securing tree stand

[blacktailchaser]

SO,what do some of you pros use to secure your tree stand...thanks

[culleng]

I'm not a pro but I have had good luck with ratchet straps. I use one at the top and bottom if it's a hang on. This makes them rock solid. I change the straps about every 2 years or so. I check them  every season before I put them out. Changing the straps are a lot cheaper than an ER visit or worse.

[blacktailchaser]

thanks for the info culleng..BUT,maybe i should have stated that i dont want it to get stolen..i am thinking a chain BUT i was all so wondering if a cable would work to..thanks john

[elkken]

I use a wrap around cable lock ....

[Hummer3T]

Secure to the trees using ratchet strap, easy and quick


for security of the stand, I use bike locks.

[Orion]

I use one-inch link chain and a  lock.  That prevents the casual opportunist from stealing it.  Folks who really want it will come back with a bolt cutter though.  I try to go in a long way and camouflage my stand as best I can.  Most thieves are too lazy to walk very far.

[LB_hntr]

cable locks work great. even bolt cutters have a hard time chewing thru the strands of cable.
I have had a few stands stolen but now that i leave the stands in the tree and take down the sticks they look up and see the stand and the cable and realize everything invloved in stealing a 35 dollar stand isnt worth it.
I dont leave my lone wolf stands up unless i will be back in the morning to hunt it. but my cheap stands i leave cable locked all season.

[Sockrsblur]

Hi John. I hunted out of primarily portable stands when I hunted with a compound. I'll give you my thoughts since I lost a few stands along the way. I hunt what I would describe as a high traffic area. Lots of eyes wondering through. For me it was important to securely hang the stand and I considered this separate from the security. I hated the noise a chain made so I went with strap type attachments.
To keep the stands safe I tried many different things. Cable with master locks, chain, plastic coated cable... to be honest, in my opinion all you can really do is prevent someone from seeing your stand and taking it then, in that one trip. Almost anything you lock it with is easily cut by a dishonest person returning with bolt cutters. It would need to be a big, hardened, heavy chain. If you want this look at bicycle security chains, they are the real deal. My answer was to carry one stand in and out every time I hunted. If you decide to leave a stand out most thieves are lazy. Lock it with something, plastic coated cable is easy. Takeing out the tree steps helps.
frustrating topic, can't believe I wrote so much! Lol Good luck...    

[Wheels2]

What about us amateurs?

[EWill]

bicycle lock, works good and not expensive

[EWill]

bicycle lock, works good and not expensive

[Longbow58]

Had a stand stolen once and short of beating the thief with a sock filled with a bar of soap there's nothing can be done...and it was on private ground. As far as security all my stands have ratchet straps top and bottom, like said above rock solid. Really like my Millenium hang ons with the new ratchet receiver. Good luck.

[Sean B]

In high risk areas I use a climber. However I bought these tree stand cables that look like big bicycle locks. I also use less expensive or older stands in those areas. Haven't really had a problem.

[hitman]

I had 2 hang on stands with stick poles going up to them hung within 200 yards of each other. One was stolen and the other one just had the poles taken down and scattered around in the brush. When going up to get the stand down I noticed the strap had been cut through about 3/4's of the way. Never could figure out the reasoning of that. If they wanted you to fall then they should have left the stickpoles up. Why steal one and not the other? Go figure a sicko's thinking.

[2bird]

Lock and chain. Just remember that locks only keep honest people honest, if someone really wants to steal it they will...

[Sean B]

Ur right 2bird!!!

[Sam McMichael]

I use ratchet straps. Chain and bicycle locks are easily defeated by a hacksaw. If thievery is likely, it is best not to leave the stands out. 2bird is exactly right, only honest people pay attention to locks.

As far as hitman's situation is concerned, somebody was setting a trap for you. They intended to hurt you, and had no consideration for your life.

I own a small plot of land, yet I still had a lock on stand lifted. Unfortunately, in our present society, it does not pay to trust strangers at all.

[Bowwild]

I use ratchet straps, top and bottom. My favorite set-ups are in forked or 3-stemmed trees.

When I get this set-up (Eastern Red Cedar great) I even ratchet strap the front edge to an opposite fork. Makes for a very sturdy stand.