Installing Base Of Ladder Stand?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: fastflight
02-Nov-18
Simple question, do you guys push the base of the ladder stand into the ground or do you put a board under the base of the stand to keep it from settling into the dirt?
From: Sidekick
02-Nov-18
I have feet for mine, got them from Sportsman's Guide. They're also great for leveling the ladder.
From: Chuckster
02-Nov-18
I have rubber caps on the bottom of mine however I lost one a number of years ago. I found a 2" tapered cork at ace hardware and modified it to work. Tapped it in with a hammer.
From: drycreek
02-Nov-18
Done it both ways.
From: Woods Walker
02-Nov-18
Board. I had one bowel stimulating experience in the dark one time when I was half way up and the "ladder slip" occurred. It wasn't much of a slip, but it definitely put the "thrill" in that hunt before it even started!
From: Rick 3
02-Nov-18
I always stand on the bottom step and kinda jump to get the legs to go into the ground. Then climb up and strap it on. Gives more support to keep it from moving when I am strapping it on amd it never slips.
Good Luck!
From: ahunter55
03-Nov-18
What Rick3 says.. Son & I have a few & all this way.. Firms it up.
From: Bou'bound
03-Nov-18
I am a board guy myself. generally 1-3/4" oak planks if available, but will use ash in a pinch.
also have been known to use concrete patio blocks but not slate.
From: Woods Walker
03-Nov-18
They work too. I do brick paving and there's always a few extra ones in the back of my truck.
From: BIG BEAR
03-Nov-18
I’m a stomp it down into the ground guy. Extra ratchet straps too....
From: fastflight
03-Nov-18
As a follow up, I prefer to push the legs into the ground as it solidifies the base. I hunt with some that like the board on the bottom but I just feel like the legs can slide off too easy. Most of our stands are in areas that are pastured and cows tend to push them off. Guess I was hoping to hear everybody pushed them in but sounds like its 50/50.
From: Woods Walker
03-Nov-18
I don't set the legs on the board, I set the bottom rung on the board and then push it all the way down.
From: CAS_HNTR
03-Nov-18
Into the ground for me
From: pointingdogs
03-Nov-18
into the ground for me, too
From: bdfrd24v
03-Nov-18
Into the ground for sure. Feels way more solid.
From: Brian M.
05-Nov-18
Into the ground.
From: White Falcon
05-Nov-18
Into the ground for me, then set it in a board after the season. I also loosen the straps and remove my safety lines.
From: Deerplotter
05-Nov-18
Into the ground no doubt. Ratchet strap 1/4 way up securing it firming before going up and wrapping ratchet on stand top.
From: sdbowhunter
06-Nov-18
From: DAVE EWERT
06-Nov-18
Into the ground to the bottom step.
From: Timo
06-Nov-18
I don't understand the board thing. Why wouldn't you want the base of the ladder secure into the ground? Jump on the bottom rung and that ladder won't move a millimeter. What am I missing here?
From: fastflight
06-Nov-18
Timo, the guys I hunt with dont want to lose the six inches to a foot of height which happens by pushing it into the ground.
From: ACB
06-Nov-18
Into the ground
From: Cocoon Man
06-Nov-18
Board with cleats to keep it from sliding off. leave mine up all year shoving it in the ground accelerates rust. I drill a hole through the cross member at the V and put a structural screw into the tree.
