How do you approach your stand

[janttihunter]

For those of you that hunt tree stands what's your opinion on aproaching it in the dark and not alerting game that may be close?

[huntnnw]

it really depends on each situation... I wont place a stand in a area if I cant get into it when i want to hunt if its going to bump animals...Id rather hunt a place that keeps me undetected versus hunting a stand that is in a primo spot , but u alert every animal in the area that you have been there

[seth30]

Slow and alert.  Also make sure there are no critters using your stand before the climb

[Carl]

Also make sure there are no critters using your stand before the climb

It sounds like there's a funny story here!   

[Button Nubbs]

Killed my bull after bumping him on the dark last year.

[MIKEXRAY]

I used to try to sneak in quietly but now I go earlier in the dark and get up in my stand as quick as possible.  I then sit quiet and let things calm down for 45 minute to an hour before first light.  I decided it was just about impossible to get in un noticed, but animals will calm down and go about their routine after an hour of calm.  I do think it is true that a big smart buck may get the heck out of there if to much noise. 

[buckfvr]

All things considered.....wind, scent, noise, visibility.......MUST be low inpact in AND out..........both ways, not just in.   

[RadSav]

Also make sure there are no critters using your stand before the climb

It sounds like there's a funny story here!   

Yeah, This picture came to mind as soon as I read that.

[pianoman9701]

I like to either skip or run with my arms straight out from my side and make propeller noises. 

[Smossy]

Do you guys leave your stands up year round?

[RadSav]

Do you guys leave your stands up year round?

Never!  Good way to ruin a stand.  I knew a bear guide that used to do that.  After two clients were injured from stands breaking he was sued and lost everything.  I think the judge let him keep a good pair of boots and that was about it

[Smossy]

Do you guys leave your stands up year round?

Never!  Good way to ruin a stand.  I knew a bear guide that used to do that.  After two clients were injured from stands breaking he was sued and lost everything.  I think the judge let him keep a good pair of boots and that was about it

Yikes for sure, how early is a good time to get it up and established for the local wildlife?

[RadSav]

Yikes for sure, how early is a good time to get it up and established for the local wildlife?

I like to have about three to four weeks for them to get used to it.  But you don't always get that luxury.  We have taken elk, deer and elk within hours of putting up a stand so it definitely is not necessary in all cases.  But I like to error on the side of caution if given the chance.  huntnnw probably has a lot more knowledge than I do about whitetail reaction to stand placement as I rarely ever hunt whitetail.

[Elkrunner]

2-4 weeks ahead of time...but then you could get locked out of that area due to fire!!

[Button Nubbs]

3-4 weeks is what we usually aim for.

[janttihunter]

I like to either skip or run with my arms straight out from my side and make propeller noises. 

That's the kind of top secret hunting info I've been looking for !!!!!

[Carl]

I like to either skip or run with my arms straight out from my side and make propeller noises. 

Now, that's funny!               

[boneaddict]

First thing I do is get my Bearmanric wolf howler out and let one rip.   Takes all the animals mind off of me and while they are looking for some fur I neak up on em.

[Jonathan_S]

I worry about scent as much as I do about sound.  Which means I do NOT want to sweat which means I go very, very slow. 

Also, I want to be in the stand an hour before first light which means I get up at about midnight this Sunday 

[bracer40]

Along with getting in and out quietly and under cover of darkness, I try to not brush up against any foliage as I get close to my stand. In some places that means doing a little trimming well before the season.

[huntnnw]

I used to try to sneak in quietly but now I go earlier in the dark and get up in my stand as quick as possible.  I then sit quiet and let things calm down for 45 minute to an hour before first light.  I decided it was just about impossible to get in un noticed, but animals will calm down and go about their routine after an hour of calm.  I do think it is true that a big smart buck may get the heck out of there if to much noise.

whitetails with that approach will never work on a big mature buck...I dont even hunt mornings in Sept due to the fact its almost impossible to get into the woods undetected..I hunt evenings only most of the time..rare instances that am works early

[huntnnw]

because what YOU see in the dark is extremely limited is NOT what a deer or elk sees...they can see quite aways in the dark and add some moon and they say a deer can see better than a human in the daylight...don't fool yourself that cause u think your not being seen  by going in the dark

[mkcj]

Like Elmer Fudd.

[BowForElk]

I set my stand up last friday and Im heading into it for the first time tomorrow (work keeps me way to busy these days)

How about light? What do you guys think about the red or green lens or anything like that or do think it doesnt matter?