Let's talk ladder stands

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

Alright the season is about over here and I want your opinions about ladder stands.

1) I want them to be 17-20 feet high

2) Do you think if I leave them out all year long the deer will learn to avoid them or get used to them and ignore them?

3) What stands do you recommend?

4) I want the platform to go all the way back to the tree , so my profile is closer to the tree.

5) Any other suggestions?


Thanks Jack

[oldskool]

I got a Big Dog ladder stand,Big platform storage under the seat. You can leave it up all year and the deer get used to it or put it up a couple months early and trim then stay away until opening day works well for me.18.5 feet high

[dino]

Jack,
I use alot of ladder stands around here and heres my opinions.  I buy the cheap $50 15 to 16 ft stands from Dicks, Dunhams or Cabelas.  Who ever has them I sale.  Bought a half dozen more this year.   I don't like anything higher than that because of the shot angle induced by higher stands.  The cheap ones are plenty high enough, I find them comfortable, safe, sturdy and the seat platforms go all the way to the tree.  I never leave them up all year long.  Put them up in September and take them down December to January.  All of mine have nylon rachet straps on them which should be removed and inspected for safety and animal damage and replaced as necessary.  It also will not damage the trees if the stand is removed every year and not allowed to stand there for years and grow into the trees.

[RodL]

I have several ladders set up in the area we hunt, all but one are 15ft, that one is 20ft. I have seen many deer from each of them, in our area the deer look up sometimes but seldom do unless I move or do something to get their attention. When I put mine up I try and find a group of 2 or 3 trees growing close togethor and position the ladder so the trees break my outline. If I can't find a couple of trees close togethor I look for a tree that has some low branhes or even a small tree close buy that would help with breaking up my outline. I leave my ladders out all year, I do change the ratchet straps every year. I'm not sure if the deer get used to seeing the ladders or not, I also use a climbing stand and hang ons if I feel the deer are avoiding the ladders. My ladders are the less expensive variety($60-$80) but I have'nt had any problems with any of them, just check the straps every now and then.

[oldskool]

point well made dino. I forgot about tree growth I just put mine up early,trim shooting lanes and stay out till opening day. I agree with the shorter ones also. When I put mine up this fall I'm going to leave 1 section out

[bowless]

Any way to effectively lock these for public land hunting?

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

The terrain ( Mountains ) here dictate that I need a stand 18-20 feet high . I have these on my little 30 acres and will need to leave them out all year. I will change the reachet straps every year to keep them safe. I'm going to try to put some honeysuckle around the ladders and put some branchs in the way so the deer cannot get close to the ladderand camoflage them the best I can. Keep the post coming curious as to what kind of stands everyone uses and how they conceal them. I can buy them at Dick's sporting goods witha 5' extension to make the 20' I'm wanting.

Jack

Thanks Jack

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

I'm going to put chain around mine and padlock them but if a theif wants them they will get them.


Jack

[dino]

I'll describe the best I can on how I lock them up.  I have two cables for each stand.  The first one is a heavy 12ft rubber coated dog tie out cable.  They have crimped eyes on either end.  Loop it around the lower step rung, weave it up thru the steps up to the seat section.  The second cable is a heavier tree stand rubber coated cable lock that loops around one side of the seat section and around the tree.   Cables are wrapped tight with no slack and both cables can be looped together and locked with one pad lock.  Rubber coated cables are also nice because they are quiet and rust resistant for the most part.  That keeps the honest ones from carrying them off.   A thief with a good set of bolt cutters can take down most anything.  dino

[dino]

My brother leaves his stand up all year round.  A length of chain with a chain binder is what he uses to secure them.  Safe, tight and you never have to worry about it. dino

[mqqse]

One thing I've noticed after owning three for a couple years now is that they do begin to creak a little.  A remedy for this that I plan to try after this season is to cut up small pieces of tire tube (as in the thin bicycle stuff) and place between some of the metal to metal contact points.  (If I'm wrong on this, or it poses a safety risk, please advise!)

[billy shipp]

Jack, I have 5 ladder stands, 2 Cabela's, 16', 3 Ameristep 15'ers. the Ameristeps were cheaper, but do not have a backrest....your back rests on the tree, and that is not a problem for me.
Be sure to get one with a larger platform so there is plenty of room to stand and shoot. It is very difficult for me to shoot any direction other than to my right sitting....left handed shooter....if I shoot any other direction, I have to stand up because every ladder stand I've ever tried, the hand rails are in the way of shooting while sitting.
I don't like to leave them out year round because the seats and or backrests deteriorate being out in the weather.

Billy

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

Its funny Billy I hardly eveer sit down , All my hang ons are out most of the year and I pull the seats. Most of  the seat cushion is gone because I removed them. The cusion make a siloette that I don't want in the tree due to a deer spotting them. As far as the backrest I don't need it plus it helps me hug the tree close when deer are close.

Thanks guys
Jack

[Littlejake]

Loggy Bayou 18' bowhunter ladders are good stands they have fold up seats that gives you more room on the platform.I've never had any problem with deer avoiding or even noticing them.I think they make a 20' model too.

[dick sable]

Jack,
I never really liked or appreciated ladder stands in the past.  As I grew a bit older and felt less "secure" about the whole process of hanging and removing platforms, I finally tried a Loggy Bayou bowhunter ladder stand and now really like it a-lot.  The platform reaches back nearly to the tree and the seat flips up easily, so when you stand you're very close to the tree.  I hang cedar branches behind the tree to help break up my profile.  It will stand pretty upright (close to the tree) and is very secure with the ratchet straps.  I left the first one up all winter - - just loosened the straps a bit.  Good as new this year.  Liked it so much I ordered a 21 footer for this year which I use as a backyard practice stand.  Deer have never seemed to notice it at all.  The LB "bowhunter" stand might be a tad more expensive but worth it, in my opinion. When it is assembled it isn't really that easy to lift up the tree.  The directions call for at least two or three adults to get it up.  My wife and I were able to do it with the help of another ladder. It has also been recommended on this site before - by Barry Wensel, I believe.
Dick

[Problem Child]

I replace the ratchet straps with eyebolts,heavy chain and turn buckles.Then I padlock the left over end of the chain back to the eyebolt.One trick to getting the end of the chain around the tree is to attach a length(long enough that you can reach it from the ground) of small rope to the end of the chain. As you climb the ladder you can pull the rope up with you and when you get to ready hook the chain to the turnbuckle just pull the rope and connect the chain. Much safer and easier than trying to "swing" the chain around the tree and catch it.

[Shaun]

Rivers Edge makes a 17' model that has a platform all the way to the tree and fold up seat. I just got one this season and really like it. I use an extension ladder to climb the back side of the tree and attach the ratchet straps, much safer and quicker than climbing the unattached ladder stand.

[Blood Trail]

A chain and padlock will NOT work in Texas public lands. Stands stay up for about 24 hrs.

[trapperDave]

warning to all who leave em up year round,,,not only will the tree grow around it, it will put immense pressure on the strap and it WILL break. Also be wary of unseen rust on a steel stand ...its gonna start on the inside and work its way out  

[Kevin Evans]

I use ratchets to tighten mine up.
I like to be close to twenty foot especially I after older deer.
Very very important to practice from that height the target is small and you will probably shoot high for a while