glad u werent hurt.. but i'm not gonna give u my 2 cents of advise since you've got plentty of good advise on here already...gl

Yup, you won't have to be raising heck with Cabelas. They'll do anything it takes to make you happy and then some. I had bought one of those deer sleigh things to use when I'm way back in. The first time I used it it split and cracked. I called them and told them. I told them I had gone over some downed logs etc but really not bad terrain, just about 3/4 of a mile drag. They said they'd send a new one. I said I was ready to buy another because at $25 it was worth a couple trips. They said on the house. I ask where to send the old one. They said they didn't need to see it. "Just throw it away if you're done with it". I had a new one in about 5 days.

Damn!!!!!

Mooseslayer, was this a new stand? Straight from Cabela's?

I wouldn't touch a stand that first off is that heavy, second off, is that cheap. not a chance. no good climber can be made for that inexpensive.