couple years back i was hanging a hang on stand and the top strap had a come apart. i caught the tree so didnt fall but i didnt have a harness on as i was just putting the stand up, and getting on it to test it out. please be safe guys! the harness is worth its weight in gold many times over...
-------------------- is it September yet?? Posts: 732 | From: newcastle wyoming | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great reminder TJ. I think you know the story of my fall 6 years ago. The most frightening thing was wondering if I would be around to watch my kids grow up, just after I hit the ground!
posted
I always used a harness from my tree stand. I get pretty stiff and clumsy and the dangerous part is when I a turning to climb down. I liked to keep the harness clipped until I was securly on the ladder. The last three years I put my ladder stand on public land and never used the harness once. It seems that the some of the boys think that to claim a spot there needs to be a tree stand. So I set up the ladder stand and use it to tie my portable blind to. The blinds I set up without the tree stand get torn down, the one by the tree stand gets left alone. One deadly 'safety' device to never ever use is the double strap system that came with some earlier climbing tree stands. If something can go wrong and the stand dumps you off, I would put my bets that the ground would be better than getting strangled while hanging on that strap. The harness is the only way to go when off the the ground.
Posts: 2595 | From: Iowa | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Folk's heres a little bit more advise. I fell 30' from my treestand because my safety rope broke. It was 1984 and I was 24 years old, and a finely tuned athletic machine. It was my first season using any type of safety device, it was a cinch rope that tightened around your waist and attached to the tree. I was standing up one evening in my stand and was leaning back away from the tree"" using the belt to support me" next thing I know I'm waking up on the ground, covered in blood. the rope had broke,it shouldn't have but I also should not have been using it to support myself, I was lucky,partly to my physical shape, I only tore my groin muscles,compressed 2 vertabrae in my back and my tooth went through my gum.Point is dont just wear it, USE IT properly, oh and the biggest reason I am still here was the Good LORD. Be safe and God bless
-------------------- John 3:16 Bob Lee Ultimate Posts: 329 | From: Prince George, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've only had one tree stand incident and it ended with me falling about 14' straight down. I landed on my feet and it felt like my hips were shoved up my sides. I was lucky and limped off with a whole new respect for what can happen without warning. I kept hunting tree stands after that but now, at 62, I've changed my ways.
Last year I bought a Marc Anthony ghillie and started using it, hunting from the ground. That suit has put me on top of more deer than any tree stand I've ever used. I could have killed several deer last season but most of them weren't shooters. None the less, those animals were practically in my lap, i.e. 10 feet away.
The beauty of that suit is that instead of being stuck in a tree you have the required ability to move around and blend in anywhere. Deer will look straight at you and they're clueless. I can hardly wait for the 2012 season to start. I'll never crawl into a tree again if I have that Ghillie with me.
Posts: 419 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
Tom.....I set my harness up so I have to have it with me to hunt. I zip tie my license to the back and I sew on a pair of pruning sheers to the right side of the belt. Both of these items I need when I hunt, plus the harness holds back my clothing from my bow string.
I found in the past that if your in a rush or running late you won't put it on that night and it only takes one night without to fall. Set it up so you can't leave home without it!
Posts: 1842 | From: Southeastern PA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have that model. Hunted with it last year.
The best part was attaching your safety strap in such a way that you could "lean" out from the tree to get different shot angles.
Posts: 2228 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
All good advice here. Please remember that many falls happen while climbing up and down and while stepping onto and off of your stand platform. It's a little slower and more hassle, but tie off all the way up and down. It might save your life.
-------------------- In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:12
Ask me about the Professional Bowhunters Society. Bobby Parrott Posts: 449 | From: TN | Registered: Oct 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Another thing to remember is a harness is not good forever. If you take a fall in it mount it on the trophy wall and get a new one. Many have an expiration date. Don't trust your equipment until you inspect it.
-------------------- Micah 6:8 ...and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your GOD. Posts: 1272 | From: Graham, WA | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
My wife was climbing down with her climbing stand when the platform came loose from the foot strap and fell about 5 feet down the tree she was about 15 feet up and she fell off the seat. Luckily she landed on the platform and was able to keep her balance and not fall to the ground. She came away with only a sprained ankle. She has a saftey harness now (State Reg) but hunts mostly from the ground
-------------------- When you are having a bad day always remember: Everyone suffers at their own level. Posts: 1283 | From: Rolling Fork, Mississippi | Registered: May 2010
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by LimBender: I like how that one doesn't have a waist belt - looks less restrictive than the vests. Do you feel it on the draw?
Will, I actually ordered it yesterday. I'll have it in a few days. I'll gear up and take a few practice shots with it on and let you know in a pm.
Great stuff guys. Yeah I heard a statistic the other day that 84% of falls happen climbing in and out of the stand. I am going to try to keep mine tethered while doing so.
-------------------- "Dog on Point" or "Deer on Ground?" Posts: 6485 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by A.S.: Great reminder TJ. I think you know the story of my fall 6 years ago. The most frightening thing was wondering if I would be around to watch my kids grow up, just after I hit the ground!
Please be careful out there!
Yeah Allen, I am mainly doing it for my wife and daughter. If it weren't for them I'm sure I wouldn't even think about it.
-------------------- "Dog on Point" or "Deer on Ground?" Posts: 6485 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Except for the first couple of times years ago I ALWAYS wore a safety belt. Maybe not perfect but it was better than nothing. Then one fall my buddy told me to hunt out of his stand as he had filled his tag already. Long story short, I stepped off the stand after dark and onto a stub of a dead branch that he had used as the last/first step. Of course it broke and luckily I had a death grip on the stand..............as I swung from the bottom of that stand by one hand. I now much prefer to fall 5'10" when I trip on a root and hunt primarily from the ground.
-------------------- Pete
Charter member - Ye Old F.A.R.T.S
MOLON LABE [mo 'lon la 've]
"That human optimism & goodness that we put our faith in, is in no more danger than the stars in the jaws of the clouds." ............Victor Hugo Posts: 626 | From: Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
good point, Bear Heart. Harnesses are typically only good for about 5 years from the date of MANUFACTURE, so pay attention to those expiration dates. Also, inspect it before your use it for frayed edges etc, and treat it like your bow, don't throw it in the dirt or walk on it! Hopefully you never have to test your harness out, but if you do you need it to work.
Posts: 996 | From: Tampa, FL | Registered: Aug 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
Now if you add the Petzel GriGri 2 self belaying devise to the tether, you can lower yourself to the ground rather than just hang in the tree...tippit
-------------------- TGMM Family of the Bow VP of Consumption MK,LLC Posts: 6956 | From: Carlisle, MA & Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
