Stand safety reminders heading into this season

Injury from falling from a tree stand represents the single greatest threat to a hunter. Currently, one in four hunters that hunt from a tree stand will experience a fall in their hunting career. Just a few years ago that statistic was one in three.

From a height of 18 feet, a human weighing 200 pounds, hits the ground with 2,640 pounds of force, at a speed of 23.05 miles per hour and still accelerating. It only takes 1.05 seconds to fall 18 feet.

Most hunters hunt from a height of 18 feet. A big reason stems from data coming from the late 1980s and it involves the idea that deer tend not to see objects at that height in their field of vision. Some of this is anecdotal.

Most of us that hunt from tree stands have seen deer looking up into trees, looking for archery hunters. Another reason stems just from the comfort level that most hunters have. Above 18 feet starts feeling dicey for most humans. And 18 feet just works. Most ladder stands extend up 18 feet.

Ladder stands account for the greatest number of falls. The process of setting up and taking it down creates dangerous situations. Most hunters by now know the technique of using their pull rope to cinch the stand to the tree and then climbing up to attach the ratchet straps. That technique helps, but any time you climb into a tree stand without a “safety harness” on – you take risks. 86% of the tree stand falls don’t happen when hunting in the stand.

Called Fall Restraint Systems or Fall Arrest System by the industry – safety harnesses by hunters. They are the single greatest thing a tree stand hunter can use to prevent catastrophic injury due to falls. They are the difference between getting home that night and pouring a double of a strong brown liquid, downing it with shaky hands, and an expensive helicopter ride. Followed by an extended hospitalization stay, learning to like daytime television, and often a career change. They separate the hunter from a major life changing event and a scare by only 1.05 seconds. The safety harness should be a full body harness. All tree stands manufacturers include one with the purchase of a stand. You can purchase them separately too. A major tree stand manufacturer once compiled data on tree stand falls and found that falling asleep in ladder stands and not wearing a safety harness resulted in a lot of very severe injuries. Leaning the stand back so it reclines the seats, increases the likelihood of falling when getting into and out of the stand. Wear your safety harness system from the ground to hunting height, during the hunt, and descending. Maintaining three points of contact when climbing, entering or exiting the stand, or descending, prevents slipping. Whether the hunter uses ladders, tree steps, or climbing sticks - this applies. The steps or sticks need to extend up above the level of a hang-in stand, to allow the hunter to use them for hand grips. They should extend high enough that the hunter can step down onto the stand platform when entering the stand and step up onto a step when exiting.

Climbing stands provide the safest form of tree stand hunting when used properly. But only if the hunter wears a safety harness. The hunter remains tied into the tree at all times including climbing. They maintain three points of contact at all times. And most provide comfortable seating compared to hangin or ladder stands.

Saddled stands are gaining popularity, especially with younger hunters. According to the National Bowhunter Education Foundation when used properly, they keep the hunter connected to the tree from the moment they leave the ground until they return. This greatly reduces the risk of falling just like climbing stands, with less bulk and weight.

They are often used with hang-on steps and a lineman’s climbing strap. The climbing strap allows for quicker ascent and descent and stows easily. It, along with a safety harness line system, aids in the setup of hang in stands.

The Safety harness line systems provide affordable and convenient ground to stand security. They set up easily and even provide ground to stand tree attachment when climbing. They remain in the tree with the stand, allowing the hunter to clip on in seconds for every hunt. They are perfect for ladder and hang-in stands.

Safe Hunting is No Accident!

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