RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

YES!!!!

Use a strap on/loc on and put it in a tree with alot of branches (around and under you) - white pine is best. If you do not have the severe 15-20ft drop below-the-stand-thing going on - then its not bad at all.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

Although heights do not bother me if I know all safety factors are in place and I have control of the situation, in my opinion being fearful of excessive height is no disgrace.

If a person is extremely fearful of heights, especially if long standing or a result of a bad experience, I strongly advise they not try to overcome their fear by using a tree-stand. If you panic while 15-20 feet in the air, the results could be disastrous.

A person whose has a long standing fear of height most likely will not be aware of certain critical things they should do and not do, or what to do should something happen while in the stand. Obviously, since climbing to an excessive height and standing on a small platform may not have been something the person ever planned to do, the critical aspects that need to be known are things he or she probably have not considered, or considered in detail.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

It' s not the heights its the climb that used to get to me. I say used to get to me since over the past two years at my summer job i worked kind of high. I work for the Park District and we have to change light bulbs or cross arms on light poles for baseball fields just about every year. we rent a lift with a cage just big enough for two people. One field isnt bad only about 40 feet up, the other field is awesome, about 65 to 70 feet up, the view is awesome too! So, I' m not too worried about being 10-20 feet up.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

I still am very afraid of heights. I have found that I feel most secure in either my climber or a ladder stand. Definitely most secure in my climber, a Summit Viper XLS. I use my seat' o' the pants harness while climbing and once I' m situated. I have actually gone as high as 20-25 feet without any concerns. I wouldn' t go higher because of practicality, but wouldn' t be nervous.
Where I hunt, a lot of guys have put up homemade stands and chain-on stands. I do not feel safe in those, even with my safety gear on.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

its not really heights that im afraid of, just fear of falling and being out of controll of it, i learned the hard way last year, using what seemed like a sturdy branch, used this branch like 20x then one day about 10ft up snap and im on my back, left and went got me a safety strap, 1st-2nd day of gun season, had my SS on and fell again this time only about 2ft, but every stinkin bone in my back cracked and knocked the wind outta me basically those who dont use safety cautions are asking for trouble!

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

Yes....my WIFE! This is her first year bowhunting and she is very skeptical of climbing and sitting in a tree. She is getting more and more comfortable! I preach to her all the time about safety and that she should never sit in a tree stand without a safety harness.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

I think more are or used to be afraid than are willing to admit. I used to be somewhat and am still very extra careful. Gotta tell you though......after going through training climbing telephone poles with gaffs....using treesteps or a good climbing stand is a walk in the park!

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

I also had a problem with heights. I have used ladder stands with no problem but the lock on stands make me uncomfortable when I stand up on the platform. The Summit Climbing stand has helped me with my height issues. For whatevere reason I feel comfortable climbing, standing and desending in it.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

Not scared of the height, it is more the falling part that worries me;). It usually takes me a couple of hours in the stand to get the feeling of it again. I have went to only ladder stands, there is just something about being able to look down and know that the stand is touching the ground.

RE: So is anyone else afraid of heights but still forces themselves into a tree stand?
 

I' m weird when it comes to this area. I always wear my safety belt, but on real windy days, i have more of a fear of the tree uprooting and me getting crushed when it falls, than I ever had of falling out of it. My first treestand was a baker mighty mite....if anyone remembers that. I will say that the first few trips up the tree to shoot preseason get me a little nervous but after a few rounds of shooting, I' m fine.