Thoughts on platform step ladder

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Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby Beauford » Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:43 am

Ok so I have used step ladders during deer drives in the marsh & cattails, but anybody use them for long extended hunts / bow hunting? I have some spots ( no tress around) I have been thinking about for gun & bow hunting that I think a platform step ladder would work. With bow hunting I could just sit on the platform this would allow for extended sits. With gun hunting I could stand on the platform. I was thinking like using a 5 / 6 foot ladder so I don't stick out over the tall marsh grass or cattails. Anybody use a step ladder for bow hunting or long sits? Any information would help - would this be worth getting during the off season? I know I could ground hunt but I prefer to be off the ground even if only a couple of feet.


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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby christian1 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:58 am

Millenium tripod looks like an intesting stand. It's only 36lbs. Personally I can't imagine spending any length of time standing on a ladder.

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby cbigbear » Sun Dec 14, 2014 6:21 am

They use homemade aluminum tripods in the marsh down here. A 4'-5' would be fairly light.
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby GRUD » Sun Dec 14, 2014 6:52 am

Used on on a hog hunt once but you get skylined bad. For rifle or gun it could work .

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby Dewey » Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:17 am

I know of many big bucks killed while the shooter was standing on a muskrat house. They give you a good 3 feet of elevation and most times perfect to shoot just over cattails. Not always in the right position I suppose but should not be overlooked if you don't want to haul a step ladder platform around.

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby hunter_mike » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:25 am

cbigbear wrote:They use homemade aluminum tripods in the marsh down here. A 4'-5' would be fairly light.
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That looks awesome, i want to make one like that, chop about 3' off the bottom and put a lighter seat on it, would be perfect if you set it up with your back against some brush to reduce your skyline. Is that yours?

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby mike_mc » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:56 am

Here's a older thread that has some ideas.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17450
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby dan » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:43 am

Putting the ladder near brush or small trees to blend in helps. I just sit on the top until I hear the deer coming in the cattails/muck.
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby PK_ » Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:53 am

We used to use 4' and 6' aluminum ladders when we hunted the everglades, which is basically a sea of 5' tall grass. Like dan said, we would just setup next to some taller brush to break up outline if we could.

It works just fine, bring a cushion.
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby sojourner » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:18 pm

cbigbear wrote:They use homemade aluminum tripods in the marsh down here. A 4'-5' would be fairly light.
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That looks awesome! I would love one with a detachable seat and 6' legs. Fit in the bed of my truck and relatively easy to get where needed.

I looked at the millennium (pretty spendy), summit (no longer made), others (too expensive and/or heavy). I have been trying to figure out how to stabilize a ladder like a tripod, but seems difficult.

I need a run and gun "tripod" that will let me get my feet 4 to 8 feet off the ground.

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby sojourner » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:20 pm

PalmettoKid wrote:We used to use 4' and 6' aluminum ladders when we hunted the everglades, which is basically a sea of 5' tall grass. Like dan said, we would just setup next to some taller brush to break up outline if we could.

It works just fine, bring a cushion.


You have forward and backward stability. What about left and right stability? How do you accomplish that in a step ladder?

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby dan » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:34 am

You have forward and backward stability. What about left and right stability? How do you accomplish that in a step ladder?

Actually, I have more difficulty with the tri-pod designs. The legs on the tripod sink if your out in cattails. They do on the ladder too, but the difference is the ladder has a natural stopping point at the 1st step on each side, so it actually sinks about a foot deep and locks in. Unless there is solid ice. Then its no different than sitting on top of the ladder painting, or nailing like ladders are designed for.
I shot the doe with the ladder sunk in, James shot the big 11 pointer this year with it on solid ground... No stability problems at all. I took 5 shots and he took 6. No different than being in a stand.
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby Zap » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:48 am

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I use them for stand access sometimes.
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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby Wlog » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:25 am

I think an aluminum ladder would be the way to go if you have to carry it a long distance. I actually just seen a ladder at the electric supply store that comes camp from the factory.

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Re: Thoughts on platform step ladder

Unread postby sojourner » Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:05 am

dan wrote:
You have forward and backward stability. What about left and right stability? How do you accomplish that in a step ladder?

Actually, I have more difficulty with the tri-pod designs. The legs on the tripod sink if your out in cattails. They do on the ladder too, but the difference is the ladder has a natural stopping point at the 1st step on each side, so it actually sinks about a foot deep and locks in. Unless there is solid ice. Then its no different than sitting on top of the ladder painting, or nailing like ladders are designed for.
I shot the doe with the ladder sunk in, James shot the big 11 pointer this year with it on solid ground... No stability problems at all. I took 5 shots and he took 6. No different than being in a stand.


I am going to make a go at it. I will be clearing some brush in an ambush spot and take the ladder out. Let it sit for a week or two and then hunt it. Probably around Christmas time. My spot is slightly elevated from the marshy area. It will be solid ground.

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