Safety harness help

TexasStick81 · November 08, 2015, 06:32:00 PM

Hi all,

I hunt in Texas and haven't done a lot of tree stand hunting as a result. I've typically hunted tripods or ground blinds. I have a spot now with some nice trees to hang a stand from. I have a climber and a hang on stand. The climber would be tough for most of the trees and it's private land so I plan to put the stand and leave it.

Given that, I'd really like some help with some basic info on harnesses and attachments for the best safety. I'd be especially interested in any videos that might demonstrate the various options and need to know information. I've read through some previous searches but people use terminology that most seem familiar with that, as someone new to tree stand hunting on a regular basis, I'm not familiar with. So please explain any terms that might seem clear.

Thanks in advance.

Yewbender · November 08, 2015, 07:04:00 PM

I mostly hunt from the ground but when in a tree i have a Spider Micro harness and its awsome. Its light and most the time you don't even know you have it on. Check them out on the web.

katman · November 08, 2015, 08:32:00 PM

http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/lifeline/

achigan · November 08, 2015, 09:00:00 PM

There are at least two different arrest systems. You'll have to decide which to use. With the simple one, you snap in once you climb the tree, with a strap already around the tree with a loop to snap a caribiner into that is also hooked onto your harness. A more tech advanced style keeps you safe every step up the ladder in case you slip, then slowly lowers you to the ground, I think. Pricey, but won't leave you hanging, so to speak. That is he Lifeine model noted above. Hope this helps.

stagetek · November 08, 2015, 09:42:00 PM

I've used Hunter Safety System harnesses for about 8 yrs. now and see no reason to change. The newer one's are light weight and comfortable. Quite a few different models as well.

TexasStick81 · November 08, 2015, 11:25:00 PM

Thanks. I like what I'm seeing from the HSS systems.

Recurve7 · November 09, 2015, 09:57:00 AM

HSS works for me too.

Steve Kendrot · November 09, 2015, 10:19:00 AM

I use a harness by muddy outdoors. I like it, but increasingly am drawn towards the idea of using a rock climbing harness. It eliminates the shoulder straps, and with a front connect it is much more conducive to self rescue techniques. Full body harnesses stop the fall, but once you are dangling, you aremost likely going to need assistance to get down. Search you tube for rock climbing belt and tree stands.

johnnyk71 · November 09, 2015, 08:01:00 PM

i recently bought a HSS X-1 Bowhunter harness and really like it (i had an old Summit SOP harness and wanted something sleeker). combine that with a HSS Life Line system, and you can't do much better for a lock-on setup. check it out. it's great, and you stay connected all the way up AND down.

Stump73 · November 10, 2015, 09:14:00 PM

I use the spider harness its light and like said before it comes with the strap that you strap on the tree above you and just connect the lanyard to it with the caribiner. You can leave it on the tree or take it with you. You can also buy several more straps to have with every stand. The spider has a fall decent that hooks between the lanyard and strap. If you fall the the fall decent lets you down slowly to the ground. I haven't purchased one yet I will.

RodL · November 10, 2015, 09:47:00 PM

Almost every harness sold today will keep you from falling to the ground, some are more comfortable and weigh less than others. Whichever you choose make sure you have a game plan in case you do fall out of your stand, hanging from your harness for an extended amount of time can be just as deadly as falling to the ground.

Rodney

November 10, 2015, 10:01:00 PM

I don't hunt out of trees too much any more, but I have a HSS harness also. Mine is just a harness, not a full vest. I hate the ones that are a full vest.

Bisch

Bow man · November 11, 2015, 09:16:00 AM

Get the Hunter safety system stuff you won't be sorry. Get a life line also stay hooked up from ground to stand

dbd870 · November 11, 2015, 10:04:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by stagetek:
I've used Hunter Safety System harnesses for about 8 yrs. now and see no reason to change. The newer one's are light weight and comfortable. Quite a few different models as well.

Another fan of them.

huronhunter · November 12, 2015, 07:28:00 AM

X2 on what David said .

tracker12 · November 12, 2015, 11:13:00 AM

Summit Seat of Pants worth a look.

Fletcher · November 12, 2015, 12:32:00 PM

I've been using an HSS and an SOP. Does anyone know of a harness that is made in the USA?

Ray Lyon · November 12, 2015, 12:48:00 PM

I'm using the spider full body harness (it's lighter and hooks up easier than HSS). Muddy is similar and that's what my 14 year old daughter uses.

I also use the HSS life lines. My method is to use a linemans belt on my harness to put steps up into tree. The safety line is dangling from the harness tie off on my back. Once up to the top of setting my steps (while still attached with linemans belt), I attach the life line up top temporarily with a carabiner (make sure your prussic knot is at the top for now). At the bottom of the life line is my treestand tied off. Pull that up with lifeline, install treestand and then hook to prussic knot and descend tree. Tie off bottom of life line and you're done.

The above method keeps me tethered to the tree always.

old_goat2 · November 13, 2015, 02:14:00 PM

I have a HSS vest and now have one of the Descent Systems from Spider I think is the company name. It will slowly lower me to the ground if I suffer a fall. Even if you have a harness, if you can't get down or get the weight off somehow, you can die hanging there

Bowwild · November 14, 2015, 06:43:00 PM

Because of a thread here several weeks ago I switched from all my hunter harnesses to a rock climbing rig.

The rock climbing is much lighter, less bulky, and does the job better for $50. Bought mine from REI. I prefer being hooked in at the front (rock climbing) than the back.