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I just had minor orthoscopic knee surgery. Thank goodness for modern technology and the fine doctors who know how to use it. I’m very lucky and feeling better. On the other hand, I’m a bit unfortunate. As the knee heals, I’ve been ordered to take it easy.
Now I don’t have to tell you how difficult it is to “take it easy” when the whitetail bowhunting season is open – which it now is in my home state of Minnesota. So will I sit on the sidelines as the other arrow-flingers head out in search of antlers and venison? I don’t think so.
I just need to adjust my approach slightly to obey doctor’s orders. In the process, I may actually INCREASE my odds of shishkabobbing a whitetail. Better yet, I’ll hunt safer than I ever have. I hope you implement these strategies to do the same.
SOME THOUGHTS ON LADDER STANDS
With my knee, I shouldn’t (and maybe couldn’t) climb screw-in tree steps and safely maneuver into a hang-on stand. It would put too much direct pressure and twisting on the knee and other joints. So, the solution is a high-quality ladder stand that’s safe and easy to climb. Statistics indicate that 70 percent of treestand-related accidents occur when the hunter is either climbing or descending the tree. A ladder, with strong evenly-spaced rungs, can only enhance safety when climbing or descending.
There are three primary considerations when selecting a ladder stand. The first is height. Most available stands measure 15 feet. I like to be higher than that to be as far from a deer’s field-of-vision as possible. In my opinion, 17 feet is perfect.
The second important selection factor is sound. If that ladder squeaks, groans or pops in any way, it could cost you the deer of a lifetime. I’ve tried many different ladders over the years, and the quietest choice for my money is the Rivers Edge. A bonus here is that Rivers Edge builds 17-footers.
The final factor is platform size. If you ask me, the bigger the better. I say that for three reasons. A big platform enhances safety by minimizing the possibility of a misstep. It also allows freedom-of-movement so you can get your feet and body in the perfect position for making shots in virtually any direction. And third, a big platform (built for two) accommodates me and my 9-year old daughter Karlee who likes to tag along with her old Dad every chance she gets. The Rivers Edge Double Buck Extreme will give you the platform size you need. Its padded seat and backrest are nice to have too.
In addition to dependable safety, a big advantage of hunting from a ladder stand is the stealth you have getting up. Because they’re so easy to climb, you’ll go up slowly, smoothly and quietly. All critical to getting into position without spooking deer in the process.
One more thing I want to stress when hunting from any elevated position. ALWAYS WEAR A FALL-RESTRAINT HARNESS! Too many wonderful men and women have been killed or seriously injured by falling out of stands. So please wear your harness and come home safe.
NOTHING’S SAFER OR EASIER THAN HUNTING FROM MOTHER EARTH
Bowhunting from a ground blind is as safe as it gets. It’s definitely the ticket for several hunters I know who are either too old to climb into a tree stand; or have an aversion to heights. If either of these descriptions sounds like you, don’t be embarrassed about it. By all means, don’t unwillingly hunt from a tree to be manly; or because everyone else in your hunting party is doing it; or because you think it’s the only way to harvest mature animals. Stick to your guns and get yourself a good ground blind. You might even out-hunt your elevated buddies because you’ll be mobile and able to hunt areas they can’t get to with stands.
With my knee the way it is, I’ll use ground blinds a lot this season. I’ll do it with two tactics. First, I’ll leave my roomy Yukon Tracks Enforcer blinds set up in key “funnel” areas on the property I hunt. These are classic spots located between feeding and bedding areas that are always good, but get great in early November when the bucks get lovesick and cover a lot of ground.
When conditions and circumstances call for a run-and-gun approach, I’ll opt for the Yukon Tracks Sniper XL. It collapses down into a little backpack carrying case for the “running” part and sets up fast for the “gunning” (or for the purposes of this article: the “arrowing”).
I always get the optional blaze orange safety cap for my blinds, since I use them during gun season too. Again, safety is the #1 priority.
This is a great time of year. The air is getting cooler. The leaves are turning. Soon the snow will fall. And the deer, as they always do, will continue to haunt my dreams. Luckily, me and my knee will be out there pursuing them – safely. I hope you’re able to do the same.
Good Hunting.
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