Tree Stands and Life Lines

[smokin joe]

For those of you that set up your tree stands way early and then let them sit so they will become accepted by the deer in the area, here is something to check.

I checked my tree stands this morning and part of that routine is always checking the life lines. Well, I found a little wasp nest inside of the protective hood on each lifeline. Imagine what a surprise that would have been on opening morning. I carefully shooed the wasps away, removed the nests, and cut off the rubber hoods.

I had not imagined that those little rubber hoods would hide a wasp nest. From now on I will cut the hoods off before I put up the lifelines.

[Charlie Lamb]

When dealing with tree stands you can never be too cautious.

[STICKBENDER98]

What Charlie said, also watch for spiders too, them little fellers can be sneaky.   


Jason

[stagetek]

If I used those rubber covers in my woods, the wasps would never have time to make a nest. The squirrels would have already chewed them to pieces ! But, I did find out that covering your tree stand seat with a plastic bag provides an excellent cover for mice !

[Al Dente]

Check everything.  Lines, straps, and webbing can fray, buckles, clips, and carabiners can become worn and compromised, ladders and stands can rust, rungs can weaken, and most importantly, check the tree.  Trees can weaken from age, storms, insect infestations, and from other trees that may have fallen and damaged the one you're going to be in.  Be safe, your family needs you.

[smokin joe]

Yes, Mike. The new lifelines came with those little rubber covers on the prussic knots. I thought nothing of them until I went to hook up to one and a bunch of wasps came out looking for someone to sting. I did see that one of them had some chew marks on it, probably from squirrels. I suspect the wasps ran the squirrels off and kept the squirrels from doing more damage.

[Kodiak Fan]

On my first few hunts of the season, I carry a can of hornet spray that shoots 20'.  I've had a few epic battles 20' up.  Good hunting Joe.   JV

[John Cholin]

I just make my own Prussic knot and skip the rubber weasel.

JMC

[Mint]

I never leave the carabiner on the lifeline and just have one attached to my harness so i never used the rubber hoods.

I'll be changing my straps this year on my stands but how long do you think those lifelines last? They look in great shape but I always wonder how can you tell if they need replacing?

[Al Dente]

Check for fraying, wear and tear, rubs where it makes contact with surfaces, and dry rot.

[LookMomNoSights]

I cut that rubber sleeve off as well......I don't need/want it.  I do not use the steel D ring that comes with the line......I replace that with a higher quality aluminum one,  mostly to reduce weight because I carry that in and out with me on my safety harness......I do not leave a D ring on the line ........ so I do not need that sleeve to protect what isn't there.  ( I always assume the only purpose for the sleeve was to protect the D ring)
I don't mess around with tree stand safety any more,  as I did when I was younger ......... setting them up with no climbing belt,  stand in one hand,  tree in the other,  straps and tools in my pockets,  zero regard for falling.  I've quit while I was ahead with all that and now I don't cut any corners.  And it's important that my young ones see me doing it the right/safe way,  so they will follow suite.