Had to add more stands...

[deadeye]

Something to work on and get out into the woods while things are freezing out. 
This should make number 30.  That's 30 metal stands that we will have out on
the property.  That includes single and double ladder and a few tripods. My wife
says it's an addiction but I just like to have a lot of options.....   I sometimes
wonder how many years should go by without using a stand before I move it?



Oh, crap, now where to start

[Rebel SS]

THIRTY?!?!?!?!!?!?  I know yer serious....!!! 

[HD]

Where to start?....prolly with the instruction sheet..... 

[mike89]

where do I go today he says!!!!

[Rebel SS]

 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[deadeye]

There was a little swearing and being I was the only one here, I'm pretty sure it was me.
Now I just need to tighten up the bolts put on the rail covers and viola, I have a stand
almost ready to go.  Almost because now I need to cut an 8 foot 4x4 in half, drill holes
in them and add it to the bottom of the stand.  It makes the stand 4 feet higher and allows
me to nail a 2x6 from the tree to the top of one of the 4x4's.  Makes the stand solid. 

[HD]

A little  sometimes works! Looks like you have it under control... 

I have been working on one of your 4x4 extensions for one of my ladder stands....it was an awesome idea! (Just gotta get out and install it)

[Leech~~]

Something to work on and get out into the woods while things are freezing out. 
This should make number 30.  That's 30 metal stands that we will have out on
the property.  That includes single and double ladder and a few tripods. My wife
says it's an addiction but I just like to have a lot of options.....   I sometimes
wonder how many years should go by without using a stand before I move it?



Oh, crap, now where to start

30, how much land do you have? Or is it so thick you can only see 10 yards from each stand? 

At least when you go to sell the land you will have a lot of rusty metal you can cash in at the scrap yard! 

[deadeye]

Leech,
I believe there are also 20 of permanent stands.  Through timing and good fortune, I do have a lot of land.  Between my brother in law and myself, we have 880 contiguous acres. 

Mike89,
Yes, that is a nice problem to have.  Some stands don't get used for years.  However, this year, deer were shot out of two stands that no one ever killed a deer before. 

HD,
Remember, don't put the steps on until you have the 4x4's on the bottom of the ladder stand.

Here is another reason I need a lot of stands.  Sometimes they are occupied when I get there.   

[Steve-o]

We hunted public land for years and when we were allowed to build permanent stands we did so.  I can recall only one stand that we built that never got used.

I used to like the idea of permanent stands on public land, because when you found maintained stands it meant other hunters were in the area and you could find another place to hunt.  But I know this is a double edge sword as sometimes permanent stands tempted groups of hunters into feeling like they owned the public land.

As we moved from one patch of woods to another we'd put up 1 to 3 stands a year - sometimes fixing up one abandoned by a party of hunters that moved on.  We used to call it the skyway system.

DE, The 4x4 extension idea is a really good one.

Can you post up some pics of your ladder stands with the 4x4 extensions?

[deadeye]

Steve-o,
The extensions are very simple to make and add to any metal ladder stand. 
It makes the stand 4 feet higher and allows me to nail a 2x6 from the tree
to the top of one of the 4x4's.  Makes the stand very solid. Can be adjusted
for uneven ground by simply cutting one end of a 4x4.   

This is prior to putting up the stand.


Extensions in use.  Note the board from the top of the 4x4 to the tree. 

[Steve-o]

I really like the idea.  After you tie the extension to the tree with a 2x6, it takes away the horizontal stress, the 4x4s only have to carry the load in the vertical.

Do you use treated 4x4s?

What do you use to drill the holes?

The only thing I'd be worried about is moisture getting into the holes and rotting the wood where there was an undetected flaw.  But if you squirt some calking or sealant down the hole once they are in place, that should eliminate that concern.

Also, I'll bet the extra 4 feet make a big difference in deer being able to pick you off less in the stand.

[Leech~~]

Steve-o,
The extensions are very simple to make and add to any metal ladder stand. 
It makes the stand 4 feet higher and allows me to nail a 2x6 from the tree
to the top of one of the 4x4's.  Makes the stand very solid. Can be adjusted
for uneven ground by simply cutting one end of a 4x4.   

This is prior to putting up the stand.


Extensions in use.  Note the board from the top of the 4x4 to the tree. 

Geez, how high do you guys need to be to get those Deer around there? 






[attachment deleted by admin]

[deadeye]

Steve-o,
Yes, treated 4x4's and steps are treated also.
I use a 1 1/4 in boar type drill and then wood chisel for the corners.
I didn't mention the caulking but you can see it in the picture. 
Yes, most but not all locations will benefit from the extra height.
You can also see the finished product is painted camo.
Let me know if you have any more design ideas for the extension.

Leech,
Due to the large bucks we grow, it was necessary to raise the stands
to prevent the bucks from hitting their antlers on the bottom of them
as they pass by. 

[Cooperman]

Deadeye,
How long do those stands last out in the elements? I had 2 ladder and one tripod that I would take down every year. Unfortunately, I stored them in my pole building that collapsed and destroyed all three, among other things. I never thought of leaving them out.

[Steve-o]

I'll defer to Deadeye, as he has way more experience.

However, we have one out for about 10 years now and it appears to be solid.  So far the bars and bolts only show signs of surface rust.  It probably isn't the safest practice in the world, but this stand is holding up.  Also, being over 10 years old, there is a good chance that it was made in America.  I'm not sure if I'd put as much faith in one built overseas.

We had another ladder stand in an oak that was partially dead, but still leafed out some every year.  It was left strapped to the tree 4 or 5 years when the tree toppled above the stand, fell down, and crushed it.  As the trunk grew and the strap tightened, I wonder if the constriction weakened the tree and made it more susceptible to wind or whether it would have blown down regardless.

[deadeye]

We have never taken in a stand or for that matter never even gave it a thought. I believe we have had some out as long as 15 years and they appear to be fine.  We take the cushions in after the muzzle loader season and put them back on when we check the stands in August.  Also, when doing this we check the straps to make sure they are not overly tight and if so, loosen them until the following fall.  One of the reasons we use so many of these is that they require very little maintenance compared to permanent stands.  Most of the new ones we put up now are double stands.  Not that we have two people in them but it helps when bow hunting as you can shoot a much larger range "behind" you. I usually put the stands on the opposite side of the tree that I expect to shoot because then I have better cover. Also, it is nice to have supplies (bag, calls, binoculars, mitts, and camera on the seat for easy access. 

[Leech~~]

Leech,
Due to the large bucks we grow, it was necessary to raise the stands
to prevent the bucks from hitting their antlers on the bottom of them
as they pass by. 

Breakfast, I thought I heard someone say breakfast? 

[attachment deleted by admin]

[deadeye]

Beavers never touch the treated wood, however, bears seem to love chewing it.
If i put a stand in a tree that beavers may chew, I usually wrap it with chicken wire.