Shooting with a harness?
 

HELP!! [:@][:'(] OK here's the deal. I started using a climber a couple years ago. Never used one before. Mainly because I have a zillion hang ons, permanent stands and ladder stands around my land(s) I have hunted over the years. I've been using the viper more and more lately and love it. No problems getting up and down or using it. It's become quite a versatile tool for me.

My problem is with the stupid safety harness. I never wore one before I started using the climber. I use the one that came with the climber. I put the rope around the tree with the prusic knot and attach it to my harness. I am very restricted from shooting certain ways though. Specifically to my right. The tether strap just about strangles me or my elbow is drawing into it. I move the rope up and down a little to try to find the best position, but it doesn't matter. I can't figure a way to comfortably shoot from 3:00 to 6:00. Out in front and to the left seems to be fine. Any suggestions?

by the way that stand is way too comfortable [8D]. I might have fallen asleep for a half hour or so.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Well with safety comes some restrictions and im willing to take them restrictions.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I'm not.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I added about a 16 inch strap to my harness tag end. I hangs down about belt line on my back now. I can move left and right freely.

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RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I did the same thing.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I use it when there aren't any deer around but I undo it when a deer starts coming from my right because i can't even draw with it on.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I have along enough rope that Ican slide the puristic knotall the way to the end, and have plenty of room to move freely to whatever position I want! I make it so that when I'm sitting, it runs out the top of my coat,all the way to the seat, then back up the tree to just above my head(when sitting)!!If I fall, its going to be a few feet, but thats better than 20+!
I have friends that set it close enough that they can lean against their harness when shooting, but I find it restricts me too much!!
Get a longer rope!

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I had the same problem. I never really used harnesses at all for the longest time. I guess in my old age I am getting more cautious, kinda like our prey. I make sure I take the fact that shooting to the right is tougher when I place the stand or climb the tree. BUT, if you set your tether up to a height where your draw elbow can clear under, you should be able to shoot most anywhere. I think that you will find that it is more of an inconvience than a hinderence.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I use the summit rope and the HSS harness. I'm not willing to risk my life for a deer, though. Call me crazy.

The summit tether rope and the HSS allow me to slide the prussic knot about halfway between the end of the rope and where i have it attached to the tree.....about a foot above my head. So...the "connection" is about mid-back when I'm standing. I can shoot to my right by putting my release hand elbow ABOVE the "connection. Pretty simple.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Put the rope around the tree above your head when standing. When you turn to your right and draw, your arm will pass under the rope and between it and the tree. By far the best way to go.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

NY I posted this same thing a week or so ago..The best advice I got was to put the strap around the tree just about chest high. This allows enough slack to be able to make virtually all shots! Seems to be much improved doing this!

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I have been using a full harness for 3-4 years, before that a cheaper upper body harness for a few. I have yet to run into a restriction in shooting with my seat o the pants harness. I don't think I do anything special.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

just go buy a new safety harness if you want to. the hunter safety system is very easy to use and dosent limit your shooting.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

REALLY?? FUNNY THAT"S WHAT I USE. It will still limit your shots. See my reply above.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I have never used a safety harness in a climber, just lock-ons. The climber have railings, I dont really know why you'd need one.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Have to agree with GMMAT on this one (big surprise there). No deer is worth your life. Based on my years as a firefighter and many years of climbing, I can tell most of you have never taken a serious fall. Trust me two or three feet more can make a HUGE differencebetween a light wake-up call and feeling like you were shot out of a cannon. I think a little restriction is worth the safety.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I do exactly as Jeff does.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Exactly what I do. I have enough slack to let my arm draw freely to the right sideif needs be.


Shane

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

To each his own, but if you have ever had the lower platform drop on you, even if you have it tied off to the upper platform,you will come to appreciate it.

I had a problem with the harness connectiongetting in the way when I started using a full body harness. The Summit harness connectioncan be positioned up or down using the Prussic knot. I find that having the connection just below my shoulder blades doesn't restrict me when I'm sitting down or standing up.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I USE THE HUNTER SAFETY SYSTEMS VEST. I DO NOT HAVE A ROPE BUT I DO HAVE A STRAP, ANY SUGGESTIONS IN GETTING MORE LENGHT....MAYBEI SHOULD JUST USE THE ROPE.... HELP

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Anybody who's got more than one Summit Stand can probably help you out, here. Each Summit stand comes with a length of rope that is utilized as your tether rope that attaches to the tree. It's plenty long enough to allow you some slack....but be careful how much you give yourself. A fall of just a few feet can absolutely rock you. I'm on the safety committee of our construction company....and I've seen some training tapes that give the amount of force even a short fall can place on a man. It ain't pretty.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I've promised my wife and kids that I would never leave the ground without my harness andI never have. I did get rid of the one that came with my Summit and bought another one( the brand escapes me ) and I love it. It has a pouch attached for the shoulder and leg straps on the way to the stand and is supper easy to put on. Thetether is long enough to adjust so you can get it just the way you want. I give up nothing by wearing it.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Thank you! That's the way I remember doing it last year. Slide the prusic knot down towards the seat rather than tight to the tree [:-].

I was thinking about that also. If something ever did happen and I fell 3 feet or so with those straps around the groin area.............[&:][X(][:'(][:o] OUCH!! I may be speaking in a higher octave for a few weeks.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Get a longer teather...

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

Exact same thing for me. That is why it is important to do a "test run" while you're in the stand. By that, I mean do a practice draw and let down while the coast is clear.

Two remedies that I've found
1) wear a belt only safety belt. This is probably not the safest but it alleviates the problem

2) wrap your tree portion of the strap around the treevery lowto your back. That iswhat I've done.

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

get you a hunters safety system. i love mine and i have a full range of motion

RE: Shooting with a harness?
 

I use mine every time I'm in a stand. I haven't needed it yet and I'd like it to stay that way. The best advice I have is to set up the stand with that restriction in mind. I set mine farther right (right-handed)so my shots will be to the left usually.