treestand safety

I had a step pull out on my way up to stand last week. I snagged my arm on a treestep on the way and caught myself avoiding serious injury just a cut and bruised arm. I am going to put climbing rope up on my trees and use a prusik knot to ascend and descend. By the way it was a folding step from years ago that my buddy was down to using by the time he reached the top. I have been in that stand afterwards already but have replaced the steps of course. My question is does anyone know if 550lb paracord would be fine for the knot or do I actually have to use prusik cord? Thanks and be safe

Sorry I have no idea on the rope question. But I would get rid of the screw in steps and get some climbing sticks ASAP. Glad your OK !

X2 on the climing sticks. i only use climing sticks and ladder stands, there is absolutley no reason to risk your safty when you are hunting.

we are also replacing about 3-6 setups every year with climbing stick’s We have been finding 16′ sticks for about $40:00

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X2 on the climing sticks. i only use climing sticks and ladder stands, there is absolutley no reason to risk your safty when you are hunting.

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Same here we do not use the screw in pegs anymore, I have one stand left with pegs in the tree that are never coming out as they have been there for years in a big oak tree, I could not get them out even if I wanted to. This spot is a small patch of land within walking distance to my house, it is the only stand I have on that patch of land and I very rarely hunt it anymore.

Glad to hear you’re okay!

I’d definitely look into the climbing sticks. I buy them on clearance at Dick’s in the spring for $19.99 per 16 foot section.

Glad you didn’t get hurt!

First off, glad your ok. Same as above, ditch the steps and go with the sticks. As far as the rope, there are company’s that sell the set up you are looking for already complete. HSS and Muddy come to mind. If your looking for materials to build your own, climbing stores like REI would be a great place to start. I’m sure they can advise you on the rope you would need.

Safer and not to mention so much easier to hang! $36 bucks for 20′ from the sportsmanship guide. I hung my first portable with screw in spikes and not one since. The only place I use them is for an extra handle or two to help get in the stand.

I’d stay away from a prusik since you need the knot tight enough to hold you should you fall which makes it a pain in the butt to slide up the rope as you ascend. Speaking of which, are you planning on climbing the rope? unless you have the proper gear, the climbing sticks would be a much safer route up the tree. however, it would be a good idea to hang a rope and attach yourself to one of these on the ground should you slip off a step. super easy to set up as long as you have an attachment point on your safety harnass. Most of the ascenders have teeth facing down which allow them to smoothly slide up the rope but won’t come back down. The others really on weight to employ a lever action to stop and hold on the rope. Take a look at the Tibloc. Just be sure to use the correct diameter rope!

BTW, the safe working load of 550lb paracord would only be 55lbs. I wouldn’t trust it with my life.

Climbing Sticks 100%. Had the same thing happen with tree steps …done using them now

Unless you plan on being up over 20′ You can get a heck of a nice ladder stand for about the same as your gonna spend by the time you buy a hang on and climbing sticks.