There was a forum request for above which had the votes needed but no moderator willing to step forward. I told GB I'd probably start a post here and entertain myself and others for awhile.
HuntingGuy I see you voted yes to the forum request too, anyway...here we go:
This is my best portable. I have sat for 12 hours in it bear hunting.
They make a bow hunting version too. Mine has to be about 15 years old and since it's aircraft aluminum there is no rust. Here's the link:
http://www.treelounge.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=3-PSOIt is extremely comfortable even in weather hovering around 20 degrees. I sleep in it all the time while deer hunting.
A no squeak tree stand is a must as far as I'm concerned. My buddies have built some nice big ones, but I don't like the squeaking when the wind picks up.
This is a single tree version. Note supports underneath. My buddies have built 3 of these but failed to improve design. I want to attempt a single tree version sometime but am still on the drawing board with it. It's nice and big but the ladders have caused alot of probs!! Major squeaking noise with this prototype.
My best no squeaker never had any 2x4 nailed to the tree directly. (See attached pic) I nailed brackets to tree and slid 2x4 into the bracket. Eventually the trees grew around the brackets and 2x4 but they now act as one tree when the two trees sway. There is no squeaking in this stand!! If I ever put up another this would be the technique involving two trees. One other item worth noting is the roof will close down over the stand and can be padlocked to keep others out. I've never done this but it was something I wanted in the design when I devised it.
I use a permanent blind or "sniper bunker" with wood heat for coyote/fox hunting over bait at night.
I don't like using wood heat because of the crackling and popping but coal hard to find. Might try propane this winter. I'm sure the varmints have heard the fire noise and stayed away. Just about every shot I have taken is when the wood fire embers are down low.
Inside view of sniper bunker. Wood stove on ground out of sight to right. Have stayed all night in bunker down to minus 28 degrees and in a t-shirt believe it or not. The wood stove can really kick out the BTU's. Note night vision device on shelf, books, IPOD, whatever. Bunker is an old dog kennel I had no use for, wrapped it in tin and carpet. The area is a natural movement area for the coyote/fox skirting along the edge of a large pasture. I bait it with road kill deer all winter. Any peace officer will give you a road kill deer permit.
Hey
HuntingGuy how about mailing me a dozen so I don't have to wait for game wardens and deputy along the roadside. I know, I know against your departments regulations...but it was worth the try.
