Rifle hunting from a tree stand?

[ironglow]

Who gun hunts from a tree stand? Please give me some of your best tips..make, type, method and techniques.

[Mikey]

Most of my friends and I purchase our tree stands from either Cabelas or the Sportsman's Guide as the variety is quite large.  we all prefer those stands that allow for shooting rests so you are basically shooting from a 'tree-borne' bench and if the stand isn't that user friendly we make our own 'rests' and use them. 

The only tips I have are two or three - put some sort of a hook into the tree so you can hang your rifle or shotgun from the hook as you try climbing into the stand and turning around to sit or use a pull rope to get the gun up to you once you are into the stand;  wear warm clothing - I doubt there is anything colder than a tree stand except for a ice or snow covered rock or log; try out your set up before hunting season - make certain the 'rest' (whether it comes with the stand or what you have put up yourself) is where it needs to be to give you a firm support.

If you use one of the 'cage' type stands with a bar around it you may wish to support it with a long enough branch or tree stalk so it doesn't move around on you. 

Good luck...

[Mikey]

Ironglow - drop on down 8 or 10 forums, there is one on Treestands and Blinds.

[ironglow]

Thanks Mikey..sorry I missed the thread on treestands..