So, after years of hunting with a rifle, from the ground in a blind, I have finally decided to get some altitude. I got a new bow a couple months back and am going to try some tree stands. I picked up a couple of cheap ones off of Craigslist. For archery season, I plan on hunting public land since we typicall still have the cattle lease running on our land. So, even though I will secure it, I didn't want to drop a bunk chunk of cash just yet on a stand. Plus, I'd like to actually hunt from a stand for a while to get the feel and see what features and qualities I might really think are important. Anyways, so I got a couple stands, and one of them is a chain stand. There aren't any instructions and I can't find the manual online. Where the chain loops around and re-attaches is just a simple slot. It sure seems to me like there ought to be more to hold this in place. I am attaching a couple pics - one that shows the whole stand and the other that just shows where the chain loops back. In the one that shows the whole stand, there is actually another cable wrapped right by the yello sticker around it that is from another stand I have set up on the tree, so it is not part of this stand. Any advice on this is much appreciated in advance.
I second the ratchet strap and get a good safety harness just in case. Well honestly you should never be in a stand without one. Not using one is the leading cause of death from a stand.
Thanks. I haven't picked up a safety harness yet, but its on my list. Sure seems like quite a disparity in price on those - have seen them for $30 up into the hundreds, but thats probably another post. Anyways, thanks for the tips. I was thinking about the ratchet strap. I had wondered on whether to just cinch it across the main brace, or try and run a couple eye bolts and use hooks. Another question while I am at it - how big around does a tree need to be to hang this? I am not so worried about when I get into the field, but that tree its on right now is in my backyard. I'd like to move it up that tree to roughly a hunting height so that I can practice. I would estimate roughly 15 feet up, that tree is maybe 8 or 10 inches diameter.
ya i went and hung a stand today with the same type of chain system. threw an extra ratchet strap around it and she is on the tree nice and tight now
Another vote for ratchet straps. I put a good sturdy ratchet strap on all of my stands and they are rock solid.
I would just put the strap around the main bar on the frame. I have one hang on now and in a few weeks my brother and I are going to buy three more. I Have been thinking about going ahead and putting an extra ratchet strap around all of them when we get them hung.
