Hey guys- I have posted often about my portable stand set up.  But thought I would post this WARNING.

While I RARELY leave a stand in the woods (as I set up and get down every sit)- I did set a stand this year in early December for a late season hunt.  It was set up for about 4 weeks.  I hunted it 4 times.  Well- this last week I had my last sit and proceeded to take the stand down. . .  AND the very thing I have warned before had occurred.  The treestand strap had been chewed 1/2 through by a squirrel.  VERY DANGEROUS.

Be Careful out there

Dan in KS

Good reminder! I can't imagine the guys who leave hang on stands or worse yet ladder stands up year around and expect better results! I think ladder stands are the WORST as they are to hard to remove and left in year around. But to hear folks talk they are the safest! Not in my humble opinion.

Season ends here in IL next weekend.  Gonna be time to start pulling stands soon.

Thanks for the warning Dan! I'm the same as you Packing and pack out unless it's on private land. I think I'll be using a chain after this

Also be aware the jointed sections of ladders where the male/female vertical uprights connect will rust from the INSIDE OUT due to water being collected internally between the base section and second connection. Inspect them carefully and replace if needed. bw

Just took my last one in last evening before a big blow here today.
Everything in the basement for a winter refurbish/check over project. I always check the nylon straps out before use.
Good reminder, thanks.

I had one strap snap while I was taking it down.
Chewed on opposite side of the tree, it wasn't up longer than a month.

I always leave my stands up all year. Every year, though, I do a full inspection to check them out before climbing in. I learned the hard way. No, I did not fall. Rather, as I was about to climb in, I realized there was a wasp nest about 5 inches wide attached to the fold down seat. It was full of wasps. Keep your eyes open, there are multiple dangers possible with deer stands.

I always inspect my straps before stepping onto the platform. Last year I also started using a chain in addition to the webbing strap to secure my stands, just as backup. I've heard of too many straps breaking or being in bad condition and giving way and folks getting hurt from the fall. A section of chain don't weigh that much to haul in with your stand if its a stand youre planning on leaving up for a spell.

Although we always take our stands down every season, we had a stand a couple of weeks ago give out.  One of the cables gave way where it was crimped into the attachment device to the platform. Luckily, my brothers law was not completely on the stand at this point and was able to avoid a nasty fall. Good lesson to check or replace the cables periodically.

Does anyone have a "how to" change out the straps with chain? I have changed cables over to chains, and changed all bolts/washers/nuts over to stainless. Want to get rid of straps!

Thanks!

Here in NJ a lot of guys leave stands up year round on public land, kind of a "staking a claim" mentality. Along with rodents chewing, there's also deterioration due to exposure to the sun and elements. AND, trees keep growing! Putting more and more pressure on already weakened straps. So all that, along with the fact that people tend to be getting bigger and I'm thinking we're looking at a perfect storm of future treestand accidents.

QuoteOriginally posted by RAGHORN 3:
Does anyone have a "how to" change out the straps with chain? I have changed cables over to chains, and changed all bolts/washers/nuts over to stainless. Want to get rid of straps!

Thanks!

Depends on how the strap mounts to your stand that you want to replace with chain. Usually a strong bolt and lock nut with strong "s" hooks are used for the chains. Make sure you buy American chain only not the crappy China chain as China chain often is not welded all the way around each link but rather spot welded and will often break. The difference is amazing between American and China chain. Learned this the hard way trapping and loading totes due to breaking cheap chain.
The s hooks will allow you to use any link on the chain for size adjustment.

Also check cables or just replace them every couple years. They rust under the plastic sheath when left out all the time and the cables will snap.

Even if you are a mobile hunter that takes stands up and down each sit you should replace cables every few years. Love how ksdan used speed ropes instead of cables so he could monitor wear and have unlimited leveling adjustment.

Most important rule is to always use a harness AND a lineman belt when hanging and pulling stands. If you are not connected to the tree all the time you are asking for trouble. We live in a time of crap quality for everything. Not worth putting your trust into a tree stand or climbing stick only.

Great reminder Dan! Thanks for the tip!

I usually pull my stands at season end each year.
I always add a chain and s hook to the stand to secure to tree in addition to original strap. I also replace the cables with chain after 3 years. I have been using a life line for the past 5 years.
This year I had a buddy who fell 23' after the cables broke while he was preparing to leave the stand. He is lucky that he didn't die or is paralyzed. He broke his ankle, leg, 2 vertebrae and bruised ribs. Be safe out there guys.

I pull my stands after every season, even the one's with chains. Just no good reason to be left out there.

What stands I do put up, have a lifeline.  99% of accidents happen while climbing up into or down out of a stand.  I prefer to be connected from the time my feet leave the ground.  

Also the main reason I prefer climbers.  I'm always connected to the tree should my platform cable break or slip out from under me.

I have one climber I use and never leave it in the woods overnight. I am always hooked up with my safety harness up and down. Lots of coon hunters out at night on horseback and climbing stands tend to go walking overnight.

James

Remedy Ground blind and play the wind.