Lifelines and Ladder Stands

[Kevin Hansen]

Did a search and couldn't find any info on how to use a lifeline with a ladder stand. I understand the concept and how to implement it with my hang-on stands, but can't visualize how it will work with my ladder stands.
How do you guys who hunt from ladder stands set your lifelines up? Any good videos showing how?
Thanks.

[jkm97]

I'd like to know as well, I'm thinking of getting one of the 20' Muddy stands.

[Wudstix]

Most of my ladders are 12' and that is not bad but I do have a 15' that makes me think.

[Fletcher]

Here's my method.  I make my own lifelines and with ladders, I make them so the end of the rope makes it to or a little past the platform.  I climb the ladder without hooking up and hook up before climbing onto the platform.  With a full length rope, I let it droop around the side of the stand,  secure it at a lower rung and slide the prusik up as I climb, just like a hang on.  Only thing is that the rope tends to flop around if I move in the stand.  That's why I went to the shorter rope.

[reddogge]

Another way is do a loop at the top of the safety line and use two prusik knots, one at the top to tighten the line to the tree and the other slides up and down with you attached. I use 25' length which gives enough length to put the top one above you and tie the rope to a lower rung to create tension.

[Steelman]

I have some 18 and 20 foot ladders that my Grandson also uses. I treat them just like hang ons. The safety rope is on the tree as high as I can reach. Then I let the rope drape down beside the platform and tree and tie it off at about waste high on the ladder. Leaving a little slack in the rope so it hangs beside the back of platform. We hook in at the ground using a prusik knot and push the knot up as we climb. once you're in the stand the safety line or teather are not in your way at all.

[Roughrider]

I bought some 100' lengths of climbing rope that is about 1/2" in diameter that I cut into 3 equal lengths and attach a puisic knot to each length, that I use as safety ropes on all my treestands - hang ons or ladders. Depending on the set up of the ladder stand, I may try and toss the rope around the tree as I'm first putting up the stand and use the rope kind of like a lineman's belt, or I just try and climb carefully as someone steadies the bottom of the ladder.  Once I get to the heigth where I can reach the tree, I tie one end of the rope to the tree. Once I get the stand cinched in tight, I stand on the plat form and re-tie the rope around the tree as high as I can reach.  I then use the rope as a pull up rope for my gear, and as a safety rope as I climb and hunt from the stand.  The reason I cut them all 33' is that some of my stands may end up at 20', plus about 8 to reach up above my head, and a few feet to wrap around the tree and tieback upon itself.  Often, once installed, the rope hangs just off the ground.  The heavy rope tends not to blow around in the wind - even here in Nebraska, and it doesn't burn your fingers as easily when you're letting something down.  Also, the ropes are bright orange making it easy for a guest to find the stand when I send them in there.

[Kevin Hansen]

The replies are much appreciated. Does anyone have any pictures? Steelman, I understand yours, but I'm having a little difficulty picturing what some of the rest of you you are describing.
Call me slow!
Again, thanks.

[J-dog]

Kevin, does South Dakota have a tree high enough to use a ladder stand?

Seriously though try to secure your  lifeline higher than the stand if you can and not to the stand. Avoid that if possible. I'll tie the lifeline off at the bottom as well.

Learn to tie and use a prussik. Lots of videos on YTube. Attach your harness strap to the prussik, if you fall, that prussik will do its job.

[Kevin Hansen]

J-dog....only in some parts of the state, and then only if you look long and hard! Good one!

[jax]

I use the rope and prussic not to climb with then I have a strap that goes around the tree above my head., when I get on the platform I hook into the strap and unhook the prussic not from my harness. That way that long rope isn't moving when I move. I am never unattached.,

[Tajue17]

I don't use lines with ladders I just hope they don't do that big loud creak when I'm 1/2 way up!

[DaveT1963]

I use a lineman's belt with my sticks - dont use a ladderstand as they would grow legs and walk off where I hunt.