Deer stands and rifles

[XUSNORDIE]

Oh please....

As with a bow, as I indicated previously, if for convenience I understand. If it is easier for you to pull up your rifle on a rope than have it strapped to your back, fine. But spare me the spiel about supposed "safety"....

LOL whatever.....I suppose you don't believe in wearing a safety harness either. Neither did I...I was mr macho tough guy and never used one........until the hunt where my buddys Wife didn't meet us at the drop off/pick up point....I will spare you most of the spiel but after we found her in the dark crumpled underneath her ladder stand unconscious, face split open....I wore a harness.

I loved the old farts who say crap about deer stand safety that either never hunted, have very little experience with various stands, or have a "stand" with steps leading to a pod you could put a damn lounge in.

 

[peachhead]

Where I hunt we have a lot of stands covered up with camo netting. I almost have to use a pull cord on those because it doesn't matter how I do it, my rifle will get snagged up in that camo. It's hard enough wearing a handgun because that gets all wrapped up in it too. I usually end up taking my knife and cutting part of the netting off.
I am 6'2" and 240 lb and size 14 feet and I completely understand the platforms just ain't big enough.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I am 6'2" and 240 lb and size 14 feet and I completely understand the platforms just ain't big enough.

I guess we just aren't as tough or smart as the others.......

 

[peachhead]

I have two climbers, a gunslinger and a summit viper. The gunslinger faces the tree and is probably the easiest and most comfortable stand ever. Using the summit for the past couple of weeks has reminded me to get a new harness. The whole "get up in the tree and then turn around" thing, and that little bitty platform, and my big boots, is kind of sketchy to me. Lol

 

[375hh1973]

I like tree stands.

My biggest issue is that I can sit still for about 2 hours.

Then I just know there are deer at my other places. Or my ass gets sore. Or....

 

[ds55]

I always use a pull up rope when climbing into a stand. I keep the rifle unloaded, bolt open, and tie the rope around the stock just above the butt so the muzzle stays pointed downward during the lift. Once I’m up and settled, I pull it up slowly and untie it. It’s the safest and easiest way to get a gun into a stand without juggling it while climbing.

 

[s4s4u]

I like tree stands.

My biggest issue is that I can sit still for about 2 hours.

Then I just know there are deer at my other places. Or my ass gets sore. Or....

 

[peachhead]

It's funny that post # 19 popped up. It reminded me that I have similar item in a package on a shelf above my desk. "Bit-A-Gunslinger" is the product name.

I'll attach a picture.

AND,, I'll offer it up as a Karma! First person to see it here & ask for it,, it's theirs just for the asking!

View attachment 87366

I hate to be the only one asking but I can use it if for some reason it doesn't work for me, I will karma it forward.

 

[s4s4u]

LOL whatever.....I suppose you don't believe in wearing a safety harness either. Neither did I...I was mr macho tough guy and never used one........until the hunt where my buddys Wife didn't meet us at the drop off/pick up point....I will spare you most of the spiel but after we found her in the dark crumpled underneath her ladder stand unconscious, face split open....I wore a harness.

I loved the old farts who say crap about deer stand safety that either never hunted, have very little experience with various stands, or have a "stand" with steps leading to a pod you could put a damn lounge in.

Most of our stands back in the day were poplar branches cut off and nailed with pole barn nails back onto the triangle of trees from which they came. We didn't have much money to spend on the modern accoutrements like that the beet farmers brought with them. My brother and I welded up a bunch of simple seats that we hang 20 feet +, and we got there with tree steps that we welded from lag screws.

Please spare me the self sanctimonious BS. I've stood on more "widow makers" than I care to recall.

I carried my rifle up slung on my back EVERY DAMN TIME, and yes, wore a strap.

Pipe...Smoke....Stick it

 

[Mike J]

I have two climbers, a gunslinger and a summit viper. The gunslinger faces the tree and is probably the easiest and most comfortable stand ever. Using the summit for the past couple of weeks has reminded me to get a new harness. The whole "get up in the tree and then turn around" thing, and that little bitty platform, and my big boots, is kind of sketchy to me. Lol

I used to have a Summit. It consisted of a climbing bar & a platform I pulled up with my feet. When I got to the right height I would put the bar down on the platform, fold out the seat & turn around. Once in about '95 I decided to climb a tree that had slick bark with it. I thought it & me both were going to slide down the tree (It got my attention pretty good.)
I bought an Ol Man climbing stand around 2008 or so. It faces the tree as you describe. It is easier to use & I have always felt safer with it.

 

[contender]

s4s4u,, as a Hunter Safety Instructor,, AND having seen the statistics on tree stand injuries,, as reported to the NCWRC,, safety is a big thing when using ANY form of tree stand. Especially climbing stands & ladder stands.
Why?
One thing not often discussed are "Tree Stand Falls" as a serious safety issue. In my training,, the most often fall is during climbing up or down. Second type,, trying to transition to a seated position.
And having a firearm strapped to your body can add injuries even w/o firing a shot.

Everybody has to decide how safe they want to be. I prefer to error on the side of caution & not climb a stationary stand or use a climbing stand with a rifle strapped to my body. I've seen enough accident descriptions to prove to me it's safer to not carry a rifle up while climbing.

 

[turd]

It's over now, OK?

 

[peachhead]

Most of our stands back in the day were poplar branches cut off and nailed with pole barn nails back onto the triangle of trees from which they came. We didn't have much money to spend on the modern accoutrements like that the beet farmers brought with them. My brother and I welded up a bunch of simple seats that we hang 20 feet +, and we got there with tree steps that we welded from lag screws.

Please spare me the self sanctimonious BS. I've stood on more "widow makers" than I care to recall.

I carried my rifle up slung on my back EVERY DAMN TIME, and yes, wore a strap.

Pipe...Smoke....Stick it

And you had to walk three miles to get there, in the snow, uphill both ways, with no shoes.
Smh.
Don't understand the attitude.

 

[s4s4u]

And you had to walk three miles to get there, in the snow, uphill both ways, with no shoes.
Smh.
Don't understand the attitude.

You get what you give....

 

[Chief]

I get it. S4s4u has been around, climbed more homemade, rickety tree stands than me, so he is entitled to his opinion I suppose . I know that because I don’t climb any tree stands. Heights and I do not get along so I don’t use the tree method. People around here fall out of tree stands all the time.

 

[shorthair]

I personally would not like to be within sight of someone so careless as to pull a loaded firearm up with a rope. Would bat an eye pulling a known empty gun up.