Why is it when you are young you think you have to do everything the hard way. I will explain. Today, my brother in law and I hung stands because the weather was so nice, low 70s. In the last few years we have been making my son in law do most of the climbing and hard work because we are getting a little older, at least that's the excuse we give him. Well this year he is down with a recent ankle surgery and is unable to help with anything so we decide we'll git-r-done ourselves. Instead of going up the tree and holding on with one hand while placing the stand with the other, we buy a linemans belt and a pulley. One guy climbs the stick while the other guy just pulls the stand up with the pulley. Very easy, no sweat at all. And another thing. When we were younger we just loaded all our junk up on our backs and walked about a mile in and then started doing all that work. Now we have a 4-wheeler and about every other convenience you can imagine for doing this job. Why is it when you are young you think you have to "horse" everything? Now that we are older we always look for the easiest way. Anyway, we had a great day, not even any mosquitoes. Blessings........Pastorjim
I've been putting up stands on the last couple of weekends. Put one up yesterday. While I now use a 4 wheeler and Rivers Edge tree ladders, I still climb up with stand in hand and hang it. I'm interested in the lineman belt. Where did you get yours?
For me, it's out of necessity. I just can't do it like I used to. When I remember the lineman's belt, it's awesome. Sounds like a great day non the less Jim.
You can get them from HSS or Spider. It has to be used with an HSS vest or similar item. I think the big thing was that pulley system though. Being able to have two hands free while the guy on the ground just hoisted the stand up to you was great. The guy on the ground pulls the stand up to the guy on top of the stick and then he just fastens the stand in place. Super easy. Even if you were by yourself, it would make it easy to climb up and then pull the stand up and anchor it to something while you attached it to the tree. Blessings........Pastorjim
Having a buddy sure makes it alot easier! I have 6 stands to prepare every season and I do it all alone,it sucks.Plus I had a lower back injury at work seaveral years ago and as I age it seems to get harder every year.This last season I left two of my stands up.I hunt public ground,so I'm taking a big chance they could be stolen.I use a heavy-duty chain so they will have to work hard to take them!
I'm not old by any means, but I have worked hard over the last 10 yrs since I graduated so my body is wore down some, I walk 1-2 miles when I go hunting and I use a climber. Screw carrying it, my bow, my back pack, and clothes, I just load it all on my game sled and spray it down with scent away and drag it in with me.
I'm kinda like you Wesley except I strap my stuff on my game cart when I am on public land and have a long walk. Saves the back!
Most times the hard way is the best way. Has nothing to do with being young. Course I don't hang stands so do agree with you that your way now is the best way of doing it. I have made 5 trips into a spot scouting trying to get a good look at a certain buck. Probably around 12 miles of walking so far because you aren't getting in there with a 4 wheeler without ruining the area. Plus I don't want anyone knowing what I am up to. The wife drops me off and picks me up. There is getting to be too many snoopy slobs around here. They are lazy and will take their 4 wheelers in there and ruin it. I've got 3 glimpses of the buck and still need a better look to see how big he really is. He is a 5 year old buck so he isn't stupid nor a real big fan of daylight. He stays down low and always hugs heavy cover when moving. It is also why I take all the precautions or the hard way of doing things. You will get one crack at him before he knows you are hunting him once you enter his core. My 6th trip in there will be a 2 mile walk with the 1st mile have me lugging two 5 gal buckets of corn, a camera stand and trail camera. I will find out how big he is before bow season !!! That will mean a 7th trip in to get the card. 7 trips in and he still might not be the buck I want to try killing this fall. So far I am still interested but am also interested in 2 other older bucks. I know how big they are. Tim
Now that's dedication. I gotta say that just two or three years ago, your story about the cameras and 5 gal buckets of corn reminded me of myself. I would cart in 4-5 cameras, buckets of Lucky Buck, pruners, and all the other stuff that goes with that. And that was all before I had an ATV. Good luck with the buck you're after. It certainly sounds like you're working hard enough for him. Blessings........Pastorjim
It really depends on the area and buck. Some bucks will tolerate a little pressure and this one won't. This buck is secluded and a loner. He will not tolerate any pressure before becoming a ghost. While he has a small core area... it is tough to get into. If he feels pressure... He will just move in deeper. He is going to be a very tough buck to hunt but one that will teach me a lot. It is why I have devoted so much time to him so far. Tim
