Safety first. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Better safe than sorry. We’ve all heard these words of wisdom, but unless we’ve had a good scare, or an accident, these words to the wise tend to fall on deaf ears. And, falling on deaf ears may result in falling on the ground, if deer hunters fail to follow safety guidelines when hunting from trees.
The Treestand Manufacturer’s Association (TMA) has developed standards relative to the manufacturing of treestands, and in so doing, has created a means for hunters to be assured of quality when purchasing stands on which they will stake their very lives. Yes, we are talking life and death here.
While there may be countless things that can go wrong, while above ground, one preventive measure can keep hunters alive: Always wear a fall-arrest system/full body harness – and, that includes during ascent and descent. So, if you are one of the 66 percent of hunters that fail to heed this advice, what’s your excuse?
Too expensive? Too cumbersome? Too complicated? Too bad! Think about another statistic: One in three persons using treestands will experience a fall in their lifetime. Still feel like gambling? Think about those who depend on you.
Recent designs in full body harnesses have made antiquated belts obsolete. Certainly, with costs between $75 to $200, they’re not inexpensive but neither is a broken neck or back. Think of them as one-time expenses or insurance policies for life.
The quality harnesses can be used in conjunction with a static line or climbing belt while climbing and descending, and once in the stand, can be connected to a safety strap above the hunter’s head. In addition, for those using climbing stands, the harnesses can be fastened to the top part of a climbing stand, while ascending or descending. In the event the bottom portion of the climbing stand falls away, thus rendering your climber useless, you’ll have a means to recover until help arrives.
Help? If you are stuck hanging onto a tree with no means to go up or down, you’ll need help. That’s why a cell phone could save your life. No cell service? It’s good to know that before you climb. In that case, you’ll need someone on the other end of a two-way radio who can be contacted in the event of an emergency. Hunting with a friend is another means to avoid catastrophe.
In your new safety vest/harness, you’ll want to tote a few essential tools, as well, including a sharp pocket knife and folding tree steps. The knife will allow to cut yourself loose and the tree steps can give you a place to stand during the recovery process.
It’s easy to learn how to use modern safety devices, and if you are at all confused, plenty of quality instructional videos are available online. You are in charge of quality control and being prepared is your business. Be safe and live to hunt another day.
