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.  

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"       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!    

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.