Does anyone still make hang-on portable stands that still uses a chain to attatch to the tree? Almost all the ones I see today use straps. I can place several stands before the season and use steps/sticks to get to the stands during the season but those tree rats sure can do a number on those straps and I would always be a bit nervous getting into a "strap stand" at O'dark early and find myself hanging from my climbing harness. Be one heck of a way to start the day, huh?
Don't forget to give thanks today folks!
Regards!
JL I agree with you 100%,, but again theres theft, the chain ons are easier to lock, theres those haters that might reach in back and cut the straps just enough so it lets go when you step on (most don't even have the safety strap on yet at this point)
also I noticed the straps weaken over time because of sunlight, had one break last weak on a ladder stand.
I prefered the baby gorrilas that came in chain on but if worse comes to worse I buy the chain and some heavy duty S hooks and have them welded onto the stand,,,,,, while its getting the chain most of my stands also get welded in the OPEN position, all Joints get welds for 2 reasons, 1 I know they are mine, and 2 they never will squeak,, and its still easy to carry.
I believe Screaming eagle is still making stands. They attach with a chain and Chippewa Wedge-loc has a chain on mounting harness for their stands as well.
Loc-On. Depending on the model: chain, rope, or strap
Dickssporting goods like 30-40$
I take the straps off and put my own chain on my stands.
The last few stands I bought came with straps which I removed and installed a chain. I would bolt the chain with grade bolts and a locking nut. I also install a large S-hook, closed one side of the s-hook around a bolt and fender washer with another locking nut to the stand. I also continue the chain thru the stand and padlock on itself.
Theft and rodent resistant.
I take all my stands that come with a strap and convert to a chain. It is much easier to hang with a chain, and I trust the chain a lot more plus I can lock it if I want. I have a couple I use that I rubber dip the chain to quiet it. These are stands I use when I need to sneak in and avoid noise. The rest of them I use around my property where they stay up for a while.
Some of the stands that come with the straps can be a real pain to have depending on which type of strap thye put on it. I'm not real fond of the 1" ratchet straps that take forever to put together while hanging on the side of a tree.
Love the baby gorilla
the millennium, great stand comfortable, has a chain which holds a receiver, the stand slides into it.
Screaming Eagle
QuoteOriginally posted by Hill Hunter:
the millennium, great stand comfortable, has a chain which holds a receiver, the stand slides into it.
That is the best system I have ever seen using a chain.
Chippewa Wedge Lock. Great stand with chain hanger. Bob
I kind of like to put my stands up with a strap and get it exactly adjusted to where I want it, then I wrap a chain around it with a padlock. Best of all worlds.
Loc ON still sales models with chain's option, best and easiest stand to put up in my opinion.
Straps make me nervous as well.
I hunt public land and had a strap stand sabotaged. Someone cut through the straps and I didn't realize it until I went to step on the platform. Luckily I have quick reflexes and was able to grab a branch before falling. :eek:
Screaming Eagle is still the best and most stable stand offered. Have you ever seen another stand advertised with a VW Bug suspended from it? I bought their new boss stand and three brackets and all I can say is "yea". Check out their website at Screaming Eagle.com.
Regards,
Grouse
I' d have to recommend Screaming Eagle's stands. They are rock solid and quiet once locked in.
Chippewa is going out of business, only have Ghost and Super Hex left.
Screaming eagles are overpriced, heavy and a challenge to hang IMO. You can get a Rivers Edge Bigfiot for $60 that is superior to the screaming eagle in every way.
I convert the ones with straps to chain as well. Easy to do. I heard Chippewa went out of business.
Thanks for all the good info! I prefer to buy a stand that comes standard with a chain but that seems to be harder to find these days. I understand that straps are lighter and cheaper to produce and that is probably why most companys have gone that way but if Im going to leave a stand in a tree for any amount of time, I want to be sure it will not give when I go to use it.
Likewise, I dont want anyone talking down anyone elses choise while pushing another brand. State what you like and why and leave it at that...
Thanks again!
I have only chain on stands, but now restrict them to private land and then still us a lock just in case, For anywhere questionable, I have started to hunt a lot more from my Lone Wolf Assault. I just pack it in and hang it to hunt then take it out. I keep my stick ladders on the tree. That way no issue with the stand from any varmints and no one can hunt my stands when I am not there unless they bring their own. I use two straps and inspect each day I hunt. I can get my stand in and be on it in under 5 minutes unless I goof up and strap down my harness, run a strap over cable or something like that. Love the bat wing bracket and leveling options. Very quiet and really snug on the tree when you leverage down the platform once it is strapped in. Light to carry so not a problem there. No issue with it getting stolen or with squirrels eating the strap or the seat. I have a lot more problems with seats than straps.
I like chains just fine, but they're going the way of the dinosaur on commercially-produced treestands. I reconciled a good while back that manufacturers wouldn't be using straps if they were more prone to failure than a chain. Given the costs of litigation secondary to injuries, it only makes logical sense that a manufacturer (and TMA member) is using the safest stuff they can. Still...a piece of steel seems to look so much safer than a piece of nylon.
Some stand designs don't lend themselves to an easy swap-over to a chain. Some designs depend on the strap to ratchet the stand in tight to the tree for stability, and may be less stable with a chain. I don't have the answer, but I've learned that a chain isn't automatically safer. It is obviously more resistant to theft, but every stand I've had stolen was wearing a chain and padlock. Sigh....
As pointed out, Chippewa Wedgeloc is closing their doors, and confirmed this to me in an email a few days ago. I can't even think of a major treestand manufacturer using a good chain these days. Sign of the times.
Six Screaming Eagles ! I love them, real easy to install with the Brackets. :thumbsup: