leaving a ladderstand up all year

[FishnFed]

Does anyone leave their ladders up after the season?

 

[MUP]

Yes. I just re-strap them before each season, checking them for obvious signs of deterioration of course.

 

[monsterbuck07]

Yes. Some of ours have been up 4+ years. We just check them before the season and replace strap if needed.

 

[Wildcat]

Yes. I just re-strap them before each season, checking them for obvious signs of deterioration of course.

Same here. Some of them have been up 10 years but like MUP I re-strap and check them every year ever if I'm not going to use it. Any unsafe ladder or any unsafe stand for that matter comes DOWN for good. I don't want anybody getting hurt.

 

[280longshot]

Yep, just remove the seat if it's removable.

 

[mossyoakmantn]

I restrap mine every year as well. ive got one that I had out for 16 years and its time for it to go. its been a great stand but the weather finally got the best of it. I will salvage any parts that are able to be salvaged and replace what can be placed.

 

[fairchaser]

Back when we got a lot of freezing weather, rain would get in the legs, somehow and freeze. The legs would split and start the rust. I recommend laying them down, removing the straps and seats for inside storage. The tree will grow and break or weaken the straps and warp the stand.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I leave about 20 our and have for many years. Check straps every year. Trees grow so you don’t want to leave straps for years and let them deteriorate.


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[OldGoat68]

all mine stay up year round, check straps as other have said. any that look sketchy disappear.

 

[Mike Belt]

If I had a couple dozen of them up no doubt some would stay up. Otherwise I pull all my stands. They last a lot longer that way.

 

[rem270]

Leave my stands up and restrap them each year.

 

[DMD (formerly pastorbmp)]

Yes. I just re-strap them before each season, checking them for obvious signs of deterioration of course.

X2

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[Spurhunter]

Leave my stands up and restrap them each year.

Same here.

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[Coker]

If I had a couple dozen of them up no doubt some would stay up. Otherwise I pull all my stands. They last a lot longer that way.

X2.
Only have 6 lock-ons. I put them up in early September and take them down in January. Replace all bolts and straps as needed.

 

[GRIT]

Squirrels love to gnaw on them straps.Even if you replace the straps it dosen't hurt to check it when you go up it just feel the strap with your hands.I had a squirrel to chew a new strap in half in 2 weeks a couple years ago.

 

[jetwrnch]

Loosen the straps before spring for tree growth.

 

[cecil30-30]

I have 11 ladderstand spread out on 4 different properties that I leave out year round. I just remove the strap at the end of season. I have 2 that I know are 12 years old, and been left out most of their life. I spray painted all the bolts and nuts.

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[Jon54]

Back when we got a lot of freezing weather, rain would get in the legs, somehow and freeze. The legs would split and start the rust. I recommend laying them down, removing the straps and seats for inside storage. The tree will grow and break or weaken the straps and warp the stand.

My recent fall was caused by something similar. When I put the stand up two years ago, it sat perfectly against the tree and I didn’t have a worry climbing up to secure it. Something happened over these two years and when I went to move the stand and unbuckled the strap, the top of the stand suddenly sprung from the tree. I don’t know why but pain has a way of making one smarter.

 

[Wrangler95]

Leave mine up year round.I have a rachet strap and a chain and turnbuckle to be extra safe in case one fails.Trees grow about a inch per year so I will loosen them up at the end of season!

 

[fairchaser]

A lot of you guys are worrying me leaving your stands up. How can you see if a step is still secure or a strap has dry rotted thread. Go listen to Terry Drury’s podcast on YouTube where he fell and was seriously hurt. That tree your stand is attached to is moving, growing and maybe even splitting as in Terry Drury’s situation, all year. One day you walk by it and shake it. Looks good. Then one morning in the pitch dark you trust your very life to it and start climbing. Please be careful and use a back up system like a lifeline or fall restraint. Don’t take a chance!