I've got a couple of old ladder stands that I've had for years. I mostly have them set up for practice but I'm considering setting at least one up for bow season. I only paid $100. for the pair so my biggest concern is not theft but someone hunting out of my ladder without permission. Do any of you have suggestions on curing this? I have a few enclosed tower stands that I use if gun hunting. They have locking doors and I have found mud/dirt on my steps before and noticed things were not just as I had left them, so I feel like someone will try to hunt from them if not protected somehow. I saw a tripod stand in a store one time that had a piece of plexiglas bolted over the ladder rungs. I guess I could put a piece near the top with slots cut out for eyebolts and use a padlock to secure it over the rungs??
Not sure how to fix your problem, but don't like using ladder stands for bow hunting because they stick out alot in the woods.
lots of the same things you have stated i've seen, but a lot of it adds up to ticky tack stuff. what i have found to work the best is a note... believe it or not, a note left saying, "this is my stand, please dont hunt on it" with your name has worked for me in the past. you are right ladders are tough... with sticks i just take the last two (closest to the groud) with me when i climb down =-) ((thanks Graf!!!!!!!))
We have 9 differnt metal ladder stands on our property...luckily not many problems with tresspassers as everything around us is heavily outfitted and they regulate their clients well. Occasionally we have seen someone "wander" off the state park by us - but not so much in the last few years...guess I don't have any suggestions...
The note idea is probably the most effective, if someone wants to sit in your stand they will usually get in somehow. At least they will know that the intended use is not for the public.
I have 5 - 7 ladder stands out every year. They're all on private, though. We do see the ocassional tresspasser but I've never seen one (or evidence of one) in my stands.
I only hunt our farms...Nobody is suppose to be on any of the farms w/o my permission. I am the only one that can give permission to hunt, even the farmer knows the strict policy I have. I have never used a ladder stand for bowhunting either but there is one particular spot that is thick enough for me to brush it in but I don't think the trees are large enough yet for a climber or hangon. Just thinking of trying it this year because I know with the vines,kudzoo(sp?) and honeysuckle I can conceal good enough for the deer. The note situation would probably work better if I put someones else's name on it I have as many "local eyes" as possible including 3 game wardens but I live about 45 min. from there and can't keep an eye out all the time.
