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gundog870

gundog870

Premium Platinum Member
Just thought I would give you all a short Lecture. After last fall I will chew anyones ass who doesnt wear one. Its still a choice but I cant imagine why you wouldnt make the right one.

I will give you the short story.

This is a picture of one of my best friends, 5 minutes after we got his first turkey.
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Aaron has always pheasunt hunted with us and gun hunted deer. But he decided that he wanted to try bow hunting like his brother and I. So he came to the archery shop I was working at at the time and I got him all set up. We hung stands trimmed lanes ETC.

Aarons first season came and he was jacked. After a month in the stand and passing a number of deer because he wanted a "good" one, his gf became interested. She asked if she could go and of couse he said that would be fine, and hung a double set.

With aaron in the top stand and Maelyn in the lower, they watched for deer. Of course Aaron only had one Harness, so he gave it to Maelyn to wear. After a bout an hour Aaron went to stand up as his stand slipped. Down he went. He fell over Maelyn as she watched him hit the ground and not move...

She had to sit in the stand as she frantically called his brother, because she could not get out of her harness. His brother than called me, panicked. (As I sat in a stand with no harness because my little brother next to me was wearing mine).

Your Life can change in a hurry.
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BUY A F'N HARNESS!!
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Gundog- I echo what you say and am sorry he and his family had to go through this. Prayers sent.

How is he doing and was there any chance of a recovery or sensation over time?
 
Gerat reminder, thanks for the strong words of warning. I will not let anyone hunt at my farm that is not wearing a safety harness.
 
If anyone needs a harness-- I have at least 6 brand new harnesses that have come with various treestands I have purchased and would be happy to give them away if someone is in need of one.
 
I actually take safety to the max-- everyone one of my trees has a safety system in it so the hunter connects his/her beaner at the base of the tree and is never unconnected-- realize that most people fall getting in and out of the stand, so in my opinion wearing a harness is not enough. You need to have a system to safely, get in the tree, sit in the tree and get out of the tree.

It may cost a little extra per tree stand-- but whatever the cost. It is worth it to!!
 
WOW! Ok you have my attention.

I have a Hunter Safety System vest but rarly wear it :(. My question is do most of you just use a heavy rope tied to the tree and hook up with carabiner from your vest?
 
I use the HSS rope style tree strap. Works awesome!! I just need to figure out a good way to be connected at all times. I hang and hunt every time so it can be difficult.
 
When I made the decision 3 years ago to get a NR tag in Iowa and learn to use a treestand, I couldn't imagine not having a safety harness and I told my wife to expect a good chunk of $$ to be spent and explained why. She understood. We've had a friend/family member fall from a tree stand a few years ago and had to lay there for a few hours with his arm busted all up (multiple places) with no way to get ahold of his party. They found him when he didn't show up as planned. He got LUCKY. Being new to treestand hunting, it may end up taking me twice as long to get up in the tree and situated wearing a harness, but I'd rather get up earlier to take longer setting up than to fall that far that quickly.

Somehow, I actually rememeber Aaron posting this a couple of years ago and feeling sick that day. Give him our best and we will definitely keep him in our prayers.
 
wapsiguy said:
WOW! Ok you have my attention.

My question is do most of you just use a heavy rope tied to the tree and hook up with carabiner from your vest?
Click to expand...

I use a lifeline attached from the top by my stand all the way to the ground. I have them in all my stands. I have almost fallen going up and down way more than sitting in my stand. Be careful out there.
 
wapsiguy said:
WOW! Ok you have my attention.

I have a Hunter Safety System vest but rarly wear it :(. My question is do most of you just use a heavy rope tied to the tree and hook up with carabiner from your vest?
Click to expand...

For me, all of my stands have a 3" belt around the tree that stays there and a carabiner or similar connected to the belt. The clip on the end of the harness then attaches to the carabiner on the tree belt.

Also, I usually wrap the carabiner in black electrical tape so there is no metal to metal sound potential when someone is moving in the stand.
 
Another thing is that the tree strap on my vest is too short. Have any one else noticed that or is that just the way it is?
 
harness

I also have several harnesses that came with treestands i have bought over the years. Free to anyone who wants them. I use the HSS and love it.
 
i've got a few laying around as well that i would be more than happy to give to anyone that needs one.
 
Here's what I do. I make my own-- they are significantly cheaper than buying a system.

1) Go to a sporting goods store and find climbing rope. This way you are assured that it should support your weight and force being applied.

You will need two kinds. One should be a little thicker than the other. I cut the thicker rope in 35 ft sections and tie a loop knot on the end. Once the stand is hung- hang the rope above your ahead-- preferably with a tree that has a fork in it for extra support. Simply slide the tag end through the loop and send it down the tree.

Once done-- take the smaller climber rope and tie a Prusik knot-- Here is the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0d8-Fxdx8Y

When done- Descend the tree and tie the bottom tag end around a spike or ladder stand at the bottom. It will help as you go up the tree, if you don't attach the bottom it is a real pain to go up.

Hope this helps-- I have them in every tree and never feel unsafe going up or coming down.
 
Thanks for the reminder Nick. I think of him everytime I clip myself to the tree....cuz I too didn't always wear mine. Looks like he is doing well. That man must have a warrior's spirit.
 
Safety harness's dont fit big guys very well anyone know of big guy safety harness's that are somewhat comfy???
 
I have a HSS Ultra Light I believe its called. I got it in the 2XL/3XL size. I am 6'6 250 and it works great. Not as overbearing and cheaper than others. I really like it.
 
I first heard of this story last year at work. He was an operator in the heat treat at John deere I will never forget this story! it was my first year also. I went up in the stand one time and after I came down I bought a HSS pro shortly after that my fiance at the time wife now wanted to hunt with me. I sent her out with my cousin cause I only had one harness now she has a lady HSS worth every penny!!

Our prayers continue for him and his family.
 
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