All of these should be part of your standard tree-stand procedure.

When hanging stands prior to the season, doing so with a friend is a good idea as well. Keep in mind that every time you put up a stand or use a stand, you risk injury and even death. It only takes one mistake for a mishap to take place, and it happens fast.

To avoid a disaster, pick your stand tree carefully, take your time while hanging or using a stand, think about every step and move before you make it, especially when ascending and descending.

When using screw-in or locking steps and portable stands, it is much safer to make your last two steps even. Doing so allows you to hang and take down your stand while maintaining your balance.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Equally important is to make sure any stand you use is in good repair. Like too many hunters, I never gave much thought to stand maintenance, and used the same stand season after season without inspecting it for signs of wear or other problems.

Prior to the season three years ago, I set my ladder stand against an oak tree overlooking a favorite deer run. Stepping on the lowest rung to make sure the stand was imbedded in the ground, I started my climb to secure the safety straps. Three steps up, I reached for the straps running around the tree, intending to tie them off on the rungs. One of the legs suddenly sunk deeper into the ground, the stand shifted and off I went. It was something I had done hundreds of times over the years, and though it wasn't a long way to the ground and my landing resulted in no injury, the fact that it happened, and happened so fast, surprised me.

After inspecting the foot of the stand, I discovered one of the plastic end caps intended to prevent such events had fallen off, allowing the sharp metal piping to cut into the soft ground like a knife.

The incident made me think of what could have happened had I been 14 feet off the ground. I also realized that had I taken the time to inspect the stand before putting it up, the whole thing probably never would have happened.

Keep in mind that all modern tree stands are made of some kind of metal and they are all subject to stress, wear and a certain degree of annual deterioration.

Take a few minutes prior to each season for a maintenance checkup. It can save a lot of grief and perhaps even your life. Also, conduct periodic inspections during the hunting season. Hanging brackets and locking systems (including cables, straps, chains and ratchets) can loosen over time, particularly after a long period of windy conditions. Ladders have been known to loosen and shift over time, too. Repair or replace any parts that are worn, broken or severely rusted.

PERMANENT STANDS
One of the first stands I ever used was a permanent structure made of wood. I liked it because I built it to be comfortable and fit my needs. These days, building permanent stands is not legal everywhere, particularly on public land, so be sure to check state laws. Where such structures are legal, make sure to obtain the landowner's permission and adhere to his desires (no nails, screws, etc.).

The trouble with wood stands is they rot and become unsafe over a relatively short period of time -- and trees grow and move. Wander the woods for any length of time and you will see the remnants of many such stands in various degrees of decay. You may even wonder, as I have, how hunters dare utilize them!

I have long since made it a rule of thumb never to use a wooden stand unless I have built it, have given it a careful inspection and have seen that it is truly sturdy and safe enough to use.