Since starting my hunting career, I have built 2 tree houses (the most recent one dubbed the Sky Condo), sat in a sketchy tree seat and had Dad pimp out a tree seat, from which I shot my doe and my 10 pointer this year.

This is the first place I ever sat alone in the woods. Its off the corner of our property. I was terrified and prayed that no deer would walk by. It is someone’s stand that has been there for 4+ years. Its a little wobbly, has that one bar that goes in front of you, and the ladder is about 7 inches wide. Dad would leave me here for just a couple of hours while he walked around. I would wish the time away because I had no idea what I would really do if I saw a deer, or if this thing would collapse on me. From this seat, I could see one path that is frequently traveled by deer.

This. This wonderful thing is my Sky Condo. It can fit my husband (who is not allowed to intrude on father-daughter hunting tradition, but can see our cool hang out), my dad and me comfortably. We have 2 seats, 1 heater, the antlers that we rattle and our guns hanging out with us up there. The roof has shingles on it and I am pretty sure Dad is going to canvas the entire thing to that no breezes can come through (Dad’s gone soft, what can I say). From when this photo was taken until now, Dad has added some canvas to the opening on the right that helps to block the wind from the southwest. Its really warm, dry and its been fun to sit in there with Dad and hear his stories about growing up and hunting in the same area we are now. Dad and I have enjoyed sitting in the sun, rain and even a snow squall from the safety and comfort of the Condo.

From the Condo, this is our view:

To the right, along the woods, is a main highway for deer that travel from the corn fields to check the 5 apple trees. Right straight ahead is where we got the 6 pointer last year. I spotted it in the brush and couldnt get a shot because I had a tree in the way. Dad shot the deer and the next day, cut the tree down. LOVE HIM!

This is my new seat. I take a lot of pictures from it, but not of it. Sorry! But let me try to explain the sweet set up I have. The top bar that you can see has had rip ties added to it and a nail put into the tree behind me, so I can hook it when I get up and down from the seat. Then, I don’t have to worry about lifting it while I climb into the seat (and if you read my blog about my fantastic hunter safety, you know I climb up and down with a loaded gun).

The end/bottom of this bar, has a piece of metal that came from a lawn chair. Dad added screws and duct taped to it and attached it to the original bar to the perfect height so that my gun, when resting on this, fits perfectly against my body and under my right arm. Basically, I can cuddle with the my gun while waiting for the deer. The seat is suspended so that I can adjust it and not feel like I am tilting. It also has a padded backrest and padded arm rests. Basically, I fit perfectly in here. Which is good, because you see what I started off with. I couldnt sit there for 5 hours and be comfortable. But in this seat, I am comfy, warm and able to shoot a 10 pointer when he walks out in from of me.

So – now, what do you hunt in? Or are you on the ground? In a blind? Many of you are from other States – I deal with cold temps and snow… what about you? and does it impact where you sit and for how long? We figured I put in 76 hours in the woods before I got my deer. I am sure glad that I have places to sit and be comfortable while I put in my time.

Is it October yet???