How Do Climbing Treestands Work?
- Gripping teeth
Climbing treestands come in three main parts: the seat, the step and the safety harness. The seat and the step work together to eliminate the need for a ladder. Both the seat and the step have a strap at the top that secures each piece to the tree and special teeth at the bottom that grip the tree. The safety harness should be worn at all times. You should never use a climbing treestand if it does not have the safety harness. The seat or the step can slip and fall while you are climbing and without the safety harness you would fall with them. - Climbing treestands are simple to use, but it does require both upper and lower body strength. The seat needs to be secured to the tree first. To do this, place the gripper teeth onto the tree about 3 feet off the ground. Secure the top strap--it hangs off the left side of the armrest--around the tree and fasten it to the right side of the seat. Make sure to leave just a little slack in the strap. You should be able to move the seat but it should not be allowed to sag. Next fasten the step to the tree in the same manner. It should be placed about 1 foot off the ground. It's good to start with 2 and 3 feet separating the seat and step.
- Foot Straps
Once you have the stand firmly secured to the tree, step into it. Place your feet in the foot straps on the step and adjust the seat to waist level. Secure your safety harness to your waist, then around the tree just above the seat strap. You will be moving the safety harness strap every time you move the seat. Now with your hands on the armrests, use your upper body to hold your weight while you pull your feet, and the step, up toward the seat. Resecure it to the tree by slowly resting your weight back on it. Reposition the safety strap higher. Now standing on the step, lift the seat back up to waist level. Repeat this process until you reach the desired height. You are now ready to hunt from your climbing tree stand as you would any other type of stand. - Climbing
To climb down, you do everything in reverse. Always make sure the steps teeth are in the tree before you put all your weight on it. Seven out of every 10 accidents reported while using these treestands happen when the hunter is climbing down. Never attach your safety harness directly to the treestand and make sure it never gets tangled in the seat strap.
