Gear

Tree Stand Safety

Recently, a very good friend of mine, Justin Everhart, suffered a fall from his tree stand.  Fortunately he wasn’t injured because he had been wearing his safety harness.  Justin’s safety harness prevented what could have been a fatal accident.  The photo is from his stand.  The fall was a result of a worn out tree strap.  Please take time this season to not only check your stands and climbing sticks, but your straps as well.  Straps should be changed out every other year.

Statistics tell us that hunting remains a fairly safe activity.  The leading cause of hunting related accidents continues to be falls from tree stands.  It has been estimated that one out of every three hunters hunting from tree stands will, at some point, experience a fall.  It is unfortunate that many of these falls will result in serious injuries.  The vast majority of these falls will occur when hunters are climbing up or down or when they are installing or removing their stands.

It is shocking to me that with toady’s easy to use safety harnesses that there are still hunters climbing into stands without putting one on.  Not only is this foolish, but I feel that its a selfish act.  Someone is counting on you to come home to them safely.

Summit tree stands offers these 10 safety tips:

Tip 1: Be sure to select the proper tree before hanging a fixed-position stand or using a climbing stand. The tree should be alive and healthy without any noticeable rot or damage. Your tree should also meet the size specifications and restrictions set by the tree stand company.

Tip 2: Never hunt from a tree stand without a secure and high-quality safety harness. It only takes one fall to suffer a serious injury or permanently end your hunting career.

Tip 3: A strong and sturdy safety strap should be attached to both your harness and the tree to prevent you from falling more than 12-inches.

Tip 4: Continuously monitor and inspect your safety harness and tree stands before and during the season to check for wear and tear or possible damage.

Tip 5: When hunting from a fixed position or hang-on stand always inspect the ladder steps and tree stand attachments to make sure everything is tightly secured to the tree.

Tip 6: Always use a haul line to pull-up your gear, bow or unloaded firearm. Never climb with anything in your hands or attached to your back. Before climbing down, utilize the haul line to safely lower all of your equipment on the opposite side of the tree.

Tip 7:  Be sure to let family and friends know the exact tree stand location that you’re currently hunting. When at all possible, hunt with a buddy and always carry a communication device like a cell-phone or walkie-talkie that can easily be reached on your body at anytime.

Tip 8: Follow the 3-Point rule, which says always have 3-points of contact to your steps or ladder when climbing or descending from your stand.

Tip 9: Be aware of slippery and hazardous climbing conditions that may result from rain, sleet, snow or ice and take the appropriate precautions.

Tip 10: When using a climbing stand, make slow, steady and even movements of no more than 12 inches at a time. You should also make sure the climbing section and platform of your stand are attached together by some type of safety cord or rope.

– See more at:

http://www.summitstands.com/summit-journal/10-tree-stand-tips/#sthash.ajAx09yU.dpuf