We knew that... we just didn't want ot hurt your feelings! I had the same problem. Just stick with it and you will get over it........ drugs will help
We knew that... we just didn't want to hurt your feelings! I had the same problem. Just stick with it and you will get over it........ drugs will help
My first hang on had arm rails and VERY large platform for the reasons that you're having issues with. Hell I used to have to have arm rails on my ladder stands too. Not anymore though. I got used to the "open" feel and now I hunt out of very small ("beagle") stands at 22' and I'm perfectly comfortable. BEFORE you go and get rid of the thing, do as Greg said, take it and play around in it for a while. Just sit down in it and relax. HERE'S A TIP FOR YOU THAT MY DAD USES: My dad isn't scared of heights, he's worked at heights his whole life, but he doesn't like small lock on stands, and what he's done to a couple of the stands he hunts the most helps him feel more comfortable. --- Get yourself a piece of treated 2x4 and cut it long enough to make arm rails. Nail (Lots of long heavy duty nails) it to the sides of the tree. It does a few things for ya: - Makes you feel more safe - Doubles as an "accessory" holder. I hang my calls, back pack, binos, etc from them. - IF you gun hunt, they make great arm rests to prop your elbow up - You can "camo it up" to help conceal leg/body movement Just try it before you sell it!
For you guys that don't like the transition over to the stand from the last step, have you ever tried putting a few screw in steps up above the stand located at arms reach so that you have something to hang onto as you are climbing into the stand??? I've always done it and it sure makes it alot easier to climb in and out.
This is very good advice. GFY Camp, choose whatever type of stand YOU feel comfortable in. Like previously mentioned, perhaps hunting a bit lower might also help you. If you're not comfy you won't be able to sit for long periods during the all important rut! Good luck to you.
If you ever come hunt with me, be sure to bring your climber... Matt/PA describes a lot of my stands as "postage-stamp stands" :D Then again, anything is postage-stamp sized when you're as big as he is.
I totally relate to this thread. I have said the same since the day I started posting on this site. Hangons freak me out also....but in my climber...for some reason...I'll fall asleep in. I guess it is the feeling of being more confined and not so out in the open.
hunt what you like, that is why they make diff types of stands if you DO keep it, like someone said above, practice in your yard. i prob hunt the smallest platform there is out there for a hang on and i feel weird for the first sit of the season.
I am most definitely afraid of heights and not crazy about the open feel of hang ons. Early season I'm always a little uncomfortable in them for the first few sits, but after that I'm fine. I wouldn't give up on that stand just yet. Give it some time and the best thing to do is what GregH said and sit in it as much as you can.
Despite hunting many, many years from climbers with no rails around them, & platforms the size of my laptop, the 1st time back in one after about 6-7 years of a "railed" climber I was a little uncomfortable. But after a sit or 2 I was fine again.
Start by only hanging it a few feet off the ground and gradually raise it as you become comfortable with it. Just a suggestion I'm 49 and hunt out loc ons not a problem for me-----just trying to help.But by all means hunt how you're comfortable.
i've been doing it bout 18 yrs not new by any means and fear is what i meant but there has been sometimes i've had the hell scared out of me. i've seen to many people get hurt and known fellas that died from it so you may not be fearful and have respect for iit and that may work for you but i aint going to lie i work climbing,the chipper,dragging brush i've done it all but when i'm up there all i can think about is topping it out and getting down.Alive i hope you do well my friend and good hunting
The thing about it is that I don't NEED a hang on stand that bad. Whatever disadvantages my other stands have I've been able to mitigate easily in the past. Sure I suppose I could get somewhat used to it if I tried hard enough. However, I want to feel 100% safe in whatever I am hunting in and I don't think I will ever feel the same when I would be in a hang on.
As for hunting fall accidents. I've heard that the times the people are hurt the most, is in the transition from goint onto the plaform and when getting off the platform. But I'm with you, I've tried the "open" climbers and didn't like them at all. It's the idea of not haviing something around you to stop you from falling.
I have 12 hang ons, all fairly new. I actually got tired of having to hang so many stands and buying new ones, that in '08 I bought a climber. I hunted out of it a few times, had a terrible scare, and took it back to Cabela's. I just didn't feel right in it, and didn't trust it. I have no problem with my hang ons, but the bottom line is stick with what makes you feel comfortable.
