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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: beyondmyken on November 25, 2011, 11:53:00 AM

Title: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: beyondmyken on November 25, 2011, 11:53:00 AM
For those of you that leave your safety ropes in the tree or use ladder stands with webstraps, etc,   have your ever had squirrels or other critters chew on them?   I had this happen once on a nylon strap and it has made me leery of leaving equipment in the tree for more than a day or two.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Jim Boettcher on November 25, 2011, 11:56:00 AM
Yeah, squirrels chewed up my rachet strap on my stand. I take em down now when season ends.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: joe ashton on November 25, 2011, 11:57:00 AM
I've never seen evidence of it but I always check my straps before getting into my stands.  I also use chain-ons as my first choice of stands.  Joe
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: snag on November 25, 2011, 11:57:00 AM
If they chew on wiring harnesses in trucks, as has happened to me, they will chew on anything! Little varmits.   :mad:
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Smithhammer on November 25, 2011, 12:12:00 PM
Heck yeah. They'll chew on anything, particularly if it has salt from your sweat on it. That's why I never leave a bow outside unattended.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: on November 25, 2011, 12:21:00 PM
I know I do......
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: YORNOC on November 25, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
Yes, all the time. I keep 2 wratchet straps with me at all times in case I climb to a damaged strap on my stand.   Always throw straps out after the season around here. ALWAYS chewed to some degree.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Shawn Leonard on November 25, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
I know they do but in my case I never had them do it. Foam seats but my rachet straps for stands, NO. I check them every year and replace the ones needed every year. Me and my bud maintain 58 stand sites and probably 50 have rachet straps holding stands or brackets we never have any chewed. Shawn
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: tippit on November 25, 2011, 12:40:00 PM
They seem to like my bow hawl up line.  My 11mm safety line seems to be too large in diameter for them...at least so far!
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: sweeney3 on November 25, 2011, 02:51:00 PM
They certainly can.  Doesn't mean they will, but squirrels are like as not to chew on anything in the woods.  I've had a couple ropes and seats chewed up.  It's worth the few seconds to check them good before you put your life and health on them.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: mwosborn on November 25, 2011, 02:58:00 PM
They sure do - squirrels will chew em up.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Big Ed on November 25, 2011, 03:55:00 PM
They will but not always.Be sure to check before using!!
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Emmons on November 25, 2011, 05:21:00 PM
I have had them chew rubber on bow holder, PVC that cover my climbers steel cable, and chew on the powder coating.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: BAK on November 25, 2011, 06:18:00 PM
Absolutely they do.  The weak link in the system.  Check them frequently.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: VTer on November 25, 2011, 06:31:00 PM
I know they do, but they've never chewed my straps. They have chewed the cloth seats on my Loc-on stands and the strap that holds one of my trail cameras.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: gregk on November 25, 2011, 06:38:00 PM
They have chewed my treestands seats but i've never had them chew any ratchet straps or anything else. I am sure they will now that I have said this.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: on November 25, 2011, 06:45:00 PM
YES!

Bisch
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: doug77 on November 25, 2011, 06:57:00 PM
I've never had them bother my straps but the sure do tear up the seats. I put new ratchet straps on every fall.

doug77
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: LookMomNoSights on November 25, 2011, 08:22:00 PM
Heck yeah they do!  Its a gamble out my way.  Ive left stands for a little bit with no damage and other times the tree rats really hammer on em'.  Red squirrels are the worst!  
I guess If I were one, I wouldn't want an ugly hunk of scrap metal in my living room either.   But yeah,  dont take the chance! They have an appetite for seat foam.
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: wildgame on November 25, 2011, 08:38:00 PM
ive had them to chew the finish off two of my ladder stands!!
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Night Wing on November 26, 2011, 08:12:00 AM
Squirrels will chew on anything.    :eek:
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: Pat B on November 26, 2011, 11:35:00 AM
A friend on mine went to his summet climber one morning to find the seat cushion missing. When it got light enough to see he found it all ripped up and partially eaten by a bear. Good thing he wasn't sitting in it at the time. d;^)
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: hayslope on November 26, 2011, 12:18:00 PM
ANYTHING associated with a treestand!!!!!

Ropes, straps and they love the small foam pads on Lone Wolf Alphas!
Title: Re: Do critters chew on safety rope and straps
Post by: bofish-IL on November 26, 2011, 12:48:00 PM
They or something has chewed straps on my stands.  

Years ago I noticed brass shavings on the treated plywood of one of my chain on stand. As I went to get down I flipped the brass casing covered padlock over and there were two grooves from teeth completely through the case and into the internal parts of the lock.

I have also had them chew the wiring in half a dozen places on my utility trailer several times. I think the squirrels around here are lacking iron or something.