I hunt on private land is a long walk from a dead end dirt road but borders my property. I have 2 - 16' sections of aluminum ladder I was thinking of using for tree stand access. Plan is to paint the flat camo. Could be attached to the tree at or near the top and to a stake at the bottom rung. Would put it out in late August, a full month before the Oct 1 opening of bow season. Has this ever been tried? To what success? Or is it a crazy idea that isn't worth pursuing? Looking at the ease of going up the ladder vs. climbing sticks.
Climbing sticks in case the deer change movement and it's easy to be Mobile with lone wolf climbing sticks and lone wolf lock on. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
A lot safer than screw in steps or climbing sticks, although I use both. I love aluminum ladder sections, light weight and easy to transport.
A 16' section of ladder is only good for a stand height of about 12' or so. I have done it with a larger extension ladder, I lashed it tightly to the tree with 550 paracord at the top, middle, and bottom. Worked fine.
A lot of climbing is not what these 76 yo knees like to do any more. Takes to much time off the ground to put the sticks up and down. Main reason for a ladder. Debating on another tree stand, or ground blind which could be used for turkey hunting also.
If you have hang-on stands already an aluminum ladder could work as long as you don't want to go much over 10ft. If you need a little extra height you could use 1 set of sticks above the ladder. If you are buying a new stand, I would just go with a ladder stand.
^^^THIS^^^ If I were you sir, I would just invest in a ladder stand. There are lots of options out there and they really aren't much more than a lock on stand. You might need 2 people to put it up (safely), but I know personally I feel a heck of a lot safer climbing up a ladder stand than using sticks or screw in steps.
I don't see any problem with using your ladder idea . As long as everything is secure . Deer don't care how you get up and down a tree . Good luck this season
I was concerned more about the ladder just being there. Guess deer are more concerned with motion than they are a change in their traveling route. Have one new hang on stand and 4 sections of dual step Rivers Edge sticks. Like the sticks but will add another strap at the bottom for more stability.
As a house painter I climb ladders most every day and am very comfortable going up and down them. I have used ladders to get up a tree many times and the deer have been more interested in my shape up in the tree, than in the ladder right beside them. As long as you can secure it to the tree to safely climb it..... absolutely go for it!
Used one this past fall and shot a buck my first sit. It is not painted and it had been there a couple months. Good luck!
Have two sections of 16' each. Going to go for it without paint. Very few trees suitable for a stand in this area. Lot of thick under brush, thick cedar trees some in rows dividing patches of CRP, etc. Some big old cotton wood trees but they are 3' diameter and don't come close to going straight up. Have to stay with the edge of the cover as any suitable tree further in would have no shooting area under it. Could not get to all the brush that would have to be cleared to open up a shooting lane. Looked into that already.
Answered my question quit thoroughly. I put up 3 wood pallets, old weathered ones, the boards were vertical. Put some brush around & in them. Deer quit going that route right after I put them up. They were in front of a pile of old fence push up with some small trees and other brush. Thought it would make a good ground blind. Wrong again.
I've done this several times on my old property. Worked just fine. A bit noisy though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
