New hunter with treestand questions
 

First is it too early to put up a treestand and cut shooting lanes for upcoming season? Secondly how do you keep someone from using your treestands on private company owned land?

Gain control of the land and get the land posted. Use a stand that locks on the tree and you can remove treesteps or climbing sticks when you leave. I have also seen some ladderstands that have an insert in the bottom section of the ladder that is removable.

You will see deer on the clearcut the same day or night.
Put the stand up as soon as possible, but i have had success in the same day as hanging.
Have cameras on your cameras!! All i can say.
Right on with the blind suggestions from previous poster..

No it is not to early to set up and cut lanes. Like said lock and remove access to it so no one uses it. I usually put mine out a little later in the season so they don't get as weathered. I do scout and cut this time of year this way there is plenty of time for the deer to get use to the surroundings and any scent you leave

dont cut too much away, cause in fall, alot will go away, and ya might find yourself as the only thing around for cover lol


, i'd wait and just trim around yer stand on openin weekend. take a pair of cutters and cut away whats in your direct shooting lane after the mornin hunt, assuming it is fer bow season anyways.

Put the stands up as soon as possible so that the animals can get used to it being there, and won't spook when they see it (if they do) during season. Cutting shooting lanes you may want to want until there won't be too much more new foliage coming out. As for preventing someone from using your stand, there is not much you can do other than tell them specifically NOT to use it, or not tell them it's there. Unless they are the landowner. Just keep it locked to your tree! Good luck!
BigBuck95

We use pop up blinds a lot. I put them up the morning of a bow hunt. When gun season approaches I put them up 2 to 3 weeks before opening day and leave them until mid December. I think that's plenty of time for the animals to get used to them. My proof is a 12 pointer last year and a 14 pointer a 9 pointer the year before with numerous does.. My cousin shot them both. I shot the 9. I hardly ever move my tree stands. They stay up all year.

I think now is way too early to put up stands but if it gets you time in the woods go for it.:cool2:. As usual just my opinion. Good luck with how ever you do it.

Spudrow from MO

You can cut all day long in May....
 

but it will be overgrown in OCT. Myself, I like to use natural shooting lanes, trim a bit in 1SEP, and thats it. The more you re-arrange the natural growth, is a sign you're there, and they know it. Again, plant some ivy or climbing vine at the base of you're ladder, and let it engulf your hide, trim for accessibilty. The earlier the better, let them get used to the disturbance and scent you left. As for someone using your hide, "what can ya do?" Most hunters will steer clear, ethics, but not darn thing else, if a jack butt, wants to be a $%^&.:happy0001: