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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: ryped on September 27, 2008, 10:09:00 PM

Title: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: ryped on September 27, 2008, 10:09:00 PM
Quick story, hope this helps someone else.

Last night I was installing tree steps into a healthy 12" white pine tree and at about 10' up while screwing in another step, the step under my left foot "popped" out and fell to the ground.  Luckily I was wearing my Tree Saddle and had the lineman's belt around the tree.  My heart was pounding pretty hard and I realized that had I not had my Saddle on I could have been another statistic.  The tree step was screwed all the way in and came out "ezy".  I have never had this happen before or even heard of it happening.  Just wanted to pass on a message that it can happen and always wear your safety harness up, in and down.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: J. Holden on September 27, 2008, 10:11:00 PM
Thank's for sharing, I'm glad to hear you're o.k.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: adeeden on September 27, 2008, 10:14:00 PM
Thanks for the heads up! While I have never had that happen I have had 2 different ones break at the bend on me (right on the 90 degree bend)! They were both pretty old but I never leave them in the tree for long periods of time. Since the second one broke I now use an engraver and date mine after 3 years they get scrapped ans replaced.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: VTer on September 27, 2008, 10:19:00 PM
I never trusted softwood trees back when I was using screw-in tree steps just for that reason.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: peak98 on September 28, 2008, 02:53:00 AM
PInes and cedars are a no-no for me if I'm going to use screw-in steps or climbing spurs, just too soft a wood for me to climb with any level of confidence. One of my best buds lost his father 6 years ago from a fall out of a pine tree while using spurs. A little bit of preventitve measures goes a long way.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Stone Knife on September 28, 2008, 06:58:00 AM
Were they the fold up kind? if so I never liked them because they don't go in the tree far enough. The other kind that is a solid piece of rod has always held up for me, I screw them in on a slight angle point down and use a homemade tool to get them in good. I mostly just use them for hand hold to get in my stands now but at one time that is all I used.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on September 28, 2008, 07:37:00 AM
Glad you're okay!
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Roy from Pa on September 28, 2008, 07:57:00 AM
Life changes in a heart beat, glad you are ok.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: mcgroundstalker on September 28, 2008, 08:05:00 AM
...  :scared:  ... Lesson Learned by all uf us!
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Ray Hammond on September 28, 2008, 08:11:00 AM
Rapid Rails...rapid rails....rapid raillsssssssssssss

Glad you didnt get hurt. One thing to remember, if you insist on using steps, make sure to put them out of your "falling path" going back down the tree.

Why? if you fall by one of your steps you could get your rib cage or your crotch hung up on it on the way down- at 2000+ foot pounds of force heading back down the tree, you might get hung up in those steps and that could leave a mark!

Put em out to the sides if you insist on using them.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: ryped on September 28, 2008, 09:01:00 AM
They were the fold up kind.  I usually use strap on steps and can see climbing sticks in my future.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: John3 on September 28, 2008, 09:52:00 AM
I don't hunt out of treestands much at all anymore. When I do I have switched to using the stick type ladders only.

Good news that you were wearing proper safty gear.


III
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Widowbender on September 28, 2008, 10:17:00 AM
Screw in steps are a BAD idea, in ANY tree...Been there, done that...lived...If I can't use a climber or sticks/ladder, I ain't hunting out of a tree, period. 1 piece, 2 piece, 3 piece, they all will either break or pull out...ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN CLIMBING TO HAVE THREE POINTS OF CONTACT. Like Ray said, Screw in steps make for some nasty scars when you catch one on the way down. Be safe out there...

David
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Rick McGowan on September 28, 2008, 10:43:00 AM
I was on a hunt where I guy nearly died, they had to bring in a a medivac helicopter. He had a screw in step pull out and caught the next one in his armpit, he nearly bled to death. This was on Fed. land where screw in steps were NOT legal.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Mike Bolin on September 28, 2008, 04:25:00 PM
I agree with the above comments...I cannot make myself climb using treesteps anymore. I've shared this before so I won't go into detail, but I had a step break several years ago. I managed to hold onto the step above, but swung into the tree and ripped open my scrotum and pulled out my left testicle. Bad day for sure! It is either ground blinds, ladder stands or climbing sticks for me now. Anytime you get off the ground there is potential for serious injury....Take Care! Mike
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: dorris on September 28, 2008, 04:28:00 PM
pine trees are a definate no no with steps I dont even like putting a climber on them . glad your not hurt thank God for that saftey harness .
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: VTer on September 28, 2008, 07:10:00 PM
Mike, you made me scrunch up!
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Jack Denbow on September 28, 2008, 09:24:00 PM
I agree with Ray, "Rapid Rails". I will not use screw in steps ever again after having one pull out and the resulting fall causing me to catch my armpit on another step. I have a 7" scar where my surgeon said she "reattached" my arm.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Gordon martiniuk on September 28, 2008, 09:27:00 PM
I use screw in tree steps in aspen and pine never had a problem I weigh over 200lbs and yes I wear a saftey belt when installing steps and stands ps I have 12 stand sites and the only rule I use is lots of steps so you are not reaching far especilly right at the stand make sure you run steps higher than the platform of stand so you are stepping down to you stand not up s most accidents happem getting into and out of stands also clean any debri from base of tree if you happen to fall and dont break your neck falling on logs or branches is worse good luck and wear a saftey belt
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Dawn Patrol on September 28, 2008, 10:03:00 PM
Rick,was that Roger Walker, about 20 years ago on Blackbeard ?
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: Rick McGowan on September 29, 2008, 09:20:00 AM
It was about 20 years ago, but it was on Cumberland Island. I don't know the guys name, I just saw him stumbling out of the woods.
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: mikecc on September 29, 2008, 10:53:00 AM
Wayyy to much info there Mike. OUCH!!!
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: beachbowhunter on September 29, 2008, 11:52:00 AM
I hate treestands! God gave me short legs for a reason, to stay close to the ground!
Title: Re: Tree Step Mishap
Post by: KILLER B on September 29, 2008, 03:47:00 PM
Mike thanks for sharing, most peopel hear paralized or dead and it doesn't realy sink in.  Now when you get into details about the boys that gets peoples attention.  Be carefull everyone.