Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: bjrogg on August 06, 2016, 08:07:23 am
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I'm getting my primitive gear all made and ready. All of this will be completely new to me. I've never hunted with a bow or from a tree stand before so I have a steep learning curve here. Yesterday I shoot from a couple of my buddies tree stands to see if I liked them. I really wasn't that thrilled but maybe that's how it goes. I'm not as good of a climber as I was in my younger days and I have a couple buddies who fell out of there trees one is no longer with us leaving is wife and kids on a thanksgiving day I'm sure they wish they could forget. I'm looking for something I feel safe standing on and can have enough room to shoot without my bow hitting something. It will be on my property so I could build something permanent from wood or steel. I'm kinda thinking just a raised platform with a comfortable chair. Any suggestions? Pictures? Thanks
Bjrogg
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If your feet leave the ground, wear a harness!!! The cheap ones that come with a stand will work but aren't the most comfortable or user friendly. You can buy a decent harness for $50 on up. I started wearing one when I fell from a stand a couple of years ago. I'm so used to it now I don't even know I'm wearing it. I use ladder stands mostly. You have to position them to where you expect to get a shot from. After you get it set up take a bow up and do some test draws in different directions to make sure you have good shot opportunities without hitting your bow limb on anything. I'm not a fan of climber stands. I think they are better suited for tall skinny guys and not short round guys. The last time I used one I pulled a stomach muscle on the way up and it was all I could do to get down. I never felt safe in a climber stand. I grew up hunting from permanent wooden stands and killed a lot of deer from them. With the price of treated lumber and coated deck screws they aren't that much cheaper than a ladder stand. Plus I think its a lot safer and easier to put up a ladder stand than it is to build a permanent stand. Ground blinds are a good option for selfbows. I use cedar limbs to make mine. Pay close attention to which way the wind usually blows when picking out a spot for one. If you do hunt from a stand make sure you practice from it or another elevated position like a 2nd floor balcony or something. My shots are always high when I'm shooting down from a stand. I have to adjust my aiming point.
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I diffenatlly agree on the harness I'm sure my brother and wife wouldn't let me hunt without one. My brother is big into wheelie bows won state triple crown this year, he is big proponent for safety harness. Still working on him for the traditional and primitive stuff. He was really against it when I first started making stuff but he's starting to come around he actually told me he thinks I might get one and I actually think he's a little proud of his older brother now.( invited me to shoot with his wheelie friends and they all were interested)
Bjrogg
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After many years of hunting from tree stands I gave them up a few years ago because I just didn't feel comfortable anyore. To be able to shoot well you have to be comfortable with being in a tree stand. I hate wearing a harness too. They are really confining and uncomfortable...but I wouldn't go up a tree without one.
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I wear the harness that is like putting a jacket on. It's comfortable and all you have to do is click the thighs in and hook to your tree. I'm going to play with a Gilly Suit this year in Florida, see how that works.
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A shorter bow helps too.
But in my eyes if you are up a tree, your chances of killing yourself are as high as drinking and driving and just as dumb without a harness. We all know what just happened to Bryce, and Im not certain if he had a harness?
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Bryce wasn't hunting, he was climbing and a limb broke.
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Even a harness can kill you if you don't get out of it in time after having it save you from falling. You only have about 15 minutes to get out of it.
Sleek, I hunted from a tree stand for probably 30 years. There is no way you can compare it to drunk driving unless you were drunk hunting.
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It was a comparison to your chances going up of getting hurt.
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I think I know what your saying Sleek, Pat sorry to say I know a few of those to one fell out of his tree twice was in a upper body cast the second time, missed his whole hunting season but lucky he survived and recovered. The really bad thing about the drunk driving is the innocent lives that are lost or ruined. I'm not a big partier anymore did lots of stupid things in my youth, sure glad I never hurt anyone.
bjrogg
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All of the new tree harnesses come with the step up straps so you are not hanginging. You have more of then 15 minutes now.
All Fall Restraint devices in the industry I work in require the Relief Straps, now.
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That's how long its been since I wore one. ;D
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Knowing me I'd probably be hanging from the harness when the search party finds me, lol.
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I figure if I fall out of a ladder stand with a harness on I'll be able to reach the ladder and pull my self up. I don't carry the straps. Plus the tether line is so short and I mount it high on the tree. If I did fall I wouldn't go very far.
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Get a Hunters Safety System vest. You could hang for hours and be just fine, if you happen to fall.
I'd also suggest using a well, store bought built ladder stand and avoiding steps and strap on ladders.
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What about harnesses kill you?
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The hunter safety system is the one I have.
Sleek, I think they can cut off the circulation to your legs.
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...and cause a heart attack, I believe.
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Or, hang upside down until your dead. That has happened several time already.
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Hell, id rather fall.
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That's the premise behind HSS vest. You cant flip upside down. You could lose the ability to make babies.
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That's the premise behind HSS vest. You cant flip upside down. You could lose the ability to make babies.
Sign me up
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Thanks for all the info guys I've been to busy to properly reply. Pearl if I make anymore of those I'm in big trouble lol.
Bjrogg
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Same here BJ. If I have any more I'm demanding a refund from a surgeon.
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Tree stands??? Hummmmm not me anymore ...old big guys don't bounce... :) but if I did it would be the ladder stands. Not real portable, but very sturdy. If I was much younger and needed to be mobile it would be the new style climbers. I used a climber a lot many years ago. I would stay away from the screw in steps and strap on stands no mater how young or in shape I was in.
DBar
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I always kept a small knife attached to the harness strap where it was easy to get to if needed to cut the strap.
I've used climbers, chain/strap on and ladder stands. At one point I even used a 1x10 board with "V" notches on each end to wedge into the crotch of a tree, the latter I would not recommend. I do use ladder stands now but I don't hunt much anymore.
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Thanks for all the info guys, I think I have a couple spots I'd like to put a tree stand would have more but so many dead ash here now. I probably go with a good ladder stand any things I should look for? Bjrogg
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You can get fairly inexpensive ladder stands these days. If attached properly they can be quite secure.
Do Not use a tree stand in any dead or dying tree!
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Most of my stands are the cheap 16' ladder stands from walmart. They work just fine. My wife bought me a really nice ladder stand for Christmas one year. Its taller, wider, and more comfortable. It's also a lot heavier and squeaks like crazy. I had to take it apart and spray rubber on every connection to quiet it down. We take our stands down after deer season every year. They stay in better shape and don't rust as quick. Check the nylon straps each season.
Here are some tips that we have figured out over the years hunting from ladder stands.
We have started using more ratchet straps with our ladder stands. They usually have a bar that spans from the middle of the ladder section to the trunk of the tree. We ratchet the stand to the tree where the bar is. That keeps the stands very secure.
Don't put a stand in a tree leaning forward. It's very uncomfortable and dangerous. A slightly leaning back tree is better.
Put blocks of 2x4 or similar boards under the feet of the stand to keep it from sinking into the dirt.
Make sure you angle the steps so that the seat platform is level.
Avoid putting a stand sideways on a hillside. They like to lean downhill and are dangerous to put up or take down. That is how I fell from one.
Take a helper with you to put them up or take them down.
Put a good cable lock or chain on your stands. They have a tendency of walking off if you don't lock them down.
Try to pick out trees with good cover. Remember that the leaves won't stay there all season. A tree next to a big cedar works well. Big multi trunk trees are also good at breaking up your outline.
If your ladder hits any limbs or other tree trunks put a rag between them and ratchet them down tight. The wind will make the trees sway and the metal stands squeak where rubs on the bark.
When I set up stands to take my daughter hunting with me I put a lock on in the tree next to the ladder stand. I climb up first and step over to the lock on. I attach my harness to the tree before I step over. We had a 2 man ladder stand but it was not comfortable at all. The seat was wide but wasn't very deep. You had to sit on the edge of it and it was a pain in the butt literally. I sold it and bought a 1 person ladder stand.
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Sorry to ramble on BJ but all this hunting and tree stand talk has my hunting juices flowing. It's almost that time of year again.
One more tip that we figured out is to rake the leaves from your trail when they start falling. You can sneak into your stand without crunching a bunch of leaves and scaring all the deer away. It doesn't seem to bother them. If I rake a trail in the afternoon the next morning I'll see deer tracks in it. They are curious and come to check out the exposed earth.
Here are some pictures of some of our stand set-ups.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC16816.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC16839.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC16821.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC16867.jpg)
And one of my ground blinds.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Bows%202014/SDC16868.jpg)
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Thanks Osage very helpful advice. Right now even cheap stuff is a substantial investment for me. My son always hunts with me for gun season I would love to have him come for bow but he's really poor climber. Some how my son in-law got him to stand on his ladder while he hunted with his wheelie bow and they took a small doe I still can't quite picture that one because he shakes the whole time he climbs a ladder. lol. He loves to go hunting it thrumps all his fears.
Bjrogg
PS RAMBLE ON OSAGE. Thanks for the pictures to. One other question do you try to shoot from sitting position? It seems the best method for me was to stand side ways and kneel one knee on seat. For shooting from elevated position I bend at the waist to face target at same angle I would face it standing on ground, that keeps my "aiming" point the same and stops me from shooting high
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With a bow I always stand to shoot. If I see a deer headed my way I stand up the first chance I get without spooking it.
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bjrogg....It's best to practice from all type of positions I'm sure you realize.The darn deer rarely appear where you want them to.If possible I like to shoot standing but it is'nt necessary.
OO's got some nice setups there.GO get em buddy.I think I'm at 9 tree stands here and 4 ladder stands.2 ground blinds.Wind is a factor so having that many helps to be adjustable to conditions.
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Thanks Ed. I know this will be the hard part and those darn deer just do what darn deer do appear of of no where and vanish even faster. I've been practicing many different positions from ground. Sitting in chairs, kneeling on one knee, even sitting Indian style on the ground. I still always try to "square myself up" to same angle to target if I can.the reason I asked about sitting in blind was that it seemed my limbs got in the way when I tried it. I need to get some stands and practice from them figure out how to set them up and use them. Might take a while to get the number of stands you have but I know what to ask Santa for anyhow lol. Thanks again
Bjrogg
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bjrogg........If a person can find the time stump shooting with a blunt helps a bunch for me.Shooting from the ground reduces the angles.A 60" bow works good for me in a conventional type ground blind.
I've only been shooting and making bows since 2009 and the first year a person just needs to get on the board with a deer.I don't care if it's a yearling or what.Confidence builds from there on.Scouting your set ups properly.Maybe OO[I'm sure crookedarrow will too] has mentioned this but I always set my tree stands up so that my best window and shot is from the deer coming from behind me.A quartered away shot.Right in the sweet spot.With lots of cover in the background to break my outline up just off a main trail.Think like a deer......lol.Scrapes/bottle neck junctures of trails etc.Got oak trees?Deer love honey locust pods too.Getting this all set up a month before season is the goal.
It's really a blast even if a person does'nt get a shot during the rut with all the activity going on.Grunts/bleats/& rattle sticks help more than a person realizes too.
I've found some great deals at yard sales for deer stands lately.
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I had my tree stand stolen last year. But I'm actually going to buy one right after I get off work today.
Best of luck to all you guys, let's fill up this forum with hunting pics this year.
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Thanks again for all the great tips Ed I really like that quartering away shoot one. I was watching all the pigs sell at the fair thinking that quartering away shoot looks like a good one much better even than broadside lol. I'm figuring on taking anything I can maybe might not take 1st shoot but probably will. It will depend some on amount of time available and what I'm seeing that gets close enough. I do fully intend on enjoying the hunt whatever the outcome. It's always good just to blend in with your surroundings and watch what's going on. I do want to put something in the freezer and get a hide and sinew. Horns are less important but if they come with the package I can use them for handles or flaking tools. And if there big enough to hang on the wall great (1st won't have to be very big lol.) thanks again any tips welcome like I said before this is going to be totally different hunt from any of my others.
Bjrogg
PS sorry to here about your stolen tree stand Aaron my dad had his lucky tent stolen once. Second that pictures and I want to read the stories too.
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aaron....Pics of even the misses aaron????.....lol.I'll see if I can show an arrow stuck in a tree....ha ha ha.
Blasted theives!!!!That gets me bowed up for sure.I don't have or use any trail cameras but can definitely see their function useful.
bjrogg....I'll guarantee you start putting meat in the freezer you won't feel intimidated at all with self bows.You'll be the PREDATOR!!!!!!
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BJ, have you deer hunted with guns or modern equipment before?
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Yeah Osage always hunted with an old single shot 16 gauge got my son a H&R rifled barrel 20 gauge a year ago he loves coming with me hunting but is still a bit scared of the shotgun. I don't understand I've been shooting since little kid but I don't pressure him to much about it. It really is a nice gun I've allways liked single shots have a H&R 223 for fox and coyotes. I like to wait for the shot it's so exciting. I usally don't shoot unless I know it's going down. Maybe might miss a fox or coyote but can't remember a deer.
Bjrogg
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You have gotten some great tree stand advice so far. Here's some of my thoughts on the subject. I believe in the safety harness too. Stay hooked on from the time you leave the ground - it could save your life. You don't have to be up high to get all the advantage you need. I usually buy a fifteen foot ladder stand and leave off the bottom five foot section. I don't like the shot angle provided by being higher up. My set ups are close and if my stand is too high, it is almost impossible to pop both lungs. That is a real factor. The difference in putting an arrow through both lungs or just one can be measured in hundreds of yards of blood trailing. I have also taught myself to shoot sitting down and I sit with the bow in hand and resting on my lap. I keep an arrow nocked and have learned to get pretty comfortable in that position. It provides the least amount of movement when it is time to shoot. I also hunt on my own land, so the steel ladder stands are my favorite. Before each bow season for the last few years, I have bought a couple of the fifteen foot guide gear ladder stands from sportsman's guide. I leave them in the woods all year but replace the ratchet straps each fall. After a few years of this, I finally have a stand for any direction the wind might be blowing. They are very stable and inexpensive. Good luck this year. Oh, and if you go with that type stand, buy a decent cushion or your butt will look like you spent the winter sitting on a waffle iron. ;)
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Thanks Howard, lots of great advice here. I'm actually very comfortable shooting sitting or kneeling when I'm on the ground. I've been trying quite a few of my buddies stands and have found a few I could shoot from sitting down a least in one direction, but it seems like in most my limbs hit something or I can't get to full draw. It might be that I need to learn some different techniques. I do like the angle from a lower stand also. My cousin has about 12 ladder stands in his woods and said the one that always gets the most deer is a 10' tall stand. I still haven't bought stand yet but I'm getting more of an idea what I think I want. Thanks again guys for all the tips
Bjrogg
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Mark one of my buddies that is hunting with traditional gear this year(FG now but he wants to go primitive), helped me put up my 1st tree stand today. I'm glad he helped me I think we got it in a much better spot then I would have put it. Its on a really nice trail I showed him on the edge of field and lane. we put it in a cedar tree. its a 2 man and I tried shooting out of it . I really like the angle and should really break up my out line it actually about 5 cedars I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
PS Man I've really been seeing some nice Bucks this year and got some great trail camera pictures
bjrogg.
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Start a new post with your trail camera pictures. I've got a few I can post.
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Yea I gotta figure out how to post them from my computer or get them on my phone. I sure love seeing them this time of year all in groups with velvet on and racks as big as there going to get.
Bjrogg
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I wear a hunters safety system every time I go into a tree but also always inspect them too. They have a depreciation date on the tag so make sure everything is good. No matter what we need to come home after a good hunt. Be safe guys. Also I hunt from ladder stands and a lonewolf climber when I'm hunting somewhere new.