Treestands for elk during archery?

[pacman]

Who uses them? What experiences/tips can you give me?

This is my first year bowhunting for elk. I've always rifle hunted. Growing up back east, I hunted whitetails out of a treestand.

As I was sitting by a gametrail cow calling yesterday I started thinking that a climbing stand would work well. My "spot" is a solid two mile hike from the nearest road, so I'd love to hear any suggestions about light, comfortable to carry climbing stands.

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[sk1]

I have used them a little, and taken a bull from one......just make sure those elk really have a good reason to come where you are or you might go a looooooooong time between elk sightings. water holes during hot days, wallows, etc....and make sure you're high enough your wind is good

if you're going to sit on a random game trail, i'd sure like to know what it comes/goes to, to make sure it is worth your time.....even better if you have the time to scout with trail cameras to know how often they use it.

stands can be effective, but they can also be a major waste of time if done wrong, just my 2cents


There is a book out there by a guy that goes by Swede on the forum, he wrote a book "Treestand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk" by John Erickson, that's the best information you're going to find on stand hunting elk.

 

[pacman]

Awesome- Thanks for the tip about the book. I'll look for it. Yeah, I thought I would set up a game camera before the season to get a sense of movement patterns. I've got wallows, rubs, fresh beds, frequently used trails, etc, in my site, but being a novice with the bugle, I haven't seen anything this year. Of course it doesn't help that I've only been able to hunt 3 days so far...

Other opinions or experiences with stands?

 

[cnelk]

Here is a post I started a couple weeks ago.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?21573-Calling-elk-from-my-tree-stand-Video

We had a bunch of stands this year. We saw elk in most of them, didnt shoot any but it wasnt for lack of trying.
Mine are about 12ft above ground

Get Swede's book. I have 2 copies myself. I used to have them for sale, but now Jeff at http://www.elkmtngear.com/
carries them I believe.

Good luck.

 

[Beendare]

Look for those big community wallows.....


You still have to consider the elk are scent checking those wallows on the way in- fickle mtn winds/thermals make some very good wallows a bad place to sit- you get winded

 

[pacman]

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely get a copy of that book.

Cnelk-- cool video! what "feature" was that stand set up over? Was it just a game trail?

I'm thinking about getting the Lone Wolf Sit and Climb II (photo below). It's a little on the heavy side at 20lbs, but I'd probably sit for quite a while when I used it, so I would want something comfortable. Anyone have experience with/opinions about with this stand?

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I've never elk hunted out of the sit and climb but have done a lot of whitetail hunts in one. I replaced the seat with a Hazmore Silent Seat, it got the weight down to 16lbs and was more comfortable.

 

[pacman]

Great idea on the hazmore seat. Thanks! If I was going to replace the seat anyway, maybe the lone wolf assault hand climber would be better?

 

[mrbillbrown]

Love my assault hand climber. Super light, quiet, easy to use. I added foot rests to mine and I never touch my Alpha hang on or Wide Sit & Climb anymore

 

[pacman]

Foot rests? Are those offered by lone wolf, or did you make them yourself? Details??

 

[mrbillbrown]

The A2 wasn't specifically designed by LW to readily accept footrests. However...an AT member & I brainstormed a bit and figured out where to drill our own holes and mount footrests to the platform. They work exceptionally well. We put the holes in the platform in a place that gives reasonable length and height to the rests while still allowing everything to fold flat. We have done it to all our Assault 2 platforms.

 

[mrbillbrown]

You can buy LW factory steps or buy the ones from SSLegacy on ArcheryTalk. Less expensive from SS and I've got a half dozen that are working flawlessly for a few years now.

 

[pacman]

Awesome. Thanks for the great idea. Is that foam padding, or rubber, around the bow rest?

 

[mrbillbrown]

It's paracord