I'm finally getting up to my lease this weekend and torn between putting my hang-on up when I get there the night before or walking in with it and hanging it that morning? I put the sticks and safety line up months ago and had planned on getting back before season to put up the hang-on but it didn't happen. Now I'm concerned I'll make to much noise and commotion hanging it the morning of. I've got the stands prepped as much as possible to go right up but it never goes as smoothy as I'd like. I'm planning on two full day sits in this same area I shot my buck last year. What would you guys do?
personally, I would go in extra early in the morning and hang it up. give yourself extra time for the woods to calm down after hanging it so I would go for like 2 hours ahead of shooting light so you can set it up without rushing and then you can sit and wait, seeing you already have the safety line and steps on. that's just my personal opinion as I am sure others will suggest the the night before which isn't the wrong choice either, just make sure the wind is in your favor and wish you the best of luck out there!
I'd just hang it in the morning . Show up a little early and shouldn't take you more than 5-10 minutes to attach the stand to the tree . If I'm hanging a stand in the morning I like to give myself about 20-25 mins more than if it was already hung.
Morning is what I was planning but you know how even as careful as you try that damn metal buckle is going to smack the metal stand and there will be other noises unnatural to the woods Which to me always feels like the gig is up then and I kick myself in the head.
Id do it the day before . Since the sticks and safety have been up for a few months id want to check them
I'm the day before run out there hang it and get out. Then you don't have to worry about your morning hunt being ruined at all
When would expect deer to be in the area? If there are usually or often deer there at night, no way would I hang the night before.
In your situation I would go night before, Just take it slow and take your scent control seriously, load it up with evercalm if you have to
I vote hang it the morning you hunt. It will save you a extra day of laying ground scent down. Every little bit helps.
I like getting in there a day or two before. I just got burnt I got in on Sunday to hang a stand for Tuesday. Went in at noon thinking all was good. In the 15 minutest it took to rig it all up, I had 5 does come across the bean field straight at to me and see me. Then, climbing down, 2 does were in the creek about 70 yards away got bumped! Unbelievable, I pride myself on sneaking in and out and not bumping deer. Then I bump 7 in less than 15 minutes. I hunted the stand and saw 1 small buck and 2 more does.
I just think the risk of banging the stand around in the dark is going to do more to alert the deer than residual scent on the ground would. Especially if the deer are coming from the upwind direction.
If you already have the sticks hung and the set trimmed I'd hang that morning. Should only take a couple minutes?
I agree with 802bowlife on this one. One trip is always better than two, to minimize pressure/scent. I would bring it in with me and hang for the hunt! I used to set up my stands long before the season started, since I've changed my tactics to "Hang & Hunt" I've increased my success! Best of luck this weekend!
