run. And I like my sept salmon fishing.

I looked at the TreeLounge, but it's awkward to get into and out of. And you can't stand up to stretch the legs. And the other thing that concerned me was the optional bow platform is way out on the end. Look at how much leverage there is standing clear out on the end. I'm 225-250lbs depending on time of season and that is way too much weight out on the end for me to feel comfortable.

Get the TreeLounge video if you don't already have it. I'm sure your brother got a copy when he bought his. Watch it and watch how the TreeLounge bounces when they stand on the bow platform. Very un-nerving.
But I will say this the TreeLounge philosphy is you must be comfortable otherwise you grow impatient and tend to move around too much, or quit and go home. Can't kill anything from the couch. This I highly agree with, a stand MUST be comfortable. This is why I elected to go with the big Magnum API climber over the cheaper (and much smaller) fixed hang on's. But I still like my fixed pallet stands for my permanent stand locations. The pallet stands do that for me and they are cheap to built and deploy. AND they are big and comfortable and I have no problem staying in them all day.

I think we all agree no stand works best for all situations. I think it's best to start somewhere and expect to add additional stands later. I think if you have 1 climber and 2-3 hang-on's your pretty well set. Do you pre-scouting and set the hang-on's over know traffic area's and use the climber for the time when you want to explore unfamilar area.

I don't have any good pics of my hang-on pallet stands in the woods. But I could take some pics of them so you can see how they are built and work. Thier really kinda slick, simple and strong. The screw in steps are the biggest cost, but you have to spend that money regardless of the type of hang-on.

As far as how high do I set them. Depends on the lay of the land and the tree, limbs, and other factors. Usually at least 20ft sometimes 30-40ft. Figure a step every 2ft w/ 4 removable spaced 3ft apart at the bottom. That will keep the unwanted's from tampering with it out in the field. I've not had anyone mess with mine, but I think a lot of it is because they are homemade and not worth stealing. I don't even lock mine up, although it might be a good idea on the store bought stands. I just didn't want any chance of chains rattling on mine. I use ratchet straps to hold it on.

One other thing I'd like to mention. I prefer the hang-on's because they are easier to get into quietly, and they are better concealed because you don't have to cut all the limbs off like you do with the climbers. This is why I pricncipally only use the climber for afternoon hunts. I can go up and make a little noise and then let the woods go quiet while I nap.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Limbhanger]

I really appreciate all the information that you guys have
offered!! Tree stands and rattling are two things that I have very little experience with. Having confidance in a given method seems to be one of the most important aspects to being successful. All of the imput in the rattling posts and the responses here definately boost the confidance level for believing in these two methods.

Thanks again.

 

[ehunter]

HuntnFish you mae some great points about his tree lounge I think he would ahve to shoot setting down not sure what would happen if the deer is reight below him. I am not a heights guy and I am not sure I can get up 20 feet in tree with out having to make several trips to the ground to kiss the earth and clean my pants. I have been up about 15 feet in a fixed stand he had I was so nervous even with a saftey harness that I couldn't relax. ( I will never be a goat or sheep hunter :hoboy Despite my fear of heights I really think it is valuable way to hunt and as some guys have mentioned it would be a great way to rest the legs occasionaly. If you get a chance to post your pallet stand I would like to see it. I set in a ladder stand one day at about 12 feet and it was not very comfortable although even at 12 feet it gives you a different perspective. When I have been up there all I do is pray for calm wind and no earthe quakes. :wink:

 

[Abalone]

I am not crazy about heights either even though I work on High lifts for a living. I have been thinking about building platforms.

What do you think ? Four 4x4 cemented in the ground and 6x6 decking ? Is Ten feet high enough with a blind around it ? You could sit up there all day and have room to do things. There is an open area next to the cabin with small xmas trees growing up around it. Some day in not too distance future the little meadow will be a nice deer trail.

where can I buy some poles cheap ?

 

[ehunter]

Now your talking air conditioning a wet bar for after hours and tv with head phones. Sound proof it. Maybe you need to plant a food plot like those guys in Texas and you could put a recliner in there Albone now we are talking... :laugh: :laugh: now I could feel safe in there :grin:. In all honesty that would probably work well a fixed stand because they would get used to it. :cheers:

 

[uhmw]

I get my hang on about 20 ft high. It realy trips me out the frist time I climb on to it, not to mention hanging it and taking it down. It was wayyyy more scary then I had imagined befor I bought it. Now that I have hung it several times its not bad at all but still pretty heart pounding. I dont see how a fella would fall asleep in one, I still feel like I am sitting on top of a telephone pole in the middle of the woods :bigshock:. As far as hanging from my arest strap if I fall asleep -no thanks.

 

[Ni!]

The problem with a permanent stand like Abalone is talking about is if they start to avoid it due to frequent human presence and/or getting shot at from it, what can you do? It's pretty hard to move a stand like that to a new location. A ladder stand would give you reasonable mobility while also being the easiest to get into and out of without stopping your heart every time.

I agree that hanging a fixed stand the first couple of times is a lot more nerve wracking than you would expect. It's no surprise that most hunting accidents back east are a result of falls from tree stands.

Ni!

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Yea, it's a little un-nerving, but you get used to the height.....until the wind picks up! :bigshock: I was up in the climber one time real high when the wind came up and boy I swear that thing was swaying 6-8ft I'm sure....or at least it felt like it. Needless to say I did NOT nap that afternoon.

Abalone, a shooting box would be great for private land but too much trouble for public. I've heard of guys back in the midwest using old porta-potties...the big wheel chair models, for shooting boxes on top of a platform like you describe. They just take the potty out and put in camp chairs. Sawzall in a long narrow window and it's done. It would be great for W.Oregon w/ all the rain. Windproof & dry. Just gotta clean it up real well w/ bleach and let it air out before deployment. They spray them down with scent spray when they exit the stand each time so it stays neutral. A real good idea I thought.
Hunt'nFish

 

[ehunter]

I could sure us that porta potty if I am up more than 10 feet off the ground and it get windy.... :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Abalone]

Well look at it this way... There aren't any trees big enough for a Tree stand in the middle of this field. Actually it is a drainage area that won't support Fir trees so Elk and Deer both graze there. It isn't that far from the cabin and heck, Some evenings I don't feel like hiking five miles, so why not just hang around in the tree fort ?

A porta potty ?

It would make a fine year round wildlife observation tower..

 

[ehunter]

OK guys another question on TV you see the white tail guys rattling from a tree stand. I have heard of guys bugling from a tree stand why does that work it seems unatural for sound to be coming from up high. I admit it would carry well. Just courious? :shrug: