Off-Season Tree Stand Care
Do you leave your tree stands in the woods all year, from one season to the next? I used to, but not a good idea. I’ve had a couple of stands stolen. But the real problem is wear, tear, rust and potential safety problems.
Hunter Safety System sent out a press release reminding us to remove all straps and ropes from trees and stands if we haven’t already: “Be sure to inspect all straps, ropes and climbing gear for wear and damage due to prolonged exposure to the elements…which can degrade the strength properties of nylon, rope, polypropylene, etc. and could lead to premature failure. Replace any gear that shows signs of wear or deterioration.”
So go pull your stands if you haven’t already, and store them in a shed out of the rain. Check them later this summer; replace rusted bolts, frayed straps, etc. Oil squeaky seats. You’ll be good to go come the season, and safe.
BTW, how many of you use the Hunter Safety System? I use the vest a lot and like it. I wish mine (an older model) were lighter, and the leg buckles are a little noisy. But it is easy to put on, comfortable and quiet.
You wear some type of full-body harness in a tree, right? If not, you’re crazy, buy one and wear it this fall. The reversible camo/orange HSS vest shown here (about $ 115) would be a good choice.
still don't use anything climbing up/down and getting in/out when most people fall.
Does anyone stay attached from ground to stand and back?
My treestands come in after season, I go through them then (checking bolts, straps, cables) and replace what's necessary way before
season. I will say that as the years have past (and I'm hunting private ground) we are using ladder stands that we don't take out every
year. We change the straps and check the bolts but it's probably not the safest thing to do.
Jim
Jim
they donated some to a bowhunter safety course here in IL. and we demo'd them.
i wiegh right at 300 pounds and am 6'1" and that thing fit well and performed great. we actually hung a stand
at 4" and had to fall out of it and get back in it....... several tried it of all shapes and sizes and everyone admitted
that panic set in even 4 feet off the ground....... not as easy to get back in the stand as you think.......
thaniks again for their donation to educate hunters......
bad thing is once you fall in one you need to replace it......... small cost to live and walk again though:)
get a length of climbing rope tye bowlin knots at both ends then a cara-beaner (bad spelling) on one end climb to your spot now choke the rope with the cara-beaner on the end that attaches to your vest, learn the monkey's fist and attach this piece of rope to your life line and you will be able to climb up and down while hoked up
This knot in the evnt you would fall it will pull tight to your life line were ever you are and hold you at that height. Work with this knot off season and you will see how valuable it will come.
I got the new pro series vest this past Christmas and so far I love it. Mike your problems with it have been addressed. The leg buckles have a rubber coating on them and the vest is like 30% lighter because they slimmed it down, also no more velcro (hunters arch enemy).
above where you plan to hang your lock-on; hang the stand a foot or so BELOW the top of the steps. This not only makes
it easier and safer to set the stand, it is easier and safer to get in and out of the stand in the dark.
Great stuff, we have some super deer hunters on this site!
a youngster going hunting with you, they can sit on top of the ladder, watch and learn or a buddy can film the hunt.
lock-on just above, at a 45-degree angle left or right of where my ladder is facing.