With all of my recent threads, and entries on others threads, re safety, harnesses, etc while bowhunting or practicing from the trees - it dawned on me the other day that my avatar still showed me in one of my older rigs. I decided it was time for a change. The older one was a vest but it was pointed out by a friend that the leg straps didn't appear to cup my legs in a "seat" as they should. The end result of some research on my part was to buy and talk about the new Rescue One System - which I have done here, and in TGMM, of late.
I decided I should also update my avatar to reflect the safety change. It has been too unseasonably warm the past week or so to hunt comfortably and yesterday was supposed to be the last of that. So I chose to take advantage of it, and got the wife to take some pics in preparation to change my avatar. I submitted a request to our beleaguered, always helpful Admin, Rob (with my member # in the subject line - I did remember that) but, because I can't seem to remember all that I'm about these days, I forgot to "attach" the pics - DUH! So I had to re-submitt - LOL
Anyway I thought I'd point up the (pending) change that Rob always helps us with, and my change to safer equipment. It really helps to feel comfortable, and in the best safety harness you can possibly afford, up there in those trees, Guys n' gals. Here are the results of the avatar change preparation pics.
Man, that sure is an old looking geezer when he's concentrating hard to make sure that he has all his gear on him before climbing, i.e. tree strap, recovery strap, etc. - (Rose didn't have to take THAT pic - LOL):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/ber643%20Misc/RO001.jpg)
Here is the pic - shooting from my ladder stand with my Rescue One on and safely strapped to the tree - my recovery strap is safely stored in the waistline, at the small of my back:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/ber643%20Misc/RO003.jpg)
A cropped clos-er up in case it's better for the new avatar:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/ber643%20Misc/RO003b.jpg)
Here is a bonus shot Rose took to show how pleased I was to have accomplished something i planned to do - besides just sitting around the house. I was also pleased that my Anneewakee Addiction, "Blackie" had scored a kill shot on my foam deer - even if i was shooting a blunt - LOL:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/ber643%20Misc/RO004.jpg)
The avatar change should take place soon (when Rob is able to get this old coot straight - LOL) Good hunting to all of you, and PLEASE do your very best to stay safe, especially up there in the trees. I really don't care to loose any more friends/relatives this year.
Good stuff Bernie. If I hunted from trees I would be giving it serious consideration.
Bernie is that an Ol' Man stand your in?
I see, like me, you suffer from noassatol. I wish I had that many targets set up in my back yard!
It is a blessing, Tom - the targets that is - LOL (I've always suffered from that other affliction - LOL). Only one of the 3D foam critters were bought new though - all came from Range auctions or yard sales - couldn't afford them otherwise. The bags i buy new but on sale (at WallyWorld, after season)
TC, yes, that is an Ol' Man ladder, and this years (same) model has been modified so the standing platform rests against the tree, instead of being a couple or so inches out. A good stand. I've used one of their Climbers for years and find their web hammock style seats exceptionally comfortable.
Thanks, Chuck, good to hear from you. I really am impressed with the design, function, and comfort/safe feeling the Rescue One affords me. Besides, the lowering device that gets you safely to the ground (in case of an accident that you can't regain your platform from) is a real hoot.
Great reminder. It's not enough to just have a safety system, but one that works properly.
Thanks, don-h, point well made.
I love my HSS. I'd recommend it over anything else. I wear a harness at work all the time. They pull, bind and need adjustment constantly. Not the HSS. It's comfortable. And, it works.
Very good information. Could be a gift that could safe a friends life. I have a few people I should get a new Rescue One System. Thank you.
There are certainly other (folks favorites) safety devices/systems out there that are "good to go" also. Main thing is, like Don indicated - just have one, and make sure the one you choose works in all aspects, and that you have faith and comfort in it, so that you will use it.
Bless you all, bless us all.
sorry bernie, my bad! is it ok now????
That's great on the new avatar, Rob. Thanks, and I appreciate the help, as usual. :goldtooth:
thanks for this infro
Truly my Pleasure, Oak518.
The more I see my new avatar, the better I like it, and I liked it plenty to start with - does that sound conceited? Oh well, I always said that "I wished I was rich instead of so darned good looking," as did my Pop before me - :goldtooth:
Thanks again, Rob.
Bernie-thanks for the safety tips as you should never get complacent because that is when it happens! You sure look like you have a good time and I really admire that! Thanks again!
Kenny :bigsmyl:
Lookin' good Bernie, thanks and great pictorial.
My pleasure, kennyb and KentuckyTJ - and thank you for the comments.
Enjoyed your thread Bernie. Good to 'see' you again :) ....Looking forward to seeing you at some shoots this year...
slightly off topic- but where does one get a harness for a kid- my daughter is 10 yrs old.
i want to make sure she stays safe!!!
P.S. loved the thread- and it goy me to thinking about my personal setup- need to make some minor changes there
One of my former students (still in high school) was sitting in a tree stand without a safety harness. The hang-on stand apparently only had one strap attached to the tree. Without warning the strap broke and he dropped to the ground, breaking 3 or 4 vertebrae in his back. Fortunately, the spinal cord was not damaged. He's wearing a brace, but he's walking and talking.
I chewed him out for not having a safety harness. The bad part is he has one; he just didn't wear it! I told him he'd better wear it next time but he's not sure there will be a next time in a tree. Can't say that I blame him for that. Hopefully it was a wake-up call for some of the other kids around here who hunt from stands.
I made sure to let all the kids at school know I never leave the ground without mine. Most of them respect me, so I hope I can help keep them safe by leading by example. I also bought HSS harnesses for each of my sons.
Thanks for the reminder though, Bernie. Like the new avatar too. :thumbsup:
Been running my new Rescue One CDS thru the paces this season. Really love the harness! Fits much better than my old SOP harness and the self rescue part makes me feel very safe since I hunt alone most of the time. Someone always knows what property I am on but not necessarily the tree, so being able to get down after a fall is very comforting.
Thank all of you - the responses mean a lot to me, and I love to see more and more folks really taking this subject seriously. About Kids harnesses, I must admit that I don't have any idea - I wish I did. Just the thought of a little one up there without a safety device is a scary image, and I know folks take them up. Anyone else know??? Please chime in, if so.
(Not sure if that HSS harness works for kids or not but a "hear" a lot of comments about/for it also.)
Good Lord willing, I'll surly see you and the family, Wally.
Thanks for the info!!
Thanks always good to keep pounding tree stand safety. :readit: In that first picture I see your bent over a bit. Then I observed that you have half of Ace Hardware on your hat. ;) Lots of pins Sir. Any really special ones?? :dunno:
LOL - yep, it's a heavey rascal - and the "clutches" put holes in my bald (shaved) head that I never realized, until John Dill pointed it out to me one time, returning from a Baltimore Shoot. They never bother me so I didn't know about them. Now I show them - proudly - LOL The funny part about your comment is I used to work part time at Ace Hardware.
The first pin I put on it was a SS arrowhead, on the front, center of the band. Then I put one (the same) on the similar hat that I gave to my late, great friend, Barb Dumas (Quiver Girl), and she wore it religiously.
All the other pins are special (to me) for one reason or another but are mostly game animals (including Dinosaurs), Archery, Marine Corps, and patriotic related, along with my fav four states (NH, ME, NC, & WV). A lot are ones given/sent to me - some from Far-away places (Canada, Malta, New Zeland) (Hard to find space to add any new ones now - LOL)
Perhaps someday, when it's "doffed" for the last time, someone will send it to TradGang for the Annual St. Jude auction - to raise some funds for the blessed children. That would be nice, I think.
Oh, it also has a "B", for my name, and a Rose pin, for my wife's name.
(edit) I can't believe I forgot to mention the beautiful and highly prized, little hand carved (elk antler) feather that ChortDraw carved for Barb Dumas, and then her man sent to me after she passed. It is tied to the side of the hatband. That is such an important part of "The Hat". There is also a pewter bear on a small piece of leather from a quiver that Mike of CA made for Barb (and sent me that piece of, after her passing). Barb loved bears and the bear is my totem and name sake.
Learned more than you ever wanted to know about "The Hat", didn't you, Butts2 - I wear it everywhere, except hunting - :goldtooth:
Sweet of you to share the history of your lid, B.
You should put a codiscile (?) in your will about the hat going to Tarz for St. Judes...but hopefully, not for a long, long time!
We wanna keep our li'l ole mini-grunt around a good while!
I sure like your hat with all of those pins in it Bernie. I bet if it could talk it could tell some stories..........
:) I think you are both probably right - get it sent to Terry (sweat and all) and he can listen to all the lies ........ er ... stories it can tell, until it's time for the next St. Jude auction.
Y'all would be surprised at all the comments and compliments I get on that "topper", from complete strangers, or perhaps you wouldn't - :archer:
I can't believe I forgot to mention the beautiful and highly prized, little hand carved (elk antler) feather that ChortDraw carved for Barb Dumas, and then her man sent to me after she passed. It is tied to the side of the hatband. That is such an important part of "The Hat". There is also a pewter bear on a small piece of leather from a quiver that Mike of CA made for Barb (and sent me that piece of, after her passing). Barb loved bears and the bear is also my totem and name sake.
(I added this post to the post about "The Hat" also just to complete the story.)
Remember to stay safe, y'all.
Liked the pin history :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Thanks, Butts2, and for prodding me into getting it all down in one place. There has been a lot of "talk" about it over the years but in pieces. Also got me to think about what I'd like to have happen to it, in the long run. It's also been used as a receptacle in many raffle drawings on various forums - LOL
Your the Man Bernie. :thumbsup: Way to stay safe out there. I always enjoy Your posts on here. Thank You for taking the time.
bretto
So very nice of you, bretto.
If you also do FaceBook (or just visit it) you might check mine out soon. You won't believe the stroke of luck (not hunting related) I had yesterday. It's under Bernie Dunn, BTW