It sounds like he's going to be ok, that's great news! Maybe when he heals up he'll change his mind about not hunting any more and get back at it.
I was out in the wind and rain we had yesterday moving a stand, things just didn't feel right! I'm not a big fan of heights and I just had an uneasy feeling. To tell you the truth I've seen more game hunting from the ground this year, I bought the Rancho Safari get up over the winter and all though I haven't shot anything from it yet, I've had plenty of chances!
Maybe I'll be hunting the ground more often? I'm after fun when I'm huntin, and it's hard to beat game in close on the ground.
Tree stands are safe to a point, but there will always be a level of risk involved in hanging and using them, even if you use a life line, someones gotta put it up that first time. Even if your doing everything safe crap can happen, you just have to decide if it's worth the risk, or if it's a fun way to hunt for you?
Be careful guys & gals, there's been alot of people having falls this season.