Tips on Staying in My Treestand longer?
 

I need to stay in my treestand longer, Anyone got any tips?

Hunt in a bear infested area.

think about what you wife is gonna do or say to make you made:wink:

honestly i think the best way is to try and put yourself where you are going to see deer almost all day...or if that doesn't work, try bringing a handheld game (solitare or hangman with no sound work)

Question is a little vague. I could go any number of ways for giving a few tips. Could you be more specific? Aches? Boredom? Fatigue? Fidgety? Cold?

I'll start with this...

I'd suggest getting a comfortable seat cushion and don't be stingy with the wallet either. If you are not comfortable sitting, you will move around more always trying to re-adjust or work the soreness out. I bought a Hunt Comfort seat cushion and it's awesome! Gander Mtn has them for $60 and other retail/online outfits have them too. I thought at first it was a little high, but now I don't have any regrets. In fact, yes I do...

I wish I would have bought it sooner!

Good luck,

iSnipe

Bufinator thats funny and true lol
Bring a book(huntin book) and a lunch works for me that way i dont get hungry siting in the stand thinkin about how hungry that way i am more focused on what may walk by my stand for a shot lol

I have to second the book idea. Before I started reading on stand I would get down after only 3 or 4 hours, now I can stay in for a whole day if later in the season(rut). Just carry in a few snacks and your set for the day.

Confortable seat, boots, and something to keep boredom from setting in. I like the book idea and may try that next time I'm on stand. I usually have my iPhone with me to keep me busy in between passing 160 class bucks waiting for that 180.... HAHA!

I usually end up taking a nap. Been more than one time I have awaken from a nap and had deer standing in front of me. Maybe I grunted them in with my snoring. Ha Ha.

certainly later in the year....makes it easier....less daylight, those early days of OCT feels like forever some days....come November daylight wanes and i find it easier...

stay warm, full, hydrated, keep alert...do what you can...

1. Don't tie your boot strings to tight.
Tight boots cut of circulation, and make your feet get cold faster.

2. Carry an extra pair of socks and change them, at lunch time.
It will make you feel like you have been sleeping, and refreshed.

3. A couple wraps of Duct tape around your boot laces, will keep the grass, and briers from untying the strings.

4. Wear layers instead of a thick bulky coat, and pants.
While wearing layers, you can take off some of the layers if it gets warm.
But you can't take off any thing with a big bulky coat, or pants.
Kind of loose fitting, tight stuff makes you un1. Don't tie your boot strings to tight.
Tight boots cut of circulation, and make your feet get cold faster.

2. Carry an extra pair of socks and change them, at lunch time.
It will make you feel like you have been sleeping, and refreshed.

3. A couple wraps of Duct tape around your boot laces, will keep the grass, and briers from untying the strings.

4. Wear layers instead of a thick bulky coat, and pants.
While wearing layers, you can take off some of the layers if it gets warm.
But you can't take off any thing with a big bulky coat, or pants.
Kind of loose fitting, tight stuff makes you uncomfortable.

5. Wear an insulated warm hat, and bring a non insulated hat for when it gets warm.
And some warm and non warm gloves with finger holes for the trigger.

6. Bring non noisy lunch, some that doesn’t rattle, and or cringe.
And a thermos of coffee or some hot liquid to help keep warm.

7. A comfortable tree stand, with a big platform, and remember the fall restraint system.

8. Bring some form of rain gear, you won't be there to long if you are wet.

9. Get an arm rest in case you fall asleep, and to rest your gun, or a bow hanger.

10. One or two of those little arms that you put beside you to hang extra gear on, that attach to the tree.

11. Attach a detailed map to where you are hunting, so you can be found if something goes wrong.
In your windshield, or on the driver’s side window.
But most of all is to be careful, and safe, so you can hunt again another day.
And have fun.
.

5. Wear an insulated warm hat, and bring a non insulated hat for when it gets warm.
And some warm and non warm gloves with finger holes for the trigger.

6. Bring non noisy lunch, some that doesn’t rattle, and or cringe.
And a thermos of coffee or some hot liquid to help keep warm.

7. A comfortable tree stand, with a big platform, and remember the fall restraint system.

8. Bring some form of rain gear, you won't be there to long if you are wet.

9. Get an arm rest in case you fall asleep, and to rest your gun, or a bow hanger.

10. One or two of those little arms that you put beside you to hang extra gear on, that attach to the tree.

11. Attach a detailed map to where you are hunting, so you can be found if something goes wrong.
In your windshield, or on the driver’s side window.

12. Bring some unscented Toilet Paper.

But most of all is to be careful, and safe, so you can hunt again another day.
And have fun.

What is your current setup???

How big of a fellow are you???

I'm 6ft 5 and can't stand a lock on type stand...I use climbers, have 2-API Grand Slams, they are very comfortable...

Now, if you are getting cold and coming down, that's another problem...

Really need more details...

I don't know anything about the area you hunt, how many acres, kind or woods, etc. But, I will say there is more to hunting than sitting in a stand all day. If your hunting area is conducive, after a 4 hour stand, still hunt for a few hours, then sit again until dark.

Still hunting is not walking through the woods looking for deer. Done right, still hunting allows you to cover maybe up to 200 yds per hour. Could be half that depending on the cover. Move into or across the wind. Still hunting demands your full attention and is actually tiring, even though you are barely moving. It takes practice, but there's satisfaction in shooting a nice buck in his bed from less than 50 yards.

Just about impossible . . .
 

for the modern computer game user to stay in a tree stand for two hours straight.
Heck, there's probably some out there who could sue for cruel and unusual punishment for even getting in a treestand for an hour.

Actually, I had to train my mind. One tactic when young was to just stay and read a condensed paperback version of the entire Civil War. I didn't see any deer those two days, but I sure got patience and learned a lot more about the Civil War. We sure had small deer herds in those years.

hate to be modern, but put a cam out, and you will be able to time the deer better, and ya wont have ta sit all day...
i had em timed so good, i forgot my release, had to walk 7 minutes back, and then 12 minutes back again to the stand, i walked in right behind the deer, bow in the stand though lol..but i had my release lol.. lesson learned there..
so they definitely work...i havnt had mine up for a year, but i am going soon to hang em up...also move it around to other trails see whats around...i saw this 4 point with a doe for 3 days in a row, he took the north trail, and her the west, although they meet in less that 20 yards

For me I try to stay as warm as possible. When it is really cold I do anything I can to stay warm. Disposable heat packs make all the difference in the world. Mentally I just let my mind wander where it wants and after awhile time just flies by. I never check my watch more than a couple of times a day. Let natural time take over and you won't notice that the day passes by.

For those of you who read while on stand, do you ever miss deer moving in the distance? I like to allow all of my senses to do the hunting so I never have packed a book along with me. Let me know how it works out for you because I love to read but have always been afraid I would miss something.

1. Lots of caffiene
2. 2-3 PB& J sandwiches
3. Jumbo Pee Bottle
4. Thinkin' big 'un could be coming by any moment
5. Knowing you ain't at work !!!

If it is a matter of comfort you might consider a Tree Lounge stand. Just lay back and let the day come to you.

pick a stand with a good comfortable seat hight...feet flat, make sure your legs are arent langing down. Warm boots. keep drafts from blowing up your back. Pocket warmers inside your coat, boots and pockets. A big platform that you can stand up on to stretch. a comfortable insulated seat, wider than your but. A seat back to lean against- not the trunk. A neck warmer or balaclava. A widemouth pee bottle.
Ultimate: an enclosed elevated box blind, that allows more movement, keeps you out of the wind, and dry.

get an Iphone
 

, I can entertain myself for hours with it. I particularly like being able to keep track of the weather and using the satellite imagery of my area while on stand and if electronic calling is not illegal in your state Primos as an awesome game calling app on the iphone, they have everything from hogs, to elk and predators and also waterfoul. Its pretty entertaining and very realistic. :happy0001:

I usually set in this 2 man treestand, so i got all the room i need. I usually come down too early because im just bored, havent seen anything, or alot of times i just get tired of setting down and i feel like i need to walk.

KsTurkeyDeer24,

When I treestand hunt, I'm dictating where the deer will be killed. Too often I see people place their stands in places that aren't the best... in my opinion. If they would have scouted the area more, maybe they could have spotted that funnel area created by an open area and swamp edge. Maybe they may have found that super trail that runs through the cedar where the sun hardly penetrates... a likely spot for deer to walk any time of day for security.

When I place a stand, it's usually because my thorough scouting revealed to me it's the best place to be sitting. I will have, or think I have, strong knowledge of the bedding area(s) and feeding area(s). I'm not placing my stand in "hopes" of seeing something and getting lucky. Now I realize there's an element of luck when it comes to deer hunting, but you can increase your good luck by scouting prior to placing a stand.

Because I have taken great measures learning to figure where I place my stand, I will have found eating sign, hoof prints, feces, rubs and/or scrapes... or perhaps a super trail.... or just a faint suspicious trail hardly traveled through some thick cover.

What all this does is create a HUGE excitement factor for me. It's nice to be sitting in a stand when I know there are deer within my area that are what I'm after. This means that I will be able to sit longer in anticipation of seeing one of the many deer that created the sign that I saw earlier.

Hunt in areas that have already proven there are deer within that immediate area now. That anticipation will help you sit longer!

Good luck,

iSnipe

If you're bored at sitting in the tree stand for a little while, there probably isn't anything we can do for you. If you are that bored, you're probably not paying attention, figiting and wiggling and ruining your own hunt.
My guess is you just shouldn't be in a tree stand.

You might wan't to get into "jump hunting". Find a clear cut or powerline, and try to jump some deer out of their bed's.
Nice work for a little lever 30-30, or 12ga.

Maybe find some people who run dogs and sit "down stream" from them, and wait any action.

You could invest in a nice feeder. Start now, and get them used to coming in to feed, and used to your smell=corn/apples/salt,whatever.
Pattern when they most likely feed and set up your stand 50 or so yards away.
It takes time and money to keep it all going, but those I know who do this, see so many deer, so often, they name them.

For me I have learned to stay calm and with age comes more patients in the stand...find a small paper-back book and read it,pack some snacks or a few apples and slowly peel them trying to be a quiet as possible...it never fails that when I have Deer sneak up on me when I'm trying to eat or get a drink.We also carry hand held radio's and it make the time go faster when You can talk to your fellow Hunters and see how things are going in their area of the woods.When I'm Hunting I'm usually on alert all the time...you never know when that Big Buck is going to walk into your hunting area that your controling...always be ready for the moment,when your guard is down is when the Deer show up.I'm always amazed at how well a Deer is at moving through the woods un-detected...you can hear a 16 oz squirrel scampering thru the leafs 50-100 yards away but a darn 100-200lb Deer can sneak up a person and you didn't even know they were there!Like several mentioned..the more comfortable you are in the stand the longer you will stay there,buy a nice ladder stand or climber that has a good seat and large platform,put up a tree umbrella overhead to keep the rain and snow off yourself and pack some hand and feet warmers if your in the colder climate area's.Good Luck Hunting and always be safe when Hunting ;)

nice seat cover... at your local hunting store, ten bucks. hunting mag(s) food hot chocolate if its cold

Bring extra layers to put on and keep you warm, wear good boots, pack some lunch and water. I also bring a small hand-held electronic Yahtzee game. Make sure to turn the sound off. This is usually enough to the edge off the boredom, but not too interesting to keep from being alert and watching the woods.

The amazing beauty around me can soak up much of my thoughts and hours of time,the senses are on overload. Nothing like seeing something,anything to break seasons of boredom. As has been said standing up and stretching can help the stiffness and revitalize the body and mind but a good look around is advised before geting up.I don't eat much and I avoid the high suger stuff and go for more protein type items. Geting a good nights sleep helps a lot because I find I'm so excited about the hunt I lose ground as the weeks pass,so naps are good to catch up on rest and keep fresh. At the end of the season I felt a little like a Buck in full rut,run down weight loss and ready for a long lazy time of sleep. Don't dress to warm or let yourself get to cold it is a fine balance and as has been said layers are better than a few bulky items you can't take off for a lighter cooler choice when it heats up.I do better if I'm a little cool rather than hot it seems to keep me alert.

if you have some, take trail cam pics of the bucks in your area you are hoping to see. That helps me out a ton

Smoke a Doobie!!!

Bring plenty of water! Last year I sat in my treestand from sunrise to sunset the first day of archery (90 degrees) just to prove I could do it. I drank all my water by noon & by sundown I was dizzy & lost my voice. I was lucky to hike out 1.4 miles to my truck where I had more water. Be prepared , bring a thermocell with several reloads, & enjoy the magic of disappearing into the woods when your elevated & still. I never got a shot that day, but I saw 1 bear, i bobcat, 3 coons & 2 gators - it was a GREAT day that I will never forget.

Whats A Doobie??? Is that kinda like (HOPE ROPE)?:biggrin::s4::s4:

i aint sure what it is..but i bet it will work :patriot:

That would be weed my friend.

OMG!

You're preachin' to the choir there my friend... "thee" choir. :biggrin:

iSnipe