I always pray for good weather on Labor Day weekend because that’s when I work on hanging stands for the fall archery season in Pennsylvania. Our season doesn’t start until October, so Labor Day weekend provides the perfect opportunity for me to sneak onto my hunting property and set up the stands. This year was a bit different, as my wife, Gwen, joined me to help with the task. She was a trooper and did a fantastic job taking photographs!
Safety First
Hanging treestands can be a dangerous task, and slips and falls can happen even to the most experienced hunters. That’s why I take great precautions when hanging stands. I always bring someone with me into the woods in case of an emergency. One safety tool I discovered years ago is called the Treestand Wingman. The Wingman allows me to stay continuously attached to the tree. If I should fall, it slowly lowers me to the ground, preventing suspension trauma. In addition to the Wingman, I use a comfortable harness and a long tether. All of these safety devices work together, allowing me to keep both hands free to hang my stands.
Inside Corner Stand
Stand placement is crucial for success. The stand in the picture above is positioned on the inside corner of a main trail leading to one of my food plots. I chose this particular tree because it is surrounded by several hemlock trees, which provide excellent cover, allowing me to move without spooking the deer. Additionally, hemlock trees help mask any unwanted scent. I can easily snap a few branches and rub them on myself to further cover my scent. Deer consistently use this main trail to access the food plot, giving me an easy shot opportunity with my Darton bow.
Split the Difference
I have a large cherry tree located about ten yards from the northern edge of one of my food plots. I enjoy hanging stands in cherry trees because they are typically straight, and the bark helps keep the stands secure. Last year, I hung a stand in this tree because it provides a good view of the deer in the plot and allows me to see them moving along the heavily worn trail that runs along the border of the swamp. Although the tree doesn’t offer much back cover, I don’t worry too much about that. I use a Ghilliepuck system to camouflage my silhouette after the leaves begin to fall. I prefer hunting from this particular setup because I can shoot almost 360 degrees at anything that comes my way.
Hidden Ladder Stand
I have three ladder stands on my property that I use for hunting. Each year, at the end of the season, I climb up the stands and loosen the ratchet straps. This is important because as the trees grow, they can damage the straps. This year, I decided to move one of the ladder stands to a tree that overlooks our smallest kill plot and also splits two main trails that the deer use to enter the plot.
My son Samuel has harvested some beautiful bucks from another ladder stand overlooking this kill plot, but that stand needed to be retired and taken down for everyone’s safety. I believe the new stand will help keep us better hidden and will position us with the wind in our favor. The kill plot is a popular staging area for deer before they move to the other two plots on our property.
Shooting Lanes
Setting up treestands early allows you to clear shooting lanes without spooking too many deer. It’s important to ensure that we make ethical shots, respecting the animals we hunt. You don’t want a stray branch to deflect your bolt or arrow when the moment of truth arrives. I bring a couple of saws with me when I hang stands: a handsaw for smaller branches and a pole saw for larger ones. While it’s important to create open shooting lanes, avoid clearing excessively—only remove what’s necessary for clear shots.
The Scene of the Crime
One of my favorite aspects of setting up deer stands is the final view. I enjoy sitting in each stand for a few minutes, imagining where the deer might come from and determining the best spots for a successful shot. This is the view from the ladder stand overlooking the kill plot. Although we have had a dry summer, the plot, which is filled with clover, chicory, and brassicas, is developing nicely. As more rain falls, I believe it will become a hotspot for the deer to browse and drink from the nearby waterhole. I have a feeling this stand is going to be special!
Envision Success
Success starts with being present on your property and observing how deer move in the area. As you explore your land, take a moment to absorb your surroundings. Get down to a lower level to look for trails, and try to see things from a deer’s perspective. Finding the right spots for your stands may take a few seasons, but once you figure it out, it becomes a true Labor of Love.