Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Tree stand accidents???

Only way to use lock on is a lifeline

Not from a treestand but i fell from a tree 40ft about 13yrs ago. I stopped right before i hit the ground. Should have died that day. Changed my life. Probably the best thing that ever happened to me aside from the Lord saving my soul. He saved my life that day. Wispered "i wont catch you again", as he did it.

Just a few safety tips for those just beginning to climb or someone that needs to be more cautious. I have climbed up a few different type of trees over the years usually with a stand, so maybe I can pass on a few tips. Tree stand safety requires being diligent in upkeep of any parts used to climb. I would suggest for a person climbing to carry extra straps and locking the top and bottom of the stand each time with a strap once at the top. That way neither will give away should there be any extra movement on your part. It only takes 2-3 minutes, why not just do it? If the stand slips the straps will be the backup. With lockons I prefer the chain type or if it has a strap I will always keep a newer strap to put around a stand before stepping into it and an extra strap or rope to keep attached to myself before stepping off into the stand. By what I have read it is usually stepping into or out of the lock-on when something tilts or breaks causing a fall. I would suggest a sturdy new grab be added each year to grab while stepping in the stand. It is usually best to try to step down onto the lockon instead of up or over into it. The pressure pushing down usually provides the stability at the contact points allowing the stand to grip the tree to keep it stable. Furthermore, there are just some climbers and lockons that are just not safe, learn the difference. If you are a beginner hunter ask or if just unsure ask!
Become familiar with a stand during the day and check it out before climbing in it each time. Old stands left in the woods are accidents waiting to happen. If you are just not feeling good that day stay out of a tree. With current technology why not just go ahead and text your gps coordinates to someone before you climb if available or check in/out with them with your location. Be safe!

I hunt off a turkey chair 99.9% of the time. No harness needed

Lot of good stuff in this thread. IMO, from what I've heard over the years more accidents with lock-ons occur when you're stepping into and out of the stand from climbing sticks. My usual practice is to climb the sticks and when I'm close to the top, I clip on my lineman's rope before I ever step off the sticks onto the stand. Getting out, I do the same thing - I never disconnect until I'm on the sticks. I also would suggest not climbing sticks and getting into stands you haven't personally hung - I'm not putting my life in someone else's hands.

I like my 4 LW climbing sticks and hang-on when I have those trees in a great spot that don't work well with a climber. But there are much more opportunities for a mistake/failure than a climber. Each stick has a chance of me doing something wrong. Then transitioning from sticks to the stand. The two straps holding the stand to the tree are more opportunities. It takes additional practice and attention to detail to get it right. I'll strap on the first two sticks without a safety belt, but after that, the lineman belt comes out and a safety rope. I do not go up or transition around limbs or get on a stand disconnected.

I took one section off my ladder stands this year at age 65.
No more lock on's. I used a climber one time years ago.
Not for me, even then.

No climber no me, takes me too long and noisy. I use loc ons with life line and a harness. I had a strap break last year on the top section of my sticks. Started going backwards but was able to grab a pine limb and straighten up.

I don't use a climber or a lock on, I use either a shooting house, ladder stand, or sit against a tree like turkey hunting.

Opening day 2015, after 45 years of bow hunting. Went to a loc on with climbing bar with new straps for both. I always replaced straps annually. When I got there it had new straps, a buddy had replaced them. I climbed up, attached my safety belt , then a new strap on the loc on and stepped into the stand. Hunted two hours and reversed the procedure. Half way down the steps separated and I went to the ground with a thud that echoed through the woods I still remember! Lay there a moment and said “Thank you Lord” when I realized I was still alive. Broke my wrist and suffered contusion for several weeks. Moral of the story: don’t trust anyone else’s rigging! Had killed several from m ground blinds and knew they were effective for bow hunting, some shots at 5 steps. I now own 6 blinds but can no longer pull my bows due to RA, tried a crossbow but didn’t like, just not the same, but had several opportunities this year that made me wish I had a crossbow, may try it again, particularly early season. Have a buddy who has hunted a diy saddle system , self drilling for steps. He was putting up a ladder stand alone and it slipped off the tree and he broke his lower leg . It can happen with ANY type stand.

Like most of you on here have said. When i was younger there was no such thing as a harness to me. I climbed as high as i could every time out. Some times i climbed until my pullup rope was swinging in the wind. Never bothered me. After kids and life and some years i just started feeling a little less bullet proof. What really did it was when i bought my son his Summit and he was practicing in the backyard. I couldnt bare to watch without him buckled in. That changed me and my views forever. Never get in one without a harness anymore. And that Summit will go as high as I am comfortable. I dont climb as much as i used to or near as much as i should, but these stands are much more realiable and safe than the Warren and Sweat stands i grew up in. Nothing quite as satisfying as hunting from a climber and being able to close the deal on a good buck, with a bow or rifle.

I only climb if I believe it’s absolutely necessary for sight purposes now. I have a Summit climber, all I’ve ever used and thankfully have not ever had a problem or a slip. I don’t climb slick barked trees, always look for pine or oak so I get good bite. Falling has always been a big fear so I’ve never climbed without a harness. I also make sure I’ve got a tension relief strap on my harness to take pressure off my legs if I ever did fall. With each hunting season that passes, I climb less and less. I use a Fanatic Outdoors Hammock Seat 75% of the time now. It’s easy and quick to setup, very quiet, and every bit as comfortable as my Summit. It also is nice not to be sweating profusely from the weight of a climber when you get to your hunting spot. The more I’ve ground hunted the last 4-5 years the more I’ve realized you just don’t need to climb as much as you may think. It may be your preference, but it’s not necessary to see and kill deer, especially if you hunt steep terrain.

Changed a lot for me too watching my son practice. He’s 15 now and climbed a bunch but I still make him text me when he’s settled and I’m pretty nervous the whole time while he’s in the tree. And if we are early enough I’ll watch him climb and make sure. Check on him real regularly too.

He was 13-14 when he started and i did the same thing. I would watch him climb and then go climb myself, found myself actually hunting more back then and it was much more rewarding. The entire checking on him and making sure everything is ok will never go away.... he is 24 now and i still check on him. Only now i find him checking on me. Haha.

This is exactly what happens to me. I’m totally comfortable till I begin exceeding what I mentally estimate as 18-20 feet. It’s like I take one more bite climbing and my mind starts telling me to stop. Like you said I suddenly am super aware of being elevated off the ground and every ounce of my is uncomfortable. Sometimes I push through it to gain a few more feet depending on the situation. I’m normally fine sitting still at the height, but then when I stand to begin descending (especially in the evening) it hits me again till I’m below that 18 foot or so mark. Weird

Some of you sound like democrats, do as I say not as I do. Just kidding, seeing our kids go through things wakes us up.

I have used a tree lounger tree stand for the last 30 years. It is the only climber I don't use a harness with. I have never had it slip or had any problem. I think next year I might start using a harness. Getting on up in age will be 66 this year so its maybe time. In my opinion its the safest climber made. I have two of them. The only thing I worry about is maybe a mechanical break. Its the only stand I know of you can fall asleep in and not fall out.

Same way for me too. The higher I get the more and more anxious I get. Used to not be that way. Once I get settled in I’m fine, unless the wind starts whipping pretty good. It’s the actual climbing that gets to me, once I get around that 18-20 ft mark

I have a tree walker facing the tree and I feel safer climbing with it than getting up and settled in a ladder where I have to turn around on a small platform to get seated.

You said you won’t hardly climb without one these days. What conditions cause you to not use a harness? Just curious, not busting your chops. People’s behavior under certain situations change their decision making.
Maybe think about what would always force you to use a harness.
Stay safe