It is always sad to hear of such incidents, but it sure drives home the importance of being especially careful and ALWAYS wearing the safety harness in any kind of elevated stand,

it is sad and as many have stated before who know doctors/nurses and start asking questions the numbers begin to climb. I am glad that i now hunt fully on the ground and wish no longer to be in a stand. I have killed deer on the ground and always see deer on the ground, just like it was back in the day of my grandfathers...please be safe and think about your families and wear a harness or if you dont have one, try hunting on the ground. Good luck out there and be safe.

The story is  here .  Chokes me up.  Young guy.  Very unfortunate accident.  Unbelievable choice to have to make

God Bless Tim Bowers and his family.
homebru

I just heard about this yesterday afternoon. Truly sad for all involved. It has been ground blinds for me the last 6 years or so.

How quickly ones life can change. Sad story.

I'm one of the fortunate survivors of a fall from a 15 foot tree stand. Landed flat on my back without a scratch. I did get the wind knocked out of me and was very lucky to have my son revive me and walk me to the waiting ambulance.
I guess the Good Lord didn't want me yet.
Each time I look up at a stand I intend to climb into, I think about that day and thank him.
PLEASE...don't risk your life!. It's not worth it, when a good harness is so easy to wear.
Irv Eichorst
www.truesouthadventures.com

I still have one more full body harness that I can give away to any member needing one.  I'll even pay the shipping, you just have to promise that you'll help another archer in need at some point down the road.  I gave one away to a fellow member about 2 weeks ago and it was really well received.  If this harness can help save someone's life, it's well worth the $10 in shipping it will cost me.  Send me a PM and I'll get you hooked up.

He fell climbing up the tree which had climbing sticks on it.  I don't believe it was an equipment failure, just a slip.  

I have lifelines on most of my stands.  The only exception is a ladder that I haven't used yet this year but it will have one on it when I do. I bought some climbing rope and learned how to tie a prussik.  It cost me $25 or so per line.  When I hang a stand, I use a lineman's belt.

I'm sitting here with leg braces on after a fall and surgery on BOTH knees to re-attach the quad muscles. It will be next year before I can hunt again. I crawled 3/4 mile to my truck. It was 95 degrees. Took 3 1/2 hours.
No, my cell phone didn't work.
No, I didn't tell anyone where I was
No, I didn't have any water.

NOW I will carry an ACR locator beacon. At 66years old, I don't want to crawl anymore

Thoughts and prayers for a full recovery John.

Thanks Al Dente, but this isn't about me. I know EXACTLY how the young hunter felt. I just don't want the same thing to happen to any of you