“Does someone really sit in that,” mentioned my 14-year-old son, pointing to a tree stand in a giant maple.
Old lumber was lashed to the tree with rope and braced with minimize branches. It was nonetheless getting used. The rope and tree steps had been pretty new. But there was no secure option to shoot out of this stand. Why would anybody danger an almost-certain fall? Not each fall ends in critical damage, as I discovered, however most will do.
Tree-stand security
Just a few years in the past I climbed into my selfmade moveable stand whereas moose searching. The stand was about 20 toes (6 M) above a beaver meadow, and on a 10-foot (3 m) ridge. As I placed on my security belt, the I-bolt opened. One minute I used to be within the tree, the subsequent minute the stand and I had been within the meadow. What saved me was that the primary drop was into tender moss and the subsequent was a slide down a rock-face into tender mud. If I’d fallen the total 20 toes and landed on a pointy or laborious object, it may have been disastrous. I used to be a 20-minute stroll from camp and, with any sort of accidents, in all probability a half-day or extra from a hospital. I used to be fortunate, and I now ensure that all I-bolts on stands are turned to allow them to’t open underneath strain.
Tree-stand security isn’t to be taken flippantly. If you’re doubtful, keep out. And all the time use warning. Hug the tree when entering into your stand. Make positive it’s strong earlier than letting go to lock your security belt. It can’t assist should you fall earlier than it’s performed up. If you from a everlasting stand, examine it yearly. Check boards for rot, and guarantee nails, screws, and braces are safe. Add non-skid adhesive strips or paints to surfaces to cease slips. You can paint the highest of the stand, then sprinkle sand within the moist paint to make it tough and skid-free.
Portable tree stands
A secure route is to buy considered one of many moveable stands in the marketplace. If all upkeep is finished at dwelling within the low season, your security ought to by no means be in query. Regularly examine ropes and straps for frays or tears. Make positive nuts and bolts are in place and tight. Check that the clamping system tightens and stays put, with out slippage. Put all security clips in place. Check the stand’s score earlier than utilizing (most are rated in extra of 250 kilos/114 kg). If you’ve outgrown it, both food regimen or keep down. Put it up a couple of occasions at dwelling earlier than you’re taking to the woods. If you’ll be able to’t get it to work from home on the bottom, you’ll by no means get it up whereas hanging by a security belt in a tree. Carefully learn and observe all directions.
moveable stand lets you hunt anyplace (offered you’ve landowner permission, in fact). A everlasting stand limits you to 1 place. A light-weight moveable comes down and goes again up in minutes elsewhere.
Safety belts
Never neglect your security belt. And by no means hunt from a stand with out a correct security system to carry you in place. With a belt or harness you’ll be able to lean out, which is able to improve your taking pictures space. I take advantage of 5 – 6 completely different stand websites annually, and I’ve a security belt for each. You pay the small value ($15-25) for a belt, otherwise you pay the massive value (your life or damage) with a fall.
Tree steps
Tree steps additionally deserve cautious thought. They are available in screw-in, strap-, tie-, or nail-on kinds. Screw-ins, if used carelessly, will be harmful. I do know one hunter who slipped when utilizing them and obtained a horrible gash to the within of his thigh. Another had one break. He ended up on the bottom. Always examine and discard worn or bent steps. Make positive others are screwed in correctly. A step with a brief screw in a tree with thick bark is an accident ready to occur. The screw needed to penetrate by bark and into wooden to do any good.
Consider the place you’ll use the screw-ins. Always get permission earlier than screwing steps into somebody’s bushes. They harm lumber and in addition make entry holes for bugs to get inside, And they’re homicide on saws.
Strap-on steps are straightforward to make use of. Simply wrap and strap — no holes within the tree, no harm to the lumber. Regularly verify for frays to the strap or rope. Strap-on metallic steps will be simply as harmful as screw-in steps, although, should you slip or fall.
Always put steps on the other facet of a tree from the stand. If you do fall, at the very least it gained’t be the steps that kill you on the best way down. I place steps about 18 to twenty inches (50 cm) aside on a 45-degree angle from one another. Determine spacing by what’s comfy for you. Don’t attempt to take too massive a step, although.
I desire tie-on steps beneficial in The International Bowhunter Education Program. They’re straightforward to make and use, and, having no sharp edges, are simpler on the cover. If you’ve a number of stand websites, it’s additionally good to know you may make steps for lower than a buck every. They do have drawbacks. In moist, muddy, or snowy situations, they are often slippery. Just a few ending nails left sicking 1/8-inch out of the highest of the block will treatment this downside.
Final ideas
With nail-on steps, once more bear in mind to solely use them with landowner permission.
Never carry bow, arrows, rattling horns, or different sharp gear up a tree. Falling is dangerous sufficient, however they might make it worse. Always climb the tree first. Then, draw them as much as you with a rope after you’re safe. On return to floor, bow and gear go first.
Clear the bottom underneath your stand of sharp branches, rocks, and stumps. If you’re lucky sufficient to outlive a fall, you don’t need to land on one thing that’s going to stay you.
Tree stands can vastly improve your searching success, however don’t put your self at risk due to negligence or stupidity.
Originally Published within the July 1998 subject of Ontario OUT of DOORS journal