Placing ladder stands

[TLRanger]

I have always wondered why 95% of permanent stands are placed within 50 yards of a property line no matter
the size of the hunting area. It can be 100 acres or 1,000 acres, it makes no difference.

I know a guy that leases 350 acres and he has seven ladder stands that I know of around the edge of the property.
I guess the grass always looks greener across the fence! :?

 

[Spurhunter]

I've hunted a bunch of different land in my life and I seem to always think "if I could just hunt over there!" But I hate seeing another hunter while in my stand. And I hate to be seen. So I avoid property lines.

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[muddyboots]

To me property lines are usually changed in types of cover. Therefore and edge. Prime places to hunt.

 

[TheLBLman]

Each situation is unique.
Personally, I don't use many ladder stands, but do use climbers and hang-ons a good bit near property lines.

Generally speaking, I do it to deter trespassing & poaching from the adjoining property, and always place them in a direction NOT facing that adjoining property when really close to a property line. I will often place stands about 100 - 150 yards inside my property lines facing the property line, farther away if I'm concerned about accidently shooting a deer on the other side. But again, mainly to see and/or deter poaching/trespassing.

Personally, I don't like to hunt close to a property line, in part because I want to avoid having a wounded deer cross the line. Far as I'm concerned, the grass is greener wherever I'm less likely to see another hunter, which would typically NOT be any location along a property line. If I had zero concerns about poachers, I'd never hunt within sight of my property lines.

When I see a stand on the other side, right on the line or really close, facing inside my property, most of the time that hunter's intention is to poach across the line. Even if he doesn't "intend" to, it will likely happen. Other adverse issues (for them when hunting close to a property line) may include deer retrieval when they don't have permission to trespass, especially when they're on a property line facing downhill archery hunting.

 

[TheLBLman]

That said, there was a time when my property bordered some public hunting land (on which I had permission to hunt). Back then, I would commonly place my stands right on the line, facing that public hunting land. But again, mainly to ward off trespassers, as I certainly didn't think the grass was greener on the other side of that line. I think I still have some steel hang-ons high in trees like that from many years ago. They were left because I was either scared to climb a dead tree or else too lazy to retrieve an old steel hang-on I never again planned to use.

 

[MUP]

Good points lblman. And I do some of the same. I also place some of my stands about 75 yds inside my property lines, facing in toward my property, for the purpose of scouting early season while bow hunting. I just try to get a feel of the deer movement from the outside edges of my place during this time for later in the season mostly, but will take what's given if the opportunity arises.

 

[Spurhunter]

Do you guys that sit with your back to the property line deterring trespassers ever worry about who's next door from a safety standpoint? I know where all my guys are on our place, but have no idea where the neighbors are or what direction/trajectory they could be shooting. The reason I ask is I just bought 20 acres of woods and on a tract that small you have no choice but to be somewhere near the lines.

 

[Mr.Bro]

Farm land where I hunt. Couple of my farms have small 30-40- acre patches of woods. I sure don't want to set up in the middle of my woods so property
lines are all that's left. Luckily my neighbors are easy to get along with. Never have trouble retrieving game or having anyone set up to close.
I also set my stands where my best shot should be on my left side. I'm right handed bow hunter. Also set up stands where I have a good backdrop behind me.

 

[MUP]

Do you guys that sit with your back to the property line deterring trespassers ever worry about who's next door from a safety standpoint? I know where all my guys are on our place, but have no idea where the neighbors are or what direction/trajectory they could be shooting. The reason I ask is I just bought 20 acres of woods and on a tract that small you have no choice but to be somewhere near the lines.

Yes, always. I've only got 50 acres myself and I'm always concerned about shots coming in from all around. I'm all woods, so that's the best scenario I think, having a thick forest wall of trees to hopefully stop a stray bullet.

 

[megalomaniac]

I've strategically placed several ladder stands on property lines we NEVER even hunt just to push neighbors back off us a bit the closest stand we actually hunt is about 100yds from the line.

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[Snake]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with it as long as don't shoot anything on their property and hopefully you have permission to retrieve your game just in case it travels on other property . I had one against the line Giles but that was the only cover I had for an eastern wind and never had an issue because it was a super fence . Got another on the line on my property but I did ask adjoining landowner if a deer traveled on his property after I shot it could I retrieve it and he said I could even shoot what I see on his land from my property , he just don't want me hunting on it which I respect . It's just different situations I've seen stands purposely watching adjoining property .

 

[BDS05]

I guess the grass always looks greener across the fence! :?

That's a bold statement. I find myself 75 yards or less a lot of the time from a property line. You may find it hard to believe, but this is possible without shooting onto adjoining land. I don't like being that close but that seems to be some of my best spots.

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[TheLBLman]

I guess the grass always looks greener across the fence! :?

That's a bold statement. I find myself 75 yards or less a lot of the time from a property line. . . . . . I don't like being that close but that seems to be some of my best spots.

Let's keep in mind that the average TN deer hunter is hunting on a small parcel of land, and often, there are few options on where to hunt without being within sight of a property line.

I think TL originally made the "greener grass" statement in regard to those hunting larger acreages.

Also, there are a few less experienced deer hunters placing deer stands along property lines who are just inexperienced, and haven't really thought it through, like what if they see a big buck on the other side of the line, only 20 yards away, but can't legally shoot it?

In many cases, at least for those of us who respect the law and don't poach, sitting up on a property line greatly REDUCES the opportunity to kill a deer (such as when half of your view is off limits to shoot vs. 100% of your view if you were farther inside your property).

 

[chris1976]

I've strategically placed several ladder stands on property lines we NEVER even hunt just to push neighbors back off us a bit the closest stand we actually hunt is about 100yds from the line.

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we have done the same thing. It works.


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[BDS05]

I guess the grass always looks greener across the fence! :?

That's a bold statement. I find myself 75 yards or less a lot of the time from a property line. . . . . . I don't like being that close but that seems to be some of my best spots.

Let's keep in mind that the average TN deer hunter is hunting on a small parcel of land, and often, there are few options on where to hunt without being within sight of a property line.

I think TL originally made the "greener grass" statement in regard to those hunting larger acreages.

Also, there are a few less experienced deer hunters placing deer stands along property lines who are just inexperienced, and haven't really thought it through, like what if they see a big buck on the other side of the line, only 20 yards away, but can't legally shoot it?

In many cases, at least for those of us who respect the law and don't poach, sitting up on a property line greatly REDUCES the opportunity to kill a deer (such as when half of your view is off limits to shoot vs. 100% of your view if you were farther inside your property).

Well have to agree to disagree. I'm hunting just shy of 600 acres and still find myself hovering on the line a lot of the time. Because of the lay of our land and neighbors land, I find these spots produce more opportunity than if I backed off. With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

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[megalomaniac]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

 

[Snake]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

Wow , Meg your property or your hunting rights to property whatever so I think you can do what you want within the letter of the law . Kinda harsh judgement IMO . Some have never had to deal with these type of circumstances .

 

[TheLBLman]

Almost every situation is uniquely different for each of us.

 

[BDS05]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

To my knowledge, I've never been scoped but have been peppered. I understand the risk I run hunting MY OWN property. I'll be damned if I back off because someone doesn't like what I do on my OWN land. If you don't agree with your neighbors tactic, you should buy more land to circle your core area so you have a safety buffer. Quit worrying about your law abiding (assuming) neighbor and where he/she chooses to hunt. In fact, you shouldn't be close enough to the line to know they're there, right?

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[Mike Belt]

In the past I've hunted close to a property line even when I had the option to hunt bookoos of acres on the interior. I advocate hunting sign when it's hot and if that's where that sign is at the time that may be where I hunt. I don't like doing so and I don't hunt property lines to keep "the other side" from possibly shooting across the line. If the other property gets much hunting pressure, while I'm on stand I almost feel like I'm wasting a trip by hunting there.

I've seen one instance where the actual property line was an old overgrown fence row with an absolutely huge oak tree standing in it. The actual line was disputable. Either side of this tree on either adjoining property had the potential for a shot. There were 2 homemade stands on this tree at the same height but belonging to 2 different people; each hunting a different property. I can only imagine the discussions held if both hunters hunted at the same time, lol.

 

[TLRanger]

This came from the "I blew it" thread:

RUGER wrote:
180+ buck at 75 yards in KY.
.300 win mag.
Nothing but air and opportunity between us.
I thought he was 50 yards past the property line.
Turned out he was on the property I had permission to hunt by 25 yards.
That pretty much took my fire.
Haven't really deer hunted since.

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

To me property lines are usually changed in types of cover. Therefore and edge. Prime places to hunt.

Yep. Or you have found a crossing point at a fenceline.

 

[280longshot]

The edges are always good when you're hunting a cow pasture and your neighbor has all the cover including cut over. We kill 90% of our bucks coming out of the cut over but we don't place stands on the line.

 

[chris1976]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

To my knowledge, I've never been scoped but have been peppered. I understand the risk I run hunting MY OWN property. I'll be damned if I back off because someone doesn't like what I do on my OWN land. If you don't agree with your neighbors tactic, you should buy more land to circle your core area so you have a safety buffer. Quit worrying about your law abiding (assuming) neighbor and where he/she chooses to hunt. In fact, you shouldn't be close enough to the line to know they're there, right?

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What?? Dude, with all due respect you ain't got a clue.


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[BDS05]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

To my knowledge, I've never been scoped but have been peppered. I understand the risk I run hunting MY OWN property. I'll be damned if I back off because someone doesn't like what I do on my OWN land. If you don't agree with your neighbors tactic, you should buy more land to circle your core area so you have a safety buffer. Quit worrying about your law abiding (assuming) neighbor and where he/she chooses to hunt. In fact, you shouldn't be close enough to the line to know they're there, right?

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What?? Dude, with all due respect you ain't got a clue.


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Care to elaborate?

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[chris1976]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

To my knowledge, I've never been scoped but have been peppered. I understand the risk I run hunting MY OWN property. I'll be damned if I back off because someone doesn't like what I do on my OWN land. If you don't agree with your neighbors tactic, you should buy more land to circle your core area so you have a safety buffer. Quit worrying about your law abiding (assuming) neighbor and where he/she chooses to hunt. In fact, you shouldn't be close enough to the line to know they're there, right?

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What?? Dude, with all due respect you ain't got a clue.


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Care to elaborate?

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Sure, I will give you my example. Three years ago we bought 275 acres. All woods. While walking the property I found a ladder stand at the line facing directly into my property. Made me raise my eyebrows. He owns an 80 acre cow pasture that is my western border. He has very little cover on his place and the deer rarely use his pasture in daylight. I cut a trail along our property line. Took about 2 weeks. What I found were 2 permanent box blinds, 3 ladders, two climbers that had been on the trees for years, an old truck bed camper and remnants of several old wooden stands. All within 5-10 ft of the property line and all facing into our property and away from his. He had been killing deer off of this farm for years! And never had permission. So, yes, now at every location he is facing our property we have stands put up that we don't hunt. Along with posted signs and purple paint. So although I would like to "not worry" about what my neighbors are doing, it's not that easy for everyone.


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[BDS05]

[...With that, id never judge another man's character for where he hunts his land or waste my time setting a decoy stand to deter a neighbor. That seems like a childish act of greed.

After you've hunted a few more years and experienced more in your lifetime, you will come to the conclusion it's not an act of greed, it's an act of safety.

I suppose you've never been 'scoped' with a loaded weapon yet by a neighbor sitting on a fenceline. Probably never had a neighbor fling bullets onto your property at a deer and have them ricochet just over your head either. Once you have either of those happen, you will probably feel differently about having someone you don't know who's IQ may be less than 80 hunting close by with a highpower rifle. Once you have kids of your own, you will DEFINETLY not want a random stranger with a loaded highpower rifle within sight of them.

To my knowledge, I've never been scoped but have been peppered. I understand the risk I run hunting MY OWN property. I'll be damned if I back off because someone doesn't like what I do on my OWN land. If you don't agree with your neighbors tactic, you should buy more land to circle your core area so you have a safety buffer. Quit worrying about your law abiding (assuming) neighbor and where he/she chooses to hunt. In fact, you shouldn't be close enough to the line to know they're there, right?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

What?? Dude, with all due respect you ain't got a clue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Care to elaborate?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Sure, I will give you my example. Three years ago we bought 275 acres. All woods. While walking the property I found a ladder stand at the line facing directly into my property. Made me raise my eyebrows. He owns an 80 acre cow pasture that is my western border. He has very little cover on his place and the deer rarely use his pasture in daylight. I cut a trail along our property line. Took about 2 weeks. What I found were 2 permanent box blinds, 3 ladders, two climbers that had been on the trees for years, an old truck bed camper and remnants of several old wooden stands. All within 5-10 ft of the property line and all facing into our property and away from his. He had been killing deer off of this farm for years! And never had permission. So, yes, now at every location he is facing our property we have stands put up that we don't hunt. Along with posted signs and purple paint. So although I would like to "not worry" about what my neighbors are doing, it's not that easy for everyone.


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You missed the part where I mentioned "law abiding citizen (assuming)" I do believe.
Obviously I'm not going to defend a poacher.
Not everyone on the line is a poacher.
I hope your issue gets resolved however.

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[TLRanger]

If you have deer hunted very long, you may not know it but you can bet your life you have been scoped by some idiot.

 

[scn]

I have a bunch of ladderstands scattered around some farms. Probably 50% are close to the property line. If you are hunting fields and/or clear cuts, the only trees big enough to put a stand on a tree in a lot of cases are on the line fences. All of mine are faced into the property where I have permission to hunt, and I've never taken a shot across the fence. I've seen some nice deer on adjacent land that I would have liked to shoot, but they are safe until they come onto the property where I have permission.

I agree 100% that stands facing into property where they don't have permission are a sign of the intent to illegally hunt.

 

[Bone Collector]

My land is 32 acres and shaped like a rectangle. If the wind is blowing from the north we will get back against the back property line and set up so the deer come in under us and our scent is blown across the property line. Some stands are within 10 yds of the line, but they all face into my property.