Deadly Treestand Setup Checklist

[@Susky62]

Wow. This is something I have been working diligently on over the past several hunting seasons. You mentioned you might get busted 1/50 times pulling back your bow, I feel like in my years of bow hunting I have always been able to get close to deer but when it comes to mature whitetails I lose my cool and get busted in the stand as they make their way into my effective shooting range. The last 3-4 hunting seasons I have finally gotten myself away from the kneejerk reaction to stand as soon as a I see a deer because that was what I was told to do as a kid. That way I was always able to pivot around the tree depending on the animals approach. I cannot tell you how many times that movement caused me to miss an opportunity at a really nice deer. I've also applied this idea to turkey hunting as well and have been much more successful with harvest due to putting myself in the proper position to begin with, which causes me to have to make only a minimal movement before pulling the trigger/release. Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. I wish I had someone guide me through this 15 years ago but I am happy to say what you're teaching in this video is absolutely true! Central PA Bowhunter

[@lenkurzynske8735]

Jeff,this video should be required viewing for novice/veteran bow hunters! You should be commended for sharing your knowledge of safety,success and processes! Nominate you for the Bow Hunters Hall of Fame! Seriously 🦌🦌

[@kurtpearson2793]

Breaking down these little bits really fine tune one’s thinking. “Big picture” is an easy attention grabber, but it’s the little things that make or break the actual “moment”.👍

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Amen Kurt!

[@robertboston9778]

Antenna tower or treestand climbing - 100% connected 100% of the time. Well done Jeff.

[@slugoo6474]

Haha I was looking for treestand setup videos because I just bought a lone wolf hang on and sticks and saw this video. Your channel is a guaranteed good video so I clicked. Figured it was old and then got to the comments. What a coincidence!

[@ericwittman3]

Couldn’t agree more on sitting. Hunt 40+ days a year on public land in Maryland. Haven’t spooked a deer in years from my stand. I stay comfortably seated when I shoot unless I’m standing already for a stretch or something else. Everything you said is SO on point. Couldn’t disagree more on the changing of clothes at the stand location. I’m as stripped down as weather permits going to the tree ALL season. Sweat way too much and super paranoid about leaving droplets on the way; especially in cold weather. Spend 10-15 minutes minimum at the base of my tree dumping body heat from early to late season. Always toweling off, changing top, and respraying early season. Always changing from active insulation during travel to passive insulation clothes from mid to late season. I use a variety of high end clothes-Sitka, FL, Kuiu. Makes a HUGE difference with hot or cold weather. I work slowly, deliberately, and quietly. And I get on 5-10 mature bucks (inside 30 yards) every year on public land all over heavily pressured public land in the state. From the time I get to my tree, change, climb, and get situated is 25-35 minutes every sit and I get on deer a lot. The changing clothes and bringing a backpack are essentially the only things I’ve ever disagreed with on any of the zillions of your videos I’ve watched. Everything else is directly applicable to hunting public land here in Maryland Thx for all the great content.

[@billbee235]

2023 is my first archery season, I’ve always hunted rifle in Wisconsin. Fortunately my experience as a competitive shooter makes me aware of ballistics but there is a HUGE difference between 40 yards and 20 yards. I practice all the time at 50 so when those 20-30 yard shots come in they are gimmes. Accuracy is so overlooked by a lot of hunters that settle for good enough.

[@naomicreech9870]

Hey Fellas! It was nice to hear the type of release you like to use, Hunting. Ha! I Think that fawn was there with the whole group walking through.

[@bowman8316]

Just got to watch... great detailed information 👍🏼 Ty The worst is drawing on a buck at the right moment and an unseen deer blows and clears the woods 😭

[@branndonbowman]

Just hung one of my stands yesterday over a mockscrape and waterhole setup so this video is a perfect little checklist

[@bowman8316]

What state are you in ? My Bowman relatives are in Clearfield co PA

[@branndonbowman]

@@bowman8316 Hey nice last name lol Virginia

[@bowman8316]

@@branndonbowman nice 👍🏼

[@travisethridge4062]

I love setting up stands and saddle stand areas as well. previous land owners left a 3 man stand on property... hardest thing to move and set up

[@sharpoutdoors3368]

I use a single pin but I only consider "flat" from 10-30 and above that I start sliding it up and down. But I also practice heavily at different distances without moving the pin for those close shots. Above 30 I'll dial that slider in to exact numbers

[@underdogoutdoors]

Xbow solved that issue for me! Also, that ridiculous saddle I no longer use, (tree diaper) got me picked off due to movement.

[@travisethridge4062]

dang I've not been picked outta mine in 2 yrs

[@bobwiese6128]

Thanks Jeff. Excellent information as always!!

[@Stambaughshuntingadventures]

If your talking about a "pre set for saddle hunting" then that's why you put spikes around the tree or a ring of steps. I agree with everything you say but not this. Plus you've said you don't hunt out of one. I get public but your talking about your own set on private property. And I hunt michigan pressured land with 5 other guys. Saddle hunting has changed the game in many ways you just have to know how to use it.

[@tjburke7115]

I agree. If the deer walks on my weak side i just keep the tree between me and the deer by utilizing my ring of steps or if im on private lease ill use 2 screw-in steps on pre-sets. If u step around the tree the deer will actually be on your strong side! Never understood why people make that seem like a big issue 🤦‍♂️🤣. Done it several times and been successful every time 🤷‍♂️.

[@Mitten_Outdoors]

I'm excited for this year got my licking branche in and tree stand set ready to go michigan boy here

[@paullindgren1051]

I’m glad for an awesome information because I struggle every season thank you guys

[@basicinfo.9315]

I hate mentioning other channels, but I noticed that Midwest Whitetail is using your mock scrape now.

[@basicinfo.9315]

@@kelvin0689 Yes your right. That's why I mentioned this as a way to give Jeff the credit he deserves

[@alexpinnow6509]

Really like to see these setups! Almost tine to get stands out😁

[@dennisrowlands2227]

Jeff, since we are talking safety, maybe you have tips you can share about not getting lost in the woods?

[@shaneschuler5316]

You make so many good videos that I can't keep track of them lol.. You should make a video about picking the right tree to set up in,if you haven't already

[@3rdGeorgesheets]

Off topic but I have plots being taken over by big red stem moss, any ideas on how to get rid of it. I am planting in a couple weeks here in central MN. Heavy 2 4D and Glyphosate didn't do anything to it.

[@dylanthrall5657]

Hey Jeff I have all mature pines on my small property and Hollys under their should I use a mock scrape back their or not, if so what kind of vine

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Dylan, what I encourage folks to use is anything that is natural that bucks will rub in the area. Focus more on the right diameter of 3/4" to 1", 6 to 7' long and directly over a deer trail.

[@huntergray1554]

Ive messed up by having all my stands facing the deer and I have to stand to shoot

[@milessandersisabeast2641]

What about broadheads is it that big of a difference I have my bow sighted in with field points where or what can o shoot at with a broadhead and what broadcheads would you suggest tenpoint 100grain

[@bobleeswaggr]

Jeff stirring the pot on tree saddles haha.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I like them a lot...just very limited use. I would like them for poorly formed public land trees in certain situations.

[@BIG_RIK]

Shot my buck this year from my saddle under 20 yards. It was great because I got to use the tree as cover. Only time I've ever disagreed with you haha.

[@shadowdawg04]

Congratulations... but remember a single hunt is rarely proof of a larger concept. General rules - private land, treestands...back in on public land, saddles are a great option, especially if natural elevations are not available. Just my opinion...

[@gregallman3715]

Hi Jeff, my first try at your no till no drill buckwheat food plot has been taken over by ferns two weeks after spreading the buckwheat seed. Is there something I can spray or other options available?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Greg! It's so critical to control those before you plant 😬 At this point tho it is a great time to kill the ferns. I would honestly hit it with Gly and you will get a great kill on the weeds while setting yourself up for a weed free successful plot for the Fall. Much of my buckwheat is actually going in right now. Yiu can reseed and spray at the same time...I usually actually seed first, then spray.

[@mikebutler5317]

Put No Till buckwheat in a week or so ago after two sprayings in SW Mich. Only issue is we've had little rain lots of 80-90 temps and I'm hoping we get something to grow. Fingers are crossed.

[@BillVerbeten]

For those of us who have historically hunted from brushed-in ground blinds any advice along these lines?

[@dennybirchfield]

Same concept with cameras tree bigger than the stand?

[@underdogoutdoors]

Jeff, do you still use an ebike?

[@kcoutdoorsmissouri4052]

I find it interesting that you push water holes so much when here in the midwest there are so many creeks and draws with natural water I just don't see this being a worthwhile investment for where I live

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

We have water in the bottom in 3 spots... You just have to watch the strategies..hopefully you are my neighbor 😊

[@dwainegaransi938]

Hey Jeff nice video how long do you wait to give up on the Stan placement where you have it

[@TheManic.5-OH]

Lifelines are fantastic, BUT be careful when using hang on stick setups, its so damn easy to knock those sticks loose, theyll fall or worse you go to step on it and it just gives because it lost its bite😢

[@hartzellheadies8619]

How high do you set up your treestand

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Most are right around 19/20'

[@hartzellheadies8619]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 nice when you are out looking at treestands how can you gauge and tell how high they are

[@jacobb6313]

Pretty harsh on the tree saddle. Obviously never used one.

[@jeffstamps5159]

I never agreed with you more saddles have there place but not on my farm

[@bowman8316]

Mine neither 👍🏼

[@kurtpearson2793]

First

[@kurtpearson2793]

@Number 1 Fan I’ve been holding my bladder since 6:45. Gotta pay the price if you want that prize.

[@bowman8316]

@@kurtpearson2793 lol 👍🏼🦌

[@davids970]

The rut hasn’t even started in NJ