Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
#202048
09/18/2019 2:36 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 131
BKS
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Just wondering what everyone's favorite stand type was for whitetail hunting with a handgun? I've tried a ground blind, a turkey chair, a box blind and a ladder stand. The ladder stand is the most uncomfortable choice for me as far as shooting goes. The area I hunt is hills with the trees suitable for a ladder far between anyway.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: BKS]
#202049
09/18/2019 2:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,006
Zee
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
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I like hunting from the ground in a bush blind or climbing a tree and sitting on a limb.
"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Zee]
#202053
09/18/2019 11:20 AM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,596
racksmasher1
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I like a ladder stand with a shooting rail .
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: racksmasher1]
#202054
09/18/2019 11:59 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332
Randy M
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In Texas, any type of gun hunter is most likely using a box blind of some kind. Extremely popular here. That being said, my favorite way is some type of natural ground blind. I really like leaning against a big oak tree, surrounded by limbs I've cut and arranged into a blind. And then shooting off sticks.
The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Randy M]
#202058
09/18/2019 1:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
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I started out in tree stands over 50 years ago, and still like them for their visibility. I hunt ground blinds over fields at timber edges. I do get spoiled in ground blinds because I can drink coffee or eat without spooking game. Until the crops are out, it's tree stands only. After crops are out it's about 50/50.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: ruger4570]
#202059
09/18/2019 2:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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In my neck of the woods, climbing tree stands is my favorite/most productive. When time allows, that?s what I use. When time does not allow, I use ladder stands and also makeshift ground blinds. The older I get, the less I like packing in a climbing stand, but there?s no denying it?s comfort and effectiveness.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: KRal]
#202060
09/18/2019 3:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 190
short30
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I prefer ladder stands but several i have are not very good for handgun hunting. I usually take a shooting sticks but floor is not good for that; I am now using 2x8 PT u-bolted to make a small rail platform for those with rails, other style stands are being slowing replaced. I made a large heavy plywood rail table but just too heavy to lift and get in quietly. I need the elevation to see effectively in the rocks and hills I hunt so ladder is way to go. I usually don't like the lack of visability of a blind but I am making one from cattle panels and tarps on a big flat rock I have so we will see how that works. Will give rainy day place to go - climbers are most comfortable but I am getting lazy in old age.
First Handgun Deer: ~1982 8" S&W .38Spl SW 7.5" 686-7 with Matchdot II SBHH .45LC 7.5" Contender G2 .35-30/30 (Bellm), .22LR, .22 Hornet, 25-35 Glock 40 10mm; G21 Poly80 w/ 9 inch barrel (in work)
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: short30]
#202061
09/18/2019 4:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
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old hand
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On our farm here in south Missouri we hunt out of elevated blinds -- 6x8. The blind is built with the handgun hunter in mind -- with a shelf directly below the window for resting a sand bag. By far the most effective for taking mature bucks in this neck of the woods.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#202063
09/18/2019 7:58 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 107
Bigbrowndog
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A makeshift ground blind is favorite, followed by an archery type popup blind.
Most fun though, was spot and stalk then sneak, but it was a pronghorn Trapr
Last edited by Bigbrowndog; 09/18/2019 10:45 PM.
NRA Endowment mbr. USPSA/IPSC U.S. Practical rifle/shotgun national team
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Bigbrowndog]
#202065
09/18/2019 9:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 129
RSW
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My favorite is ground hunting with natural cover but I also have tree stands. I've also got a few barns which work pretty well.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: RSW]
#202067
09/18/2019 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 131
BKS
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?I've also got a few barns which work pretty well.?
That?s what I?m talking about.....
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: BKS]
#202071
09/19/2019 3:05 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556
junebug
Gun Slinger
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Two box blinds 6x6 with sandbags, and ladder stands with shooting sticks. As I get older climbing stands have lost there appeal ,and ladder stands are safer. Also walking and sitting against a tree with sticks.
junebug
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: BKS]
#202072
09/19/2019 3:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601
PsTaN
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We switched over to Millennium Ladder Stands a few years back and find them to be excellent ... super comfortable. I got a Millennium Tree Seat for Christmas last year. Love it ... I pack it in to a tree stand at daylight, then hunt my way back to camp by easing into areas I've set up blinds. I also use a climber a few hunts per year. P
PsTaN
-Smith & Wesson Model 69 -Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter -Encore Pro Hunter
"Hold your horses, the elephants are coming, and out stamped Alabama"
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: PsTaN]
#202076
09/19/2019 8:02 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
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I use everything above but as I get older and I am 65 now I am leaning more and more to box stands and popup blinds. I love blinds because I can use bags to shoot off of.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: short30]
#202078
09/19/2019 11:40 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
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[quote=short30]I prefer ladder stands but several i have are not very good for handgun hunting. I usually take a shooting sticks but floor is not good for that;
For my sticks, I put the snow cap on the bottom of the stick. It is about a 4" diameter circle, so it won't go thru the mesh bottom of the stand. I have also stuck my stick into my boot and used this way. Now I use a piece of 1" nylon web. It has a top loop that I secure with my safety harness. Then it is about 3' long with continuous loops. I put my hand through one of the loops and pull tight from the tree. Works with handguns and long guns.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: ruger4570]
#202090
09/21/2019 12:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 47
Buckshotharris
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I have used everything mentioned here as well. Best results have been with Ladder stands. However as I have gotten older gravity has gotten stronger. This year I bought a Ghost Blind and a Turkey seat. Going from a potential 14' fall to a 3" drop! Take that Mr. Gravity! Now my struggle will be getting up after my legs have fallen asleep!
Happy Hunting Ya'll! John Harris
Semper Fi
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: RSW]
#202150
09/24/2019 3:38 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 30
Ron K
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I've used them all and prefer elevated box/wood stands. You can drink your coffee and keeps the rain off.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Ron K]
#202169
09/25/2019 1:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
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I prefer ground blinds and hay bale blinds to stands.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#202171
09/25/2019 1:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 131
BKS
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I appreciate the replies. I?ve just finished a new ground blind, pretty nice. I?ve used a turkey chair and a brush top before and it was a BLAST having the deer so close sitting on the ground, I hope everyone has a great season.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: RSW]
#202183
09/25/2019 6:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 174
Willicd76
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I really prefer wandering aimlessly around the pasture but there is no doubt that stand hunting can be very productive. Something with a roof sure is comfortable but it seems most of the time I'll end up in a tripod stand. We have a lot of junipers here you can sit on a bucket inside of a big juniper and have a very nice ready made blind.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Willicd76]
#202189
09/26/2019 2:24 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556
junebug
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Box blinds will ruin you. My wife's has a Buddy heater, carpet, curtains, a single burner stove for soup or coffee and an office chair, plus sand bags.But if that's what it takes to keep her hunting I'll do it!
junebug
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: junebug]
#202202
09/26/2019 3:19 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 174
Willicd76
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Box blinds will ruin you. My wife's has a Buddy heater, carpet, curtains, a single burner stove for soup or coffee and an office chair, plus sand bags.But if that's what it takes to keep her hunting I'll do it! I intend to start selling whitetail/muledeer/hog hunts on my ranch next year and I will be building some very comfortable blinds for people to spend time in.
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Willicd76]
#202205
09/26/2019 5:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,280
Sawfish
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I like box blinds but the deer get used to them. When a deer walks out of the timber and looks up at your box blind, you had better change locations. My preference is a small pop-up blind or a site built ground blind,
Good Shooting Makes Good Hunting Patron Member NRA; Life Member RMEF, SCI, NSRPA, CRPA: Member, FTRF, HHI #7108, CBA
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Re: Favorite stand type to hunt whitetail deer
[Re: Sawfish]
#202254
09/29/2019 10:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2017
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Mo_long_tom
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