Treestand advice

[irishevox]

so here is the question.  I got a API Crusader....  and i plan to go hunting Saturday AM on a farm i have access in.  Latley i have been hunting it out of a blind, but sometimes ... the deer see it and won;t come near it... so  here is my thing, this is a new stand and i have never used it and i am not 100% the tree i want but i know there are two close together so i can that are simialr so it is one of those... So here is the question should i go in the AM at dark and sit on the ground wait for first light and get it set up and climb up... or risk seeting up in the dark.... advice and comments thanks guys.

[KFhunter]

get a good headlamp and shimmy up that tree at 0'dark.   Except that you're hunting a hay field, so you'll blow everything out.   Can you set up on a trail leading out of the hayfield?  set back 1/4 or 1/2 mile back if you can and catch them leaving the field to a bedding area.  If you set up at the edge of the field all you'll hear is snorts and see nothing at first light.   

don't forget your safety harness,  and by all means practice at home or close by.   I climbed up half the trees in my front yard when I first unwrapped my new summit climber 


edit:  Oh and most guys have their climbing trees already prepped ahead of time,  limbs cleared and shooting lanes created well before the season.   Trying to find a suitable tree in the dark sucks.

[bobcat]

I would learn how to use it before going in to your hunting spot. Find a tree somewhere and practice using it. You definitely don't want to attempt using it for the first time in the dark. You might look up some YouTube videos on tree stand use too, before you try it out. Videos can really be helpful.

[h20hunter]

Getting up in the tree is one thing. Getting up in the tree and being able to shoot is one thing. Getting up in a tree, being in a position to shoot, then actually shooting safely is another

I'd find a tree in the yard to practice at least a few times before hunting out of it. Safety safety safety. Falling and changing your life forever is not worth any deer out there.

[irishevox]

I will try and find a tree and pratice.... i am shooting over planted crops that are about 2ft high in som areas.  I plan to do it at first light i have used stand in the past with no issues.... but this new technology is crazyness... but i will see what i can do tonight before i go out tomorrow morning