How about the era where treestands were still new and you had to hug the tree with your upper body and pull you legs up with the stand strapped to them. There was no seat and you HAD to stand all day. The platform was about 12"X12" so you could barely move at all. That was when I hunted from about 10 feet above the ground because I was so small and weak (still am but probably not as bad). Still was a load of fun though and I look back on where equpment was and smile. My dad was bowhunting when there were no treestands at all. If you wanted to be in a tree you climbed it and sat on a limb. I would say that today's equipment doesn't necessarily make it easier (except for the bows they are definitely easier to shoot accurately), but it makes it more comfortable.

Hey, I still hunt in jeans sometimes so don't make fun The only two deer I have ever successfully stalked up on and killed I did so in jeans and a sweatshirt because I was just scouting with my bow at the time.