Flying with Treestands

[cfdjay]

I need the Rokslide brain trust's help. I'm most likely going to draw Iowa this year for Whitetail and I'm flying out there for a scouting/shed hunting/hang stands trip. I'm cashing in some points and flying first class which gives me 2 checked bags up to 70lbs each, free. I can't find a duffle bag to fit these things. Help me get creative. I have 6 stands. Aaaaand GO!

 

[Bluefish]

Most places have them on sale now. $100-$150 will get you setup. So why not just skip the hassle of traveling and buy one there? For big duffles, goaltender bags are huge, but will cost almost as much as a new stand.

 

[cfdjay]

Most places have them on sale now. $100-$150 will get you setup. So why not just skip the hassle of traveling and buy one there? For big duffles, goaltender bags are huge, but will cost almost as much as a new stand.

I don't really want to buy 6 stands when I can fly them there for free if I can just figure out a packaging system.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

Sell your stands and buy a saddle set up. Thank me later.

Scout your spots, pick out likely trees, hunt knowing you can move to any tree. If you take 6 pre-hung stands, you'll be inviting others to burn your spots out/use your stands when you're not there, plus you'll have the tied down feeling of having to hunt those 6 spots, effectively hamstring-ing your self.

Just my 2 cents, but when I draw Iowa, I want to be as flexible as possible.

 

[HornPorn]

You dont need 6 stands to kill a deer.

Go scout, find trees you like, drop pins, then buy 2 stands when you get there to hunt.

 

[Yarak]

I’d scout the area mark them on your Huntstand app or whichever you use and fly out with a tree saddle and climbing sticks
Easy to pack
Easy to carry
Easy to set up
Easy on the backside during long sits

 

[cfdjay]

I think I got it figured out. Thanks for the ideas fellas. Greatly appreciated

 

[WCB]

A goalie bag or large duffle is 100% the way to go if you are going on a plane with them. Because kids are weak now days most hockey bags come with wheels. stack the stand together and strap them together tight.

However, I would be in the team of bring 1 light stand and your climbing sticks. You can prep trees etc and have sticks already set up. Then just move your stand as needed.

what stands do you have? if they allow for a quick hang system just pre hang some of those and move your stand as needed when hunting. 6 setups based off one scouting trip seems like a waist imo.

 

[sneaky]

I don't really want to buy 6 stands when I can fly them there for free if I can just figure out a packaging system.

Sorry, but packing 6 stands in any kind of bag is going to put you into oversized bag territory and you're going to get zapped for it. I'd drive and take everything I needed. Or buy cheap stands there. Craigslist could be your friend.

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[DAOutfitters208]

Send them UPS

 

[sneaky]

The saddle suggestion is also a very good idea. By far the easiest to pack with you, and least cumbersome. I'm still a couple years out from drawing a good unit tag in Iowa. Procrastinated on points for too long.

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[DanimalW]

You lost me at hanging 6 stands on a nonresident, fly in hunt. That’s like the equivalent of my wife’s 50+ lb suitcase for a weekend getaway.

 

[gabenzeke]

I live in Iowa. I really, really hate to be that guy, but you didn't say when you were planning to hang stands or where. Make sure you check regs and don't hang them too soon. I know wardens that actively take every stand they see that is up after the season or too soon before the season. Would suck to come back for your hunt to find out in the dark that your stands are gone.

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[Mikido]

6 stands? You’re doing something wrong. Self climb or saddle….leave the iron at home

 

[grfox92]

Bring one lone wolf and 1 set of sticks. Hang and hunt. I hunted with a stand and 4 sticks for 10 years. Literally hundreds of hunts where the stand went up and came down at the start and end of the sit. I would even reset my stand if the wind shifted. Once you know what your doing it takes less then 10 minutes to be in your tree.

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