Hunting is a primitive pursuit. It’s gritty. It’s raw.
But “gritty” shouldn’t mean “reckless.”
For hunters with limited mobility, the margin for error is razor-thin. A minor mishap for an able-bodied hunter—like a dead battery or a slippery ladder rung—can turn into a life-threatening emergency for a wheelchair user or a senior.
You want to hunt hard. But you also want to come home.
To be an effective hunter, you first have to be a safe hunter. Here are my top tips for ensuring your next hunt is secure, comfortable, and successful.
1. Eliminate the “Fall Factor”
Let’s look at the stats. Falls are the number one cause of injury in hunting. Period.
If you are trying to climb a ladder stand with bad knees, or if you are rigging a hoist system for your wheelchair that isn’t rated for human cargo, you are gambling.
The Fix: Stop climbing. Elevate safely. Our hunting tower with wheelchair lift removes the climbing variable entirely. You roll on, press a button, and rise.
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Check the Capacity: Never guess. Our Vertical Platform Lifts are rated for 750 lbs. Our Stairchairs are rated for 350 lbs. Know your gear weight + body weight.
2. Power is Your Lifeline
In the backcountry, power isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. If you rely on an electric track chair or a lift, a dead battery means you are stranded.
The Independence Standard: We don’t trust standard batteries alone. We use a solar powered deer stand lift system. The solar panel constantly trickles charge into the heavy-duty batteries, ensuring that when you are ready to come down for lunch, the lift works. Every time.
Ryan’s Field Note: “I always tell my guys: ‘Trust, but verify.’ Even with our solar chargers, glancing at your battery voltage meter should be part of your pre-hunt ritual, just like checking the wind. It takes two seconds and gives you total peace of mind.”
3. The “Transfer” Zone
Most accidents don’t happen in the blind. They happen getting in and out. Trying to swing from a lift directly into a tight doorway is dangerous.
The Porch Advantage: We engineered a “Zero-Entry Porch” between the lift and the blind door.
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Why it helps: It gives you a flat, stable platform to lock your wheels, rotate your chair, and open the door without leaning over the abyss.
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Tip: Always engage your brakes before making the transfer from lift to porch.
4. Comfort Equals Patience (And Patience Kills Deer)
This is where “Safe” meets “Effective.” If you are shivering, your muscles tense up. You move more. You make noise.
An enclosed, elevated deer blind allows you to control your environment.
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Wind Block: Staying out of the wind keeps your core temp up.
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Better Vision: Our 5ft and 10ft towers give you a command view of the field. You can spot movement sooner, giving you more time to prepare for a safe, ethical shot.
5. Communication Plan
If you are hunting solo (which our towers allow you to do with independence), you need a comms plan.
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Cell Signal: Check it before you ascend.
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Satellite: If you are off-grid, carry a Garmin inReach or Spot device.
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** The “Check-In”:** Text a buddy when you go up, and text them when you are back on the ground.
6. Inspect Your “anchors”
If you are using a handicap accessible tree stand, the structure is only as good as the ground it sits on.
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Pre-Season Check: Look at the footings of your tower. Has rain caused erosion? Is the ground level?
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Steel Durability: Because our towers are made of steel, you don’t have to worry about rot, but you should always ensure the tower legs are firmly planted and the stabilizers are tight.