Perhaps most dangerous are the wooden rungs or steps built to provide access to an elevated stand. A vast majority of tree stand injuries are the result of falls while ascending or descending ladders. Aging wood steps or rungs on permanent stands are the most hazardous of all. The supports holding the floor or base of the stand and the floor are critical as well. These components are usually most vulnerable to stress and the elements and are the first to show signs of decay.

Even if you are hunting out of a stand you built yourself with great care, make it a ritual to give any permanent stand you intend to use a careful inspection every season before the season starts. Look for signs of rot or weakness in the wood and replace any faulty part of the stand if there is the slightest question in your mind of strength and dependability.

Give particular scrutiny to the nails or screws used to hold the ladder and stand above the ground. Even galvanized hardware rusts and weakens over time. Nails and screws can also loosen or snap as trees sway in the wind and they can even be weakened or broken by the weight of winter snow and ice.

PORTABLE STANDS
Today's manufactured tree stands are designed and built better than ever using better materials. When used properly, most such stands will provide years of reliable service. They are still susceptible to normal wear, however, and it is up to the user to make sure they are properly maintained and safe to use each fall.

One of the best philosophies for tree stand users is to assume nothing and never, ever take anything for granted. Make it part of your pre-season routine to visually and physically inspect your stand before each hunting season. To begin with, inspect and tighten all nuts and bolts. These can loosen over time. Look for wear, stress cracks or rust. If a metal part must be replaced, use replacements recommended by the manufacturer. Some parts are of a specific size, tensile strength or made from special materials designed for the job it is meant to do. Cheap parts you can pick up at the local hardware store may work temporarily, but their long-term reliability might be in question.

Check all weld points and tacks, too. These can break or develop dangerous hairline cracks. Sometimes such cracks can be difficult to detect without careful scrutiny. Give special attention to cracks in the paint at weak points, making sure the breaks or cracks are not actually a faulty weld.

At the same time, inspect for rust. Any weld, bolt, nut, chain, surface area or mechanical apparatus showing rust is weaker than when it was new. If necessary, replace any rusted component, or after sanding rusted surfaces (to the bare metal), check for severity and use a quality primer and repaint as needed.

Safety chains can rust, as can wire cables. Most cables, such as those designed to hold seats and standing platforms on portable stands, are typically covered with a vinyl coating designed to protect them from the elements and to reduce noise. Over time, the vinyl will crack or chip away, exposing the cable inside making it susceptible to damage or rust. Again, any area showing rust is weaker than when the item was new, so check for severity and strength.

Examine mechanical devices, too, such as ratchets used in conjunction with chains, straps or cables. Straps can sometimes fray or suffer cuts or nicks, making them weaker and less reliable. Check and repair or replace stitching in straps, harnesses, supports and seats.

Points where chains and cables attach to the stand should be scrutinized closely, as should any swivel points on seats and standing platforms. There is a great deal of pressure placed on those points, and over time anchor screws and bolts can weaken due to rust or normal wear. It is extremely important to ensure that all anchor screws or bolts are in good condition and that they tighten securely.