Permanent Stands

[EXTREME]

This should be an interesting topic. What are your thoughts on "legally built" permanent stands on public land? Personally I have not sat in one for several years. I think every one of my relatives use them. They seem to shoot deer every year, but the mobility would drive me nuts. I do not dislike them being there, but I don't use them. My feelings are that deer seem to know where they are and make routes around them. I like to be mobile and also enjoy the thought of new scenery every once in a while, instead of the same old thing year after year. Anyway, how many of you guys use them, and what are your thoughts? Season is close!

[echotrail]

I have on a few occassions, sat in perm. tree stands I know are not being used, but I didn't agree with the builders choice of locations and I get too cold sitting on the side of a tree up in the wind. I prefer using a ground blind built with some camo and natural materials.

[bigbucks]

I don't really hunt public land, but I love to hunt out of permanents. I think the key is how close to the trail they are & how much you use them.

If you only use them primarily during gun season, they're off the trail a ways, & you're quiet & scent conscience when using them, they can be productive year after year. Personally I think if there's a lot of hunting pressure there's scent everywhere during gun season, which reduces the importance of controlling it then to some degree.

[barebackjack]

I have hunted out of permanent stands, back when you could still build them of course. I have shot deer out of more permanent stands than portable, I think the deer just become accustomed to the stand as a part of their scenery after they are there for a while. Last year I shot a doe right after it ran under the ladder to a permanent stand, that was on private land in wisconsin, a relatively large stand at that.

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barebackjack IBOT#197
Why ride the wagon when the walk is so scenic?????????

[Ely Lake Expert]

I love deer hunting out of permanant stands. I use permanant stands all season every year, but our crew has so many stands you can use a different stand every day. It does make it easier to sit up there when it is like a treefort.

Ely Lake expert

[EXTREME]

I have to admit, if you keep your stands up, they are way safer than most portables. I agree with one of the other posts...using other people's stands. They never seem to put them where you want them. You always run across stands that are put at the bottom of the valley where you can see about 30 feet, instead of putting it on top of the ridge where you can see better. Have shot alot of deer off of permanents, but not recently. I think when I was younger, my old man thought it was safer to put me in permanants. Probably a good idea for young hunters.