Setting up a ladder stand

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Tree stands come in many shapes and sizes, but they all serve a similar purpose—to give you an elevated, hidden position from which to shoot. Here are the top tactics for setting up a tree stand you can use to seek success. Ladder stands, tripod stands, climbing stands and hang-on stands all offer different pros and cons depending on your terrain, cover and hunting situations, but generally they all aim to get hunters off the ground for better viewpoints and better shots. As these top tactics can be applied to a variety of tree stands, each may need to be adjusted to your specific stand type. Personally, I absolutely love being 25 feet up a tree. When the terrain allows, I always look for a place to hang a stand. I like the height advantage and the liberty for a better view.

Setting up a ladder stand

There is just something about wooden, homebuilt tree stands. More importantly, the permanent stand expresses just that: permanence. Even though a stand built on a shared property should be open to everyone, there is a very real sense of ownership if you are the one that built it. Our farm has a fair amount of pressure on it during the 9-day November gun season, with up to 10 guys spread out over acres of woodlots, CRP and harvested crop fields. Bucks have scrapes and rubs to let everyone know they are around. Even though the secrets out on how good this location has been for me, the other hunters are respectful enough not to build another stand in the vicinity. As the sole bow hunter, I am lucky to have the farm to myself during the long and quiet archery season. Below are instructions to build the stand. As a bit of a disclaimer, should you decide to take this project on for yourself, understand that your safety is in your own hands. Know the limits of your carpentry skills, and the potential risks involved in constructing your own stand. The platform is anchored to the tree using 2 lag bolts. To make this easier, I waited to screw in the floor boards until after I had secured the stand to the tree and ran the braces. As a secondary safety precaution, a ratchet strap is strung around the tree using the two eye bolts. Improve and accessorize the stand by stapling camouflage fabric to the frame for additional concealment, and attaching your assorted gear hooks, camera arms, etc.

I use a 3 foot piece of rebar 4 to 6 inch wide and bend it into a U shape. Email Subscription. Buckmasters entertains and educates deer hunters with current strategies and technology from the most respected experts in the field.

Setting up ladder stands by yourself can be a chore, especially if the stand is more than 15 feet tall. The bottom nearly always slides as you attempt to walk the top-heavy ladder up the tree. I am 71 years old, and have safely used the following method for years. I use a 3 foot piece of rebar 4 to 6 inch wide and bend it into a U shape. It ends up quite long and narrow. To raise your ladder stand, first make sure all obstructions between the ladder and tree are removed, then lay the ladder facedown. With the feet about 60 inches from the base of the tree, use a hammer to stake down the bottom rung with the U stake.

In order to be safe, a ladder needs to remain stationary. And setting it up right is at least half the battle. On hard, dry ground, rest feet with textured-rubber pads intact flat, free of slippery plastic tarps and debris. Position the ladder so that the distance from its base to the wall is one-quarter of the height of the ladder at its resting point, creating a degree angle. For a quick check on the angle of your ladder: Stand facing it with your feet touching its feet and your arms extended—your palms should rest on a rung at shoulder height. Use a ladder stabilizer or standoff around windows, for greater stability, and to position yourself at a more comfortable distance from the work. Never use ladder jacks higher than 20 feet. Above 10 feet, you must use a harness. Position jacks on either front or back of ladder.

Setting up a ladder stand

The pure excitement of hanging a new stand in an excellent location is something that will never get old for me. There is no doubt, being situated high up in a comfy tree stand is an obvious advantage for us. I think the majority of you will agree that a well placed tree stand is tough to beat. The problem is, some people run themselves ragged in search of this perfect tree and lose sight of the bigger picture. When heading afield the last thing you should be doing is searching for a tree. You need to set up in the best suited location, not the best suited tree. What a shame and a squandered opportunity! Any Average Joe can see obvious sign.

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Just as an inchworm would climb along a leaf, one platform is secured to the tree while the other moves up and locks in place. I would say feet is the perfect height. If not, keep practicing. But whether you use a winch or walk it up by hand, when you're by yourself the key is having the base of the ladder secured to the ground before you start. Buckmasters entertains and educates deer hunters with current strategies and technology from the most respected experts in the field. Pull them as tightly and as high as you can, then tie them off. Expert hunters will rely on more than one tree stand in a season and choose the one with the best wind direction that day. Then I took my climber when I can and climbed up and strapped it down.. Recommended Communities. You can cancel Buckmasters subscriptions at any time. Getting a stand like this in place can sure be an exhausting job.

So how do you put up a ladder stand by yourself? Next, take a look at the instructions that came with your ladder stand.

How hard is it to put up a single ladder stand by yourself? Improve and accessorize the stand by stapling camouflage fabric to the frame for additional concealment, and attaching your assorted gear hooks, camera arms, etc. Montgomery, Alabama Email Sign-Up While most ladder stands are too noisy for my taste, there are manufactures that actually have gotten in right. While some manufactures may produce a decent hang-on stand or ladder stand, thankfully I am able to use a high quality manufacturer's stands that include both. Doing it Tuesday, so hopefully i'll put pics up if i can. By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates. Might want to have someone to help hold and to help cut lanes if they haven't already been done. Explore Our Forums. FAQ Privacy Policy. The lens of human eyes filters out UV light, but deer lack a UV filter. It had all the qualities of the perfect ladder stand setup before the season even began, and it did not disappoint! However more often I just bribe a buddy with beer to come help me. Trophy Gallery. The sun should be shining in your face depending on the time of day.