Thoughts on permanent tree stands?

[slickmannick]

Over the years I've spotted a few permanent (semi permanent) tree stands while out hunting... and I've probably walked past more than I can count since I never look up. I personally use a climbing tree stand because of how easy it is to relocate. I was just curious how most hunters feel about the idea of putting up a permanent tree stand on public land. Now I am referring to basically a wood platform secured to a few trees with rope, nothing too damaging to the trees and mostly just wood materials. At first I was against the idea, but after talking with a few hunting buddies I kind of look at it like those poles everyone has in their camp to hang deer/elk from... it's not really hurting anything and anyone has a right to use it. I'd love to hear everyone's opinions.

[bracer40]

I know someone who fell out of one and could have died if he'd been alone. Many months of recovery.

Weather and age take their toll on stands like that.

[Sandberm]

Can I sit in it even though some one else put it up?

[CP]

Can I sit in it even though some one else put it up?

Yes.

[CP]

I know someone who fell out of one and could have died if he'd been alone. Many months of recovery.

Weather and age take their toll on stands like that.

Lawsuit ?  If someone falls out of a stand that you built are you liable?

[skeeter 20i]

Playing devils advocate here:

Prove it was mine and I built the death trap in question.  Further more "why was said person climbing into a structure presumably left abandoned in the woods?" 

Just a couple of thoughts off the top of my head.

[headshot5]

Can I sit in it even though some one else put it up?

If it is on public property you can.  This situation is seen often with permanent duck blinds.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Personally, I don't like them.  Mainly because my experience has been that too many of the people who build them - or any other semi-permanent structures on public land - feel entitled to that location and don't honor "first come, first served" on public land and instead instigate confrontations.  I get they put in the scouting time and work, but that's just it - they are trying to claim that trail crossing, saddle, wallow, etc that caused them to choose that spot.  I feel the same way about any claim of "right" to a spot.

[dscubame]

I am good with them. 

[trophyhunt]

I am good with them.

me too, it's a lot of work.  I use lag bots and pressure treated wood back when I made them.  I like seeing old ones, reminds me of the old days when every thing you did wasn't against the law.  I now use self climbers.

[vandeman17]

Personally, I don't like them.  Mainly because my experience has been that too many of the people who build them - or any other semi-permanent structures on public land - feel entitled to that location and don't honor "first come, first served" on public land and instead instigate confrontations.  I get they put in the scouting time and work, but that's just it - they are trying to claim that trail crossing, saddle, wallow, etc that caused them to choose that spot.  I feel the same way about any claim of "right" to a spot.

I am fine with them IF and on IF they understand that if a person is there first and either using the actual stand or even just hunting that spot that they can't tell them to buzz off. I never really run into this in the woods but it happens a lot duck hunting where people feel like they have "saved" a spot because they built a blind on it.

[bowtechian]

Seen one before that was a couple pallets held up between two trees w/ a cargo strap

[trophyhunt]

Personally, I don't like them.  Mainly because my experience has been that too many of the people who build them - or any other semi-permanent structures on public land - feel entitled to that location and don't honor "first come, first served" on public land and instead instigate confrontations.  I get they put in the scouting time and work, but that's just it - they are trying to claim that trail crossing, saddle, wallow, etc that caused them to choose that spot.  I feel the same way about any claim of "right" to a spot.

I am fine with them IF and on IF they understand that if a person is there first and either using the actual stand or even just hunting that spot that they can't tell them to buzz off. I never really run into this in the woods but it happens a lot duck hunting where people feel like they have "saved" a spot because they built a blind on it.

yup, I had about 3 around in different areas and I never felt like it was mine.  If someone was sitting in it when I showed up I would just move on and just get up earlier next time.  I wouldn't expect the people to get out of the stand, BUT on the other hand, if I found a nice stand in an area I was hunting and got in it.  And the guy who built it came by, I would have no problem getting out of it for him.  Just how I roll.

[boneaddict]

Agree with Doublelung.    That and they never get taken down or cleaned up after they go to crap. 

[MountainWalk]

When I see on far from the road, all rotted and scary looking, it makes me grin, kinda like some dude 20yrs ago was thinking the same thing I am, "what a dandy spot!"

[biggfish]

I personally don't like them on public land, private land I'd be fine with it. Tower box blinds or other permanent ground blinds I'm cool with. A lot of times people nail directly to trees and if the trees you used come up for selected harvest you could be affecting someone's business.

[Naches Sportsman]

Personally, I don't like them.  Mainly because my experience has been that too many of the people who build them - or any other semi-permanent structures on public land - feel entitled to that location and don't honor "first come, first served" on public land and instead instigate confrontations.  I get they put in the scouting time and work, but that's just it - they are trying to claim that trail crossing, saddle, wallow, etc that caused them to choose that spot.  I feel the same way about any claim of "right" to a spot.

  and IMO, they do damage to the natural resources. If you level permanent blinds in on trees, the trees will grow around them and it will not look natural.  I like ground blinds better because you don't hardly do any natural resource damage if you use natural barriers and dead wood.

[ghosthunter]

I have never liked tree stands . Because this old fat boy don't bounce very good.

But I did come across this ground blind that someone put some work into.
Screwed plywood ,2x4 framing , locking door and nice bench.
Took a little scouting break in it.
Did not like the location though.

[Turner89]

To each his own. They dont bother me at all.

[dscubame]

When I see on far from the road, all rotted and scary looking, it makes me grin, kinda like some dude 20yrs ago was thinking the same thing I am, "what a dandy spot!"

Ya that's a cool part that I enjoy seeing/thinking when I see them.

[huntnnw]

i use to find wood stands all the time before the era of the mass produced stands. I just found one last week over a wallow that looks like its 30-40 yrs old

[TommyH]

i use to find wood stands all the time before the era of the mass produced stands. I just found one last week over a wallow that looks like its 30-40 yrs old

Me to, seen an old 30-40 year old one over a wallow. Looked like the guy had to pack all that stuff in quite always!!

[turbo]

I'm 100% against them. They are a black eye on hunters and ammo for the haters. It's not all about you in the woods and you have no right to leave that crap behind. To a hater it's like dumping trash in the woods. Just my opinion.

[Jonathan_S]

I'm 100% against them. They are a black eye on hunters and ammo for the haters. It's not all about you in the woods and you have no right to leave that crap behind. To a hater it's like dumping trash in the woods. Just my opinion.

Haters are going to hate regardless.

I don't think many antis find old tree stands.  Stands are not usually in good hippy hiking areas.  I wouldn't build one and wish that if others did then they would remove them at least after a few years.

[bowtechian]

Found this one 300ydrs fr the pull out on a old logging rd

[4fletch]

Found this one 300ydrs fr the pull out on a old logging rd

that's plain ugly. If I was to leave a stand on a tree it would be a steel tree stand locked up using 3 ft section ladders pull the ladders and leave the stand folded up to the tree. Sportsmans guide has the inexpensive stands and ladders

[bowtechian]

Yea it was scary looking but it was fairly new the truck strap was in good condition

[bigtex]

Most of the public land management agencies actually have regulations for treestands.

As an example, on WDFW lands it is illegal to use artificial fasteners (nails, wires, staples, etc) on stands. It is also illegal to leave unnatural stand materials in the area after the end if the season.

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