Hiding your prepped stand trees

[swampyak]

Anyone have any good ideas on how to make limby conifer trees that are prepared for stands not stand out to other hunters. Like wiping mud on cut limbs, putting Christmas tree limbs in the stand hole when not in use etc

[stash59]

I've used the mud thing in the past.

[Jonny]

Don't make it obvious you have been back there. A worn down trail, trail markers, cutting saplings 3' up are really obvious to everybody.

If you can keep people from wanting to get back to look where you were, that's the majority of the problem solved right there. Finding a cleared tree without knowing where it is, is hard. If you leave sign you were back there, it's much easier.

Never tried the mud and never had a problem with people hunting a prepped tree. Uncles setting up 20 yards from a prepped tree? I have that problem though.

[dan]

I try not to set up around other hunters... That may sound lame, but really, if other guys are seeing your set ups, big mature bucks are probably avoiding that spot in daylight.

[Dewey]

I try not to set up around other hunters... That may sound lame, but really, if other guys are seeing your set ups, big mature bucks are probably avoiding that spot in daylight.

Totally agree. I make do with whatever tree I find and leave as little sign as possible that I was there. While scouting I pick out trees that give me good cover without altering anything or cutting branches because it's illegal here. It makes it tough to get clear shots sometimes but necessary here on public. I am amazed by how much some guys ruin good cover in trees by totally trimming the heck out of them. These spots are usually over hunted and the older bucks figure it out very quickly.

[tgreeno]

Duplicate post

[tgreeno]

I try not to set up around other hunters... That may sound lame, but really, if other guys are seeing your set ups, big mature bucks are probably avoiding that spot in daylight.

Totally agree. I make do with whatever tree I find and leave as little sign as possible that I was there. I am amazed by how much some guys ruin good cover in trees by totally trimming the heck out of them. These spots are usually over hunted and the older bucks figure it out very quickly.

I agree! Avoiding areas where other hunters are. I want guys to say, "there's no way in he!! I'm going in/out there". I find a few tree's while scouting that are just hacked it looks like with a chainsaw sometimes.

I want to be no where near a guy who does that! He obviously has no clue!

[swampyak]

On spot I was thinking about is near a road and parking area. I never see anyone hunting it but it is a lose point with does on the end and bucks alittle farther in off of suttle points. Very limited tree options and I'm worried that if someone notices an altered tree it may make them curious

[matt1336]

Pick a tree that's on the other side of an obstacle from the Main access point on a the property....water being the main deterrent. Get creative on how you access and be prepared to work harder than the next guy. Do this stuff and you'll have less issues with other hunters

[tgreeno]

On spot I was thinking about is near a road and parking area. I never see anyone hunting it but it is a lose point with does on the end and bucks alittle farther in off of suttle points. Very limited tree options and I'm worried that if someone notices an altered tree it may make them curious

I have a spot similar to this, that I'm going to hunt from the ground. Maybe another option?

[Babscanes]

I'm just starting on the public but on the private I hunt I do a couple things.

First I stopped putting up stands and now only take my lone wolf in and out.
Second I have steps in trees but take out the bottom 4. People will walk rt by without noticing them higher
Third I stopped using any kind of light up reflector thing. I slow down and don't need them

[STIKnSTRING]

I have only prepped 1 stand and not long after I did, another hunter built a blind right in the buck bed that was only 40 yards from the tree. I had creek access and wind in my favor but it didn't matter once daylight came and I saw the blind. No more prepping trees for me

[Jhand]

I try to get as far away from other hunters as I can. I also use the mud trick just make the cut limbs blend in a little better. I try to do as little cutting as I can so it doesn't look stand out but I also carry in a pocket saw and small clippers incase I need to trim once I get in the stand.

[Rich M]

What constitutes prepping a tree? 95% of the trees I have ever been in required little prep work. Maybe a few thumb thick branches needed to go, but not much more than that. Guy I used to hunt with would pick the bushiest tree he could find and jam a ladder stand on it. Then only trim enough so someone could sit - never trimmed the limbs that extended out thru the ladder.

Shooting lanes typically take a bit more effort - but can be done without alerting the world. You also have to drag off the cut/trimmed limbs.

So, how much does everyone cut? Or what would see extreme?

[BassBoysLLP]

I don't take many measures to hide my setups anymore. If anything, I usually lean a stick or two against my trees so I know if someone is hunting "my" tree. I don't care but like to know if a person has been in the area.