Someone's Last Stand

[RednekF350]

I found this fallen, decaying tree last week in Parkdale when I was walking with my wife.
For me, it held stories because it was formerly a hunter's tree stand.
Its steps were railroad spikes and it had a little platform near the top.

It had probably been laying for 10 years or more and I couldn't help but wonder how many deer had been seen from that stand and whether or not the hunter was still around.

When I see an old stand or a ruin of a structure deep in the pines, I always think back and try to imagine the very last day the structure was occupied. Did its occupants know that they would never return?

http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/showphoto.php/photo/7412

http://gallery.njpinebarrens.com/showphoto.php/photo/7411

Scott

 

[LARGO]

I was wondering about those pics.
I, and surely most here have stumbled on to many stands. I like to see some of the creative, and sometimes comical engineering involved.
I will say you found a good one. If that old dog could talk.
Shame it fell. Wonder if that happened when it may have given out during it's last use?

g.

 

[Teegate]

Hopefully they were not in it when it fell I have those same thought when I find them. I may be odd but I love finding old stands as you do. So many different designs and quality.


Guy

 

[Hewey]

wow, thats an old stand, I love finding old stands. I know where there is one tied in the tree with what looks like some kind of thin nylon rope. oddest one I found was a 55 ga. drum fashioned into a chair and placed up in a tree. by one of my stands there is a 2x6 nailed to a branch with spikes going up the tree, very old been there since I was a kid and i'm shure it was there long before that, always woundered who's it was and how they did out of it, for me the spot has produced 7 deer in 6 years with many other deer seen plus a few gray fox seen.

 

[piker56]

I know this sounds wierd, but when I saw the old stand picture, I thought of my oldest brother, who died in 1997. I still go to his old stand, near a spot we used to camp at and hunt together. His tree is still standing, and the stand steps are still there, and look like they'll remain for a long time. It's like a holy place for me, lots of good memories there. Thanks for posting the picture.
Greg

 

[bobpbx]

Very poignant Scott, you and I think alike. Whenever I see a really old one still standing, I think of hunters long past wearing those red and black checked coat of the old days. Many of them back then probably wore their blue collar work pants and simple black boots instead of getting all decked out by Cabelas today.

I've read a lot of Louie L'Amour books, and he talked of how melancholy it was to come upon a cold camp, long after the fires were out, and all the people gone who formerly sat around it talking, laughing, and joking.

 

[Furball1]

Yes

I know this sounds wierd, but when I saw the old stand picture, I thought of my oldest brother, who died in 1997. I still go to his old stand, near a spot we used to camp at and hunt together. His tree is still standing, and the stand steps are still there, and look like they'll remain for a long time. It's like a holy place for me, lots of good memories there. Thanks for posting the picture.
Greg

Hey Greg, maybe you could post a photo of Bud's stand. You should at least take a picture for posterity, because one day it will be gone, sad to say.

 

[ecampbell]

A really creative stand.

Here's one I found yesterday. The foot rest reminds me of an old barber chair.





The tree.


It was near an exceptionally beautiful area.


They don't make them like this anymore. I've seen some crazy stuff tacked to trees. Most are falling down.

 

[MuckSavage]

Ed, the stand is enhanced by Willow standing beneath it. How's she doing these days?

 

[ecampbell]

Ed, the stand is enhanced by Willow standing beneath it. How's she doing these days?

Willow is a happy 9 1/2 year old. A little bit creeky, but still good for several miles every day. Sometimes she gets stuck in the back of the TJ and needs a boost.

 

[RednekF350]

I love old stands Ed, thanks for reviving the thread.

Today I was wandering around in a desolate area of the pines with the muzzleloader looking to take out Bambi and I came across this artistic relic.
I took this this morning and hunted the area again tonight from my climber.
This area is particularly barren and has been burnt severely multiple times since I started going back there in the early 80's. How it supports deer I'll never know but it does.
No Bambi today but the picture was worth the trip.

It was a peaceful night and not a sound was to be heard except for the whispering wind.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Scott

 

[Teegate]

If that thing could talk I bet there would be some tales to tell!

Guy

 

[RednekF350]

If that thing could talk I bet there would be some tales to tell!

Guy

You ain't kiddin'.
That stand was probably last used twenty or more years ago.
Here is a closeup of one of the steps, an old spike that has survived in the heartwood.

 

[AndyParker856nj]

All

All these pictures are cool.