theft proofing a stand.
09-13-2009, 06:37 AM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,867
theft proofing a stand.
how do you guys theft proof your stands. last year some A**hole stole the ladder and 10 dollar a peice straps i had on my stand. 
I will be hunting the same area this year and am wanting to go with a stand. But worry of course about feeding the thefts. I was thinking bolt in place of the quick clips cable lock the ladder section to section the lock it to the stand then the stand to the tree. Last year they did not get my stand it was locked to the tree just the ladder. But it cost me half my hunting season.
I thought about welding the ladder sections togather as to make it one peice. but that will make some troubleing times walking in the the stand site. Which i could do nice clean path not to many curves in it. What worrys me about cableing them togather is the fact they could just fold it up take it then cut the cable later.
What are you thoughs. Also any tips on what bolt i could use. I am thinking something total odd ball size and head. SO as to make it harder then just a set of sockets.
I will be hunting the same area this year and am wanting to go with a stand. But worry of course about feeding the thefts. I was thinking bolt in place of the quick clips cable lock the ladder section to section the lock it to the stand then the stand to the tree. Last year they did not get my stand it was locked to the tree just the ladder. But it cost me half my hunting season.
I thought about welding the ladder sections togather as to make it one peice. but that will make some troubleing times walking in the the stand site. Which i could do nice clean path not to many curves in it. What worrys me about cableing them togather is the fact they could just fold it up take it then cut the cable later.
What are you thoughs. Also any tips on what bolt i could use. I am thinking something total odd ball size and head. SO as to make it harder then just a set of sockets.
09-13-2009, 06:48 AM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,437
Well no matter what you do - you can not make it fool proof.
I lock all my stands using heavy chain and a good Master lock. Least that ways I make it difficult.
I chain the main part around the tree at top and then cable lock the whole ladder together. Actually the ladder cable is a gun lock cable that once cut a siren goes off!
I was given that siren gun lock cable.
JW
I lock all my stands using heavy chain and a good Master lock. Least that ways I make it difficult.
I chain the main part around the tree at top and then cable lock the whole ladder together. Actually the ladder cable is a gun lock cable that once cut a siren goes off!
I was given that siren gun lock cable.
JW
09-13-2009, 10:02 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Virginia / West Virginia
Posts: 4,906
Unfortunately, the only way to theft proof your stand is to take it home with you. There are plenty of things you can do to deter "most", but if they truly want it, they can probably get it. I hate a theif....scum of the earth. Good luck.
09-13-2009, 10:56 AM
#7
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Central Missouri
Posts: 3,112
In the past we have also used bike cables with padlocks, but a $30 pair of bolt cutters (that anyone can buy) will get them a new stand. We also tried pulling the climbing sticks, but if they carry their own in, they have a new stand. Maybe what JW said, a cable that has an alarm. But if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it really make any noise? My best suggestion for you would be a combination bike lock cable. The cable is harder to cut and the combination lock is built onto the cable, so there is no lock that can be cut.
09-13-2009, 06:34 PM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Waterville, NY
Posts: 116
I use ladder stands almost exclusively... a few hang ons. I too, have had just the ladder stolen and the padlocked seat section was still there. What I do now is besides a big chaing section and padlocks, I have replaced the clips with bolts on one side. Makes no sense to do both sides b/c if they have a wrench with them it won't be a problem anyway.
NOW, what else I do is I use a dremel tool and grind my name and phone number on the second section step at eye level. Letting someone know who it belongs to somehow keeps them more honest. In fact grind your name/phone # in each each section. That way way in the future you may come across it or the thief may put it up on someones land and the landowner may call you to complain and you might get it back.
NOW, what else I do is I use a dremel tool and grind my name and phone number on the second section step at eye level. Letting someone know who it belongs to somehow keeps them more honest. In fact grind your name/phone # in each each section. That way way in the future you may come across it or the thief may put it up on someones land and the landowner may call you to complain and you might get it back.
09-13-2009, 08:27 PM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Eldred, PA
Posts: 1,667
I use a cable that can be bought at walmart and such and run it through a part of the stand that cannot be taken apart.(like the flooring of the stand or something that cannot be unbolted) Then padlock it. Then for people to steal it they will need to bring some bolt cutters and cut the actual coiled metal cable that locks the stand to the tree. Usually, people will only steal soemthing if its an easy steal. Hope that helps.