I've read of more falls already. Guys a reminder that we are in the heart of our bowhunting season. Please take a few minutes make sure your taking the proper steps necessary to ensure you can still work your jobs and be there for your families. Safety first then hunt. Don't rush.. No short cuts...
Your right and thank you!
Yep, my dad fell hanging a stand before the season started, limb gave way on him. Broke his wrist and now won't be able to shoot a bow until after the first of the year. Be safe out there.
I agree wear a harness. I know some guys don't like them because they are "restricting". If they think a safety harness is restricting what do they think a wheel chair will be like?
I just started using a "safety line" rope this year with my lock-on stand. It attaches above your head to the tree while you're on stand and goes all the way down to the bottom of the tree where it's attached to the tree there. It's got a prussic knot that you attach your harness to and you slide it up the rope with one hand while you climb the tree. Once installed it's not inconvenient at all to use. I have climbing sticks that I use to get to my stand and it works great with any type of steps or whatever you use to get up into your stand.
I would find it hard to fathom that in today's day and age with all the info out there, that anyone would be foolish enough to hunt in an elevated stand without one. But I know those folks are out there, hopefully no one like that visits this site, what a sad post that would be if one of us was hurt or worse because of a lack of harness use. I do know that getting in and out of a stand is also very dangerous and if an ascending and descending safety system is not used then extreme caution is a must.
I have gone to Lifelines for all my hang on stands too. 10/20/2012 is a day I will never forget. A strap gave way on a stand before I could attach my harness to the tree. I was lucky and walked away from the 15 foot fall with no injuries, but scared to the core about what could have been.
D.P.
I just shake my head when i think about how many hours i spent in stands in my 20s without a harness............SO STUPID!! Thankfully I never took a spill. I wont go up a tree ever again without one. Stay safe guys!
I have two extra full body safety harnesses in my basement in un-opened packages that I received from purchasing two hang on treestands earlier this year. I'd be willing to give them away if the person receiving would agree to pay shipping.
A harness is a must!
here is a video I made that shows the right way to use a harness. my wife said "why are making a treestand safety video when there are so many of them already" I said "because you cant be reminded enough" great job making this reminder thread.
http://tbwpodcast.com/video-15-tree-stand-safety/
Yes, yes, yes. Buy one and wear it. I was with a friend hunting last night that took a 20' tumble two years ago because a ratchet strap broke on his stand. If not for hitting numerous limbs on the way down I am afraid he wouldn't be with us.
I found him wandering aimlessly through a field after he tried to call me. I could tell by the muted crazy talk coming through the phone that something bad had happened. A very broken feeling watching your buddy being put on a helicopter and flown away.
We can never have enough of these reminder threads - WEAR YOUR HARNESS-
A friend of mine has a friend of his from PA that comes every year to hunt with him using my friends stands. This guy refuses to wear a harness. I told my friend he better insist because if this guy falls out of his stand you can bet his wife is going to sue you for all its worth.
If nbot using a lifeline check out LB hntr excellent podcast on how to set up a stand and always be connected to the tree.
It sure is nice when your treestand is your safety harness...
Yes a harness is mandatory when up a tree. I never wore one up until about 5yrs ago & it wasn't but by the grace of God that I never got hurt. I guess middle age makes you more aware of your mortality.
LB Hntr. I listened to your podcast on tree stand safety a week or so ago, very well done & I always look forward to your next one.
Wearing a harness is not enough! I had mine on but before I could attach my tether the stand broke. Stay hooked from the time you leave the ground. I nearly died and am still dealing with some after effects 2 years removed.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/hand2.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/hand2.jpg.html)
*Open fractures of fingers
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/hand1.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/hand1.jpg.html)
*Tendon laceration left hand.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/hand4.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/hand4.jpg.html)
*First of many surgeries with another on my gut before the first of the year.
I know these are rough but I won't go up without a lifeline again. Be safe everyone!
Middle age makes you wear a harness ... OLD age makes a guy stay on the ground! I only ground hunt these days but I preach to all my friends and family if you are climbing up WEAR A HARNESS!
I am a believer in using the harness. It scares me to think back to the 70's when we first started hunting regularly from elevated stands. My first tree stands were boards wedged in the crooks of forked branches, with no thought of tying in. Luckily, I have never fallen, but I know of several guys close around who have had serious injuries. Like paoliguy, I now hunt a lot from the ground.
Put this back up top.
Great reminder.
Altiman94
A very generous offer that shouldn't go unnoticed or unappreciated!
to the top.for safety!!!one of my buddies fell this past weekend and he is lucky but still won't be hunting for this year and maybe next he got banged up real bad but he is alive still.wear em!!!!
Altiman94 i shipped several of those out earlier this year and still have several more if anyone needs one we had a thread going in the treestand and ladder for sale forum and also in the giveaways
wapiti792: I just set up my first ladder stand last week and I was kind of on the fence about whether or not to bother with life line system. Anyway, your pictures are pretty compelling, so guess what I'm buying before I go back up in that stand?? By the way, I'm glad you survived!
I know we're not supposed to mention vendors that aren't sponsors, but... I just bought a new HSS harness from Cabela's on sale for $59. I had been using the one that came with my Lone Wolf climber, but decided I didn't like the hook fasteners and was looking for an upgrade. The HSS is very comfortable, much easier to put on and in general is SO much nicer than the LW I have. So, if you are thinking of actually buying a harness, check this one out... it was well worth the money.
Last thing... I, too, have a couple unused harnesses that I would be willing to send to anyone that needs one.