OT - Any tips for "climbing" stand use?

[AJMD429]

My deer-slaying son just got a climbing tree stand, and having never used one myself, I have no words of wisdom to offer (which deprives me of the ability to later say "I TOLD you so...!," so this situation must be corrected immediately). He's planning on bow hunting, which seems to me lots of gear to handle and so on, but he seems fired up about it.

Any good tips on things the "instructional video" might leave out?

[86er]

Besides "use a safety belt", make sure the floor is angled up when you attach it to the tree. As you climb, the tree will taper and the floor will level out. If you start with it level you end up with the floor slanted down. Also, make sure the spacing between seat and floor allows adequate room for knees. You don't want to have your legs bent too much, and you don't want to be stretching to keep your toes on the floor. A little time up front will make for more comfort for a long time. I've sat in a tree stand from dawn to dusk on many days.

[SmokeEater2]

Pine trees are lousy choices for a climbing stand. The bark can peel off after a while allowing the stand to suddenly slip. Wanta' know how I know this? Granted, Pine trees in your area might be tougher but the ones here in beautiful north Arkansas will make you spill yer coffee.

[O.S.O.K.]

As said and also work out the carry straps ahead of time and figure in some high stepping that is often needed in the woods. I'm 5'8" and my climbing stand carries too low for me and I needed to adjust the straps to carry higher to avoid a real PITA in the woods.

[Old Ironsights]

I'm in the same boat AJ.

I have a climber, but I'm not a Stand Guy so I've never used it... being that IN is "stand country" I probably should... at least a little...

[Blaine]

Dont climb with the arrows.....I would have them on the quiver attached to some para cord and bring them up after I was well in place. Now that I think of it, I would bring up the whole bow that way....

[Rusty]

ALWAYS use the safety strap. No strap no climb!

[Blaine]

Something that used to worry me (I don't use my stand anymore) was dangling and not being found. I understand there is a safety vest that you can unzip and (hopefully) make a semi-safe landing....are these any good?

[Pete44ru]

I bought one of the very first Baker climbing treestands ever made - back when they were sold as metal rail "kits", to which the buyer added their own plywood for the platform - No hand climber or strap, etc.
The user was supposed to reach up, hug the tree, and draw up their feet (which were under a rubber strap across the platform) to raise the stand - then repeat as req'd.

1) ALWAYS check/inspect every single nut/bolt & safety chain on the stand BEFORE EVERY SINGLE USE !
I never used to, and paid the price, when my ladder stand fell sideways as I was turning to descend (the chain snapped a link). It threw me to the ground like a bad idea - where I laid for quite awhile. I was lucky - I came out alive & uncrippled.

2) NEVER climb/descend an icy tree - unless you like sudden elevator rides !

3) ALWAYS use a hand climber, & never hug the tree - unless you actually prefer treesap on your chest !

4) ALWAYS wear a safety harness - a belt will leave you hanging helpless.

5) Keep an Orange flag in your pocket, to wave at some fool, who'll surely sit in front of you because they didn't look up/around first & see you.
.

[HATCHETTJACK]

make sure to attach both pieces of stand together with rope or para chord... the bottom part where feet sit can fall and if its not tied to upper half will go to the bottom of tree.. and there you are sitting

[JerryB]

Never used one, but my advise is NO! Some folks can use them but I would rathr have my feet on the ground.

[RIHMFIRE]

I have used climbing stands for almost 20 years or so...
used many different kinds and the best climber by far
is the Summit Viper or Goliath....These stands will climb
just about any tree....They use the cable system with lugs...
no bolts or clips to worry about....
and can be installed in the dark with ease....
very stable...very comfortable...all day type of stand.....
Anyway...
Pick the straightest tree possible..inspect the tree for damage!
adjust the stand for the diameter of the tree at the height
you plan to hunt...so you are level when you get up there...
Secure the base platform to the seat piece...
tie off your bow to you hoist rope
and climb on....oh by the way...if you get in and out of the
stand in the dark like i do....get yourself a LED flashlight
that you can clip to your hat. It keeps your hands free...
Secure your SAFETY HARNESS around the tree.....and start climbing
When you get to the height you like....I put pressure on both pieces
to lock in the blades...Screw in a couple of hooks to hold your bow
and butt pack....pull up your bow and get comfy
Being comfortable is the most important thing......
Check that......the safety belt is the most important....
I live in florida and I will climb mostly pine trees and go up around 25'
pending the view of course....and very rarely get busted...
Oh yea...when you get to the top...adjust the safety belt
so it is almost tight when you sit down...this way you wont have too
much slack when you stand up....I dont know if your righty or lefty
but angle the stand so its easy to draw your bow or aim
your rifle while sittting.....I am right handed...so if i expect the
deer to come in on my left...I angle my stand to the right a bit...
You will figure that out when you get up there....
happy hunting!

[Pisgah]

Climbing stands -- I don't use them. I have had one friend killed outright in a climbing stand fall, and another paralyzed from mid-chest down. Now, I won't tell anyone not to use one. But I will say that the stand can be in perfect shape, the user can do everything right, and there can still be a fatal failure of the stand or tree. Frankly, I have cooled on stands in general -- particularly high ones, of whatever type -- in the past few years. The fact is, most of the time I see and shoot as many deer on the ground as I do in a stand, and in areas where a stand gives an advantage I find that they rarely need to get me more than 6 or 8 feet off the ground to do their job.

[AJMD429]

Thanks for all the responses - I'll print them up for him - even the ones about reasons NOT to use such stands. He's more careful than the average kid I think, and after watching him use the thing I think he'll do allright.
He also has MY chicken-feces gene which will keep him from climibing more than ten or twelve feet up, which is all you need in our terrain.