Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Talking with nephew tonight; he informed me that a co-worker and fellow bowhunter broke his back when he fell while hanging a stand this past weekend. Apparently, the guy broke four vertebrae.

It was said the person was using a less expensive (3) 6-feet sectioned "climbing stick" (unknown brand) to hang the stand. Subject was on the top section when a strap/rope that was anchoring the top of the climbing stick broke. The top section leaned back and the top section snapped where it was joined with the middle section.

Do yours and yourself a huge favor; do not use cheap gear when life and limb are at risk, and check the condition of all stands and any related climbing equipment before using. Do routine inspections during season.

I once had a fellow bowhunter luckily escape serious injury as he started to climb into the stand while still dark. Apparently, someone had tried to steal his stand during the night. They had cut the safety straps that was holding the stand on the tree, but could not bust the padlock that was securing a chain that was wrapped around the seat supports. When friend stepped onto the stand, the stand swiveled on the tree and kicked out from under his foot. Luckily he was still firmly grasping a screw-in step. He had a few abrasions on his face. but that was all...other than he ruined a good pair of underwear.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Man I hate to hear that[&o].

I've been preaching against the stands that are being shipped from overseas to save a buck for sometime now. Nobody seams to care anymore.

I really doubt the same time,energy and scrutiny is placed into the manufacturing of the stand with the safety of the user being as high of a priority as it is with the domestically made stands.

I still say "made in china = no thanks"

I'll spend the extra buck or two, I trust only other Americans when my life is on the line.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Your point about Safety First really hit home with me C903, thank you.:eek:

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

A fellow around here fell while getting into his stand last year and still hasn`t recovered. Broke his back than while in the hospital got pnumonia, he`s had an uphill battle since. We`ve all took chances but as I get older I think about the risks more.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

I hate to hear stories like this. A few percautions and this could have been avoided. As much as it sucks and is combersome we should all be wearing a harness when we leave the ground. I'm guilty of not always wearing my harness until I get up in the stand. Things like this will make you think. #1 priority is returning home to our famlies safely.

Thanks for sharing this info C903. The timing couldn't be better.Everyone be safe out there.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Man, that scares the bejesus outta me!! [:o][&:]

c903, you're post really speaks volumes and is a great "wake up" call to all bowhunters. I remember watching a video and Stan Potts (I think) was talking about tree stand safety. He said something that blew me away.... {rough quote} 33% of all hunters, at some point in time, will fall from a tree stand! That is 3 out of 10! Those statistics are way too high. We all must make safety a #1 priority not for ourselves but for other hunters as well".

Butch A.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

A few years ago a buddy of mine fell 25ft from his treestand and was knocked unconsious for 4hrs. Thankfully he awoke to find no major injuries (few cracked ribs) but was able to get himself out of the woods and to a hospital. He did not wear a harness and just happened to doze off in his stand that day which led to the fall. [&:]

And always make sure someone knows where you'll be hunting. I actually draw a map for my wife. :) You just never know what could happen.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

That Sucks! Remember people....be careful out there!

Thanks for the heads up c903.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Safety must always be our first concern. I have this drilled into me evryday. My closest friend growing up fell from a stand when he was 17. He broke his back and has been in a wheel chair ever since. No saftey belt. He still hunts from a golf cart but I have never climbed without a safety belt since then. All it takes is one look as he transfers from a wheel chair to a hunting vehicle to drill the point home.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Tough break ,
I hope he recovers . This perfectly underscores the old axiom: Always check your gear first !

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

C903,Excelent post and sorry to hear this.It is something that I used to do when I was younger,even when hunting from permanent big homemaid stands it should be considered.Good timing for the post.Bill D>

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

I use Summit climbing sticks with the full stirrup. They're American made. For the sake of another tradgedy you've got to find out and tell us the brand name of the failed stick.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

This is the very reason I add 2 extra rachet straps to each of my climbing sticks. I don't trust the one rope per section that comes with most climbing sticks plus I can never seam to get them tight enough. When I add the 2 rachet straps to my climbing sticks it makes the ladder rock solid.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

[:'(]I sure hate those hanging stands. Give me a climber or a ladder stand, even a homemade stand. But those hanging stands are just accidents waiting to happen. And in this poor fellows case it did! Its a shame.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

That's why I always wear a climbing belt when I'm doing that. On top of that, I usually double strap the top with a ratchet strap to really secure it. Yes the rope broke...or came untied, but with a belt on he'd have stayed to the tree.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Glad someone finally pointed out the obvious problem! Equipment malfunction aside , a safety harness would have avoided any serious injury.

I thought I was exempt from using a safety harness due to my homemade stands (private land) with big platforms and side rails.[&:] While doing a little maintainence on one of my stands this summer I had a ladder rung break. Luckily for me it was only the fourth rung up and I only sprained my wrist (besides my ego) from the fall . Guess what I purchased?;)

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

it happens every year, hope this hunter makes a good recovery, just remember guys, take your time, i know i have taken a ride in a climber i won't mention what brand, because it was not a stand/climber problem i had not done my part, and made a foolish decision in the dark, its not worth it, take your time, check equipment, and make sure someone knows where your at

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

That right there is just as important as a safety harness!

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

yeah the made in china junk........ I'll leave this one alone, But I will say this, thank your local factory unions, for basically forcing manufacturers to go over seas. alot of the problems with our economy is because of unions. there are other problems too like NAFTA. but lazy union workers who have to make 30 dollars an hour or they go on strike are the cause of high manufacturing prices, alot of manufacturers dont want to pay that much so thats why china and taiwan end up makin the stuff. Down with unions and the dollar will rise

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

I wish the injured a speedy recovery.

Why anyone would climb without a safety harness is way beyond me. I added a couple of heavy duty rock climbing carabiners to my harness to allow switching between my climbing rope and the strap I attatch to the tree once in my stand.

I'm amazed by guys who drop $50 a week on Skoal, yet balk when it comes to dropping $50 on a harness that might one day save their life.

Safe hunts,

U_R

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Part of what you said highdesert wolf was pretty dumb.Part of it true.I wouldn't generalize and call some of us union workers lazy,especially ones like my self that risk our ,lives climbing poles rubber gloving12,000volts for a living, and put youre power lines up in the back yards at 3am in the morning,or aftert a huricane or ice storm;)You might piss off a few UNION lineman.No it'sdeeper than that,there is greed all the way around.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Like davidmill said , a linemans belt and harness would have prevented this . Gorila provides both when you buy their stands , and gives video instructions , sumit does the same , I believe , for their chain on stands . I dont think climbers or lader stands are any safer than the rest , a bolt can come out or break on any style stand , thats the motivation behind my tag line .

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Really? You mean it has nothing to do with the huge tax breaks they get by moving their operations overseas? Your term "lazy union workers" really shows your ignorance. I imagine your the type who uses one word to describe all black people too.:( And if you believe that union workers go on strike because "they have to make $30 an hour" your even more ignorant to the real world than I thought.

How old are you

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Thank's Bowfanitic, I couldn't have said it any better:DIBEW local 196

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

bummer :(

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Sounds like propaganda to me. Local #1097

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

The scariest times for me are putting up/taking down stands. Several years back I was taking down a ladder stand, and when I finally got the strap to release, it went backwards on me. Thankfully, I never do this alone and my bud was able to hold it until I pulled myself together and finished the job. Take your time, if possible, don't go solo. Dang, I have to do this again on Saturday :(

The Trashcanman

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Keep in mind that all this gear and material we use to climb with are pretty much the same as a saftey on a gun..A mechanical device that can fail.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

thats a excellent idea, why didnt i ever think of that lol. I think i will do the same.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

if you would have read my post thoroughly, you would have read that i was refering to lazy union factory workers. I have no problem with trade type unions electricians, steel workers, carpenters etc you guys are important and productive and deserve your wages. Just someone who works for ford or GM who pulls a lever all day stamping out car doors is not worth 30 dollars an hour. The only problem with some trade union workesr they usually vote for democrats.

I figured my post would have gotten a rise out of some of you, If you are not a union factory worker then I have no problem with ya.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Darn UAW, you guys are rock bottom worthless.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Ooops..maybe this threw a few people off..

P.A.C.E. Local 7-0432 here. I guess you have a problem with me?[:o]

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

International brotherhood of electrical workers, you are fine by me. Ex IBEW Local 124
now I am IUOE local 428. Like i said I have no problem with tradesman union workers. just I dont care for UAW or any factory unions

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Alright it takes man to put his foot in his mouth to hopefully walk away with a little dignity, I dug myself in a hole I cant dig my way out of you guys proved me wrong I'm sorry. Just Im very pissed about all the manufacturing that companies do over seas, I was pointing my finger and blaming over paid lazy factory workers yea thats a generalization and you cant do that because not everyone is like that. I didnt intend to piss anyone off so Im leaving this alone as of now.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Good man Highdesertwolf.I hate it too.I am a union member and my hall tells us to vote our paycheck(Kerry)I can't do that I have to vote for what my heart says.So back to the topic.Someone mentioned about hanging stands,well you got that right ,that's my most worrysome time too.When the stand is up don't sweat it,but when hanging them you can make mistakes.Last week end I hung three stands,and one of the stand location that I love to hunt,l had the strap twist on me,anyhow it's an API stand and I undid the buckle.What a B1tch I had to remember how the strap went through the buckle while I was hanging up there by a body belt,and an over head teather.It took probably 35 min to figure it out.That was darn near harder than any pole that I ever worked from.

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

Can this thread get more off topic? I ask again for the original poster C903 to get people advised on the bad stick. Can you I.D. the faulty piece of trash please?

RE: Bowhunter breaks back when "climbing stick" fails.
 

It is a bad thing to fall from a tree but it is even worse to fall from subject! becarefull in the wood's and use all saftey precaution that you can . I hope the guy that feel recover's ok