been lurking and reading for awhile, finally have a question.
I am going to try a climbing tree stand for the first time ever this season. It was a cheaper steel one, just to see if I like this type of hunting b4 a bigger investment of a lighter aluminum variety.
Now I have read thru the manual and it comes with a full body harness with a tether that attaches to the tree slightly above the stand. From reading threads here and other sites I think I get the gist of what I am looking to do. What I was wondering was:
Do you have any tips or advice for a beginner at this.
Any info you really wish you knew b4 your 1st climb?
One thing I was wondering is... in the event of a stand failure, how does one remove oneself from a suspended flailing in air position? Maybe there is a simple answer but I am not sure. Was thinking of tying an additional rope near me with some loops pre-tied, or something.
1. Always wear the safety harness and safety check your stand.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
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Being in my treestand puts me 15 feet closer to God
1. Always wear the safety harness and safety check your stand.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
x2...very good advice.
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"As an american I am not so shocked that Obama was given the Nobel Prize without any accomplishments to his name, because America gave him the White House based on the same credentials." - Newt Gingrich
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
go high enough to where if you have to jump out it wont hurt.....i had one of those 1st time experiences last yr.....climbed up the tree about 10 ft and the bottom lost grip and fell to the length of safty rope, i jumped out hooked it back on and climbed up. 10 min later shot a doe at 20 yds. im not going more than 10-15 ft cause #1it takes to longand the other is why be a sniper in the woods, let them get close it makes for better stories.
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
If it's not illegal in your state...........illegal in FL
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
Screw in steps also make good stand brakes to prevent your stand from falling in the first place, screw one in just under the cable of both sections and your stand will never slip. This is not allowed on public land in most states, so carry a cam type or ratchet type strap to secure the stand when you can't use screws, the bottom section is preferred if you can only secure one of the two.
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Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
NRA Member
Wildlife Forever Member
GOA Member
Buckmasters Member
http://hunting-indiana.com
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
If it's not illegal in your state...........illegal in FL
I guess I look at the steps as being on hand in the event you are hanging from you harness up the tree and at risk, especially if not right side up. I would use them in that type of a situation regardless whether legal or not, as my safety and wellbeing takes precedence overlegal or not in those circumstances.
I reccomend that you do not climb with you gun or bow on the stand, you could accidently nock it off or it might just be in the way. Leave it at the bottom of the tree with a string tied to it and climb with the other endtied to the stand, then when you get settled at your spot, you can pull it up, and let it back down when you're done.
Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
