So Len and I went hunting this AM. As soon as I found a tree and started unwrapping my stand to climb I realized I'd lost one of my straps that you put around the tree once your get to your desired height. This particular stand manufacturer tells you TO HOOK THEM UP!!! Well, my last stand didn't have such a thing so I figured.. NO sweat. I'll put one on the top so it doesn't chatter down if I lean against it wrong to shoot.

So about 6:30 I'm half sitting half standing facing the tree with my bow in hand. I sometimes put my toes against the trunk to rest my feet. As I went to shift all my weight to the platform and stand my world fell out from under me. Bow went one way and I went straight down(almost) Whacked my forearm and a rib on the top section as I went flying through. Some how I managed to catch myself with my right elbow and arm. WHOOOOOSH......!!!! That was the sound of the wind being knocked out of me.

Luckily I had the top part tied to the bottom part. and was able to hook it with my toes and pull it up enough to straighten it and get it under my feet. Len was maybe 100 yards away and heard the crash. He's calling me on the radio trying to see if I"m alive. I told him what happened, I was a little woozy and banged up and was going to sit for a couple minutes to catch my breath and get down. I sat there a couple minutes and the old head starts swirling, then I really get dizzy. I called him and told him I might be in trouble.... I'm really spinning. I start looking for an arrow hole or a sliced artery or something.... but no blood. I finally spot my arrow sticking in the ground. He said stay put. He was up a tree about 30 feet and coming.

SO, after another minute or two with my head between my knees I start coming around no worse for wear. I guess it was just that sudden jolt on the side rail pushed by 215 pounds in a perfect free fall. I usually put my harness hook up up high. This AM I had it down low... don't ask me why... but the harness didn't have a chance to stop me before I hit the rail and grabbed the other side on the way down.

I'm telling you.... it sure does happen fast. I have no idea how many times I've climbed a tree with a climber. I really feel at home up there.

Lessons Learned: 1: Strap in.

2: Use the stand Exactly as the Manufacturer says

3: Even a short fall can hurt like hell, sore ribs, sore
forearm, stiff neck and a headache

4: Ruined Lens hunt...... bummer.

I wandered back to the truck eventually and put on a little push towards Len. Left my bow in the truck and I'm the one that saw all the deer. Walked right up on some and had one standing in the open at 30 yards. If I didn't hurt so much I would have laughed. Had to shoooo the dang thing away almost to head it toward Len. He was looking right ...it went left.

BUCKLE UP BOYS AND GIRLS!!!