Ranking right up there with the innovation of trail camera technology for whitetail hunting success, must be the conception of the modern treestand. Treestands put you in a zone where deer seldom peer. Treestands waft your scent well above a deer’s superior nose. Treestands provide you with a commanding view of your hunting area. Simply put, treestands give you an unrivaled advantage during whitetail hunting season.
Choose the Right La-Z-Boy
To get the most from your treestand you need to choose the proper model to match the timber environment. Treestands come in a variety of models including ladder stands that prop against a tree trunk, hang-on stands that attach to a trunk and climbers where you use the stand to shimmy up a tree.
Ladder stands work in almost any forest setting and provide safety in that you climb a ladder, not climbing sticks. Hang-on stands work well with trees that have lots of limbs, branches and bends. You will need climbing sticks/climbing ladder sections to reach the elevation where you want to hang your stand. With a climbing style stand you use the bottom portion as the base to climb with your feet and the top portion utilizes your arms, and upper body strength as teamwork. Once you reach your height level, adjust cables and secure your harness for a day’s sit.
You may also want to look at saddle or sling style of treestands as well. These stands offer a lightweight, quiet and easy-to-set-up alternative to metal stands. You also have more mobility for 360-degree shooting. Consider them, especially if you plan to move long distances in big country.
X Marks the Spot
Finding the exact location to place your stand requires scouting. Virtual scouting can reveal funnels and pinch points, along with field edges. Onsite scouting confirms deer sign, like rubs and scrapes, to further your confidence in a location. Use a trail camera to capture movement patterns and when you feel good about a site, place your stand approximately 10 to 15 yards off the trail on the downwind side.
Safety is Rule No. 1
Setting up and using a stand requires safety gear. All ropes, straps and connections should be inspected for defects. Begin by purchasing and practicing with a safety line system. It uses a braded nylon rope to always keep you attached to a tree as you place climbing sticks and eventually your stand. Rope knots slide up and down the safety line to stop you if you should fall.
Your safety line system connects to a safety harness. These adjustable systems included padded should straps, a waist belt and leg straps to hold your body in case of a fall. Follow all instructions for safe use of the safety line and harness systems to guarantee an injury-free treestand hunt.
Comfort and Convenience is Rule No. 2
Some hunts, especially during the bustling whitetail rut, may require an all-day sit. Be ready. Your hunting backpack should not only include lunch and hydrating liquids, but also Scent Killer Gold Field Wipes, a multi-tool for quick repairs, first aid, a flashlight, surveyor’s tape to mark blood, field-dressing gloves and a sharp knife.
You may also wish to stow extra batteries for your smartphone and flashlight. Entertaining yourself with your smartphone on an all-day sit eats battery power fast, but can be beneficial to making the time pass quickly. Just remember to not get too absorbed in your phone and let deer walk by.
Treestand Scent Advantage
Lastly, incorporate scent into your treestand hunt. A Magnum Scrape-Dripper over a mock scrape in a shooting lane offers an attraction to make deer stop for the perfect shot. Golden Estrus scent on a Magnum Key-Wick also provides attraction powers and distraction opportunities for a shot. And always keep a spray bottle of Special Golden Estrus handy while in your tree. If the wind swirls or you see a deer downwind, mist some on the breeze to cover your scent and lure in a downwind buck.
Stay out of a deer’s zone and in the hunting zone by using treestands. It is innovation you need to succeed against educated, wary whitetails.
Learn more at www.wildlife.com.
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