Heights
 

So, I would be forced to believe that I'm the only bow hunter who's afraid of heights......
So, anyone else here absolutely refuse to use a treestand cause you don't feel comfy in it?
Or am I the only one?

[Deleted]
 

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RE: Heights
 

My dad doesn't like heights either, he want's a 12' ladder stand. Also hates climbing those tree spikes....

I force him in those 16' stands, or he hunts on the ground, I hear once you put on a safety harness you start dancing up in the stand, perhaps I'll get one, personally im pretty comfy without one, though maybe the old man and yourself would both take out the fear with a quality safety harness, any reccomendations for one? Id rather spend the cash for somethign simple to put on.....already ahve too much crap with me on my way to the stand.

RE: Heights
 

No, you are not alone. A lot of people don't like tree stands. Not a big deal because blinds can be very effective too. Just need to be even more scent conscious.

RE: Heights
 

I can tell you that ....

1. Generally....I'm not afraid of heights.
2. I WAS fearful the first few times I climbed. It took me about 20 times to get REAL comfy.
3. Now......23' in a tree is my favorite place on Earth, sometimes.;)

RE: Heights
 

Im not scared of heights at all, i love it, but the dark makes me feel uneasy[&:], but i manage.

RE: Heights
 

I would go so far as to say most are afraid of heights to some extent. Some more than others, but I beleive the median height for bow stands is about 14 feet, even though everybody claims to hang them at 20[8D]. Like others say, stands are not nessesary for success.

RE: Heights
 

In my Summit Viper climber I feel much move comfortable than I do in Fixed position stands without the bar to rest my arms on. As you climb the tree you move the harness along so you are always attached.

You might want to try a climber with the bar that goes around you. I'll go higher in my climber that I will with pegs and a fixed stand. Much more comfortable as well.

The guys I hunt with use postage stamp sized hang ons usually set between 25 and 35 feet. I hate using those stands.

RE: Heights
 

heights don't bother me too much, although after getting back into a treestand for the first time in awhile it takes me a min to get my sea legs. but once i'm up there for a few minutes i get comfortable and then it doesn't bother me much. just a thought but you might want to try sitting in a pine tree with a chain on stand. having the branches around you makes me feel a little more comfortable then just hanging out in the open. But like everyone said, if it bothers you that much you can always use blinds.

RE: Heights
 

I use trees and shadows... I've been at this for about 15 years, but folks often scoff at the fact that I hate tree stands....
I don't even like standing on my couch... Its somewhat pathetic..
My dad hates it too... that old bastard will sit 30 feet up in some contraption he designed himself and call me an ass....
I hate the guy, but damn he taught me everything I know...
love ya pops...

RE: Heights
 

I get the willies climbing a 6' ladder and am deathly afraid of heights. I use an API climber. I just make sure I am climbing well before dark so I CAN'T look. Once I am settled in I am good. But the climb up isn't fun, especially when the stand shifts or settles when I shift my weight while climbing...

RE: Heights
 

Yep...I could look at the ground and feel it pulling me down...Until they came out with body harnesses...With one of them on, in my climbers, I'm good to go...I don't hunt hang ons, at 6'5" and 250, not enough room...

RE: Heights
 

i hate heights, but once i get strapped in a safety harness in a stand thats up to 20' tall i feel like im on hte ground

RE: Heights
 

Your a smart man! Many people have no business being in a tree.

RE: Heights
 

Afraid of heights is not a good term. A better term would be I respect heights. Every one feels uneasy when elevated off the ground but can feel more comfortable in a stand by knowing yourstand and how to operate it safely. Also always inspect your stand for defects, cracks, loosenutsor bolts before every use and I do mean every use. You can never be too safe! And always use a saftey harness, if you get to your stand and realize you leftyour harness in the truck orhome go back and get it. If not, STAY ON THE GROUND. My rope I use tu pull up my bow is 25 feet long, as Igo up with my climber I know when to stopwhen my bow lifts off the ground. 25 feet maybe to high for some but it works well with me. Again I'm not afraid of heights but I do respectit. Maybe climbing 110 foot woodutility poles for many years gave me that respect. Overall climb to the height that feels most comfortable for you and always climb safely.

RE: Heights
 

I like to climb :) I wish I had alot of those huge pine trees where I hunted. I would climb and hunt out of them instead of a climbing stand.

RE: Heights
 

virginiashadow, pines are great cover but the limbs are very brittle. If you ever do it be safe.

RE: Heights
 

You guys that are afraid to climb might want to try those ameristep 2 person ladder stands. 12 feet to the platform and you can put a nice burlap blind around the rails. They have worked out well in a couple spots and can be had for $100 or less.I use hang ons too but without the rails they can make ya nervous.

RE: Heights
 

Height is relative.;)

RE: Heights
 

A lot of guys are Afraid of heights and really have no business in a Tree.

I've worked construction for 25 years so really in a Treestand is not what I call high.[8D]

I have sent a few guys to hunt out of some of my stands and they wouldn't/couldn't get in them;)

Dan

RE: Heights
 

I love to be in my tree stand, but my ground blind is more productive. So after I fill a tag, I go up a tree to enjoy the view.

RE: Heights
 

I don't like heights when I'm not secured. Hate even cleaning out my gutters. But give me a treestand and belt and I average about 25-30 feet up on any given hunt.

RE: Heights
 

I dont like heights either. I have 5 ladder stands ranging from 9' to the seat, to 12' to the seat. I tink I could go higher if I had a box blind, or something around me. Someone mentioned one of those 2 man ladder stands that has some kind of blind that you can put around the top. I have thought abouit getting one of those, but wouldnt it be hard to draw your bow with a burlap enclosure around you, and not hit the rail?

RE: Heights
 

Heights are no problem, I'm afraid of widths.

RE: Heights
 

Good one!:D:D

RE: Heights
 

Im not afraid of heights, im more afraid of falling and that sudden stop at the end. So you can count me in on your group.

Ryan.

RE: Heights
 

Reminds me of an old story. Man fell of a ten story building and at each floor someone asked, "how ya doing?" His reply was, "so far so good"

I know someone who's alergic to and therefore afraid of bee's, never knew someone whom bee's seem to follow around so much. If your afraid of falling, ya probably will.

RE: Heights
 

I'm not so much afraid of heights as I am ladders and platforms. If I feel safe I don't care how high I am, but you get more than six feet up on a ladder and I am nervous.

Normal lock on tree stands and foot pegs scare the crap out of me.

I either use a ladder stand or a climber. Once I'm up and strapped in I am fine, it's getting there that stresses me out.

Paul

RE: Heights
 

I'm about the same as Paul. If I'm strapped in I'm fine, but if I'm not I'm petrified. I actaully will use a lineman's belt while climbing up into my hang ons, but I have to take it off to get in and those are some anxious moments. I'm thinking of getting some of those long safety ropes for climbing, but they are $40 a piece. I used to be really bad. When I first started hunting my one buddy would make fun of me because he said he could jump up and grab onto my platform. I'm much better now, but 25 ft. is about my limit and I rarely go that high.

RE: Heights
 

They bothered me when I first started using them but I would not trade them for nothing now. But I do like to get eye level at times, especially when there is no other choice.

RE: Heights
 

I work at 140 feet in the air sitting on I-Beams pulling up chain motors for Rock and Roll shows. I not afraid of heights! I respect it, ALWAYS!!!!!!!!! You life could change in the blink of an eye, NEVER think you don't need a harness just to cut shooting lanes or hang a stand etc....! Respect it!;)

RE: Heights
 

not afraid of heights, but i do think some people take tree stand height overboard......like climbing 30 feet in the air.....thats crazy

RE: Heights
 

I only get nervouse when the wind gets blowin.