Since we have a bunch of younger newbies, we need to start thinking about treestand safety. The main thing I have seen is stupid or foolish setups on Loc-ons. I've seen some that were just careless and others that were just dangerous. Stands set up that were not level, or ones that were set too high from last step . Stand safety doesn't just happen. It's a conscious choice. If you have something you feel needs to be suggested, place it in this thread. We don't need anyone hurt or crippled this year(or ever)

#1 Always make sure your stand is level, not at a downward angle.
#2 Always place your stand at a level where you either step over or down onto the platform. Never put you stand where you have to step up or
way over to the platform.
#3 Always use a safety belt and a tether. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. one bad decision can leave you crippled for life.
#4 Use a lineman's belt when you are putting your stands up. This allows both your hands to be free. I've seen guys try to put up stands with
one hand while holding themselves up with the other hand.
#5 Get a comfortable climbing harness and use it ! Get one that fits ! Be aware of how dangerous hanging in a harness can be if you fall too. Yes, a harness can save you from a bad fall, but hanging in a hareness can kill you too.

We all love bow hunting. Lets all have a safe season. Practice safety and you can enjoy being in the woods, not in a hospital bed! Sorry this is not preaching, but a reminder that we are mortal. Young guys think they are invincible until they get hurt.
HUNT SAFE! Good Luck

I’ll add be cognizant of the tree your hanging a stand in. I’ve seen several that were hung on dead trees.

Always use a pull rope for your weapon.

Always let someone know for where your stand is at. I know we all like our secret hunting spots but it's always a good idea to let someone know exactly where it's at.

While using climbing sticks and ladders maintain 3 points of contact. Either 2 hands/1 foot or 2 feet/1 hand. Don't get in a rush and take your time.

Never think it won’t happen to you because it will. My buddy said same thing, me and some of our buddies told him to wear a safety harness but he said he didn’t need it. He went out to hang a loc on stand and climbed up a cedar tree and sat on limb and it broke and he fell about 15. Lucky only had small fracture in his back and not paralyzed or worse. He had to crawl to nearest field to get cell phone signal to call for help. He wears his harness now everytime he leaves the ground. You owe it to the people back home to come home safe after a hunt.

I’ve got 12 screws, 2 rods, a plate and a H bracket in my neck and lower back because I was careless with a ladder stand.

That is a great tip. I have always done just that and never really thought about it just second nature,

This afternoon, I did the one of the dumbest things I’ve ever did. I went to move a lock on. It was in a pine and has been there for three years. I had my harness on as well as a lineman’s belt, climb the tree and notice it’s wobbling more than it should. I look up to the top of the tree and to my shock I saw that the tree was completely dead. By the grace of the Good Lord I was able to get down. Moral of the story is always look up at the tree before u climb it to see if it’s alive.

If I’m hunting alone, I will usually send my wife a grid coordinate from my gps if there is cell service. Just in case you don’t hear from me by dark 30, she will know where to send help

Don’t ratchet strap tiny trees together and hang a lock on in it, because it’s the perfect setup. I’ve done it, very dumb on my part looking back. Be safe wear a harness and don’t get complacent. I know more people that have fallen from ladder stands than any other kind of stand.

Keep a knife on you or in a pocket on your safety harness that’s within reach should you fall. As Perch mentioned, hanging from the harness can kill you just as dead as the fall can. Should you have a catastrophic failure of your stand, you gotta be able to get down. A knife can help you free yourself if you have to shimmy down the tree.

Wasn't bowhunting but I had a a platform built in fork of tree about 12 feet with 2x4 as steps well the top one came out when I pulled on it and fell 10ft on my back didn't injure me but I went home sore and didn't hunt that day

Y'all need to feel what it's like to hang from a harness and get back on stand.