This is my first year bowhunting from a lock on stand. I usually use a ladder stand or ground blind. I never considered myself scared of heights, but when I stand on my lock on stand at 20ft, I don't feel safe because of no arm rest or some sense of felling that I won't fall. I think it's a mental thing. When I draw my bow and bend from my waist, it get's worse. I tried adjusting my tether a little higher so that when I stand, mentally I feel tension, which helps a little. I use a Hunter Safety Linemans Strap that wraps around the tree, when hanging the stand so that I can stay attached to the tree so I can work with both hands. I'm thinking about trying that for bowhunting so that mentally I will have some sense of security. Has this happen to anyone else? If so, any suggestions?
I feel your pain man. I prefer ladder stands or stool sitting myself. I have used hang on stand but just feel really uneasy about it and hunting is supposed to be enjoyable, not unnerving. I'd recommend something like this: http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Bone-Collector-Deluxe-Hang-On-Hunting-Treestand/17656230
Try a climber. Much easier setup, and my older API kinda has arms next to you, so you feel secure a bit.
I dont have that problem but do feel for you. Here are a couple things that might help. Get a hang on stand with a big base, also I have seen some with arm rests that might help while sitting. I would not want any tension on my line, if a deer comes in from a direction you arent expecting this could prevent you from taking a shot. If it is that much of a problem you should go back to ladder stands. You dont want to be thinking about falling when you are trying to take a shot. Good luck, I hope you get everything figured out.
There are several loc-on type stands with arm rests on them. You might give them a try. Good luck. Blessings......Pastorjim
I used to be nervous about heights, anytime I was near the edge of a drop-off, or on a ladder. I worked a loss prevention gig when I first got out of high school and it required me to climb ladders or go up in lifts and throw cables through a ceiling at 30 feet in the air. The ladders were the staircases on wheels and the lift was a one person bucket. Even though you'd think those things were pretty stable, they moved an awful lot. I was nervous as heck the first few times I did it, but after awhile, it just became no big deal. So, I guess my recommendation is to just face your fears. I'm not saying jump out of your stand, but maybe see how far you can lean over without falling. Finding your boundaries might help you out. If that doesn't seem like your cup of tea, some treestand manufacturers make shooting rails that you can put into the tree separately of your hang on. An example of this would be this rail from Big Game Treestands.
It depends. I shoot standing up so the rest is too low to get in the way (unless the deer is directly under you). If you shoot from the seat it may. I like the bar because I can lean against it and shoot behind the stand too without even thinking. Plus I can lean over and take a nap.
BTW, that stand that I posted is pretty darn cheap. If I remember correctly, it's in the $70-80 range??? It drops down during clearance A LOT too. It's probably the most comfortable stand ever built.
How many times have you been in your lock in stand? I felt this way the first couple times in mine but now its one of my favorite stands.
Only twice. I think I'm going to hang one on a tree at my house and practice shooting from it in the off season. I will try the rifle rest from biggame treestands. Thanks to all for some awesome input.
Being 6'8" tall, with size 16 boots, i don't feel comfortable standing on a small platform and shooting a bow. I have not actually shot a deer from above with my bow, but only feel comfortable when my legs are leaning against something while practicing. I either shoot while sitting, or I stood for hours when I had a shooting rail to lean against. I have been looking at a ladder stand that has a huge platform that wraps around half the tree, so I think I may feel pretty steady on that. whatever you choose, keep wearing that safety rig. Good luck finding the right fit.
