Swamphunter Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 While spending the better part of a pathetic deer season hunting new parts on my property, I have found several really promising archery set-ups. Thats the only good thing out of this season so far. To date, knock on wood, I have not had problems with trespassers to my knowledge. I am though going to place a few stands that I intend to leave permanetly attached to the tree. Now I realize that the squirrels can chew the seats, and the straps can weather, but aside from that (I am taking precautions with the straps and using chains, and I have yet to have a squirrel chew a seat). Here is my question When you guys hunt an area where you want to conceal a stand, how do you place it or what lengths do you go to make it 'invisible"? I am going to take 3 old fixed stands and replace the straps with chains. I have collected 2 artificial christmas trees (the kind without garland, tinsel and lights), and I am going to wire tie a couple of branches to the bottom of the platform to conceal it from the ground. I am adding a cable lock and the treestand t-screw. I'm not going to use ladder sticks, but the small cheap screw in steps. Where I am hanging the stands are in pine trees overlooking some really, really awesome deer trails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 well i've done this with a couple stands and as the tree grows it makes it almost impossible to take the blind back off?? after all of this i've never really left one out there for more than a year,, probably because my neighbors would steal my blind,, even though its on my property?? i just put mine back out there in the spring time.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Ken, it is almost impossible to hide them completely. Best thing to do is to try and paint them the same as the background they are in. The fake Christmas tree limbs and similar material stick out like a sore thumb. If you want to do that use real limbs and just replace them when they start o brown. A little bit more work, but nothing beats real. Get yourself a couple of those brackets they have for flags. Cut and trim the evergreen limbs to fit the bracket and set them in a way where it looks natural. Jutting branches from under the stand is best. This along with the paint should do you well to hide the stands.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 The reason I want to leave them is I am suspecting that if I place ladder stands they are like an invitation to "please hunt here". I have several stands I like out, and want them usually in the same tree year after year, and I bounce around with a stool and a blind, or a climber too. I have a couple of reliable areas that I prefer to put the stands every year, but by the time the season is over, they can be tough to get out of the woods in the snow, especially the ladders tands and climbing sticks. I usually have out 3-5 stands and have ended up having them get stranded over the winter because of deep snow before. I figured if I took my old cheap chain ons, and placed them in there concealed well, and cable locked, I could not bother with getting them every end o' season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cray8705 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 The tree's will grow and eventually the chains will be stuck in the tree, just be aware that they will be there for good or at least the chain will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 (edited) While spending the better part of a pathetic deer season hunting new parts on my property. Don't feel bad. From what I have seen in our hunting area (Gouverneur), the deer take is waaaay down. It was just too warm. Now I realize that the squirrels can chew the seats. Dicks sells a treestand seat cover that is squirrel proof. We tried it for the first time last year and it held up. As for security, I like large hang on stands with ladder sticks. I just take out a section when I leave. They would have to bring a ladder into the woods to get my stands and that way too much work for 99% of the thieves out there. Take a look at Gorilla Sticks, they are very affordable. I do have a couple ladder stands and they are chained to the tree. Edited December 1, 2009 by RangerClay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 When I used the screw in steps, I always took the last 3 or 4 out when I climbed down...best you can do is hope no one wants to mess with it. Sad part is, if they really want it, they are probably going to get it. A chain or cable is no match for a good bolt cutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted December 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 A chain or cable is no match for a good bolt cutter Thats the reason for this post....since the stands to be left will be hung in a pine forest, I am using the artificial Christmas tree limbs. Have used them in the past and they held up well and totally concealed the stand from the bottom. I prefer climbing sticks over the screw in steps for safety reasons, but not sure which route I will go with something I am leaving year round.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I am assuming you are concealing the stands from tresspassers or people who will take them...that being said, what i normally do in situations like these, is just take down the climbing sticks or screw in steps and leave the stand locked on to the tree. they can look but they cant touch . I also understand that pine trees and evergreens have a lot of branches and are easy to climb without using any type of ladder or steps...in this case, trim up the trunk a good 8-10 feet so no one can reach the bottom limbs. hard to say because im not in your situation, but thats what i would do. Good luck in whatever you choose Swampy! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted December 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 I don't like to advertise where I sit and hunt. I don't even cut or flag trails to and from my stands. I do cut ATV trails that access different areas of my hunting land, but there do not come near my stand sites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Over the years I've pretty much realized that there isn't much you can do. If some idiot out there is going to mess with your stuff and wants it bad enough, unless you are sitting in it, there isn't much stopping them. Portables, ladders, doesn't matter. I like your idea of the Christmas tree branches. I like putting stands in pine trees for a lot of reasons and one being concealment! Some guys like camo said will take the bottom screw-in steps with them. I agree with ya, I don't always like advertsing where I hunt either, but most of my stands are on my private property. I do hunt some other areas, but lucky for me they are only accessable by boat and very secluded. If concealments is what you are shootin for, putting em in pine trees is a good idea, just don't get carried away while you do your trimming. Good luck to ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhbowhunter Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) I agree with MNcrittergittr. I would be less worried about someone taking my stand as I would sending the signal "Hey everyone! Hunt here! This is a good spot and I did all the leg work so you don't have to!". Leaving a stand out all year is as good as hanging a billboard saying "Hunt here". I have come across hundreds of permanent stands where hunters have tried to conceal or hide them. If you leave it out there SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY see it... I guarantee it! Edited December 4, 2009 by nhbowhunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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