Tree stand safety and a bowhunter down

[Eric Krewson]

I don't believe the people wishing Mike a speedy recovery in 2021 realize he initially posted this topic in 2011.

It would be interesting to hear how he is doing today and if he has any lingering effects from his fall.

As long as I stay in shape the place where I broke my back doesn't bother me at all, if I get out of shape the area starts throbbing.

[blacktailbob]

Very good read Roy.
I was surprised at how many young hunters don't use safety gear when up in the air even though they have it.

https://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/big-game-hunting/whitetail-deer/statistics-say-falling-treestand

[Bisch]

I don't believe the people wishing Mike a speedy recovery in 2021 realize he initially posted this topic in 2011.

It would be interesting to hear how he is doing today and if he has any lingering effects from his fall.

As long as I stay in shape the place where I broke my back doesn't bother me at all, if I get out of shape the area starts throbbing.

I got sucked into the old thread!!!! 

I saw Mike at the IBO World shoot at Twin Oaks and he appeared just fine. I know he’s headed on a moose hunt in the next few days, and mtn goat after that, so I’ll bet he’s doing just fine.

Bisch

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good luck

[woodchucker]

I checked out Bob's link..... It was a very interesting read. 
It appears, that there are 2 classes of tree stand hunters.

1) Those who have fallen.

2) Those who will.

Please be careful   

[swamper]

Thanks for the reminder,hope healing is quick.

[toddster]

Yep Mike took fall back in 2011, the sad and terrible truth is there are some every year, and it is totally avoidable.  I have even had a "Dad" come up to
me after a hunter ed class and ask if I really "wear those things".  Some people just have to touch the stove.

[jhg]

I am a certified arborist and climb trees for a living.
The one tree stand I set up and accessed was WAY more of a dangerous activity than what I do every day, with a chainsaw, sometimes 100 feet up,  rigging down 500 pound chunks of tree or limbs.

If you do not have a secure anchor point that is above you its a crap shoot getting into a stand. Of course using spurs and a lanyard is not exactly great for tree health either and nobody carries decent safe lanyards into the woods anyway IMO.
As a professional climber its shocking what passes for "safety" gear and safe practice in the tree stand world.

Just sayin

[degabe]

that is why I hunt from a ground stand. If I fall it's because I fell asleep and fell out of my chair.

[Charlie Lamb]

This thread needs to go up every fall as a reminder. I had a stand break about 5 years ago and it wasn't nice. Check everything!

[Deno]

I am a certified arborist and climb trees for a living.
The one tree stand I set up and accessed was WAY more of a dangerous activity than what I do every day, with a chainsaw, sometimes 100 feet up,  rigging down 500 pound chunks of tree or limbs.

If you do not have a secure anchor point that is above you its a crap shoot getting into a stand. Of course using spurs and a lanyard is not exactly great for tree health either and nobody carries decent safe lanyards into the woods anyway IMO.
As a professional climber its shocking what passes for "safety" gear and safe practice in the tree stand world.

Just sayin

Great advice jhg.   

[PrimitivePete]

The last time I slipped from my stand was the last time I sat in a tree stand. Stay safe everyone, for me my butt on the ground is fine

[Roy from Pa]

I fell 3 feet when my seat broke with a safety belt around my waist, which is the wrong place to wear a safety belt in the first place.

It saved my life as I was 25 feet up, but it also broke a rib from a 3 foot fall and I was done hunting for that year.

The following week, I read where 2 other hunters fell in my area, one broke his back and the other man died.

After that I wore a body harness and used the climbing rope system.

Happens every year and we can preach tree stand safety till we are blue in the face, but there are those who still do not listen.

But we still need to try and convey the dangers of tree stand hunting.

[supernaut]

Roy X2!

If a thread like this every year and shouting it out or preaching it form the highest mountain saves just one life it is worth it. I feel the same way about seatbelt usage in a vehicle. I didn't always feel this way about tree stand safety or seat belts but experiencing tragedy first hand has a way of changing your mind.

[Sam McMichael]

Every time I read a thread like this, I remember just how stupidly we approached elevated stands back in the day. I recall how it was common to take a notched plank and wedge into the fork of a tree. Voila! instant tree stand. No climbing harness or safety belts. Man, How did I ever survive? Afrer reading about so many bad accidents, some which involved people I knew (I had a few close calls myself), I finally got a little smatret and purchased quality stands and began to use safety harness regularly. I detest the fact that this thread is even necessary, but I sure am glad so many people do read and pay attention.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I don't hunt out of a treestand a lot and when I do I use a Lonewolf climber two years ago I found a spring about a mile in off and ATV trail so I was in a bit of a hurry to get up the tree and I left the tether line to the bottom long because I wanted to use all of my height to get up the tree faster. I was using my fall restrain harness but when the bottom of my climber fell and I had to pull it back up by hand I felt like a dumb a$$ I could of got hurt and what made fell real bad is I promised my wife I would not do and stupide stuff when I am out hunting alone. Just slow down make sure.