Trad Gang

Most of us know that using a tree stand safety harness is a "must", however, do you use that harness while climbing into and from your stand?

Nothing happened when i pressed the "vote now" button.

After a fall coming down two years ago, 9 feet up and landed on a rock, 8 months before I could shoot decently again you're damn right I use a harness going BOTH ways.

Those results (fairly even) are disturbing.....

Yes, they are somewhat surprising.  I know I should...BUT...I do NOT use the belt while climbing up or down. I'm sure it's...

a. too much of a hurry

b. somewhat of a hassle

c. "nothing going to happen" attitude

d. all of above

I use my belt while driving a truck, quit smoking years ago, do not eat fast foods, do not play with snakes and don't mess around with women. I think I better add this to my list this season.

I use one when ever possiable. My climbers always at all times. But not always with my ladder stands, and fixed stands.

(Not wise) As they are just as dangerous getting into as well as out of. But use them at all times when in my stands.

                      Brent

LMAO...I cant believe these results

I voted Yes. ButI also attach and use a climbing belt, along with the Safety Belt before My feet ever leave the Ground, and both stay on Me and the tree or Ladder Stand comming back down.

Iam a Certified H/E Instructor and also a NBEF Certified Bow Hunter Instructor, and I teach all My students to always use both, and to attach themselves to the tree no matter what type of Deer Stand they are using....ONE SHOT...  :)    :)    :)

Everyone knows that a climbing harness is not traditional... LOL

I work in the outdoor industry for a meager living, in the rock climbing side of things. I'm in and out of a harness every day. There is not one reason you should be climbing anything without one.

At least thats what I have to tell people. If you are willing to accept the risks and consequences, then its up to you but I advise you back yourself up. Whats more, an improper safety set up will break you just as fast as the ground...

Nope.  I use ladder stands only now or a ground blind.  I hope I don't fall getting into either one!

If you read the stats...most falls ocurr while climbing up or down...not while sitting comfortably in the stand.  Think about it!!!

I'm with Bob. Those results are pretty creepy   :eek:    :(    :(    :(    :(            

QuoteOriginally posted by buckeye_hunter:
If you read the stats...most falls ocurr while climbing up or down...not while sitting comfortably in the stand.  Think about it!!!

My thoughts exactly...buckle up guys.

I'm an 'A feared of heights' treestand hunter. I do use my slick as snot, climbing harness and rope when possible but usually only on a self-climber. My buddy would probably chime in here.."He can't get hurt from the height he goes to!"

YES BUT ONLY WHEN USING MY CLIMBER.

I voted no because there wasn't an intermediate vote of "it depends".  With my climber, I hook on to the seat section as I climb.  With ladder stands I just use the three points in contact at all times and tie off as soon as I get there.  For loc-ons, I climb the sticks using 3 point rule, then carefully tie-off before I step from the ladder sticks on to the stand - that's the part that scares me the most.

I do use climbing belt when hanging sticks and stands.

I am sad to say I have never used a safety belt while hunting.  I use it when I hang the stands.  I know I am stupid, and every year I say this is the year I will wear my harness.

I do not use mine while climbing, no good reason except to say that I generally use ladder stands now.  I have it on in the stand for the most part but even then I wont commit to saying 100%.  For me it depends on the situation.

I agree with everyone here that said it was silly not to and any justification I could possibly come up with would fall short of reasonable.

I use stick ladders now and haven't gotten enough rope to have one in each stand.  I do tie off before I step off the ladder into the stand and don't unclip until I'm back on the ladder and ready to descend.  I plan on getting some rope for ascending/descending sometime but I've actually just started hunting on the ground more when not on my property.  I always move a rope up when I'm in a climber though, which is rare as I prefer hang-on stands.

ABSOLUTLEY! Seen and heard too many gruesome stories over the years as an NBEF instructor. plus, I'm tired of being sewn together. No more!

I promise I will try not to become a statistic.

Here's a quote from a major outdoor publication:  

"Falls from treestands, usually by hunters not wearing a high quality safety harness, account for half of the serious hunting accidents and hunting fatalities. A large portion of those deaths or serious falls occurred while ascending or descending the tree.

Many hunters don't bother to wear the harness  because they don't know how to easily go up or down while safely attached to the tree or some other safety device."

Nope, I don't use a safety harness while climbing up or down a ladder or scaffolding on my jobsite either. Always strap in while in the stand though. I must admit that the scariest part is the transfer from ladder to stand.

I use the Fall Guy...Tom won't let me climb without it...I also use a Hunters Safety Vest.

Deer & Deer Hunting published some studies they did many years back... it was a very high percentage (memory fails exact #) that it was transitioning from stand to whatever used to access height, when falls occur most.

They also did studies on how long various "systems" allowed a person to "hang".

Safety belts around your middle were only a minute or 2 till someone passed out from constriction of the diaphram.

Chest harnesses were better...

Full 5 point harnesses gave the longest time without injury or passing out... unless you whack yer coconut when you egress your stand. At least the SOP style 5point harness keeps you upright.

Once stand is set, I've occassionally climbed down without hooking up...but not a smart move. Usually when I drop something and want to quick retrieve it and get back in the stand quietly.  :o

Dumb is as dumb does...   :eek:    

I voted No on this, but would seriously like to change my ways....i do not have a lot of tree stand experience, but have climbed through rafters and balanced on beams for many years in the construction trades. I would love to find some Repelling gear that rock climbers and mountain climbers use for going up & espeacilly coming down those trees in the dark.....

If anyone is familiar with this type of gear please PM me....i think it would be a good investment......Kirk

Kirkll:

Keep it simple and use one of the static lines and a prusic hitch systems being sold to hunters (thread in the last few days).  It is the "lite" version.

Inless you are seriously going to go and get training in rock climbing and the gear use, it presents more risk.  Improperly used, the equipment is likely more dangerous to you.

I always wear a safety harness while in my stand but rarely wear one while climbing.

I just feel safer climbing if I don't have to let go of the ladder to do anything.

I know its wrong but its my honest answer

I don't wear one climbing either.  But I do have enough steps to be able to climb above the platform and step down on it.  And there are always enough steps screwed into the tree to provide enough hand holds for an octipus.  Those extra steps hold my backpack, quiver, binos and what ever else I don't want to hold in my hand.

My first 15 years using tree stands I never even wore a belt. Then I started using one occasionally, then all the time. Now I don't climb trees any more.

I voted no too, but I know I prolly oughta.

Haven't used one in the past but I had a bit of a scare last year getting into a stand on a wet day. Probably going to use one this year.

I voted "no" also but at age 60 and counting, and after the "broadhead stabbing incident" last year me thinks I should be more careful.

Yes.

I hunted in tress for about 25 years without anything. Started looking into it to please the wife 6 or 7 years ago.

Shortly after I started looking I had a step pull out and I did a high speed slide down a tree praying I didn't catch another step onteh way down. Major clothes rips, a 10" gash in my thigh and lots of DARK bruises and got more serious.

I now use the SOP harness and safety rope ALL the time. My brother foillwed about year later. It is second nature now, does NOT hinder hunting at all, or time to get into the stand.

It also amazes both of us how we now feel "naked" and nervous if we spend any time in a stand not connected. (rope change overs, run up and down to grab something forgotten)  

I set stands with the SOP and a linesmen belt and then attach the full tree climbing rope. From there on out it is the SOP and climbing rope. Linesman belt for stand removal.

I voted yes, I do use mine when hanging/taking down stands.  Mostly hunting out of a lone wolf stick and stand system, moving around a bit.  My "permanent" stands- have climbing sticks attached to the tree- and I don't use it to climb in or out when hunting those spots,
they have a lot of limbs- so I just climb....

I'm shocked that many are not using them.  My family is counting on me being around, and not having a search party find me dead or injured in the woods.
PETA people laugh when we get hurt or killed, I'd prefer not to give them something to laugh about.

I HATE heights! Love shooting deer though, so I do hunt from treestands, but never without safety first in mind. When using a climber, my safety harness is attached the ENTIRE time. I'm old enough to remember the "Baker Slide"    :scared:   and still don't really trust those things!

When installing hang-ons, I use a lineman's belt w/ a 2nd one handy to go over any limbs so I'm always attached to the tree. Once the steps or sticks and stand are hung, before I come down I attach a SOP safety rope with the prussic knot. That way I'm perfectly safe even while climbing to/from the stand with hardly any inconvienence whatsoever.

I will not be a victim of my own hunt!    :thumbsup:

Be safe,

>>--Ron--<>

Guys,
Sad to say I do not use one when I am in my Viper, feel safe due to rail all the way around me. I know that is not right though, and I should wear one. Here is the main reasons I do not wear one all the time.

1) Heavy, cumbersome, thanks to over zealous lawyers. Some of the harness parts could be used on cranes for crying out loud ! Nothing wrong with being safe and a little overkill, but sheesh !!!

2) The extra time hooking up and pushing a rope up the tree every morning.

3) The strap that is over your shoulder connecting you to the tree and the high back area of your SOP harness. I know the purpose is to keep you upright if you fall, BUT, ever try to shoot a bow on the same side of the tree as you are handed, ( i.e. Left side for a Lefty ) ??? It is always in the way no matter what ! I am a lefty and I cannot shoot directly behind or to the left side, especially if the shot is close to the tree due to being hindered by this strap.

nocams

I don't but I should.  A few years ago, I found the loggy bayou climbing harness, which is a great system.  It's not bulky, cumbersome, and is the bomb as far as I'm concerned.   I usually use a lock on, and I don't think I'd get in the tree without the harness anymore....I'm also not as agile as I used to be!

I vited no and I have fallen out of a tree while climbing. How smart is that.  :knothead:

I use the Summit (old Seat of The Pants) body harness and prusic knot (have for 4 or 5 years now) and love it for the safer feeling it has given me. I still do not use a climbing line but really know I should. I ought to have one for my climber (the shorter one, I guess?) and one for my ladder and loc-on (the long one, I gather). Of course at my age, what I really ought to do, is get out of the darned trees and take more Deer from the ground (like I did that one last year - YEAH! What a thrill.) God bless all of you that are sensible enough to be using the climbing lines - and , please, Lord, watch over those of us who don't have the good sense yet, until we do get it.

I use Summit climbers for most of my treestand hunting. The body harness that comes with them is not difficult to use and I am able to be strapped
to the tree the entire time.

There is a system available called the "Fall Guy".
The body harness consists of a vest, with straps to go around your legs. (I found the vest to be noisy and stiff.) But more important, they have an enclosed, retractable, rope that is attached to the tree up at stand height. Once it is set, the rope stays with you to the ground. Fasten it there and it is ready for you to climb with on your next time out. It rewinds itself as you climb to take up the slack. If you fall, the inertia causes it to lock just like a cars seatbelt. (I think the retractable unit costs around $60.00 without the vest.) This unit will work for any elevated stand, once it is installed up at the level you will be sitting. Unfortunately, they become unreliable once it starts to freeze. (at least mine did) They are worth checking into.

Any safety measures that can be taken, are worth the effort and expense. I ain`t scared of too many things, but Mr.Gravity never sleeps, and if he gets you, he wins EVERY time.

As a lot of you know, I had a step break when I was 23 ft. up. I always thought that ya would have time to react and do the old hit and roll or something. Well I hit the ground before I knew I was falling. I still voted NO and I still do not wear one while climbing, I also do not wear one all the time while sitting either. I know it is stupid, but for me it is a hassle ecspecially while climbing. This year I am have a full harness sewed into my thin Scent-Lok coverall, so I will have it on and use it while sitting all the time. By the way I hit the ground so hard the force dislocated both my shoulders and I was pretty battered after my fall. I recently had shoulder surgery due to that accident almost 2 years ago. Shawn

That's scary, shawn. I'm glad you came out as well as you did. I hate those steps!

Yup, I thought it pulled out but it broke right behind the threads. Doctor said I hit the ground in less than a half second. Shawn

I use a prussic knot that slides on a line attached to the tree up above my stand. I attach my body harness to the prussic knot with a caribiner. I am hooked in from when I leave the ground till I'm back down. It is a very slick system and easy to use. Be sure and use some climbing rope as the forces are tremendous in a fall. ps. You can learn how to tie a prussik knot by doing a google search.

I voted no, but probably would if I could figure out how to use them on most of the trees I climb. Oaks and cottonwoods 4 feet thick, Cedar trees and others with Multiple protrusions.
My part of the country just is not bless to be in the power pole growing industry, and most good trees, based on deer sign, just doesn't make using one while climbing realistic.. But then I don't wear one cleaning my gutters or painting the house either

Seems that the lineman rope when climbing is actually more dangerous as you have to adjust it all the time, moving it around the steps or sticks.  I would rather keep both hands on the tree then tying in before stepping on the platform.  Seems safer.

i tend to wait until im settled in to put my safty strap on. I feel safe in my climber that i wont fall out while going up or down the tree.

I mainly use my harness when climbing and setting up the stand, Once it is set up, I mainly use it when in the stand.  But when ever I pull one and reset it, I always use the harness going up and down.

I had a treestep fail 13 years ago, I only fell 6' and shattered my right ankle. You do not need to fall a great distance to get hurt. I know of a fellow that fell 8' landed on his head and broke his neck and died. The reasoning that it is to much of a hassle to use a rope slide or climbing belt just isn't a sound one. Try climbing stairs with crutches or climbing into a treestand paralized from the neck down some time. The treestand is the most hazardous part of our sport. I also work construction for a living and there are a great many things that we did 20 years ago that we no longer do because the risks are to high. And we have come up with ways to get the job done with out risking life and limb. Do yourself and your family a favor and tie off before you leave the ground.

I would not dare to climb up in the stand without a harness. On a ladder stand thats an exception. But with climbing sticks and getting settled into stand I will always use a harness. It's to your advantage. I just feel more comfortable and relaxed when I wear one.

A prusic knot with a static line is a small price to pay for preserving life and limb while climbing.this set up can be used with all types of stand.there just is'nt any excuse for not climbing safely.

KPaul

I use the static line and klemheist knot (similar to prussik)  both when using a climber (with a short static line) and rails/steps with a hang on stand (long static goes from above the stand to the ground).  just for a reminder I poke my head into my daughters room each morning before heading out to remind myself why!

I use a safety harness once I'm in the tree but not for climbing. I fell once 2 years ago 13 ft, I was luckey only sprained my ankle really bad, doctor told me I would of been better of if I would of broke it. Took me 3 months to walk right after that.

I heard that line from a doctor once when a 1100lb quarter horse fell on my ankle. Maybe thats why I fell out of the tree just to prove him wrong. It took all most 2 years for me to get the flexabliaty back in my ankle. Now it is slowly going backwards because I damaged the joint face and I am slowly chewing away the cartalege.