Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
09-04-2007 | 10:13 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
Hi guys,
been lurking and reading for awhile, finally have a question.
I am going to try a climbing tree stand for the first time ever this season. It was a cheaper steel one, just to see if I like this type of hunting b4 a bigger investment of a lighter aluminum variety.
Now I have read thru the manual and it comes with a full body harness with a tether that attaches to the tree slightly above the stand. From reading threads here and other sites I think I get the gist of what I am looking to do. What I was wondering was:
Do you have any tips or advice for a beginner at this.
Any info you really wish you knew b4 your 1st climb?
One thing I was wondering is... in the event of a stand failure, how does one remove oneself from a suspended flailing in air position? Maybe there is a simple answer but I am not sure. Was thinking of tying an additional rope near me with some loops pre-tied, or something.
TIA
been lurking and reading for awhile, finally have a question.
I am going to try a climbing tree stand for the first time ever this season. It was a cheaper steel one, just to see if I like this type of hunting b4 a bigger investment of a lighter aluminum variety.
Now I have read thru the manual and it comes with a full body harness with a tether that attaches to the tree slightly above the stand. From reading threads here and other sites I think I get the gist of what I am looking to do. What I was wondering was:
Do you have any tips or advice for a beginner at this.
Any info you really wish you knew b4 your 1st climb?
One thing I was wondering is... in the event of a stand failure, how does one remove oneself from a suspended flailing in air position? Maybe there is a simple answer but I am not sure. Was thinking of tying an additional rope near me with some loops pre-tied, or something.
TIA
09-04-2007 | 11:18 AM
#2
Typical Buck
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland (St. Mary\'s)
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
1. Always wear the safety harness and safety check your stand.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
09-05-2007 | 12:05 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,313
Likes: 0
From: Lake County, Florida
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
ORIGINAL: NavyDeerHunter
1. Always wear the safety harness and safety check your stand.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
1. Always wear the safety harness and safety check your stand.
2. Learn how to use the stand before you take it in the woods for your first hunt. Find a place to practice with it and climb several times before you hunt. Take a friend with you just in case there are problems.
3. Make sure that the top and bottom sections are somehow secured together. It's happened before...and it'll happen again that the bottom section will not be locked in tight enough and will fall away (usually happens while climbing). If they are not secured together, you have just lost your ability to climb.
4. If you happen to fall and are "flailing" as you put it. Hopefully your stand did not fall to the ground and you can somehow regain use of it to help you get to the ground. If not, hopefully you have a cell phone or radio in your pocket and can call someone for help. Last resort, wrap your legs and one arm around the tree in a bear hug and cut the line with your free hand and then bear hug your way down the tree. Just don't do this if you think you're not strong enough to keep a good grip. Better to just hang there till someone finds and can help you.
5. That in mind, good idea to make sure that someone knows where you're hunting and when to expect you back so that they can get help if you're not back within a reasonable amount of time.
09-05-2007 | 01:52 PM
#4
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,553
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
09-18-2007 | 09:12 AM
#5
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
go high enough to where if you have to jump out it wont hurt.....i had one of those 1st time experiences last yr.....climbed up the tree about 10 ft and the bottom lost grip and fell to the length of safty rope, i jumped out hooked it back on and climbed up. 10 min later shot a doe at 20 yds. im not going more than 10-15 ft cause #1it takes to longand the other is why be a sniper in the woods, let them get close it makes for better stories.
09-18-2007 | 09:38 AM
#6
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 26,323
Likes: 0
From: WC FL
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
ORIGINAL: Red Lion
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
09-19-2007 | 08:18 AM
#7
Dominant Buck
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22,545
Likes: 0
From: Ramsey , Indiana
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
ORIGINAL: Red Lion
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
09-19-2007 | 10:42 AM
#8
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,553
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog
If it's not illegal in your state...........illegal in FL
ORIGINAL: Red Lion
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
Buy and bring 3-4 screw-in treesteps with you and have on your person in a easily accessible spot, so if you stand falls and you are left hanging, you can use the steps to right yourself enough to wait out for help.
09-29-2007 | 03:55 PM
#10
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
RE: Tips for Newbie Tree Stand user
I reccomend that you do not climb with you gun or bow on the stand, you could accidently nock it off or it might just be in the way. Leave it at the bottom of the tree with a string tied to it and climb with the other endtied to the stand, then when you get settled at your spot, you can pull it up, and let it back down when you're done.