For those of you who leave their stands out all year long like I do , check them out this summer . Replace ratchet straps and worn out cables on stands .
I was going to use a chain on stand last season that I had up for over 2 years . When I got up in the tree I saw where the cable had rusted and snapped . I removed the stand and put up a ladder stand . The cable was vinyl coated but had rusted next to the cable lug . I bought some chain and replaced the cable .
Another thing that should be done for year round stands is to loosen the straps so the tree doesn't become girded .