Guys Use Your Safety Gear

[DaveT1963]

A fellow worker of mine was climbing a 20 foot ladder stand last weekend, with gun over shoulder and went down - he fell 14 foot and landed on his back. Aside a bruised ego and some bumps and bruises he will be Ok - this is NOT the normal outcome. I don't care how experienced someone thinks they are - no buck is worth taking short cuts.

Lessons form this event: #1 - use a pull rope don't carry your weapon while climbing; #2- use a lifeline or at least a lineman's belt while climbing; #3 always use a tree strap and harness while in the stand. Finally, #4 - ALWAYS leave a hunt plan with someone so they know where you are.

I am grateful my bud is OK - but man, he has a wife and kids at home and this could have went south really quick.

Be safe!

[BowHusker]

Very true Dave. I used to be very careless with this aspect, this year I have used proper safety on every hunt.

[ Post made via Android ]

[Stanley]

Thanks for the reminder.

[Jackson Marsh]

Stuff like that happens fast. Glad your buddy is okay.

[ Post made via Android ]

[Crazinamatese]

Yup. My second cousin fell about 20 feet off his stand 5 years ago. Landed on his head. The impact busted his jaw, busted some ribs, and broke his back. He won't walk again and is left with thousands of dollars of medical expenses. He is lucky to be alive. He could barely move just to reach into his pocket for his phone to dial 911 because of the extreme pain and paralysis right after the fall. Scary!

[jmaas07]

Broke my back a little over a year ago, accidents can happen, safety gear and pay attention at all times. Good reminder Dave

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Jonny]

My uncle had a ladder stand break on him last year. One of the old aluminum tube ones from like the 80's. Still uses it to this day and refuses to upgrade since "I have shot lots of deer out of it". Has to go to a chiropractor twice a week even a year later. My dad refuses to wear one in his climber despite me insisting on it daily. There is only so much you can do, and making sure you are as safe as possible has to be number one. I invested in a rock climbing harness and made my own tether and linemans belt and I feel much safer and more confident than I did in an old freebie harness.

[Swampbuck]

I ran into a guy I bump into in the swamp every few years. He said 2 years ago his stand broke and he fell out 20' up. Landed at a 45. Said he still gets real bad headaches and neck stays stiff. How he didby land on a cypress tree or break something is done serious luck... needless to say he said he now preaches to anyone he sees to wear a harness

[ Post made via Android ]

[oldrank]

A co-worker fell out of his treestand a few weeks ago. He broke his back but luckily will recover. He doesnt remember how it happened at all. He left his safety harness in the truck that day. It only takes one time. Be safe guys.

[ Post made via Android ]

[mheichelbech]

A fellow worker of mine was climbing a 20 foot ladder stand last weekend, with gun over shoulder and went down - he fell 14 foot and landed on his back. Aside a bruised ego and some bumps and bruises he will be Ok - this is NOT the normal outcome. I don't care how experienced someone thinks they are - no buck is worth taking short cuts.

Lessons form this event: #1 - use a pull rope don't carry your weapon while climbing; #2- use a lifeline or at least a lineman's belt while climbing; #3 always use a tree strap and harness while in the stand. Finally, #4 - ALWAYS leave a hunt plan with someone so they know where you are.

I am grateful my bud is OK - but man, he has a wife and kids at home and this could have went south really quick.

Be safe!

I am not at all questioning the need for using safety harnesses but how did he fall out of ladder stand? Did he slip and lose his grip?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Kraftd]

Good reminder. Never sit without my harness, and usually never get into the stand from my sticks without being strapped in. Been a little lax this year going up, should get back to my linemans belt.

Man, I just haaaaate ladder stands from a safety perspective. Dangerous putting them up and taking them down, hate being so far from the tree. Just don't feel safe in them.

[Jonny]

Good reminder. Never sit without my harness, and usually never get into the stand from my sticks without being strapped in. Been a little lax this year going up, should get back to my linemans belt.

Man, I just haaaaate ladder stands from a safety perspective. Dangerous putting them up and taking them down, hate being so far from the tree. Just don't feel safe in them.

Exact reason why I refuse to hunt out of a ladder stand. They seem safe but in reality, I found it impossible to set up safely unless you climb with sticks ahead of time to put up a lifeline. I will stick to my climber and once I get some practice in, my hang on. Much easier to use safety equipment.

[DaveT1963]

A fellow worker of mine was climbing a 20 foot ladder stand last weekend, with gun over shoulder and went down - he fell 14 foot and landed on his back. Aside a bruised ego and some bumps and bruises he will be Ok - this is NOT the normal outcome. I don't care how experienced someone thinks they are - no buck is worth taking short cuts.

Lessons form this event: #1 - use a pull rope don't carry your weapon while climbing; #2- use a lifeline or at least a lineman's belt while climbing; #3 always use a tree strap and harness while in the stand. Finally, #4 - ALWAYS leave a hunt plan with someone so they know where you are.

I am grateful my bud is OK - but man, he has a wife and kids at home and this could have went south really quick.

Be safe!

I am not at all questioning the need for using safety harnesses but how did he fall out of ladder stand? Did he slip and lose his grip?

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Mud on boots, one hand holding rifle strap, slipped and lost grip....

[ Post made via Android ]

[creepingdeth]

1st year stringer, ive found myself in too much of a hurry a few times and wanted to cut some corners...not worth it. 1 screw-up and my days in a tree may be over take your time, be safe

[Jrichard]

He is lucky that that gun did not break his back. Falling from that distance with something between your back and the ground makes it easy for those vertibre to separate. I am glad he is okay.