Tree stand security

[tim roberts]

Just curious for those who put up stands on public lands, what do you use to make sure they stay put?
Thanks,

[Schmidty3]

I use the strap on sticks. Either muddy pros or hawk helium. I'll use 2 sticks to get me started, and finish the climb with screw one. That way joe schmoe can't climb my try. I also put a bike lock on. They do make treestand branded locks. But the bike ones work. I like the ones with the springy coils.

[Preston Lay]

Take out the last 5 steps, poke sticks in their holes so you can insert in the dark. But if they really want it, they will get it!

[DarrinG]

A chain and a pad lock. It doubles for safety if your strap ever breaks.

Any dirtbag who wants it bad enough will get it. But if its locked somehow, lazy thieves may move on in search of an easier target.

[1/4 away]

I use a chain instead of strap to attach my stand to the tree and lock the tail of the chain back onto itself . I then use a 6 foot long rubber encased cable lock and wrap it around the tree and thru the base of the stand. I also remove the bottom 6 steps. The cable is suppose to be cut resistant but as Preston said, if they really want to take it they will but they're going to have to work for it.

[Jackrhendricks]

I do all my hunting on pretty well used public land, as said by others here, I use a treestand cable lock and removable, strap on steps. I take the steps in and out with me. you'll find that most thieves are lazy(which is why they have to steal in the first place)and you you make them really have to work for it they wont bother.

[Mint]

Where I hunt it is more about intimidation rather than theft. They just don't want you hunting what they think is there private spot. With that in mine I tend to avoid where other hunters are and hunt more of the thick stuff. I mainly use my wedgelock stand bringing it in and out each time but do lock in a few hang ons.

[dirtguy]

You are better off just getting a good climbing stand.  With my lone wolf I can be up the tree pretty quickly and I don't have to worry about theft anymore.

[JohnV]

Not much you can do other than prevent semi-honest people from stealing your stand.  I have had stands stolen that were 20 feet up in a tree with a padlock and chain and steps removed for the first 10 feet.

[STICKBENDER98]

I use chain and padlocks, but as stated above if someone really wants to be a crook, it wont stop them.  I had a stand and set of sticks stolen from state land, but they were generous enough to leave my chains, and locks.

The best option would be a Lone Wolf climber or a portable chair.  Around here hunters aren't crooks, they wouldn't take a thing out of your car, even if it was not locked, that would be stealing.  Leave a tree stand alone in the woods, that must not be stealing.  I had a Sobor climber that I removed the wing nuts and used two nuts each side and washers for the base. One day a guy crawled up a ravine side that was too steep to walk, a hands and knees affair, instead walking on the open hill side.  He walked straight to where I had my stand bolted three days earlier and stood there, huffing and puffing, looking around with a crescent wrench in each hand.  Eventually someone hacked through my bicycle cable and stole the seat/climber from my Sabor.  They did me a favor, now I use a variety of stools and chairs and can hunt anywhere I want.

[Bvas]

Remove steps/sticks and use cheap stands.

If they steal it, your not out much. Plus you just found out your secret spot isn't as secret as you thought.

[Possum Head]

I use a 16lb Summit and it comes and goes with me effortlessly. Use to pad lock the loops on my Ol Man. If all were like me they would just walk on by them. I would look funny trying to explain to the Lord why I needed it more than the one that labored to purchase it!