Tree Stand Cover

[radiohead]

This time of year (in the woods I am hunting anyway) treestand cover is sparse. Most of the trees in my woods are tall 50+ foot trees, with no cover on the lower 30 feet. Then you take away all the back drop cover with the leaves having fallen and staying concealed in your tree stand is pretty difficult. Do any of you construct artificial cover around your stands? For example I just put up a new ladder stand, perfect spot for Deer, I saw 10 yesterday on my first time in the stand. But I found it near impossible to not get busted when the Deer are withing shooting range for my bow. I am thinking about constructing some artificial cover around the seat base of the stand to help conceal me until I am ready to shoot.
If anyone has done this and can provide suggestions / pics it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

[RunMich]

I know this might sound wired but make a dumby. Take some old camo and stuff it with hay or leaves. Then leave it in your treestand when you are not there. The deer will be use to someting being up there all the time that looks like a man.

[Swamp Ghost]

2 old Christmas trees work for me. Usually last about 5 years.

[bowhuntbigbucks]

I would have to say, either wrap the stand in some camo netting, or keep climbing. Getting up high has been the most effective way for me to stop getting picked off, plus it helps take your scent away from the deer.

[bigsablemike]

theres a prduct called sneaky leaf check it out.i was thinking a pack or two of that ,hollow out some parachute cord slip it over a few pieces of 1/4inch steel brake line,pin the leaves to the cord and you have flexible branches full of leaves.i use it on my camo and it really works well.there is a premade set of flexible branches out there for about a hundred bucks.cant remember the name.2 packs of sneaky leaf the cord and brake line would costabout 50.

[I'llbeoutside]

Cut some limbs from an area outside your stand to bring in. Certain trees and shrubs hold leaves a lot longer and work great. I use zip ties to fasten them to the legs of the stand and stick a few more under the tie down strap behind. Pine or christmas tree limbs do work great. Christmas tree make great ground blinds in area w/ few trees. By next fall the needles are all gone but just throw some grasses and leaves on and its ready.

[radiohead]

File this under the category of things I never thought I'd say but I think I am going to stop at Michael's on the way home from work today and see what kind of artificial trees and branches they have. My mom tells me you can pick up artificial oak and maple branches with leaves turned to Fall colors, she uses them alot when making wreaths and other decorative objects. I am thinking I can take the artificial tree branches, attach them to some wooden dowel rod , and then attach to the base of the stand.

[JC Keith]

Artificial Christmas tree limbs tied to your stand however you wish.

[radiohead]

even if there are no pines in the area?


Artificial Christmas tree limbs tied to your stand however you wish.

[Swamp Ghost]

even if there are no pines in the area?

Your just looking for something to breakup your outline and conceal movement. Pine's offer a lot of cover in a small package.

[radiohead]

Are you saying I have a small package?
:lol:


Your just looking for something to breakup your outline and conceal movement. Pine's offer a lot of cover in a small package.

[Craig M]

I would have to say, either wrap the stand in some camo netting, or keep climbing. Getting up high has been the most effective way for me to stop getting picked off, plus it helps take your scent away from the deer.

:yeahthat:

I have an area that is like yours, lots of mature trees with very little undercover.

Heres what I did, I have a skirt on my ladder stand that attaches to the shooting rest that goes around the entire stand. It really cuts the wind and rain plus I put I put one of those camo umbrella's over the top to shed rain and snow.

As for the skirt, my wife got me a camo blanket from Jo-Anne's for something like 2 bucks. I put snaps on it so it's easy on and off and I sewed some pockets on the inside so i can store binoc's, water, etc.

[fishx65]

You may also want to try bowhunting from the ground. You may be able to find some blow downs or brushy areas to set up in. I'm always surprised how little cover it takes to fool these critters. You gotta know how to play the wind perfectly if your gonna hunt from the ground.