Hunting from a Climbing Stand

[don hepler]

I either hunt from a Summit climbing stand, or a semi-permanent ladder stand. My ladder stand is 14' with square box shaped platform, with metal rails surrounding the base, and a pedestal with a boat seat in the center. In addition to, two ratchet straps, it is also secured with a chain and lock. I like to add heavy eye-bolts, with long shanks into the tree, to secure the ladder. My son-in-law and I go in and replace ratchet straps, before the season begins. I've hunted from homemade stands, and cheap ladder stands, but not anymore. Elevated stands are the most dangerous part of hunting, according to the state game commission. Screw in steps, are for idiots. A fellow worker, tore the family jewels and inter parts of upper leg, when a step let go. Thank God for cell phones, or he'd be gone.