I know it's been said a billion times, so forgive me. It's just that I had a patient at work last evening who had 60 years of safe hunting under his belt. He uses a harness and has spent countless days in tree stands. Well yesterday morning he fell 15 ft while getting into his stand. Fractures included distal femur, trochanter, humerus, 3 ribs and orbital. All on the left. If he hadn't had a phone with him he would very likely have died as it was quite cold here. Again, this is an experienced hunter who seemed very knowledgeable. He WAS a healthy 72 year old. Hopefully he won't have lingering issues but boy is he hurting right now. His message to me was, "it only takes once! A half second misstep and things can go very bad!" I know most on here are very conscious of this, but reminders don't hurt;-) Be safe out there!

Do you know what kind of stand he was using? ladder? climbing stick?

I just started hunting from a tree stand this year with a ladder stand. I tried hooking up a safety line with a prussik knot, but found it to be very akward to use since the ladder is offset from the tree, so I ended up not using it and just hook in to the tree strap first thing up the ladder....

Familiarity breeds contempt, or so the story goes. The more you do something, the more you get comfortable with it...maybe even complacent. And yes, it only takes once. Hope the gent heals quickly. Every time you climb, you need to understand you are doing something dangerous and potentially deadly. This is one of the reasons that I stay on the ground. I've seen a lot of injuries, and many to friends of mine. A fractured back, two broken heel bones, cracked ribs, and the list goes on. I noticed that our ability to react as we age is also a factor. Yes...stay safe.

Aaron.. At 72 years of age..he had no business trying to get up in a treestand or getting down.. A whole lot of younger hunters have no business climbing into tree stands.. Hope he pulls thru his injuries OK..Jim

I hauled my 73 year.old father in law out of woods with a broken femur a few weeks ago. Climbing stick strap broke 12 ft up. He said when he opened his eyes after he hit the ground, he was looking at his left foot right in front of his face.

Its easier to wear a harness and a life line. From ground to stand. I hope he heels up. Jeff F

I am in the safety profession and I have seen first hand gravity don't care. Wear your harness. Wear your harness right, you don't want your leg straps loose as your twig n berries will get ripped in between your leg and the leg straps in the event you fall.

blake..

I worked in the electrical industry for over 30 years.. Last 20 as manager for a major mfgr and we took on some pretty challengeing new and retrofit project.. Everything from climbing poles in the dark to teaching and monitoring and instruction folks in proper PPE and safe practices.. I know HS&E stuff so well that I can recite it in my sleep..

The archers tree stand harnesses are only as good as their use..and getting them hitched up once one gets up to a treestand is the icing on the cake.. Getting UP and getting down is the challenge for most..

The major electrical utility companies DON'T have any 72 year old fellows still climbing boles in a windstorm during an electrical outage..:(Hell they don't havce them in bucket trucks..:)and there's a reason why..Jim

I spent all my funding funds the past two years on safety rope systems from safetreehunt (dot com). I am 57, but have medical problems that affect my balance, and decided I would not leave the ground again without being tied off first. It may take a little getting used to, but it is the only way I know to cover all the bases and choose to be safe every time. It has meant a lot to my wife to know she no longer has to worry about me falling.

I'd recommend something like it to anyone (young or old, fit or feeble) because accidents happen every year in every state.

I'm sorry to hear this. To put a little perspective, MORE people fall on ice, stares, ladders, chairs used as step stools, rugs etc. etc., it pays to be careful, but stuff happens.

Anymore I worry about everything too. Everything we know better on we just slip up at times. I did stupid things last year got in stands that young guys set and never again. One day we switched stands a young buddy and I he was blowing my phone up you ok. I was to scared in his stand to answer phone. Never again to old for this stuff get up there. I was afraid to come down once I was up there and no belt. I thought it was in my bag but nope. Its could have been bad and TG it wasn't.

Just like today I know better didn't I cut myself with a Land shark darn it BH was sharp.

"I spent all my funding funds the past two years on safety rope systems from safetreehunt (dot com)"

From watching the demo video on their website, I guess I just had my line too taught tied to the bottom of the stand. I'll give it another shot with some more slack next time I head out.

"I spent all my funding funds the past two years on safety rope systems from safetreehunt (dot com)"

Oops... I meant my HUNTING funds! Decided I had a good selection of favorite bows, a good stock of arrows, and a lifetime supply of broadheads... but I had been at risk several times the previous season. Now, it is good to feel safe every hunt.

You are right, there needs to be decent slack in the rope to make climbing/descent easy. Most stands do fine with standard 25' systems. Really fat trees like 4' diameter oaks and 20' will require a longer 30' rope to have the slack that is nice...

Hope you have more success with a second try. It has been a good solution for me.

Did his Harness break?

Babysaph: I don't think he was clipped in yet, but I wasn't about to inquire further or make recommendations as be's writhing in pain;-) I think he is truly done with the trees anyhow.

Stay attached ground to stand and back down .

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here