we had 2 deaths this month, both were not using their harness.

1 was found upside down in crouch of tree.

i use only ladder stand now.

it took me over 3 hrs to put it up on sunday.

i take my time and check everything over.

it is up 20 ft.

trust me,there is no way to use a harness when you go up to tighten the top strap on ladderstand.


you have to be careful and take it a step at time.

i like trees with a lot of limbs all way up.

i dont cut any off, its illegal anyhow but hunters do it,

they are way to grab onto something, if you slip or ladder moves.

once a LADDERSTAND IS SECURED AT TOP, ITS one stable stand.

i got away from climbing stands,too many chances of falling.

i do like the LOCK ON STANDS AND NEW LADDER LOCK ON STEP SYSTEM.only problem is hunters steal your ladder lock on steps and they are expensive.

once i am in my ladderstand, i use a waist harness, yes, its not as safe as body one but i had it for 20 years and ilike it and trust it to hold me on seat.


wet/cold trees are one nasty thing to deal with in winter.

you would not believe the number of hunters that have slipped down the tree with a climbing stand in winter.

they just dont grab the tree like they do in warm months.

about 6 years ago i heard a hunter slide down a tree.

he said later at parking lot that he was ready to come down and it took off,he went all way to ground from 12 ft.

hew hurt his tail bone and is scared to use one now.

he was 63 years young..
he is same guy that ran down the pipeline ahead of me to get tospot .

he did not know that i had my ladderstand up 2 weeks before