A safety harness is a required part of any sensible deer hunter's arsenal.
As amazing to me as it is, there are still people out there who refuse to wear a full body harness while hunting from an elevated position. I refuse to climb into a stand without one. Do you actually think a fall could not happen to you? What more of an incentive to hunt safely could you need then having a family that waits at home for your safe return. Wearing a harness is a no-brainer. Today, with as many different styles and brands that are available, there is absolutely no excuse, other than ignorance or laziness, to ever leave the ground without having one on.
Some folks would like to believe that a rope wrapped around their waist and strapped to the tree will do the job, but the fact of the matter is this is the worst thing that you can do. There is no guarantee you will even be conscious if you happen to fall, and one thing is certain: hanging solely from a waist belt can kill you in minutes. A full body type harness system is the only way to go when hunting from treestands.
A lot of people do not like to use safety harnesses because they claim they’re a bulky inconvenience, but in fact they’re realativly easy to use and do not interfere with hunting at all. There are several different companies out there that offer vest-style harnesses that eliminate all of the confusing straps. On these harnesses, the straps are sewn into a vest which keeps them from getting tangled. You simply throw the vest on, snap a couple of clips, and you’re ready to go. Over time, you will come to trust and depend on your harness, with it eventually becoming the most essential part of your gear; it will be the first thing you grab before heading to the stand.
A lineman's belt allows your arms to remain free to attach your lock-on to the tree.
Sliding the prussic knot up the safety rope allows you to remain attached to the tree as you climb.
Make sure when you purchase your harness to get one that comes with a lineman’s belt. This frees up your hands for trimming branches and hanging the stand, all the while keeping a solid grip on the tree. Not only should you have a full body harness on, but also some type of climbing system (safety rope) in your safety arsenal. This is simply a heavy rope that attaches to the tree above your fixed position stand. Before you start to climb, you attach your harness teather to the rope and slide a prussic knot up as you ascend. This way, you’re always attached to the tree. This is essential, as most treestand accidents happen when climbing up and down from the stand and when transferring yourself from the ladder to the stand. Once you get into the stand, you simply slide the prussic knot up the rope until the teather of your harness is taught when you’re sitting down. If something were to happen, the last thing you want is to fall two feet before the slack on your tether jerks you to a sudden stop. If you keep it tight and something happens, you should be able to get right back into the stand because you’re hanging level with it and not below it.
I know all of this might seem like a lot of work, but the cost and effort a harness requires is minimal relative to the consequences of falling without one on. It only takes a fraction of a second to end your deer hunting passion for a lifetime.
13 Responses to: Playing it Safe
I use mine religiously. It only takes a couple more seconds to use it. I put it on before I leave the truck so I’m not fumbling around at the stand. I know when my kids get old enough to use a climber they won’t know any other way but to wear a safety harness. I guess for some old habits die hard.
I can’t tell you how much I now believe in them, or how many times I climbed without them. Guess the older we get the wiser we get! hehehehe
I never climb without one, well almost never. In 1997, I was in a hurry and fell 30 feet when my Loc On broke away from the tree after I hung it. Amazingly, I was not injured at all beyond some bruises. I had the harness with me, and always use it. But I rushed and didn’t take the time to put it on. I am lucky to be alive. Good article.
I put my harness on before I get in my truck to go hunting. I have the Hunter Safety System fall rope, just like Widow has in the picture, for all of my lock-ons. Like I’ve said time and time again, I don’t want my next hunt to be my last one.
I know old school hands will eat me alive with this one, but I also WILL NOT step into the woods without my cell phone. It’s always on silent but the main reasonm I have it is because of the GPS. I know a guy who fell and no one paid attention to his missing until about 8 hrs later. Then they couldn’t find him because he moved his stand and no one knew where to. If I get in a bind I can try to call someone. If I can’t call I may have enough signal to text. If I can’t text, they can still get to me with emergency personel and the GPS on my phone. Great article Widow. That guy I knew fell and now can’t walk.
Russell’s safety tips lead me to hanging my first two lock ons last year. I have enjoyed switching to lock ons and the success they brought me. Just think about what is to come this year Russell. Thanks!
Thanks for the comments guys.When it comes to wearing a harness we should all operate with a ZERO TOLERANCE attitude. NO HARNESS,,,,,NO HUNT!!!!…..simple as that.
Great job Russell, keep up the good work with the articles and in the woods busting them deer. Take care and be safe.
I started wearing one about 4 years ago while hunting from a loc on. Now it’s like wearing your seat belt in your truck, if it’s not on it just doesn’t feel right. I put mine on while getting dressed at the camp so I can’t forget it. Great article.
Widow every time I read your articles or comments I have too let a couple of arrows fly. It’s a sickness that I love. WHOA!!!!!!!!!
don’t get in a tree without it…if I forget it,which I never do,I will hunt from the ground
Thanks BowFreak!!!!….MAY THE SICKNESS “CONSUME” YOU FOREVER!!!…..GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR!!
i always put my harness on at the house or camp. i never climb a tree without it. i want to be able to hunt for a very long time!!!