Leaving stands on public ground?
#11
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
ORIGINAL: jerseyhunter
The only time I leave it is after an evening post, knowing I'm coming back in the am. And still lock it.
The only time I leave it is after an evening post, knowing I'm coming back in the am. And still lock it.
Since then I lock every single one up I have 6 cables one for every stand.
#12
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
ORIGINAL: jdhave
I am going to be hunting public ground quite a bit next year and I am wondering how many of you hang stands and leave them without getting them stolen? Also interested in any tips for not getting them stolen. Thanks for any input.
I am going to be hunting public ground quite a bit next year and I am wondering how many of you hang stands and leave them without getting them stolen? Also interested in any tips for not getting them stolen. Thanks for any input.
Thieves will steal any thing you lay down. I've seen them even admit to stealing stands and try to justify it with every kind of excuse you can imagine, "cleaning up the woods", "stupid enough to leave it so they desearve it", "you were in my spot". You name it.
It just boils down to they are theives. Starve them, don't feed them, step on them every chance you get.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,263
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
I see quite a few stands here in Idaho on public land - most are homemade affairs that are nailed up to the tree in some manner. They last for years, there are a couple up in back of my place that have been around for at least 10 years.
#14
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
Fact: If someone wants it bad enough, they will get it if you leave it
I agree. I think another sad part in it is that some people would literally cut down the tree to steal it
#15
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
If it doesn't look like other hunters use the area.And then it's with a lock.
Chuck
PS However ;Once in the Green Swamp a friend of mine and myself laid our guns down and put up our 2 leaning type stands.The guns were about 20 feet away. His got stold.The game warden said that was the 3rd one that year.
Chuck
PS However ;Once in the Green Swamp a friend of mine and myself laid our guns down and put up our 2 leaning type stands.The guns were about 20 feet away. His got stold.The game warden said that was the 3rd one that year.
#16
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location:
Posts: 179
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
I believe you have to have a sense of how much use the woods are getting where you hunt.At the very least use a pad lock if you leave your stands up,like has already been stated you can buy pad locks that all use the same key.If I am really concerned I lock them in and then pull any where from 4 to 6 tree steps.If they steal it they are going to have to work for it!Another suggestion is to put your stands in hemlocks if you can,or some other strategy that has your stands blend in better with their surroundings.
I have walked past many stands while hunting and scouting,it wouldn't even occur to me to take someone else's stand.I have one stand stolen(wasn't locked in)and one stand laid at the base of the tree with my steps piled neatly on the platform.I guess that was the most courteous way for another hunter to tell me this area is spoken for!
I have walked past many stands while hunting and scouting,it wouldn't even occur to me to take someone else's stand.I have one stand stolen(wasn't locked in)and one stand laid at the base of the tree with my steps piled neatly on the platform.I guess that was the most courteous way for another hunter to tell me this area is spoken for!
#18
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
I lost 2 stands a couple of years ago on private property that were chained, padlocked and had the bottom 4 steps removed. I now have begun using my climber a lot more and try to only use my hang on stands that are a long ways off the beaten path.
#19
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
I cannot help you with a method of securing your stand from theft...as I always take my stands in with me where I hunt. The area I hunt is way too heavily pressured to even consider leaving it up and not having it stolen. Also, I believe my state has a regulation regarding leaving stands up over night on State Land though I may be mistaken.
Good luck with whatever type of setup you go with.
Good luck with whatever type of setup you go with.
#20
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Memphis TN USA
Posts: 3,445
RE: Leaving stands on public ground?
The sad sad part about this whole thread is that it is so common all over the country. It's no wonder anti's get a bad impression of us. Because apparently a lot of hunters are scumbags. IMO anyone that would steal someone elses stand is an absolute scumbag. If these same problems are occurring all over the country and on most sections of public ground then it sure paints a sad picture of the hunters in this country. Let's face it if there was one or two guys willing to steal on every WMA this still wouldn't be a problem because a few guys can't cover that much ground and wouldn't just wonder by that many stands. The frequency of these types of stories suggest that it's a far greater number of hunters out there that are willing to steal and are therefore scumbags and I just think it's sad because the vast majority of the hunters that I know are really good people and there reputation and mind is being tarnished by this type of thing.[:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]