So I found a spot where I really wanted to hang a stand, and there was a good tree, but cover was minimal. I was talking to a couple buddies and they suggested adding brush to the stand to break it up. I know it's simple, I'd just never done it even through I add brush to pop up blinds all the time. I got hot and tired yesterday so I'm not completely done, but was impressed with how it turned out in the relatively short amount of time I spent on it. I zip tied brush and limbs to the ladder, then tied a rope around the trunk above the seat and stuck some more brush through it. I'm going back in a couple weeks to add a little more, and as it starts to die off and turn brown I'll freshen it up as needed.
Before
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180721/18183e3a01cda985859d9650c89c9503.jpg)
After
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180721/891c7d99dcaf0478615e7bee570d9632.jpg)
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Actually this was right before I left. The second pic was before I added the brush to the trunk.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180721/191931bc4025a962e76dbf56e2403327.jpg)
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The top to me looks exactly the same. Maybe you didn't get to it yet? Truth is the ladder part needs zero brush on it. Actually none of it does especially if it's sitting out there. All I'd do I'd i was you was zip tie a couple cedar ,or something like that, branches to the arm rests and be done. Who cares if it's brown as long as it doesn't dry noisy.
It's only to break up your outline. Continually adding stuff adds your scent onto new parts. Just not necessary
I don't know..it's only about 12' high. Deer notice ladder stands where I hunt. If it isn't in some cover, they'll look up every time, especially when they're low.
I normally use fence staples with cedar limbs when legal. If not I lash them with wire or twine. I normally have stand set up expecting movement right to left and a shot being off my left side so I add brush to the right and add much needed shade over head. I prefer cedar or something that holds its leafs and not just be a few twigs of cover come prime time.
I use cedar limbs every fall. I don't use them after they turn brown as they are like sitting in a nest of cactus then.
Or you can use artificial Christmas tree limbs or garland zip tied to your stand. Then you wouldn't need to redo it every year. Good luck to you this season...
We use pin oak branches, they won't lose leaves if you cut them green. This is on private land, public won't allow cutting most places.
The pin oaks grow branches very low so field edges are helped by trimming.
We put them on nearly every stand. Works great to have more than a wriggling lump up there! :)
Yep garland and artificial trees make a great way to hide a stand .