RE: tree stand theft
 

After having about 15 stands stolen in 20 yrs of bowhunting the publics.
The ONLY way to stop theft 100% is to carry out what you bring in:)

I only use climbers now, and I hump them in and hump them out every trip[:@]

RE: tree stand theft
 

Most of the time we ' pack in & pack out' , but we
still hang 10-12 stands at various locations. We
lock them with very sturdy cables and
Master padlocks and take our climbing
sticks down and with us......every tree we hunt
and have prepared we use 4 Lone Wolf climbing
sticks, which we carry in and out. We haven' t
had a stand stolen the last couple years...
must seem like too much work for those that
come across them[:-].

Have thought of placing a trail camera up high
also, 2 problems that I see:

1. Which tree, when there are a dz. or more
to choose from?

2. What happens when you hunt that stand?
You' re gonna have to change film every time you
leave the stand because the film will be used up
on you[:o].

One thing I do know, if a stand is not locked up, pretty
darn good chance it' s gonna get stolen....whether it' s
on public or private land[:@][:' (].

RE: tree stand theft
 

I use a bycicle cable with a lock on public ground to keep my stands from being taken. I have a inferred camera, but I worry they might see my flash.

RE: tree stand theft
 

Who the heck would steal another hunters tree stand????????? Not good![X(]:(

RE: tree stand theft
 

What is the api sky hooks?

RE: tree stand theft
 

I would go with the cable. I have not had one stolen in many years.
I also remove my steps or my climbing sticks. if they want to steal it that bad.And they are willing to work that hard you can' t stop them. Just DON' T drop to their level and return the favor to another hunter!

RE: tree stand theft
 

If the thieves want it bad enough they' ll get it no matter what you do. Put your stands high, lag bolt them in instead of using the t-screws and take your climbing sticks or tree steps with you.

If you put up a camera, I wouldn' t worry about the flash. Most of the thieves will come during the day and during weekdays when there' s very little traffic in the woods.

Unfortunately, that' s about all you can do if you decide not to take it out with you.

RE: tree stand theft
 

i have a question about the trail cam. it will help with taking the picture but the problem is he still has your stand and he probably won' t think to leave his name and number on the camera when he leaves. just a thought but maybe some of you smart guys have already considered and solved that little problem.
i would stick with the climbers, its not that much trouble to carry in and out. or at least for me its not because i can' t afford to replace stands. i was at the game lands on saturday doing some turkey scouting and up on a ridge was a chain on still hanging on since the first of Jan. by now its free game in my book but i left it for someone else to worry with.

RE: tree stand theft
 

hunthardhuntoften,

The API Skyhooks are a removeable tree step that attaches to the tree with a lag bolt. You carry the steps in and out of the woods with you. I use these and a wire cable with a master lock and it has worked well for me. All the suggestions mentioned are good but the only foolproof way is to carry your stand in and out with you. I had a friend who had a stand stolen a few years ago who used the Skyhooks and the wire cable. They got to his stand by cutting the tree down! So if a thief really loves your stand they will do what they have to to get it.

RE: tree stand theft
 

The thought of this topic even being posted just irks me off...in that, we have gotten to the point of not only worrying about the deer, but also how the criminals move as well. Thank goodness I have never ran into this problem (did have a fixed, then switched to climber..obviously no problems since that day)..have any of you? What was your experience? Have you EVER heard of anyone getting their stand back and the person being caught?

Hunthard, if you are asking questions and are worried about it given the area the hunt, I would do everything suggested above to protect your investment.

Just my two cents.

Chad