Everybody has a favorite stand or blind that they enjoy hunting. Sometimes we fall in love because of our success in a stand, sometimes it’s because of the beauty of the location, sometimes it just the memories of stand, sometimes it’s because the ease of access, and then sometimes it’s because how comfortable they are. Here are some of mine over the years.
"The Oak Hollow" It was right off of Dallas Cooperage/Sottera property in Butler county Alabama. It was a stand sight. I carried a climber or rested beneath a large oak and looked over a huge hollow. The bottom had a creek in it and was thick along the creek. Deer loved to sneak in and out and it was one of my favorite places hunt. This stand existed in my teens and has changed allot since, but I can see it in my dreams.
"The Bear Stand" This is one my favorite stands and named such because a pine has bear scratches all over it. I am sitting on a 1/4 acre field planted in annuals on two roads which are also planted. The surrounding around is a pine thicket on a steep ridge where the bucks love to bed off the fields and watch the girls. I have a comfortable tripod sitting on top of the hill to see the 3 spokes. It is easy to get to and I love it because I see allot of deer. This stand is also good in a couple of wind directions which is a plus. I own this property in Virginia and that makes it sweeter than about any.
"Fat Albert" This is a shooting house on a Friends property in Pike County Alabama. I have yet to kill a buck from it, but it comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and you always see Deer. I got caught last year by a nice buck and never got a shot at him. I have also passed a buck or two in the past at this stand. The stand is enclosed, very comfortable, and a stand that I don't mind sitting all day long! It is so big, that we call it Fat Albert.
"The Sawmill" Named as such because it was a huge field next to the Sawmill in Rockingham county NC. I was only able to hunt the soybean field in the mornings. Hunting stopped about 8 when the sawmill fired up or the owners came in on the weekend to do repairs. I shot a nice buck there. I had a nice scaffold that I used as a stand and was able to get in and out of. This is my friend’s property and he since put a trailer up on the property for his son (I hated to see that). But I had a real good time and killed several deer off of it. The owner even helped me bait this property so what else could a guy ask?
"The Oaks" This is one my favorite places to hunt and it’s a NC special. The wind isn't always your friend. The early season bow action is great however. I love to go early season bow hunting there and try to catch the does coming in and out of this oak lot. There are white and red oaks with even a permission tree in the mix. This is close to houses as well as the road. I sometimes slip in with a gun, but it’s pretty much a bow stand. The stand has a breathe taking view when the leaves change, it’s so close to my home, and I have killed many a nanny goat over the years. I have probably 6 trees that I hunt in this lot. This is a stand sight that I have made many mistakes, enjoyed hunting to the limit and hopefully matured allot over the years.
"The Condo" This is a Pike county Alabama special. This stand overlooks a large green field attached to creek and adjoining a large area of mature pines. I hunted it last year and have sort of grew up at this stand over the years. I make a yearly trek to hunt the rut in Alabama and this is place I love to sit. It’s easy to get in and out of, its dry and a nice comfortable place to sit, and I have seen allot of deer out of this stand. Others have taken several nice bucks out of this stand and it continues to be a winner. You have to hunt this one with the wind in your face but the good ones are always that way!
"The Buck Stand" This is stand is name so because of all the bucks I see. In the early bow season, it’s hot. There is still enough cover with all the leaves. The bucks are in the woods at night feeding on acorns and escape out of the woods to their bedding areas. I have seen several good ones but never connected. It is stand site that I move a climber into every year.
"The Shooting House" You have to like a stand especially when you build a shooting house there. This one sits on a 3/4 acres green field on the top of the hill surrounded by thick bedding areas. I always manage to see a few bucks out of this stand. It's just a 4x4 shooting house but it’s elevated and is comfortable. I have managed to kill my nicest buck to date out of it. I have also made a couple of mistakes there. The stand is however on my property and something I built. This adds to how special the stand is for me.
I could keep on. My idea of a deer stand as you see ranges from a ladder, a general area that put climbers up on, or an established shooting house. I am sure that you guys have stands that bring warms feelings to your heart. A stand is a place to me that yes I go to hunt deer but it’s the place where I go to enjoy the outdoors
