That extra strap is not only a game change , it’s a life saver . I have set up many ladder stands , when your alone that top ratchet strap can be a nail biter . They should include that strap in the instructions for the stands . I will use you tip from now on . Keep sharing your ideas .

I set and maintain 12 ladder stands on private land. Two suggestions: 1). I dicovered what can be described as hinged ground spikes...heavy duty plastic, 3 sided "cups" fit on both feet of your ladder and the spikes can be hammered into the ground. The cups are hinged at the top so as you raise the ladder the cups pivot to a vertical position and completely eliminate the risk of the base of the ladder kicking back/out while raising the ladder. 2) I have tried every combination of extra straps etc getting up to secure the platform. My answer is a 10-foot extension ladder that allows a separate and secure route up the tree and makes attach9ing the platform ratchet straps much easier than trying to reach around the tree from the front of the stand...yes, it is a PITA to lug the ladder in and out of the woods but the additional security is worth it.

I watched this video from the bush after failing twice to get the stand up. Many thanks for this tutorial.

Love your video and passion. I put blocks of wood under the stand ladder. I use 2x12 PSL and bore a hole half way through so they ladder don't slip off the boards. Far to many times through rain, freeze, thaw that the ladder will sink enough to create a creaking noise when you climb and even sit. Hunt safely and you can't have a bad day my friend, many blessings.

Another excellent video my friend, When my dad and I used to hunt, (back when he could) he was really bad about making his ladder stands look like a palm tree by the time he got done trimming it up, I would alsways try to find a really thick place to put mine hehehe, fun stuff. I would always do the extra straps as well. I used motorcycle type rope straps, quick and easy and hold strong until I could get up there and really strap it down nicely. The rope straps are sometimes hard to find, but they work great and quickly. Thanks again my friend for this fun video, safety is so important. Dale

Thank you sir for being adamant about safety. My wife works at a rehabilitation hospital for paralyzed people. Almost all the people are males who refused to be careful and fell and broke their back or neck while working. She says the paralyzed hunters are the most depressed of the group. Some ladder stands now come with a ground controlled top most tree clamp. These still require additional middle and top ratchet strap stabilization. Even with my ground controlled top clamp, I will be using your extra upper strap idea.

Thanks for the tip, will be using your technique from now on. Consistently solid advice on all your vids, well presented, many thanks!

Thanks for this video! My husband and I are setting up our first tomorrow!

I fell while putting up a ladder stand in 2017. I secured the middle brace and proceeded up. I had tried using a board on the bottom of the ladder to have a firm platform but that was probably a big mistake since that may have allowed the stand to pivot. I got almost to the top (15') and it let go of the tree. I fell to the ground and fractured my tibia plateau on the left leg. Not much for cell signal I'd send a message to my wife as to what happened and where exactly I was. She was able to get to me on the path and load me up in the car. $6000 later and it has healed. I will still hunt from one but I'm leery about setting them up again. Sinking the feet of the stand in the ground and that green strap segment could save lives. Thank you!

Rather then trying to sling your strap around the tree, the first one you hooked to the step, grab the end of the strap, wrap it around the tree, and then walk back up the ladder with the strap in your hand and ease it up the trunk and then connect to other side of ratchet. Works like a charm! Always buy your ratchet straps longer length for this reason.

EXCELLNT IDEA VIDEO. I ALSO FOR STANDS I LEAVE OUT ON PRIVATE GROUND, CHANGE OUT THE STRAPS EVERY THIRD YEAR. IF THEY PASS VISUAL INSPECTION. I'M MOVING TWO 14" LADDERS THIS FALL AND ILL BE USING YOUR BRILLIANT METHOD. ALWAYS THUMBS UP!

Thank you for the tip I did this last year and worked great

Thanks bud im about to set my first one by myself. Great advice

Thanks for the tip regarding the green strap. Just had a scary situation recently where my grandfather and I were removing a tree stand after a storm. As he unhooked the top, it bent in half on itself like you said could happen. He fell 15 ft. Luckily, he was not injured seriously. Im sure if we had a middle strap secured, it wouldn't have happened. I will be using these tips for when I reinstall the new ladder!

What do you think about using a climber to go up the back side of the tree to attach it at the top. It seems to me that might be the safest approach . I would still have one or two people to help with a top heavy 2 man stand .

Tree stands usually come with 2 anchor straps that attach to the top of the stand and can be anchored to the ground or the base of another tree. The green strap is still a good idea though

I think leaving the green strap would add to the margin of safety. Good video. Thank you

Thx Jason!

Good advise. Good video.

Good video for hanging a ladder stand safely. Thank you for sharing.

I have my harness on when I set my ladder stands . And park my atv in front of it . As soon as I get up Leaning against the tree I strap in then strap in my stand.

Thank you

Why would you not leave the green strap attached? Seems you would need it. When talking the stand down.

I actually went in today to do one my self and realized when your in a huge tree it makes it a lot harder. I had to put a anchor hook in the tree at the top and Ratchet to that. I could barely swing it around the top let alone half way up off the Ladder

What do you use stand it up? I made some spikes that bolt and pivot to bottom. I stick them good and them lift and walk it up. I have used the middle strap but attach it before I stand it up and wrap it around the tree and bring it up with me. It’s longer than I need but I don’t have throw it around or go back dow to get it. But it does make a big difference in how wobbly it is.

great video on safety, i hope all hunters watch it

Did the stand magicly walk it's self up the tree? Getting the stand all the way up against the tree is the hardest part!

Any suggestions on ladder stand extensions? Cannot find any. Seems many are only 15ft tall. Not high enough

Do you ever have any trouble hunting with longbow in ladderstand as far as metal frame work hitting bottom bow limb

Like the video but hard to see the stand but that bright red strap sticks out now might want to use a black or brown strap

Nothing wrong w leaving that “green” strap doesn’t hurt a thing to leave that. That 3rd strap is only securing the ladder that much more.

This might be a very dumb question. But when going up a ladder stand do you use a tree climbing belt like the one you made the video of making with the ascender. Or only the tether at the top? Went up the ladder stand this morning and didn't know if the climbing belt would work or not but did tether in even though I was told I didnt need to.

That tree diameter where the upper portion of the Treestand rests on the tree is too small.

You didn’t show how you stood it up!