Need more cover!

Thomas270

Thomas270

Ten Pointer
As I am meandering my way through my first deer season carrying the bow everytime except opening morning of rifle here in the east, it is amazing how naked everything gets in the woods this time of year. We have lost every bit of cover we had at most stand sites, and the little holly limbs I added don’t add enough cover to mask all the nakedness of the trees now. I have a climber I have contemplated using but it faces the tree, we have talked about setting the climber in the general area but away from current stand site to “catch them off guard”. My question is has anybody bow hunted out of a buckshot style climber or do you run the chance of the bow limb smacking the side of it when shooting? Also curious to hear other ideas about huntable cover this time of year in a tree.
 
Triggermortis

Triggermortis

Twelve Pointer
Contributor
I hunt exclusively from a Summit viper. On one occasion I muffed a shot on a doe when the lower cam hit the surrounding rail - lesson learned.

My bow is 33”+ ATA , and I’m careful when done climbing to not have the seat portion too high, keeping the rail lower. Also, usually hunt at about 22-23 feet up, but this time of year I’ll move up about 3 feet higher. I’m hunting in hardwoods with no leaf cover now. 👍
 
Soilman

Soilman

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I always try to find a tree that has a holly tree encroaching on it for cover, and trim it out enough to fit my stand. I mostly use ladder stands now though.

I used to use a Buckshot convertable, where the backrest would flip up against the tree for a seat an you would sit with your back against the tree. It wasn't very comfortable though. When I use a climbing stand now, it's a summit razor.
Only other suggestion I have is when you see/hear a deer approaching, is it possible to stand up before they get close enough to see you in order to avoid the rail problem?
 
Thomas270

Thomas270

Ten Pointer
Jimbob78 said:
I have a buckshot convertible, I think, if you want to try it/use it.
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Thanks man, I got a straight tree in the yard I’m gonna try mine out first to see if it’s a possibility with drawing back and not falling out lol. I will definitely be harnessed in. We decided to back up and punt on one current stand location so I will have a fresh slate to try to get some does down before Jan 1st.
 
Jimbob78

Jimbob78

Twelve Pointer
Thomas270 said:
Thanks man, I got a straight tree in the yard I’m gonna try mine out first to see if it’s a possibility with drawing back and not falling out lol. I will definitely be harnessed in. We decided to back up and punt on one current stand location so I will have a fresh slate to try to get some does down before Jan 1st.
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I’ve shot bows out of mine
 
Jimbob78

Jimbob78

Twelve Pointer
Thomas270 said:
Not sure what model mine is, the seat is attached by some bungee/ surgical cords so that you can put it against the tree but I don’t think my back rest will move.
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The tree becomes your backrest. The beauty of that stand is overlooking a field, your cushioned backrest becomes your front rest for your rifle
 
Thomas270

Thomas270

Ten Pointer
Gotcha, I haven’t used that stand in a few seasons and never sitting against the tree. Been spoiled with permanent stands for a while but a bow pushes you to be less lazy, and I need that. I’ve been a hunter of convenience for far too long.
 

team muddy creek

Twelve Pointer
I bow hunt out of an old man grand vision. I turn the shooting rail down to a foot rest. I have never stood up when I took a shot with my bow. I have taken several out of it. I like using a climber to bow hunt.
 
Winnie 70

Winnie 70

Ten Pointer
If you have never bow hunted out of a climber, whatever you decide to use, get it out and practice with it for several different days,different trees. You will then be able to detect how to avoid any problems like limbs coming in contact, different trees that are smaller or larger to climb and how to attach the climber to different size trees. just become familiar with it......when you first start out you will realize the best way to carry it on your back. Plus, in the dark it is much harder to set it up while being quiet....you will thank me later for this statement. Whole different game using a climber and using other means of climbing.
 
hoyt85

hoyt85

Eight Pointer
Climbers have there place. IMO, they're best suited for gun hunting scenarios whether you face the tree or away. I've killed several out of a climber while bowhunting. A few out of a Summit Viper but more out of a Summit Open Shot. I prefer Loc on's for bowhunting. There is never any fear or worry of the cam contacting anything, nor do you have to worry about being sure your cam and limbs are either over or out past anything on the rail of the climber. To each there own though. Another thing to consider, with a climber it's going to have to be a slick tree leaving no cover whatsoever underneath however high you decide to climb.

When the woods are bare, height is your friend when dealing with little to no cover. Any type of evergreen is your friend this time of year. Pines, cedars, holly's...anything that hold cover. However, most of those trees and those scenario's are best suited for a loc on style so you can "tuck" into the cover. Otherwise you'll just be cutting all your cover below you in order to climb the tree. If a climber is all you have, another option that can be used as well is trying to keep the tree between you and the deer by facing the tree. Which IMO is much easier to do out of a loc on as well.
 
hoyt85

hoyt85

Eight Pointer
Something else to consider if cover is slim pickings is to keep in mind your back drop cover. That may help you as well. Another thing is if you're exposed and "hung out to dry".... be thinking ahead and anticipate where the shot may take place and be ready. Use anything and everything to your advantage. Wait until there head is turned, behind a tree or brush. Anything that will obstruct their view. If multiple deer are around of course the situation will be compounded and will be more difficult. You'll need to keep your eyes on a swivel, not your head, constantly watching each deer and their body language. If you get busted, even in your draw cycle, in my opinion continue to draw and pray. Hopefully you'll have a few seconds to come to anchor and settle the pin before the gig is up. I'd recommend aiming a tick low, bottom or heart and lungs in anticipation they'll drop as they're already alert. If they don't, you'll hit low, if they do, you'll hit high, either way you'll have a dead deer.

While I have killed several sitting, I prefer to stand for two reasons. One it's more natural because most of us fling arrows in the back yard standing and it also takes away the worry or whether or not you're bending at the waist. The other is, if a deer is on your hard right or left, you're silhouette outline is greatly reduced if you can lean against the tree and take away the daylight space between yourself and the tree.
 
Thomas270

Thomas270

Ten Pointer
Thank you all for the replies, I spent a few hours messing with the climber yesterday and have it set up on the last straight hardwood against a mass of vines and scruby trees along a field edge. I get it about a tree will have to be clean to get up it with a climber, a loc on is definitely best for tucking up in a tight spot.
 
Hunting Nut

Hunting Nut

Old Mossy Horns
Thomas270 said:
Thank you all for the replies, I spent a few hours messing with the climber yesterday and have it set up on the last straight hardwood against a mass of vines and scruby trees along a field edge. I get it about a tree will have to be clean to get up it with a climber, a loc on is definitely best for tucking up in a tight spot.
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My friend uses those for bowhunting and hangs camo burlap from the wrap rail around piece. He swears by it. Bowhunts the whole season. No gun.
 
Thomas270

Thomas270

Ten Pointer
Well the buckshot with the seat turned around facing the tree was a pretty comfortable and stable perch this evening. I would obviously need to stand to shoot but I didn’t have a need for that tonight.
 
25contender

25contender

Twelve Pointer
I have 3 buckshot stands on is the extra wide stand and exclusively bowhunt. I shoot standing up so there is never a issue. I sit with my back to the tree. Then flip the seat against the tree when I stand. Super solid platform to hunt from. You can dance on the stand if you want.
Screenshot_20241214-205449.pngScreenshot_20241214-205434.png
 
Triggermortis

Triggermortis

Twelve Pointer
Contributor
Back when I used hang ons like Loc-ons and Gorilla stands I would “brush them up.” At the time of hanging them I’d cut some leafy bushes, leaving the ends I cut long enough to run through the grating on the front and on one side. While seated I would be screened really well; stood to shoot. I would have screening behind me so not outlined badly. One particular stand on a cypress, in order to break up my outline some I cut some branches, lashed them to the tree behind and beside me with some twine.

Back then in that club we normally helped each other hang stands before the season and this did a good job and a couple more did that. I wish I had a picture of those to show - that was before cellphones but we had a camera or two - those were fun times .
 
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