First Timer in a tree stand, What to bring.

[Nozzle23]

Hey all, total newbie here. I am going hunting  for the first time and was wondering what people usually bring up the tree stand with them. I was thinking Water, Some sort of food source as I will be in the stand for a long time ,Grunt tube, Antlers,small first aid kit, range finder, binoculars. I will be hunting in northern westchester and upstate in the Andes area. Is there anything I'm missing? I appreciate all responses

[reeltime]

first thing on the list needs to be your safety harness.

 

[turkeyfeathers]

Safety harness is a must !   

Water, some trail mix and or jerky makes for good snacks.

Big property? Compass

Deer drag, knife,  zip ties to fix tag to deer and to help with the filed dressing, a pen to fill out tag

Assuming you've been shooting bow and practicing for awhile ?!

Edited September 10, 2016 by turkeyfeathers

[Nozzle23]

Thanks turkeyfeathers  all good info

[jjb4900]

if your gonna be in a treestand and not moving, I would personally lose the weight of the binoculars.

[Nozzle23]

i thought about that   do most guys not bring binoculars?

[turkeyfeathers]

5 minutes ago, Nozzle23 said:

i thought about that   do most guys not bring binoculars?

I don't bow hunt but gun hunting and turkey hunting I always have them in my backpack. Maybe only use them once out of 4 or 5 times out.

Are you using a climber stand ? or ladder stand? I small rope to hoist up your bow is a must.

[NFA-ADK]

Binoculars depends on the distance you can see.  If you can only see 30-50 yards not much need for them but if you can see past 80 yards I would. 

Map, compass, TP, extra release doe call can. 

[Nozzle23]

All good info fellas  thank you.     TP, haha  now with my history i definitely should have thought of that one

[Core]

Bowhunting I don't bother with binoculars in a tree stand.

I always bring coffee of some sort, always. I don't care if deer can smell it.

[jjb4900]

as far as the bino's go, you're stuck in the stand and unless you plan on getting down to go after something you see a ways off they're an added weight in my book....unless you're talking about hunting with a gun a and not a bow, in that case take em.

[GreeneHunter]

PB & J sandwich goes a long way in the stand !

[grampy]

Some great suggestions already given.  I'll add, a couple packs of those chemical hand warmers. They weigh next to nothing and can be invaluable on a cold blustery day. Something else I've been doing for a long time is to bring a small hunting journal. For each hunt, record the date, time of any deer sightings, wind direction, stand location, moon phase, who is hunting with you or anything interesting you may see from the stand. Years later, you will have a wealth of informatin to draw from. And it's a great way to re-live past hunts! I wish you the very best, on your hunting journey! 

[jjb4900]

something to pee in......I've had deer pay zero attention to the odor when I've peed out of the stand and a few times when they've put the brakes on and bailed out, so I pee in a bottle to be safe.

[turkeyfeathers]

In tandem with grampy's suggestion of handwarmers   I love my muff (no jokes please)  It's the thing you see QB's wear and stick their hands in to keep warm. I have a camo one that buckles around my waist. Insert the handwarmers and I've hunted the coldest of days without wearing gloves.

[jjb4900]

large weighted trebble hook with the points ground off and barbs bent over to retrieve things you may drop.......I've used it for hats, gloves and my quiver in the past.

[moog5050]

We hunt small properties so I leave most in the truck.  Handwarmers with muff as grampy suggested.  Harness.  Knife.  Little food and water. Range finder and grunt tube.  Small flashlight.  Phone.  That's my typical pack.  I use a small first responder bag (or no bag) until I plan for all day sits.  When I hunt the swamp, I add a drag rope. 

Have fun and don't burn out early.  My first hunt was an all day sit on opening day bow.  A hot 13 hours in the stand.  I learned quickly not to sit all day that early in the season. 

[nybuckboy]

Binos - I never leave home w/o them

 

[Nozzle23]

Great info fellas.   I'm really glad I posted this .  Thank you

[stubby68]

gun or bow,knife,,drag rope and water.Oh arrows or shells. I only hunt dark to dark so do not want to be carrying extra stuff I really don't need. Good luck and most of all have fun no matter how your hunt turns out.

[NFA-ADK]

Good GPS and flashlights if you hunt till dark or go in the dark, regardless have one.  Spare battery if you use your phone to navigate and for emergency. 

[growalot]

A  good seat cushion..especially in a metal stand on a cool day...Advil or the like...long sits equals discomfort...even on a young person,at least until your body gets use to it. Hard candy or cough drops...never fails wait all day,deer show up and you get a dry tickle in your throat...cough ,cough,cough.

[Core]

8 hours ago, growalot said:

A  good seat cushion..especially in a metal stand on a cool day...Advil or the like...long sits equals discomfort...even on a young person,at least until your body gets use to it. Hard candy or cough drops...never fails wait all day,deer show up and you get a dry tickle in your throat...cough ,cough,cough.

I also like a back rest. The "comfort" hang on tree stand I tried last year my back was in agony after an hour. The summit climber with a back rest I could hang out in for hours.

[bugsNbows]

I've been known to bring reading material to pass the time. Also, have your cell phone (or other contact device) handy for emergency use. BTW, loved the above tip about a "grappling" hook. I have been known to drop gloves etc. from time to time. 

[Nozzle23]

funny u should say that Core, I just purchased the summit goliath with the comfortable seat