Tree stands or deer stands are open or enclosed platforms used by hunters. The platforms are secured to trees in order to elevate the hunter and give them a better vantage point. A tripod stand is a similar device, but because it is freestanding rather than attached to a tree, it is not technically a tree stand. Types Hunters use many different types of tree stands. Climbing stand Two parts make up climbing stands. The bottom part is the standing platform and the top is the seat. Not all the top parts have backs for the seats. There is normally a strap that connects the two parts, so if the bottom falls while in the tree or climbing, the platform does not fall all the way to the ground, stranding the hunter. Only trees that have no limbs up to the height desired for hunting will work. Climbing tree stands have a couple of different styles to connect to the tree. The part that wraps around the tree can be made from a thick cable or boomerang shaped piece of metal. The part that wraps around the tree is fastened to the stand with a bolt or pin for easy adjustment for different tree sizes. Before climbing the tree both parts need to be adjusted to the tree so that both upper and lower parts are angled up to account for the narrowing of the tree. To climb the tree the back of each part is angled to the tree one at a time and pulled up. Then the part that the hunter is moving is set back level and the next part is moved up. This is done until the hunter is at the desired height. In addition to the tree stand, some hunters use a safety harness to prevent injury in the event that any component of the tree stand fails. One should always be connected to the tree for safety. To descend the tree, the hunter simply reverses the order of operations to climb the tree – lowering the standing platform, standing on the standing platform, then lowering the sitting platform. Ladder stand Ladder stands are a stand with a seat and platform along with the ladder to climb up into the stand. A ladder stand has a seat and platform that connect to the tree with the ladder coming off the front of the platform to