Lifting hanging tree stands

[hornlvr]

At 68 years old hanging tree stands by myself is quite a task.  I'm sure some of you guys have already figured this out, but in case you haven't, I have not seen this product on the market, but it works great for me.  I now use a 1/2" rope in a tie down ratchet assembly with two "S" hooks.  I take the short rope assembly and S hooks out, and replace with a 1/2" rope double the length of my tree stand height.  Fasten one S hook to an eye bolt attached to the tree, and the other S hook to your stand.  You can easily pull the stand up to the tree, as the ratchet assembly holds the stand until you pull on the rope.  This is safe and easy and gives you that extra hand you need.  Let me know if this helps anyone out.

[MtnMuley]

Good info.  I'm sure some will find this very handy.

[hornlvr]

These ratchets are available from 1/8" diameter up to 1/2". There is no need to use 1/2" for this purpose, depending on the weight you are lifting, could probably use down to 1/8".  Look up rope ratchets on web for suppliers, Wal-Mart used to stock.

[huntnnw]

 

I have put rope loops on my stands (seat part of stand)..I climb up and put a small eye hook in and pull stand up..then just hook stand to hook so its hanging there and keeps my hands free.

[BULLBLASTER]

I run a treestep into the tree above where the stand will be and use my bow pull rope to pull the stand up and tie off to the tree step and go.about strapping the stand up. Similar to huntnnw.

[irishevox]

is there pictures of this ....

[RadSav]

These work well, but are expensive.  Although if you already have one in your boat or in your climbing gear...   It's amazing how many uses you will find for the Mini Traxion

[RadSav]

Add one of these and you will have everything you need in one pocket.  I have done very little climbing, but the climbing guys have all the fun cool toys.  I find it a shame not to figure out some reason I must have some of their cool gadgets.  Even if it does hurt the pocket book a little.

[irishevox]

THANKS FOR THE INFO... MY STAND IS ONLY 15 FEET UP AND I THINK I NEED TO RAISE IT 5 MORE

[RadSav]

THANKS FOR THE INFO... MY STAND IS ONLY 15 FEET UP AND I THINK I NEED TO RAISE IT 5 MORE

20 Feet!  Are you on a steep hill or something?  15' is higher than average unless you are on a very steep hill.  Hard to get a good angle on any close shot opportunities much higher than that. Our guiding operation back in the day kept stand seat height between 12' and 15'.  Plenty high enough to break your neck/plenty low enough to get good shot angles   Though I do know some make rifle stands that are 20' to the shooting rail most are 10' to 15'.  Highest rifle stands I've seen were in Texas where you needed to see over the tall brush.

Just make sure you have one heck of a good break away or clutch type harness system.  Even falling out feet first at 20' is going to do some damage   We'd hate to read about you in the TMA news letter!

[irishevox]

hunting black tail and i just feel like they can look right at me! maybe i am wrong i dunno... i am just use to hunting out of boxes and climbers with rifle... but i am hunting bow out of the free hang.... i will keep and continue to try.... we shall see

[huntnnw]

Most every whitey hunter I know around here is over 20' up .. I like 25' myself..in the mts even more so with alot of times the deer can appear in any direction

[oldleclercrd]

Most every whitey hunter I know around here is over 20' up .. I like 25' myself..in the mts even more so with alot of times the deer can appear in any direction

That's how high I put mine too.

[oldleclercrd]

Being up higher also helps the wind blow my scent away further and gives me a much better vantage point then down lower. The only time I worry about my shot angle is if the deer walk directly under my stand and I avoid that by setting my stand back away from the trail. Hit high and exit low.

[RadSav]

My how things are changing!  I'm definitely not going to dispute huntnnw's success.  Even if it does seem high to me.  Maybe the local shop is right and I should change my name to "Oldschool" 

[Smossy]

However high my two climbing sticks get me, That's as high as I'm going. Working on getting a good harness though, Still havent really been able to find a good one for a price thats not gonna kill me.

[et1702]

Most every whitey hunter I know around here is over 20' up .. I like 25' myself..in the mts even more so with alot of times the deer can appear in any direction

Me too!  25' unless tree is already on hill above trail I am watching.  But, 20' minimum.

ET

[et1702]

BTW, to answer the original OP's question, I usually just take a screw in step up w/me and screw it into tree above where I want to hang my stand.  Tie one end of rope onto stand, climb back up tree and loop over screw in step.  Pull up stand w/right hand and take up slack slack w/left hand.  Once you get it to the height you want, put a couple wraps of line around screw in step and tie off.  Stand will be hanging by rope and both your hands will be free to get the straps around the tree and stand cinched up tight.  Of course, both hands free assumes you are wearing your safety harness and using a Lineman's strap.

ET

[irishevox]

So 20 feet sounds good... i am hunting on a military base.... so it's a little un even land but not a alot they can walk right up to me    but i think i will raise it up to 20 feet those are 4 sticks, my only issue is going to be getting it higher up to 20 feet..

[RadSav]

So 20 feet sounds good... i am hunting on a military base.... so it's a little un even land but not a alot they can walk right up to me    but i think i will raise it up to 20 feet those are 4 sticks, my only issue is going to be getting it higher up to 20 feet..

How did you get it up to 15'?

I do like the Traxion and roller carabiner the best.  Fighting a heavy stand while hugging a tree is never fun for me. 

In areas where it is allowed I do like to set the stand using gaffs and then add the steps later.  It offers me unlimited mobility around the tree so I'm not set to just one position.  Though you want to make sure you've got the correct length gaffs if climbing fir.  I've had a few fun rides when I forgot to swap out my pole spikes for tree spikes and felt too dang lazy to head back for the right ones.  No harm with a good belt, but it really gets your heart racing!  And slivers in your face are never fun 

While I'm talking about lessons learned the hard way...Gaffs cut nylon straps slicker than heck!  More than once I've found myself at the hardware store buying replacement straps for my stand because I wasn't looking at where I was planting my spikes. 

Also, it's nice to practice raising your bow up into the stand.  My first bear hunt I had forgot to do this and found I had too many branches in the way.  By the time I got my bow up to the stand I had no arrows left in my quiver.  By the time I hit the ground to retrieve them a bear came in and I spooked it.  Took another week before it came back and I got my first bear.

And my final been there done it wrong is about bladder bags.  If you are at the store and there are two sizes to choose from.  Don't try to do some foolish math in your head.  Just buy the biggest one

[irishevox]

There is a tree kinda close and at 15' it kinda veers off so i can't reach it so i kinda balanced my self on the other one... and it worked... i got the raising the bow thing down to a sicence i raise it from the front... i have peracord going to the ground where i just pull it up and i have a little bow hanger on the tree i can just hang it up.. so it's easy just moving that damn stand up is gonna be hell