Do you wear a safety harness?

GR · October 01, 2008, 03:37:00 PM

Always

Dartwick · October 01, 2008, 03:39:00 PM

A better poll would have have asked -

harness?
belt?
no protection?

GR · October 01, 2008, 03:45:00 PM

Almost posted a second question along those same lines. Go ahead a post it. I believe it will be interesting to see the results. I think more say they wear them then actually do.

DRR324 · October 01, 2008, 03:56:00 PM

Well, I'll step up and say ALWAYS, almost. I did forget it once last year- but the stand was 12 feet, and surrounded but limbs- really no chance to fall more than 3-4 feet. So 99.9% of the time I wear my SOP harness, hanging stands, or hunting.
Really don't feel like not being able to raise my kids, or do everything else I like to if I were stupid enough not to wear it and fall.....

fyrfyter43 · October 01, 2008, 04:21:00 PM

I grew up hunting without a belt or harness - nobody really thought about it back then. After the 2nd time I rode a Baker stand down a tree, I just quit hunting out of trees.

I just started using a stand again this year. I tried using the harness that came with my Lone Wolf climber, and found it really awkward to use. Since I really wasn't comfortable with the idea of hunting without one, my wife and kids got me a HSS for Father's Day. I won't leave the ground without it!

J.Williams · October 01, 2008, 05:52:00 PM

I think of all the years I never used anything,and now there's no way I would climb into a stand without my harness.If you're gonna hunt from a tree hunt safe and buckle up.

John3 · October 01, 2008, 07:50:00 PM

I never get in a treestand without a safety belt...

JDS III

Otto · October 01, 2008, 09:19:00 PM

I cannot for the life of me beleive that 13% of those who voted said "never".

Are you guys all ground pounders or are you really in a tree with no safety belt????

caleb7mm · October 01, 2008, 09:24:00 PM

ALWAYS!!!!

doug77 · October 01, 2008, 09:28:00 PM

I am a 20 plus year tree trimmer any one who dosen't is INSANE. I know what happens even if you only fall 6 feet.

doug77

rastaman · October 01, 2008, 09:56:00 PM

Man i hate when i post at night after taking medication for my shoulder...long story short..i hate them but wear them religiously because my brother fell 20 feet & broke his back while hunting alone. He had back surgery but has full mobility now...he hunts primarily from a ground blind now and is a great weatherforcaster!!!
Wear them!

woodchucker · October 02, 2008, 01:24:00 AM

I NEVER get in a treestand.....with OR without a harness

bawana bowman · October 02, 2008, 02:43:00 AM

I never use to wear any type of safety harness.And I've never fallen out of a stand.

However, in 1987 I fell while climbing up to my stand.( slipped off a tree step) The next thing I remember was my hunting buddy standing over me calling my name. He was in his stand 60 yds away and heard me fall, he immediately came to check on me.I was out cold from the time I hit ground until about 45 seconds after he got to me.
When I sat up we realized just how close a call I really had. 1) I landed flat on my back, on top of my bow and quiver. 2) there was a 14 inch cypress knee 3 inches from the right side of my chest. 3) there was an 8 inch cypress knee 4 inches from the left side of my head!

Just a matter of a couple inches either way and I would have been either impaled or have broken my back.
Ever since I both climb, and sit in the stand with a safety harness.

Ray Hammond · October 02, 2008, 05:59:00 AM

body harness- every time- no exceptions. Its not for YOU. Its for those you will likely leave behind, or worse, that will have to empty your bedpan and clean up your rear end for you the rest of your life if you don't

Roy from Pa · October 02, 2008, 06:04:00 AM

I always do now, after falling 3 feet with a safety belt and getting a broken rib from it. My seat on my stand broke and down I went. Believe me it happens so fast. Cost me the remainder of bow season and 3 weeks off work.

sabas silva · October 02, 2008, 06:06:00 AM

Always use one even, including the safety life line

Rico · October 02, 2008, 07:32:00 AM

I said No never the question as I read it was harness I always wear a belt using a prussic knot

GR · October 02, 2008, 11:46:00 AM

ttt

Dave Lay · October 02, 2008, 12:00:00 PM

ALWAYS !! I have fallen 18 ft while climbing, and I have had a harness catch me a couple times while in a stand after losing my balance or nodding off.... now I use 2 ropes while climbing , so I can stay attached at all times, while going around limbs or a stand. If I find I have forgotten my harness, I hunt off the ground.

ber643 · October 02, 2008, 12:14:00 PM

I didn't start using a tree stand until I was 56 and at that time I was still afraid of heights - I wore a belt because that's what there was. I got over being afraid but as soon as they came out with harnesses (and explained why they were better) I made up my mind to get one as soon as I could afford one. I did (with a prussic knot) and loved it over the belt. This year, my hunting buddy, Mike, ordered a safety vest for each of us (I had decided I would get one of those as ASAP also). What a friend, and all I got to say is - they just keep getting better, easier, more comfortable, and SAFER!!!

Don't leave home without one (Harness or Vest, belt, if it's all you have) - if your playing in the trees - PLEASE!!!