Harry
Tree stand
Saturday, November 10, 2018, 06:28

The best stand I have ever had was maple tree with a fork in the middle that was about 20 feet off the ground. It over looked a field that had deer crossing and feeding on the honeysuckle at the fence line about 100 yards away.

Being off the ground, you have no problem with your scent giving away your presences and you have a good view of about 270 degrees.

One of the biggest bucks I ever shot walked up under the tree at about 3PM. He stopped and was overlooking the field before crossing. One of my legs started shaking and I was afraid he would look up. I let him get about 50 yards out before shooting. He ran to the fence line and jumped the fence. He went another 50 yards or so and laid down. I had to shoot him again to put him down.

I shot over 30 deer from that stand during a period of about 10 years. I had three doubles and one year shot 9 and could have shot more but all I saw from then on were bucks. I gave all of them to Hunters for the Hungry.

The area has built up with houses so shooting is limited to select areas. The does usually have twins so there is no lack of deer. The best stands can be a white oak tree due to the acorns being their favorite food.

Some of the tree stands being sold now are not the quality of ones sold 10 years or so ago. They have thinned the metal in the tubing and they easily rust out if left outdoors. The liability of letting someone hunt on your property using a tree stand is not worth risk.