by Tracy Wever

Created on: February 17, 2010

Deer hunting from a safe comfortable stand can make all the difference in the world. Would you rather sit back and enjoy your day in the outdoors, or fuss, fiddle, and fight with a poorly designed and poorly placed stand. Here are five things to consider when sitting up deer stands that will make things more enjoyable come opening morning.

1) Safety first

On top of the list of five things to consider when sitting up a deer stand should be safety. The deer stand being set up has to be safe for the weight of the hunter using it. The stand should be safely attached to the tree, and provide a safe and easy way to enter and exit. Take into account the proximity to other hunters, dwellings and roads. The hunter needs to be able to shot without endangering others.

2) Check local Laws

Look into your local game laws and make sure if hunting on public land the stand is legal to use. Most conservation and other public lands do not allow stands that do any kind of damage to trees. Stands in these areas must be strap on types and be able to be removed at the end of each hunt.  If you are able to leave it for the duration of the season most states require a permanent tag with the hunters name and address.

3) Location, Location, Location

Scout the area as best you can from a good distance to see which places would offer the best locations for a stand.  If the area is fairly large spend several days, if not weeks glassing the area for deer movement from different vantage points. Once you have your area thoroughly scouted from long distance move in closer on foot and decided the exact location for a stand. Scouting an area this way will reduce the chance of spooking the deer when you come back to hang your stand.

4) Get there without being detected

You have to move in as quite as possible and set up your deer stand, being careful not to disturb any more of the area than you have to. When you are leaving the area make a note of the best way to get to and from the stand with out being detected.  One of the things most deer hunters forget is being able to approach their stand with out being seen, scented or heard. Find a way to your stand that keeps your outline hidden, is into the prevailing wind, and free of things under foot that will give you away.

5) Have several options

Take into account the prevailing wind and the angle of the sun and place several different stands.  The wind will not always be right to hunt a certain stand. Have at least two locations one to hunt with a north wind and one for hunting when the wind is from the south. If the area is large enough to allow for it place a third stand that is favorable to hunt from with a west wind.  Stands to hunt with an east wind are fine but there are few days with a prevailing east wind. Keep the angle of the sun in mind when setting up your deer stands. You don’t want the sun in your eyes all day or highlighting your stand location making it easier for deer to see movement.

There we have the most basic five things to consider when setting up deer stands. Following these tips should help you be more successful when deer hunting next season. Remember any time you use an elevated stand you should have on a safety harness. It could save your life.

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