If you are a seasoned deer hunter, then don’t turn the page just yet. I know if you have hunted for any number of seasons from an elevated treestand, you pretty much have your set up scheme worked out. Before you move on at least review these treestand set-up tips to recall a few things before you strike out this season.
• Tip 1: “I suggest every hunter using a treestand of any type to take a treestand safety refresher course. Take a look at this on-line course at hunterexam.com/treestandsafety. It’s free. The short 15-minute course covers it all related to tree stand safety,” said John Louk, executive director of the Treestand Manufacturer’s Association.
Register for the course before taking it so you can take the final exam.
• Tip 2: Redundant to most, but give your stand a complete assembly and safety check.
“I recommend after a complete check over, putting the stand up in your back yard or hunting camp beforehand to stand on it, test it out, check for squeaks and double examine everything before hunting out of it,” said Ronnie Foy, Canton deer hunting guide.
Be sure to thoroughly review the proper stand installation procedures until you fully understand them.
• Tip 3: “I use climbing stands with net seating and trampoline material,” said veteran bowhunter Randy Pearcy. “I use some non-scented hunter’s soap to thoroughly clean and scrub the fabric and metal. Then I’ll hang the stands in the back yard to let them air out.
“Before going to the woods, I’ll spray the seats and shoulder carry straps with scent killer. Any moving parts get regular mineral oil from the drug store, not WD-40 or anything scented.”
• Tip 4: “Do yourself a favor and dig out that old waist-buckle safety strap and throw it away,” said John Wydner of Hunter Safety Systems. “Then go get a full-body harness that secures the entire torso in an upright position in case of a fall.”
The best hunting safety harnesses wear like a vest or have padded shoulder straps with breast straps, as well as connected straps that go around the thighs. These harnesses support the upper torso, mid-waist and lower torso, which is what keeps the body upright during a fall.
• Tip 5: Before picking the final choice for a tree to set up the stand, check the prevailing winds and also correct positioning for the sun’s angle from the platform.
“Many times a hunter will search for just the right tree, then in the process of setting it up or climbing the tree, he miscalculates the wind or sun position. Have this figured out before the season starts,” advised Warren County deer guide Hank Hearn, who owns The Buck Stops Here deer processing on Tiffentown Road outside Bovina.
• Tip 6: Comfortize your treestand seat and platform. Dedicated deer hunters tend to spend a lot of time sitting or standing in their treestands. Stands need to be quiet, of course, but they should be comfortable, too.
Add an extra seat pad like a Hunt Comfort cushion that offers a gel insert. Affix a piece of carpet to the platform floor. This adds an extra quiet factor plus a measure of comfort for standing long periods of time.
I also wrap shooting bars and other exposed metal with foam pipe insulation using black electrical tape. This keeps a bow or gun from banging on the stand metal, plus it provides arm and elbow cushioning.
• Tip 7: Use a haul line or strap to bring up gear once you are settled into the stand and the safety harness is on, adjusted and set. Some hunters may need two of these, one for the bow or rifle and another for a backpack, or other gear bag. Use the haul line before going down a stand as well.
• Tip 8: If you bowhunt, use a bow holder. It might seem feasible to hold your bow in the ready condition all during the hunt, but this can be very tiring and dangerous with a nocked arrow. Bow holders can attach to the front end of the stand platform. Other types of holders strap onto the tree or screw into the tree supporting a pivoting arm with a hook on the end to suspend the bow close at hand.
Gun hunters can use these, too, but with a shooting bar pulled down, the shoulder strap can often be looped around the front of the bar for quick access.
• Tip 9: “For safety sake, carry one or more communication devices into the tree stand,” Louk advised. “This could be a two-way radio, cell phone, personal locator device, whistle, signal flare or a flashlight. If you hunt alone, be sure to tell somewhere when and exactly where you will be hunting and when to expect you home. If you have to miss that deadline, call to let someone know.”
• Tip 10: Treestand hunting accessories can help contribute to a quality, safe, comfortable hunt, and may help increase duration on the stand. Accessory belts strap around the tree with hooks to hold a pack, water bottle, deer calls, rattling antlers and other gear. Zipper front and side stand storage bags are available. Add a strap-on pad for extra back support. Cup or Thermos holders can clamp right onto the stand.
Primos has a new treestand light with remote control to locate the stand and light up the climbing ladder. A tree stand umbrella can be a nice touch, too.
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