Deer Stands, Hunting Stands
Deer stands have become
extremely popular in recent years.
Many hunters seem to think deer stands are the only way to hunt. Some seem surprised that anyone would try to take a deer from the ground. A huge market has been created to sell elevated deer stands. There are advantages to getting above the deer, but it is certainly not the only way to hunt deer.
We must be honest,
or we can't,
Score-Your-Hunting.
We don't have any problem with those who use elevated stands; yet we honestly must score such hunting stands slightly lower than hunting from the ground. Being above the ground is certainly an effective hunting method, and requires patience and skill. It's just a little less natural and authentic in our opinion. We built this stand many years ago. It originally sat in a trailer. Now on skids, it can be moved with a tractor.
The portable tree stand is a great tool; if you have good trees. Early portable stands were heavy, harder to use, and not always secure and dependable. They sometimes had a platform which was slippery. They didn't have the safety straps and cables found on today's stands. The new ones are designed for more comfort and safety. They are easier to use, lighter weight, and safer. They are designed to be carried more easily, and some help the hunter climb with more safely. A skilled hunter may be able to find a location and hunt that location immediately. They can sometimes be put into position without too much noise and disruption. Portable stands offer no weather protection; a hunter may be even more exposed to wind, rain, snow, and the cold.
The disadvantage is
safety.
Hunting accidents have increased with so many hunters climbing. Even with all the innovations, climbing a tree is still somewhat dangerous. When a hunter is elevated a little mistake can easily be more serious. Ladder stands are intended to be leaned against, screwed, strapped, or cabled to a tree. They can be fairly simple, or more elaborate. They can be partially, but are rarely, completely enclosed. They may offer some protection from the weather. Compared to the portable, ladder stands are not very portable, and require more effort to assemble and set up. Deer are also more likely to see then, and avoided them for a while. Once set up they may be easier to climb in and out of, possibly safer than the portable stands. The tripod stand, platform stand, and box stand can be used with or without trees. They have their own frame. They range from simple and basic, to elaborate and almost home like comfort.
Stands intrude on the natural landscape and older deer will avoid for some time.
They need to be left in place.
Some tripod stands are only metal legs with a ladder, and a completely exposed elevated seat. Tripods are not really portable, but they are fairly easy to move and set up. Most platform and box stands are not portable. Some are built on a trailer, or can be moved with a tractor... Some of these stands add fabric, or solid materials; which will partially conceal and protect the hunter from the elements. Others completely enclose the hunter and offer more concealment and weather protection.
The most elaborate stands can accommodate
more than one hunter and offer many comforts.
They may be heated, allowed some movement, talking, drinking, eating, take a nap, even radio or TV... When this goes too far, we would say it is no longer authentic hunting. The biggest advantage of a deer stand is simply being above the natural world of the deer. This allows a hunter to see more, be seen less, and move a little more. It may be easier, and is sometimes more comfortable once everything is in place. The disadvantage to the larger more permanent stands are construction time, and cost. They can make the hunting relatively comfortable once everything is in place. Building or erecting an elaborate stand is work, takes skills, but not much hunting skills. If someone else does it all for you; especially if the deer are lured with a feeder; that is not authentic hunting. Authentic hunting with a deer stand requires you to know deer sign and behavior well enough to place the stand in a good location; not easy. You usually have to spend a lot of time to be there at the right time. You have to be careful not to compromise it with scent, movement, or sound.
Hunting from an elevated stand may be a little easier, but taking a mature deer is seldom easy.
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