I've got an older treestand harness that until now has been great. However, since my bear hunt in June I've been practicing a lot shooting from a seated position. The old harness worked great because I always shot standing from a treestand. The other morning I took a practice shot like I always do, only this time, seated. KA-POW! the string hooked the shoulder strap with much pain and the arrow going less than 5 yards. I gathered my whits, emptied my shorts, and noticed when I sit, the shoulder strap "puckers" out away from my body a good bit.
So, anyone else have this problem and solved it? I've thought about some elastic on the shoulder area sewn to take up that slack when I sit...best idea I had so far. But, condsidering the age of this harness, probably wouldn't hurt to get a new one.
Long winded, but it brings me to my question: Your opinions on the best treestand safety harness, why, what features you find make it better than others you've tried.
I wear my Lone Wolf harness under my hunting jacket, vest or shirt to keep straps out of the way. I don't hook up the leg straps until I'm at the tree.
http://www.lonewolfstands.com/shoppingcart/Products/Fall-Arrest-System__SH.aspx
JC:
I am with Lost Arra. I always wear my harness under something. Right now its an OD Green light cotton shirt. I wear a tee shirt under the harness.
I have always done this cause I dont care whos fancy camo pattern ya got its still nylon and it shines.
Good topic by the way. Are ya sweating down there?
Have the same problem but no solution other than previously mentioned.
i use the same one lost arra does and it wotks good for me...Curtis
I use a seat of the pants harness that I wear under my hunting camo. I've had no problems with it and it is pretty comfortable to wear.
Wear my harness under a coat or shirt.
Hunter Safety System vest. S L I C K to get in and out of.
hunter saftey system. Came down in price since they first made their debute.
SOP harness here. I haven't had any string clearance issues, but usually have something on over it unless its hot. I've been thinking about upgrading to the Loggy Bayou Transformer. I've heard good things about them.
Seat of the pants harness for me.
Howard
I guess I should have mentioned, at 90 degrees, I don't have anything on over the harness. In the winter time, I don't think this will be a problem....but right now :scared:
I like the loggy bayou harness. On the outside or underneath a layer. It is easy to get in and out of too.
Yeah when will that be JC? after deer season? I wish it got cooler here sooner.
I am getting ready to order a seat o the pants? not sure how good as I have never used one before, I had a Lone Wolf, and I know it was like the seat o the pants but it would tangle bad. Heard seat o the pants wont tangle???? any body answer that who used em?
J
J-dog......the one I use has the pouch made onto the back of it. Everything stores inside except the waistbelt. Most of the time, I wear it in like a fanny pack then pop the shoulder/leg straps out at the tree. But, even when I've just thrown it unpacked into the truck, its still not bad to tangle, although it's probably not as good in this regard as the "fastback" version.
JC, I'm another one of those northern boys - I use a SOP, but always wear it under my outer layer. If I were to be buying another one I think I would take a hard look at the SOP vest style harness.
JC,
Another vote for seat O Pants harness system. I've been using them for five or six years now. Sometimes the tangle is a pain but it is a great system for hanging treestands and doing any tree trimming as well. I do wear mine on top of all my clothes and have never had string issues with the shoulder straps. I have been wanting to try one of the new vest systems but the weight of them has discouraged me so far. For your hot weather the vest system might be the answer to cut down on possibilty of string catching straps and buckles.
Hunter Safety Vest. Never leave home without it.
The loggy bayou has no tangle problems (I can put it on in the field in the dark) has quick adjustments and is easy to use as a climbing harness (I don't do that for climbing but strap in to set my stand). I have never seen the SOP but check out the loggy bayou.
Second on the Loggy. I have used it two years and no problems. I would buy another. As with kadbow, haven't tried the SOP though.
I use the Hunter Safety System mesh vest/harness. Easy to get situated in the dark and does'nt bother my shooting over or under my hunting clothes.
Hunter Saftey System!!
Bill
I use the safety system that came with my Northstarr Treecat Archer climbing stand. It straps across the shoulders, around the waist and around the thighs. It uses a simple heavy duty nylon rope that is looped around the tree and attaches to the harness using a Prusic hitch and a heavy duty locking carabiner. It's quickly adjustable and silent. I hook up at the base of the tree and just move the loop up as I climb. It is very secure and very comfortable. I wear a Primos Bowhunters Vest over it.
i love the gorilla deluxe vest that comes with a linemens belt for hanging stands, a saftey harrness for sitting and a climbing harness for climbing. its all in a vest so there is no tangles and its quite comfortable. they are between 50-75$ but are well worth it. wal mart has them for about 55 and cabelas and bass pro are about 80. i really like em!
Hunters Safty System. I have tryed most if not all of them and the HSS is the best I ever had on. You can use it under or over. I have never had it get in my way. It is a safty harness, a drag system, and you can get the extra belt and it will work like a pole climbing belt, works nice when hanging stands.
I use a SOP as well. Haven't caught the strap yet, but will be taking a look at it now. I usually pull them pretty tight to keep my jacket outta the way.
JC:
I know its hot down there... 89 here as I just came in from lunch.
But when I say under a shirt... right now that is a very lite cotton shirt with a very lite cotton tee shirt under the harness. I have carried the shirt to the tree and put it on over the harness after I was in the stand. Hot is hot. Humid will kill ya.
SOP..sold em all for a year and didn't find then that the HSS had decent adjustments... I like my SOP cause it can expand or contract to fit amount of clothing under, etc.
When I sit, I tend to reach back on the SOP and slide the Prusic knot up till it's slight taught... then if I lean out, it pulls back, keeps me centered and when I shoot, I don't fear losing balance sitting. That way it also draws up any slack in the set up. I shoot sitting more'n standing anymore.
Either that...(uh-oh--trouble's comin) :) or cut back on Ms. Kim's cookies so's the chest straps aren't tapering OUTWARD toward that belt line! Eliminate some of the "slack" :knothead:
(groan...I'm dead meat now...Deadyankee walkin) :wavey:
Loggy Bayou. :thumbsup:
I've used the Hunters Safty System, and just bought a Loggy Bayou. I love the Loggy and will be using it from now on. Simple and easy to get into (even in the dark) and to climb and descend with. A climbing belt is included, but doubt I will be using it very much. Only to hang an occasional stand.
I'm buying another Loggy for my son tomorrow.
QuoteOriginally posted by kadbow:
I like the loggy bayou harness. On the outside or underneath a layer. It is easy to get in and out of too.
Same here, I like to wear it inside, but I've worn it out as well without getting tangled up. It is a pretty minimal harness, but very secure.
Loggy Bayou Transformer Safety System (http://www.loggybayou.net/2006pages/transformersafety.htm)
I'm a bit unconventional when it comes to harnesses, but I'm sure it's because I have operated rappelling towers for the Boy Scout summer camps. I use a climbing harness ( http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/rythm-harness.html ), that has a rear attachment point. I like these because they don't encroach on my nether regions like a typical fall arrest system would. They are without a chest harness, and many people may feel less secure without this option (these straps won't be in your way though), but if you anchor correctly, you'll never "fall" out of a tree, but meerly swing out of your seat. I use an adjustable anchor ( http://www.yatesgear.com/rescue/image.htm?Adjustable%20Anchor%20Strap&anchors&442AdjAnchorBlackYellow.jpg ), that allows me to use it as a lineman's belt for climbing and descending. When you get in your stand, run the strap around the tree, and then run the small anchor through the large, and buckle yourself to it via locking carabiner. Then all that is left, is to let out just enough line so that it is snug when you sit.