Legality Of Tree Stand Hunting

Thanks deadeyedon89,

Very interesting, so it was in fact illegal until 1997 or '98 to hunt with firearms from a raised platform, but legal when using archery gear.

My father has always belittled hunters enjoying their sport using tree stands, ground blinds, high power rifles, compound bows, laser range finders, automatic feeders, trail cameras and etc. He feels it isn't fair chase hunting unless one sneaks within 10 yards of the game animal with a long bow or recurve. In family or social settings, when he is present, I can't tell a story of any of my hunting adventures without him putting me down, indirectly, with his opinion and repeating his story of his six year epic journey to still hunt and kill the one and only deer he ever killed, a small spike buck, with his recurve. Annoys me every time I have to sit through this, but it just isn't worth the argument. He usually finishes up his diatribe by validating his opinion with the statement that Michigan didn't even allow the use of tree stands when he was hunting. So his statement isn't entirely true, especially since he was bow hunting for his single kill.

I thank goodness for all the hunting advancements that have opened up the sport of hunting to the masses including women and disabled hunters. I believe we should all enjoy hunting anyway we like as long as it is legal. The biggest problem we face now is access to land. Here in Illinois 98% of the land is in private ownership and one can forget about obtaining permission to hunt private land. Most all the good land with wildlife habitat is leased by outfitting services charging substantial rates for short hunts. My dream is to retire someplace where there is an abundance of public land.

Thanks for the information,
Mike

Yes I agree I remember when it became legal to hunt in a treestand with a gun

Hey hawghunter, thanks for the information and the DNR document. Some really interesting historical stuff.

Some game laws are insane. Like no hunting on Sunday in parts of the South; I can hunt on past on Sunday but the populace off post can only bow hunt and then they have to own the land or be a direct relation. In lots of counties here you must be elevated 10' to use a rifle. States that have .50 caliber restrictions for big game are going off antiquated gun data to prevent dudes from trying it with squirrel guns.

I can appreciate your dad's sentiment though. I gave up wheel bows by the time I was at university. I don't own a treestand. I hate crossbows and now air bows except for the handicapped. That said, in our current environment I feel unity is more important. If it's legal and moral then do it.

It's sort of like making fun of guys for doing curls in the gym because I think cleans are better. At least he is there working out.

Your Dad is entitled to his own opinion of course, but I find it sad that he cant let you tell your stories and be excited over your successes and failures regardless of hunting style or weapon used. I have friends that bash me because I hunt several different states (so those deer dont count) I shoot all year at extreme long ranges so if I kill a deer far away it wasn't sporting. Screw em. I have killed deer from the ground from twenty feet with a recurve as well. I can tell you for me personally It is way harder to sit still in a tree stand all day than to walk around and look at rubs ,trails, scrapes, tracks, maybe jump a deer or two. But I fight the urge to move because I did all that wlking during my scouting and then one day,,,,,,,,it all comes together and I get a good one. Tell me that I didnt work hard for my deer or enjoy my hunt all you want. I know better. Good luck to all of you. lets all enjoy what makes us happy.......

I agree, Keith. There are many out-dated and antiquated game laws. The "No Sunday Hunting" law in force in some states is absolutely ridiculous. Most working people only have Saturdays and Sundays to hunt and not being able to hunt Sundays severely limits their time in the field. More many it just isn't worth it if travel is required.

I think it's vitally important to encourage people, especially children and young people, to use whatever legal method they choose since fewer people are participating in hunting as years wear on. And the less people involved in hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting sports; the more legislative strength we lose and place in the hands of the haters who want nothing more than to stop us from doing what we enjoy. 

 

Yea, I remember as a kid watching films of Fred Bear on his still hunts stalking up close for his shot wearing his red plaid wool jacket. 

Of course, we all have seen what the "American Marketing Machine" has done to all of our outdoor sports and most everything else. Unfortunately the profit motive drives the advancement of almost every activity. 

Yes, you are correct, nobody. The experiences of those from a different era forms much of their opinion. But we all have to be aware of and accepting that times change. Sort of like arguing who was the greatest athlete in any sport; it can't be argued because so may things change from one era to another. I always chuckle about comparisons of NASCAR and INDY car drivers some of which, in the early years, raced in t-shirts while smoking cigars! They simply had no clue how their sport would develop and advance to where it is now.  

Just tell your Dad about how we do it here in VA and other parts of the south. Hounds, GPS collars for the dogs, semi-auto shotguns stuffed with 5 or 6 shells of buckshot, groups of anywhere from 6 to 150 men with radios and coordinated hunting effort, tree and tower stands, PU trucks with elevated platforms, tripod stands in overgrown brush areas, very liberal limits, pleasant weather to hunt in, clubhouses with hot breakfast and lunch. Oh yeah, it's thick here, very thick in many places. Many hunters don't understand the needs and traditions of hunting in the south. Some here even think it is unethical to use treestands or rifles or archery equipment of any kind. Long range shooting is often simply referred to as just some sniper guy with a big rifle and no ethics or hunting skill out to just kill deer any way he can and since he can't hunt he just shoots them way far away.

Personally I like all kinds of hunting. I don't use archery equipment for hunting but do bowfish. I hunt with shotgun, SML, smokers, handguns and rifles. Tend to use whatever is prescribed by tradition and allowed by law. You really want to get some discussion and heated opinions just talk to some of the "buckskinner" crowd about modern ML practices.

IMHO a dead deer is dead and really doesn't matter how you make them dead.

Best to all 10