Using Ladders To Bowhunt

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Lebanon
I'm not completely giving up my climber, but I'm going to give hunting from a few ladders a try this year. I have four up in different places now. Been working my tail off getting them put up and shooting lanes cut. I like to hunt in some pretty thick stuff, so it's been hard work. It always, always pays off though.

Anyone else hunt from ladder stands? I have two two-man stands up and two other one man stands.
 
Back Home":2jfo5gmf said:
Anyone else hunt from ladder stands?
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Gosh, yes. All my deer have been killed from ladder stands or ground blinds.

A couple of tips. Try to place your stand against a tree that is big enough to help break your outline. If possible do not set up in a tree where you will stand out. Also, I have found it to be very effective to place my stand facing away from where I expect to shoot. That way the tree helps hide you and you can use the tree for a gun rest. Of course predicting the direction of approach of deer is not entirely possible, but you probably already know their most common travel routes. Yes, you have to look over your shoulder a lot, but you can also stand up and face the tree and peek around it.

Good luck. Let us know how it works.

Edit: I just noticed that you said bowhunt, but the same principles apply.
 
Awesome. I actually just moved a two man stand that I had in a smaller tree because it looked awful. Stuck out like a soar thumb. I moved it 10 yards to a massive oak where about 95% of the width is covered. Ditto on stand placement. I put all of the stands on the backside of the tree. But like you said, that's never a sure thing. One other thing... I placed a lot of brush from small limbs I cut to make shooting lanes in the steps just to hide it a little more.
 
Back Home":3grzh65s said:
Awesome. I actually just moved a two man stand that I had in a smaller tree because it looked awful. Stuck out like a soar thumb. I moved it 10 yards to a massive oak where about 95% of the width is covered. Ditto on stand placement. I put all of the stands on the backside of the tree. But like you said, that's never a sure thing. One other thing... I placed a lot of brush from small limbs I cut to make shooting lanes in the steps just to hide it a little more.
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*like*
 
I have killed from a ladder stand on bow opener and I have a ladder stand up this year in a new spot. I don't usually use them but sometimes it's the best stand to hang in a particular area. I prefer lock ins and climbers but use whatever necessary


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I don't like the idea of someone else using it when I'm now around. But after sundays hike in and out with a climber, a backpack overfilled and a bow, through a shelled corn field, they are looking better and better.
Old Age Matters Too.
 
Since I've lost one of my eyes I 100% use ladder stands
I hunt my own place mostly too
I like Dicks XL ladder very quiet and hunter friendly
$159 each
 
Ladder stands, shooting houses and tripods are all I hunt from. There will come a day when all you youngsters give up climbers and hang-ons. (Because of old age)
 
It is all I have hunted from for several years. You have to be more careful with your camo and movement from a ladder due to the lack of height, but you can still get some good shots.

If it is an "easy" tree to put a ladder up on, you likely will stick out. You are much better off putting it on a tree with a bunch of limbs even though it complicates the setting up of it. The absolute best trees are cedars big enough to hold up a ladder. That usually is a three person deal where two have to hold it from the bottom while one is up the ladder cutting enough limbs to get the ladder to the tree. Once the ratchet is on, you can cut a big enough hole to stand and shoot. They are KILLER trees. My second favorite is a tree with a cedar growing right beside it. you can normally get the ladder up a lot easier, and still have a lot of concealment. The third selection is a bushy oak with a lot of limbs down low. It will take some moving around the limbs, but once you get it in you can trim it to where you can stand to shoot, and have a lot of cover.
 
Agree 100% on the cedar trees. The best set-up I've got right now is in a cedar tree. For clearing limbs, I started using a pole saw but found that a good ol trusty 2x4 that's about 16 feet long does the trick real good on limbs that are in the way. Does a much better job.

I've used my old summit now for 15 years. It's 27 pounds but feels 10 pounds heavier than it did when i was in my 20s. On the other hand, puttin these ladders up is no easy work either.
 
I use hang ons and ladder stands only, I'm to old for climbers. I think the last time I tried to use a climber( a summit) the teeth dug in the tree so bad I believe I pulled something in my gut trying to pull with my legs. If I do use a climber it's not one that has teeth that dig in.
I usually place my ladder stand in the biggest tree with a split and cover under or around to conceal the ladder.
So yes ladders stands are very effective...
 
Ladder stands will work. The thing I have against most of them is that I can't get as high as I want. I have a single pole ladder stand 20' tall but because we are limited to 2 stands apiece I never use it. I opt for hangons but it's unusual because one man can completely put it up from the ground; secured to the tree and all. When you climb up it's to hunt. I think it weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 38 pounds but it's designed to pack up and carry on your shoulder with ease. I can't remember the name of the company and I don't know why they went out of business because it's a great stand and a great idea safety wise to be able to completely install it from the ground. The company was based out of Louisiana.
 

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