What about my tree stands ?
 

I have 2 tree stands that are STILL hung in trees[&:]
How do those "nylon belts",or what ever they are made of,hold up to the weather ?.I have an API grand with the 2" strap,,and an old Loggy Boyu Lite,with that nylon cinch type rope.Will they be OK ???

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

The belts themselves should be fine. They resist moisture, mold, and mildew really well. I'd be a little concerned about their metal attachment points though. If I were you, I'd yank them down and inspect them really good before climbing into a tree with them. Screws and bolts are usually steel, not aluminum.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

I am just courious how long do you leave them up for? In some states, on public land I know that if you leave your treestand up for a perior of time, after hunting season. They become porperity of the forest service or public property for anyone who finds them and there are no laws against taking them (stealing them). Don't you worry about people stealing them even if they are on private property? I have had my tree steps stolen over a elk wallow stand in the middle of elk season. I thought it had been a joke from my hunting partners because the stand was located several miles in the backcountry, and it was not locked onto the tree. Maby who ever took the steps thought it was too far to pack out the stand? I now lock every stand no matter where it is.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

I left a climber in a tree a couple of years ago and when I went to hunt it, the tree had grown so much over the year that the stand was wedged to the tree. It took a while to get it loose.
The API lock on that I have had instructions that warned against leaving the strap exposed over a long period of time. I would check them out real good and wear that safety harness.
good luck

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

I think the problem with leaving them out has to do with the fact that the tree expands this time of year. If you have the stand tight (which you must do to use it) and the tree starts to grow in the spring then this will tighten it up further. Not only will this make it harder to get off but it will put a lot of stress on the metal where the straps attach. I don't know if this will cause a problem right away for if it would take until later in the summer to be an issue. Just my 2 cents.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

Squirrels and other critters can chew on your straps and seat cushions. Once I had a bear rip my seat off. Not sure why he did that.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

We came across one of our old stand aroud a week ago while scouting for Turkeys. This stand has been in that tree I bet for 10 years! Of course the seat was rotted of the strap was almost chewed in half it was a little rusty but in pretty good shape considering!

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

My thought are this. What are two replacement straps worth. Possiably 25$ each(I think that may be high). What is you emergency room copay should you be fortunate enough to get out of the woods after a fall?

It make sence to me to replace the straps and be more proactive in the future to take your stands down early after the season has ended. Hunting seasons are short and recoveries to long to take the chance, play it safe.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

Your kidding right? Are you saying that you think the bolts will fail before the straps will? Can't say I've ever seen a bolt get chewed on by a squirrel. I'd check the straps wayyyy before I'd worry about the bolts.

My opinion is if your going to leave them up, at the very least check the straps before setting foot back in it. Also if you have it attached to a fast growing tree, the strap may be stressed from tightening up over time.

RE: What about my tree stands ?
 

If I was you I would just lossen the straps. It gives the tree a chance to grow until the fall, and keeps the stand in the tree. Always has worked for me.