ORIGINAL: il coyote

A friend of mine fell from a few feet up, while climbing. He wasn't hurt, but the fall could've just as easily happened at 20'.

I work with a guy who was on his way home from work one evening and saw his brother in laws truck parked at his hunting spot, approx 2 hrs. after legal hours. Went in and found him laying under his tree, alive, but really busted up. This happened a few years ago, and the BIL is walking, but nowhere near 100%. HE DID NOT SLIP OUT OF THE TREE, HIS STAND BROKE.

I've had a few near-misses while hanging stands. And wearing a harnesss while hanging a stand keeps my hands free to work a little faster.

I use small, lightweight Aluminum stands. And I don't feel 100% confident in a mass-produced 10 lb. piece of thin-walled framework to provide complete safety forever.

I don't wear one 100% of the time, but it's way over 75%. I usually don't in ladderstands.

BUT, I too find it rediculous to slam a man's intelligence over not wearing one.