Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I would like to know what you tree stand guys do for several hours/days to pass the time? Seems like an excruciatingly boring way to hunt. But I'd like to try it sometime over a bear bait or elk wallow. Most I can sit is maybe 1.5 to 2 hours before I got to get up and "go see" what's over there. Also want to use a ground blind next year for archery antelope.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I mostly just sit there and have some thing to widdle on!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Smart idea

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Untill you shoot at a deer from a stand, you are always going to be fighting that urge to get down and walk.
Believe it or not, once you have your first ever deer come in, the boring part goes away, lol.
You are constanly on edge wondering if the next 5 mins will bring that monster into sight. This is really the case for the evening hunts, as with the setting sun, each 5 mins really does increase the chance of seeing something :)

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Well, all that motionless time and stillness, just makes me take a wonderful nap or two in the Tree Lounge!:D

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I read a book most of the time when I feel the action will be slow. I still pause every few paragraphs to scan the scene. On Sundays, I bring a small radio so I can listen to Colts games.

Other than that, I just think about things from the past, present situation, and plans for the future.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Ponder My old bachelor days:Dand where is the 30 point buck!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I watch a movie on my portable DVD player:D, just kidding, don't even own one. What I really do is sit there and suffer but I do do a lot of thinking and sorting things out.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I never brought anything like a book or handheld game in a stand, but I might think about taking a radio with anear plug to listen to a Sunday football game.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

First time out hunting I actually fell asleep in the stand only to wake up to three does in a row right behind me!

I like the idea of a book. widdling on wood passes the time. I'd be afraid to bring the radio into the stand though. Too much screaming at my Colts would push the deer away!

Go Colts!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Cell phone games......

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I solve all of lifes problems up there. 'course at the first twig snap or leaf crackle that could be a shooter I forgot it all and have to start over again.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Strangely enough I dont' find myself getting bored too much. Sometimes during a dark to dark sit I start to hallucinate, but for the most part I'm always alert. There's always something to look at or something going on in the woods it seems. Squirells running around, turkeys, geese flying, and of course deer. The woods are a busy place and entertainment in itself if you ask me. If I ever do have a total lull of boredom, it doesn't seem to last too long before something gets my attention.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Mostly a book, small paperback that I can quickly drop into a pocket or my backpack, took a hand held video game once, didin't use it though.

I read in small stints, for 15-30 minutes, depending on the book, then stop for an hour or so. I have shot several deer while reading. It helps keep you from fidgeting. My son is a fidgeter, when he reads he is dead still.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I take a small electronic yahtzee game. it is small enough to slip into my pocket quietly and can keep me occupied for a good while.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

once you take a few thumper bucks out of a tree you want get bored to easy,take a magizine or book ,take a nap.before you knpw it it will be noon so you should stay till dark some of my best deer came around mid day.you cant get one at camp or on the couch,so if you dont have nothing else to do, stay all day ,,bring plenty water and sandwiches ,dont forget your snickers bars ...thanks..aim small miss small

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

try a pocket size crossword or word search. thats what my daughter used to do when i took her small game hunting. i just sit and think and listen. i have no problem spending time alone with myself, i enjoy my own company....

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I learned years ago that my best chance of tagging a deer was sitting high above the forest floor. This is especially true when hunting New Englandwhere deer numbers are not as high as other states/provinces.

Even before treestands flooded the market. I would select that perfect pine tree that I would call home.
Get away (as much as you possibly can) from the deer's absolute BEST defense mechanism, his sense of smell.

Nothing against stillhunters, it's just my style and I have the uncanny ability to stay all day (11+ hours) for days at a time and under most weather conditions. That may not seem like a big deal but since I was born when Truman was President, it's something that is rewarding to me.

NYBH hit the nail on the head....I seldom get bored because of all that goes on below (and sometimes above) me when sitting 20+ feet high.

The most important factor is that I can only "command" a certail area -sometimes only30 yds by 60 yds - but if any deer comes within my zone, I usually have a big decision to make. Of course that is to squeeze it off or let it walk.

It also gives me the opportunity to watch deer in their natural setting. Ain't nothing in this world like sitting high watching deer move around you, totally unaware of your presence.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Dillpickle flavored sunflower seeds. Although the scent police may disagree but I've never had problem with it...;)

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Pretend that you're really interested in deer hunting and sit there and scan the environment while you contemplate your next move. Don't forget to enjoy nature while you're out there.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I just sit there and watch squirrels. If I don't see any squirrels I just sit and think about how nice it would be if a big buck walked out. But after you see a deer you can sit there a lot longer because you are waiting for the next one to come out. But stay as long as you can. Because as soon as you stand up to get down you are going to get busted by that big buck. And then you realize if you would have sat there just 10 more seconds you could of killed a nice deer.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I never have taken anything out with me. I usually sit a maximum of 4 hours or so. I don't really get bored, it's nice to have time to myself as a mother of 2 and one on the way. I know my lifestyle is going to speed up a little here in 2 months with a newborn, so right now I cherish the quiet time. The only problem I have is my butt going numb, but I just sit on my leg for a while or stand for 5 minutes and it goes away quickly.

I text message my husband a lot, whether he is hunting on the other side of the woods or sitting at home with the kids.

Like everyone else has said, if you are alert, you will find all kinds of things to watch around you. I find myself staring intently at "deer weeds" until I finally convince myself that it is not a deer. Last time I resorted to counting the "deer weeds". LOL It was hot, I was trying to take my mind off of the beads of sweat dripping off my nose....

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I don't get bored either...One of my best hunts last year, I had 2 coons in a white oak about 20 yards away, sleeping in the crotch....Until one decided to wake up the other, I dang near laughed out loud watching them all afternoon...They were just like kids I know...I'm actually just happy to get away from work, wife, 3 daughters and the mother in law that I enjoy some quiet time alone...

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I bring books whenI am sitting for hours on end

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I never get bored either. I enjoy watching the birds, squirrels and other wildlife I see from my stand. I have thought about taking a book, bu then I think to myself, "I am not out here to read, I'm out here to hunt".

GO HOOSIERS!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

i just think of my grammer, high school and college days and all the old friends and memories. i always think of a few new ones i have forgotten and it always keep my mind racing and before u know it its time to go home. or there is deer and my mind is on them. love the woods.





Good Hunting

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

If I am just hunting the morning or evening, I usually have enough to think about and the the woods give me enough to look at. If I am going for an all day hunt, I will bring a paperback. Read a page and look around. Repeat as necesary.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

Well, I have a problem with falling asleep in my stand during morning hunts. I don't bring anything out although my dad has brought out a mini, electronic battleship game and a yahtzee game. I'll watch squirrels if there are any around andturkeys if any decide to come by.

It helps if you see a deer within the first hour to get your excitement up and make you feel more optimistic that more will come.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I read a book.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I look for deer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

my friend plays yatzee on a little hand held.
i've listened to music, since 90% of the time i never hear them coming.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I feel your pain! I hunt primarily in a draw/hollar about 75 yds off an interstate hwy. My eyes MUST remain "peeled". Really no chance of hearing 'em coming. I try to take advantage of it myself. Just seems their ears are much better than mine! [:@]

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

A $5 dollar "pocket poker" game from wal-mart is all I need. I don't do music because I can hear 'em sometimes. (When I'm hunting over cut corn.)

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

portable yahtzee...on silent mode, I used that this morning for about 5 min, then proceeded to see 14 different deer, 7 turkey's, 5 squirrels, 1 raccoon....I never did finish that game and I got a yahtzee on the first roll, but I did shoot a nice 11-point buck, then nearly fell out of my tree. It was a great morning!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

where's the pic?????

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I hunt down near Martinsville and do the exact same thing. Part of the colt's pregame comes on Q95 at 10 so it makes staying in the stand until late in the afternoon ALOT easier!

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

sleep.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I bring American Hunter and also a small notebook to jots some notes and draw a few pictures, maps what ever. Don't forget to listen for them comming in.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

After about the first two hours I start to get bored so I read or pray the Rosary.

RE: Combating tree stand boredom?
 

I used to doodle a lot on a notepad, I do a little leather carving so I'd work on freehanding my patterns. I also braid flank ropes for bullriding, so I'd take cotton rope into the stand/blind and braid up some while I sat around. I sometimes take an ipod or cd player, as well as a good book. I used to take a lot of riflery books afield to help try to better myself as a shooter, picking up little bits of advice here and there.

The only problem I really had with reading and radio is that when I'm looking at a book, I'm not looking downfield, and when I've got an earbug in my ear, I'm not listening for footfalls or breaking twigs.

I try not to sleep in the stand once shooting hour breaks because it's too easy to miss game and I snore sometimes when I sleep sitting up. [:@]