Harness tether question....

mobow · 10-13-2008, 04:08 PM

Ok, I'll admit that prior to this year I've been stupid and not worn a safety harness. This year I made the concious decision to wear one each and every time I'm in a stand. So I bought a HSS vest. Love it, very simple and comfortable.

BUT.....That tether is a real PITA. I can't turn and shoot to my right. First off, the tether tightens up, and.....it's in the way of my release arm. I can shoot to the front and left very easily, but when I turn to the right the tether is wrapped halfway around my neck and there's NO way I can shoot. Hell, I can't even get my bow drawn.

It's gotta be possible. I know it is, I just haven't figured out the trick yet. Help me with the learning curve. How do ya'll position that tether so you can turn and shoot? I gotta get this figured out because I know what will happen if I don't. I'll stop wearing the harness, and I don't want to do that.

Bowtech 360 · 10-13-2008, 04:14 PM

This is why I dont wear 1 when I dont. It works out in 1 of my stands but I cant tell what is different.

V8Ranger · 10-13-2008, 04:16 PM

I usually put my tether so its just starting to be snug when I sit down, and it is on the tree directly behind me. I know in some cases it is hard for me to go to far to the left, as I am left handed and it to awkward to shot to far to the left.

HuntingEd · 10-13-2008, 04:17 PM

That exact reason cost me a deer 2 years ago.. I stood up and started to draw and my arm was stuck by the strap... so i had to spin around to try and take the shot, and got busted...

I switched to a seat/climbing harness. Picked up your standard climbing harness at EMS on sale last fall and just strap into that... then I never have any problems w/ the strap. Something like this:

hmthtrfan · 10-13-2008, 04:33 PM

I wear a rock climbing harness as well, for most of my stands.

fatsbucknut · 10-13-2008, 04:45 PM

I've never had an issue. When you put the tether around the tree and through the loop put a knot snug against it. I then move the Prussic(?) Knot to the end of the tether and put a knot below it. I can damn near do a 360. Now that also means that if i fall, i'll fall a few feet before it catches which might not feel so good but atleast it doesnt restrict you.

Rhody Hunter · 10-13-2008, 05:02 PM

I wear the one that comes with my summit climber and it has aprussic knot [ slip knot] that let you lengthen it so it doesn't get in the way on those shots. then you just slide it back in position when you are not drawing

TEmbry · 10-13-2008, 05:05 PM

prussic knot...fixs all problems.

The summit one is nice and can be bought for like 20 bucks if Im not mistaken...or just buy a spare summit stand and get one for free.

GeorgiaTomkat · 10-13-2008, 05:08 PM

I cut the so-called shock absorbing tear away stitching on mine, it adds alot of length. I might hurt when it catches, if i ever fall, but atleast i wont hit the ground!

MdDave · 10-13-2008, 05:46 PM

i use the summit setup as well.. jus give me a lil length in the knot.. if i fall i might fall an extra foot but ill take that extra foot if the time ever comes if its gonna cost me a deer.. ....i actually wrap the rope around the tree a bit above my head an let the rope hang down.. that way the knot is not in the middle of my back! one good thing about the summit setup is if you dont like the idea of fallin that extra foot you can keepyourself tight to the treean when the time comes it takes very lil movement an NO noise to slide the knot down...