Deer Stand Tree Damage?

[Knute]

Will a tight strap around, if left for years, damage a tree by resrticting the amount of water intake?

[LeeB]

If you leave it for years, the tree will grow around the strap. I would worry about the strap detriorating and breaking when left out in the elements for prolonged periods.

[Chuck White]

Lee's correct, the tree would grow around the strap in the same way as it would a fence.

Also, the supports on the stand would become imbedded into the tree.

I'd suggest that if you're going to leave a stand in place until the next hunting season, at a minimum, loosen the binding. Shortly before the next season, check the condition of the straps.

[Jeff]

A rope or strap or wire can girdle a tree over time and kill it. Yes, sometimes it can grow around it, but just as often it will die.  You can even girdle a tree with wood.

[Magicman]

Also, leaving the strap up year round is an unsafe practice.  You will be unable to properly inspect the strap for squirrel damage.  This could lead to a nasty falling accident.

[Ron Scott]

As stated above, do not leave a tree stand strap or chain tightened to a tree over the seasons. The strap or chain should be losened and inspected each spring to allow for the trees growth and your safety.  Retighten the undamaged or weathered straps each fall before the hunting season. Squirrels and Porkys will chew up straps over time and unscrupulous hunters have been known to cut them.

Also do not use screw in tree steps. I find tree stands all the time with grown in straps, chains, screw in tree steps, nails, etc while cruising timber. They often seem to have been placed in in the higher value grade or potenial, veneer trees and now render the tree worthless.   :(

[Magicman]

My Forester will not mark any tree with a deer stand in it, on it, or attached to it.   They have to be taken down before he cruises.  He's had too many bad experiences.

[Ron Scott]

We usually mark a WL on them and they are left as Wildlife Trees. ;)

[John Mc]

Also do not use screw in tree steps. I find tree stands all the time with grown in straps, chains, screw in tree steps, nails, etc while cruising timber. They often seem to have been placed in in the higher value grade or potential, veneer trees and now render the tree worthless.   :(

That's one that really gets me. I guess the guy who built a wooden stand on my property (without permission) must have only wanted to climb a "good tree". Or maybe the veneer trees have better sight lines?

In Vermont, you don't need permission to hunt on someone's land as long as it's not posted. Most of the hunters are very responsible and respectful of the privilege. You do need permission to put up a deer stand, and are supposed to put your name and contact info on it. A friend had ongoing problems with hunters just wandering in and putting deer stands up without permission. They also tended to nail in steps to climb up. She left notes on the stands, hung around waiting for the owner to show up (she never saw one of them). She finally just started stripping the stands down and selling them on eBay.

[Knute]

Thanks for all the answers. These stands are not mine but belong to my nephews. They know I don't approve, but they leave them there anyway. I will now tell them they may kill the tree and I want the straps loose or the stands removed each year. I recently hit a nail from an old deer stand in a veneer grade red oak which will now be wasted.