Here’s How to Use a Climbing Tree Stand

Climbing tree stands oftentimes come in two pieces, and you need to tether them together. This ensures that even if one piece falls down the tree, it’s still within reach. Without a tether, you’d be left stranded in the tree until help arrived.

You should also check that the bottom piece of your stand has a safety strap or stirrups for your feet. This enables you to properly lift and lower the piece as you ascend and descend the tree.

It’s also absolutely crucial that you wear a tree stand hunting harness when learning how to use a climbing tree stand. Attaching the harness to a tree strap will keep you stationary if you lose your balance or your stand falls.

Once you have a secure tree stand and harness, you’re ready to find a tree to perch in.

Pick the right tree

Even with all the right gear, you can still fall victim to an accident if you don’t pick a good tree. It’s great to find signs of the animals you’re hunting, but it won’t do you any good if there isn’t a good tree nearby.

You should immediately rule out trees that are dead or dying. These trees can break at any time, and all the safety gear in the world won’t be able to prevent that.

Next, look for trees without branches at the base that will prevent you from climbing up the trunk. If you’re hunting in an area that allows hunters to chop off low branches, you should bring a hacksaw with you.

The trunk should be thick all the way up to where you want to sit, and it should be sturdy enough to withstand your weight. If it starts to narrow toward the top, you’ll need to adjust how your stand sits so it stays parallel to the ground.

Pay attention to the bark as well. Climbing tree stands have a hard time gripping smooth bark like that of beech trees. Thick, sturdy bark like that of pine and oak trees is ideal.

Ascending and descending the tree use the same steps, but merely in a different direction. Once you get up to your desired height, you’ll use the same process to get back down.

Ascending the tree

When learning how to use a climbing tree stand, start by choosing how far up you want to go. You don’t have to climb to the top of the tree, but you should be high enough to see through the brush and create a clear field of fire.

At the base of the tree, attach the tree strap and two pieces of the stand to the tree. You’ll likely need to add some weight to the stand to ensure the teeth dig into the bark. Attach your harness to the strap, and you’re ready to go.

To start, loosen the tree strap, place it above your head, and tighten it again. Place your feet in the stirrups of the bottom piece of the stand and place your torso through the top piece. This position will allow you to use the sit and stand method to use a climbing tree stand.