Being safe- a must see for all with pics

[mnbwhtr]

Ok, I've hunted with a partner who used the same setup but you're not using the rope everytime... somehow the rope has to be attached to the tree in the first place they don't just grow there.

[Shaun]

Good point about set up safety. I use an extension ladder to set stands - even ladder stands - and to tie the safety rope. Its not that hard to carry a good ladder into the woods for stand placement and its much safer.

[Mint]

I use a climbing harness to put my stands up so I am always connected to the tree.

[smokin joe]

Tree workers and professional arborists -- people who climb trees every day for a living -- use a "throw line" (check Sherrill Tree for this) to get the rope into the tree before they ever leave the ground. They then secure the rope and climb the rope rather than the tree.

Their safe climbing techniques are something you can find on line.

Be safe out there.

[BobCo 1965]

I use pretty much the same system except I prefer to use an Ascender instead of the Prusik Knot.

[VTer]

I do pretty much the same thing minus the eye bolts. I tie off the rope above the center of my sticks and run it right down the center and tie it off to the bottom of the sticks.

[mtsrunner]

Originally posted by BobCo 1965:
I use pretty much the same system except I prefer to use an Ascender instead of the Prusik Knot.

I use lifelines like these on all my setups for my treesaddle.  
I tried the ascender instead of the prusik a few years ago, but I found that if there is moisture/frost on the mainline, the ascender that I used would NOT 'grab' the rope!!!!
I went back to prusiks.  I actually think they are fun to make and use.  
I use a 11mm mainline from Bluewater Ropes along with their 7mm Dynamic Prusik cord.
http://shop.blackjackmountainoutfitters.com/7mm-Dynamic-Prusik-Cord-500700.htm;jsessionid=4E76C02CCDF24CD0B46AA9BF760F422F.qscstrfrnt06?productId=155
I have found that 50" of the 7 mm tied with a double fisherman's gives me the optimal prusik for use with the 11mm mainline.

[Jim Jackson]

I went to this same set-up last year after a strap broke on a ladder while I was exiting a stand.

I second the comments on getting a good climbing rope.  The stuff at the big box stores is   not what you are looking for.  I did a lot of research and ended up getting small hanks of climbing rope (roll ends) for cheaper than I could find anything else.  Check the auction site and be choosy.