So I have had some hang on stands out in the trees for a couple years now. I have them double ratchet strapped in and I check them closely each summer.......seats have not been chewed yet and the straps show no signs of wear. Should I replace the ratchets just to be safe??
Mine stay up year round. I check the straps and replace as needed. Mine stay up as necessity, no room in the garage to keep 10 stands all spring and summer.
For the cost of them I would. Better to be safe then laying there looking at the sky saying I should of changed the straps. I bring my stands in right after season.
I haven't had any one stand in the same tree for more than 6 months, but that's a result of needed to change location etc. Most of them have been out in the weather for well over a year now, just in different trees. I check the straps on a regular basis though.
I generally pull my hang on stands after the season and then leave my ladder stands up all year round (when possible).... Probably wouldn't hurt to replace the straps if they have been outside for a couple of years.
I try to bring all of them in right after or before bow season ends because i do not late season hunt out of any of them. And if going out in the cold and getting them down saves me money on ratchets and straps, im willing to do it.
Wow.......I give you guys credit for pulling stands down every year. I think I would rather just leave 'em hang and buy new ones then do that twice a year. The only stands I have pulled are the unproductive ones. Granted, I am a newbie to hang ons as it's always been climbers or fixed/ladders for me until recently. I think I will change the ratchets this year or maybe swap out a couple top straps for chains. I often think to myself how dumb it really is sometimes to step onto a cheesy little platform held up by ratchets pieced together in some chinese sweat shop and risk my life on their quality. Still not sure if I will ever be 100% comfortable in a hang on.........I just LOVE the comfort and saftey of my Summit. I have done very well out of the lock ons the last couple years though and walking in a half mile is sure a lot nicer when all you have to carry is a bow
Only one stand stays out year-round, a ladder stand. Its on our own property though, and locked up- so no issues yet. Knock on wood.
Actually, my major fear has been theft recently over strap integrity.........last year I went for a walk at the end of ML season and found the same set of footprints leading right up to the tree of each of my stands.
Atlas also watch for tree damage due to straps being left cinched, to long. I moved a ladder stand yesterday and I was aware of an old old lock-on that's been on a tree since I first gained permission to hunt this farm. So I took along a pair of bolt cutters to cut off the chain and lock and take the stand. (the stand owner desserted it looooong ago) I cut the chains without issue, but the stand had grown into the tree, there was no getting it down, and nothing holding it up, except the way the tree and stand grew together.
i usually pull em in right after the season is over just to check em out and make sure nobody takes em.....
Atlas, I have a couple that stay out year round, sometimes. I will always check/replace the straps and I never go beyond 2 seasons without bringing them in to at least clean them and knock off any rust/reprime & paint.
Ladder out year round and check everything on it during the summer. Hang on I pull down after the season is over.