RE: How do you find and choose the safest stand?
 

Allthough I am guilty of this allso , the point is everyone should . If you are climbing a tree that has lots of branches and getting into a fixed stand , I would sugest useing a rope and slip knot [not sure of the name] , otherwise ameristep and others make good harnesses for climbing stands and telephone pole type trees .

RE: How do you find and choose the safest stand?
 

While on the harness issue: I purchased one of the HSS vest with the harness sewn inside.They advertise "no nore spaghetti problems at your tree in the dark".Upon reading the instructions and limits of liability on the attached paperwork,there is this disclaimer,"not to be used to ascend or descend from a tree"!! I shot an E-mail to HSS and asked them to please inform me if I was to change my harness after reaching my desired stand height.Talk about spaghetti,changind my seat o the pants to their vest at 15' in the air before dark. That was several months ago.I guess they're just to busy to answer me.Needles to say I got my hundred bucks back!!

RE: How do you find and choose the safest stand?
 

Thundermug,

Does that mean that the stand will only hold 250 lbs or do you figure there is a little fudge factor? In todays world of rampant litigation, don't you figure the stand manufacturers are figuring if it will hold 300 comfortably they should stick a 250 lb max weight sticker, just to cover their backside?

RE: How do you find and choose the safest stand?
 

Whenever someone is moving weather it is walking or adjusting their plump little tush in their treestand, they will put more pressure than their actual body weight.