Even serviceable-looking stands have a history that can be uncovered by the hunter who keeps good records of his gear. Mixed hardware, forgotten manufacturer notices, and unknown dates of purchase all affect the hunter who wants to know whether he should repair, replace, or retire his stand. These records are invaluable for a hunter to make rational decisions, and for safe inspections of his stands, for ordering right parts, and for planning around stands that are used by others, or are stored outdoors or are moved to other hunting locations.
Start the record with identity, not just a purchase date
Purchase date is a small portion of information that should be recorded regarding a hunting tree stand. The manufacturer, model number, approximate age, and original owner of the stand along with where it has been used should also be noted. Take photos of all parts of the stand including frame, platform, seat, climbing system, and straps. Also, note any labels on parts of the stand.
Note down the model number on the manufacturer's label, even if it's worn. The model number can differ from the name printed on the equipment, for example, 'ladder stand' or 'hang-on'. But similar stands can have different parts such as brackets, cables, seats, footrests, chains and other fasteners. Make a note of any substitutions made for worn or damaged parts and include the date of the change and reason for it.
Just because you made an estimate of the age does not mean you have to turn that estimate into fact. A previous owner's note, an old receipt, and even old dated photos can be used to help estimate the age. But in the end the best estimator of age is your own current inspection of the equipment.
Separate original parts from substitutions
Identify original and replacement parts: Save all parts that were originally supplied with your equipment including all straps, cables, bolts, seats, footrests, etc. Note the date of any replacement, reason for replacement and any identification markings found on the part or packaging. This information will enable future owners to understand modifications made to your stand.
It is possible for a stand's frame to be original, but for the restraint system to have been updated with new parts by previous owners. Similarly, repairs to a stand may have used whatever parts were available at the time rather than specific parts recommended by the manufacturer for that model. Are such parts safe to use? That is a question that needs to be answered.
All seemingly identical parts are not interchangeable. For example, a single bolt with the correct diameter could have a longer or shorter length, possibly even different strength. In addition, seemingly identical straps can fit around trees of different diameters, yet not have the same method of connection to the rest of the stand. Even seemingly identical seats can be attached to the stand in such a way as to affect the overall balance of the stand, and/or change the stand's overall clearance between parts.
Use manufacturer notices as decision points
Manufacturer notices, safety updates and any other information issued for your stand should be recorded with the stand's history. Include the date you found the notice, model number or serial number covered by the notice and what action you need to take as a result of the notice.
Read manufacturer notices concerning your used item and save them with the date you found them, model or serial number mentioned, and action required. Manufacturer requirements and notices can change; an item sitting in the corner of your garage for years could be affected by new safety guidelines. A notice that cannot be definitively matched to your used item should be noted as unknown/undetermined and you should not assume a similar item is covered by the notice or not.
Proof of completed actions such as repair or replacement of parts needs to be kept. Dating photos of parts that have been replaced, saving order confirmations, and maintaining records of completed maintenance tasks will help to alert other hunters to features of the stand that have been previously maintained or possibly repaired. This documentation also serves to provide proof of past maintenance actions that other hunters may wish to know about.
Turn records into a pre-season inspection
Inspect the stored equipment before the season and reference your notes to confirm that all components have not suffered any hidden damage. Look for any signs of structural failure, wear, denting or corrosion. Focus on items that are subjected to heavy use, such as points of contact with trees, a lot of flexing or are exposed to the elements on an ongoing basis.
An older piece of equipment does not necessarily mean it is unsafe to use. In fact, sometimes items that appear to be in great shape can hide underlying defects and even lead to injuries and fatalities. A clean-looking stand does not automatically mean it is ready for use.
When maintaining accessories (harnesses, tethers, straps, ladder sections, etc.) it is best to keep a separate record for each component. Just because a newer add-on has been installed on a platform does not mean the whole stand has been brought up to date. Check current safety requirements for use of that stand in your region and follow the manufacturer's instructions for its inspection and use.
Choose repair, replacement, or retirement deliberately
Repairs are best where there is sufficient knowledge of the defects to purchase the necessary parts, sufficient knowledge of how to do the repair, and sufficient time to complete the repairs so that they can be checked against the manufacturer's instructions for repair prior to placing the stand into service.
Replacement of all doubtful components or even entire stands might even be more cost effective in the long run. Yes, there is the initial cost of a new stand. But think of all the time you would save not searching for spare parts, dealing with uncertain corroded components, and worst of all the potential harm that could occur should a critical component fail and you not have detected the problem.
Retire the old stand or hunting tree stand and clearly mark it so that no one else will use it for future deer hunting seasons. An old tree stand that was left in the stand of use by a prior property owner is just as bad as an unused old tree stand that was stored in the garage.
A small amount of information to date a photo, a parts list and a saved notice can tell others lots of information on what parts were changed and what was not known. This will help keep others safe and also help with future maintenance as well as future purchases.