Bear damage in enclosed stand

[mnviking28]

So...does anyone here have any good ideas how to keep bears from damaging permanent stands? The past 3 years, they have just clawed at the ladder and steps, but this year was quite a bit different...I walked out there Saturday afternoon and put up my trail camera. I knew there was a problem when I got within 50 yards and saw styrofoam all over the ground. Looking up, I could see the broken window...I think the pics show the rest. ...actually, am going to get a better latch for the door and hope that cures it. No food or anything like that to attract him, just natural curiosity I guess. The bear climbed a 10 foot ladder and pushed open a trap door in the bottom of the stand to get in. It must have closed behind him as he broke a plexiglass window to get out. Can't think of anything to put on the stand that would scare bears and not deer, but just thought it was an interesting topic.

[leech~~]

Solar powered electric fence wire. Just put the solar panel on the roof and the on off switch down where you can get at it! Or wrap some barb wire around the ladder if your going to be gone for some weeks. Or take up Bear hunting! Good luck with that!

[TRZ II]

A bear took a huge dump in one of my stands and broke 3 steps on another one of my stands. I'm pretty sure it was the big boar i hunted all fall, just adds insult to injury! Not only did he eat 300 pounds of my food but also tried to mess up my deer hunting!!!! This thing is getting personal!

[LOTWSvirgin]

Just wait till you crawl up there for deer hunting and he is hibernating in it

[paceman]

Wow that is crazy. I had no idea a bear would climb up into a deer stand.

[mnviking28]

You made the comment about coming out and finding him hibernating in it. Don't think that thought hasn't crossed my mind. I couldn't imagine what it would be like at 6 am on opening morning to go try climb into my stand and find that. My wife used to hunt out of that stand. Once the bears started messing with it, she wants nothing to do with it. Crazy part about it is that we have had a couple of guys hunting our property this fall for bears specifically, but have never had one come in during daylight. All the trail cam pics are after dark. Don't know how I am going to get rid of them that way!

[lovebigbluegills]

If your ladder is removeable, I'd just lay it on the ground next to the stand. And as far as him climbing up the legs of your stand, a few wraps of tin around each leg should cure that (kind of like keeping squirrels out of a bird feeder).

Now you've got me thinking about finding one of those hairy buggers sleeping the winter away in my stand. I might have to de-bear my stands too, just so it doesn't happen.

[nwhunter]

I'm sorry to see the damage...

I think the improved latch would help. The idea of pulling the ladder and laying it down next to the stand sounds appealing too.

Not to go completely off topic, but I'm wondering about the construction of the stand. Do the windows have hinges at the top and they swing up, or are they pull-outs?

[mnviking28]

The windows are actually hinged at the bottom. There is a single tab at the top that you twist and then it opens down and lays against the wall. We have a few that the windows open upward but that is really a pain when you have a deer that is close or moving quickly across an opening and you have to get it open and latched in a hurry. I just relied on gravity to keep it shut before, not really thinking I needed a latch to keep it shut as it is on private property about 1/4 mile from any roads, but now I am going to get a latch that you need to need fingers to operate, and hopefully that will do it. Removing the ladder isn't a real easy option, as it is screwed on to keep it solid, but maybe I will have to get some pins or something similar so I can brace it at the top and remove the screws. Then I could take the ladder down. Obviously if he wants in, he is going to get in regardless...

[Boar]

cant believe i hump bait for 2 months an all i have to do is wait till one climbs in my stand. go figure.

[nwhunter]

cant believe i hump bait for 2 months an all i have to do is wait till one climbs in my stand. go figure.

[bigbucks]

Boar maybe you need to make your stand more inviting so the bears feel more welcome.

[Boar]

LOL, Im open for suggestions but nothing kinky. Maybe a nice couch an fresh frosty mug of grease, a big screen so he can watch of course "Da Bearss".