Last Mon. i went to get in my ladder stand and it was gone! [&o]Cable was shot in two. []That put me in abit of awkward position to hunt this willow slough bottom. Need some elevation to see the other end where Beaver dam is, so you know the deer are coming. I sat down in front of an old standing snag. I didn't think about the deer go down into the slough ditch and come up right in front of me at an angle. I soon learned, i got busted by a nanny right off! [:-][]The nanny left quickly. I am upset and 4 more came up less than 30 min. later they were trotting and i got busted again, [&o][:@]white flags flying with mud flinging up in the air. Then i see a movement in the willows before the ditch and crossing. I have my Blk. Dia. up and ready but deer didn't show. Now i see it has stayed in ditch and went north, i can't
get a clear shot. I am frustrated and see another one moving into ditch and i am ready! Nanny comes up out of ditch 20 yds. away,i push safety off and squeeze trirgger. Smoke has view covered, no nanny in ditch as i have stood up to reload! I put primer into nipple put safety on. I ease down into ditch looking for hair and blood. I look down ditch to the north there is fat nanny taking her dirt nap. I say my thanks fer blessing, go over make sure and field dress her. Then i walk back to house to get my 3 wheeler. 70 grs. Pyro P under gn. sabot with .429 240 gr. Speer JSP, complete pass thru, thats 4 fer 4 with this bullet combo.

smokepole: nice story. Too bad about your ladder stand.
Way to go on keepin' yer percentage at 100%!

Awesome!!! Congrats on the doe! That sucks about the stand[:@]! I hate hearing about that crap!

Nice going with the doe..

Maybe its me, but what is it with people stealing now a days? We used to leave stuff out all the time and nothing was ever taken. Now even when you cable it to the tree someone steals it. Sorry to hear about your loss. That really does stink. I the person(s) that took it, I hope they are proud of themselves. I hope who ever took it gets good use out of it. And maybe someone will steal it from them someday.

Wouldn't you love to come walking out there while they were in the act of stealing that thing...[:@]

Congratulations.Something similar happen to me today, someone stole the stabilizer bar and the rope to hold a ladder stand to the tree. They tried to take the ladder stand down, but I had it locked in. I took it down so it wouldn't get stolen, so now I am going to put in a cheap one of these for about $8. See this for how to make them:

http://www.the-gleasons.com/low_cost_tree_stands_for_hunting.htm

They won't be able to steal it, but I think it was hunter harrasment by the folks next door.
Chap Gleason

I reckon that would be right good if i was 20 years younger. I'm knocking 60 with 4 herniated disc's and have had back surgery. []

I am 60 also, but don't have the herniated disc. A second alternative is to put the Y-board in, and use a regular ladder instead of the steps I showed, 1 piece so it can't be stolen, spray paint it and lock it it with an industrial strength lock. I am thinking of doing that. Just some ideas to keep you huntin'. Also buy yourself a Gorilla seat,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0021239416017a&type=product&ri d=0180101070502&cmCat=perf&cm_ven=performi cs&cm_cat=Google_NonBrand&cm_pla=hunt_tree standblind_hangon&cm_ite=gorilla%20tree%20seat


and take it in and out wiht you every time, so it can't be stolen. Best Wishes. Chap Gleason

So a Y-board like this:

An Aluminum ladder from Craig's list for $20 like this:

http://wichita.craigslist.org/tls/478617589.html

and a Tree seat from Cabelas, which you take in each time. Lock the ladder onto the tree with a rachet strap and a big chain and a big lock that can't be cut with bolt cutters.
Chap

Those are all good ways to set up. I have found that after having 4 stands taken in 3 years, i need to take stand in and out each time. They shoot the locks and or cable in two. I think they search the trees where the deer trails are and find my stands and steal them. I figure if i tote a lite 20 lb. climber in and out they can't steal it as it won't be there!