How Good is a Well Thought Out Tree Stand Setup?

[Swede]

On Amazon Books I have some reviews of the Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk book. Most reviews are pretty good, but I have a couple of stinkers too. I am not ashamed or even offended by a negative review. Hunting is made up by a variety of hunters with different values and interests, but one review in particular got me to thinking. The Canadian hunter said tree stand hunting was finding a good location preferably near a water hole and waiting. Everything else could have been covered by a two-page paper. I guess it would amount to something like a report. I am sure I could have condensed everything down to sound more like a set of instructions. It would read like the paper you get with something that needs to be assembled. What is a good place to ambush an elk? How do you know? Where do you choose to set your stand once you find an ambush place? What do you do or not do when you are there? All of these things can be managed well or poorly.
Yesterday a fellow set his stand where I have had my and where I have taken several elk. He got our first bull for the meatpole on our forum.
My point is that tree stand hunting can be easy enough if done right. It is not rocket science. When done well, tree stand hunting is very effective. When done well is the operative part here.

[Tuffcrk14]

Do you set up “prospecting” tree stands on ridge tops so you can watch an area bigger than what’s directly in front of you? Seems like a great way to hunt a new area and be able to scout for new spots that at have been overlooked.


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[Swede]

That is an interesting idea. I have never tried that exactly. I have sat in my stand just to observe after shooting my elk when others in camp were still trying to fill theirs. Mostly when I want to see what is going on in an area, I look for sign on the ground. I like fresh rub trees, but tracks and fresh feces will tell you a lot too. Rubs are the surest way to know if you have a good bull coming around. Some people say you can't tell the size of a bull by the size of the rub tree, but there is a correlation between big rub trees and big bulls.

[Lefty]

My point is that tree stand hunting can be easy enough if done right. It is not rocket science. W

That is true with so many things.
Some of us being stuck in our ways is a hindrance.
Some of us don't follow instructions very easily.


While I was at the national Trappers Assn. convention in South Dakota, I ran into a fellow who had a Trapping Video my brother produced. After seeing my brother's video, his catch multiplied by 15 times, and he spewed out the majority of content in less than 2 minutes. That was his takeaway.

And you know; he was right.. And for him it was two minutes of information,
Some of us at too bullheaded to learn from the cliff notes.


And Swede Ive read parts of your book and ElksNuts book 5,6 10 times? who know,, I enjoy the read!!! So Swede 5/5

[Swede]

Thank you, Lefty. Yesterday I got to talk with the fellow I posted the picture of on the meatpole. He is very pleased with his success from the tree stand hunt. I am pleased for him. Some (many) people don't need any advice or help from me. But it sure does my heart good when I can help someone, and it makes a positive difference. Vicariously I was in the tree with him when he shot his elk. I too have had some success this season even though I did not even get close to camp or the forest.
I had to laugh when he said it took a while to build up the courage to trust the book and pee from the tree. He had his doubts about that counsel. Finally, he gave in and let fly. He said the elk came under his tree and milled around but showed no sign of concern. Now he is a believer, not because I told him so, but because he has seen it firsthand.

[Lefty]

My daughter wanted a camera in this location.
When the cameras first put out my original thought was where would Swede put his stand.
During the daylight hours we have had bears coyotes red fox pine marten deer elk
So far five different bulls

[Lefty]

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Oops to risky to edit the last post

[Swede]

This looks like a typical Oregon situation. What should be a satellite bull has a small herd at or near breeding time. Are there inadequate mature bulls around to breed all the cows coming into estrus? I see this going on until the very end of archery season. BTW: I think I would place my stand up high (20-25 feet up) where I would not be easily seen about 15-20 yards off the trail.

[Lefty]

Like real estate location location.

It's been a strange year for the bulls that we've seen at a distance and on camera.
5x5s of all sizes
And lots of smaller 6x6s
Here we are the end of September

[Lefty]

Like real estate location location.

It's been a strange year for the bulls that we've seen at a distance and on camera.
5x5s of all sizes
And lots of smaller 6x6s
Here we are the end of September, and most of what we run into is acting like it's September 9th