Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

I wanted to share this close call that I had this morning. I tookmy annual4 day weekend to bowhunt here in the NY southern zone. I go to the stand I wanted to hunt, hook my bow to the lifting rope that is there and begin my climb up to the hang on stand that has screw in steps.

near the top, the spacing on one of the steps is quite far apart . I carefully get my foot on the next step up,securely hug the tree, lift my lower leg and transfer my weight to the upper leg and my FOOT SLIDES OFF THE STEP! My feet were at least 10-12 feet off the ground and I fall and hit the ground HARD. I landed on my side and there I lay not able to catch my breath and in pain!

I was hunting alone and finally managed to get my breathing under control after about 30 minutes. I get my gear and slowly make my way back to my jeep and come back home.
I think i may have broken or bruised some ribs underneath my arm/back area. I have quite a bit of discomfort when i move certain ways. I also got a small cut on the side of my chin.
In addition to hurting myself, I tore my hunting pants, ripped the laces on the top part of my boots, tore my left glove to shreds and broke the top of my arrow quiver. I think i hit that with my foot when I fell.

So my message to everyone is BE CAREFULL!! This shook me up pretty good and I dont think that I will use that stand anymore. I think I will repalce it with a Ladder Stand. Im not sure if I can pull my bow back in my current condition. Im going to play it day by day and hopefully I might be able to get out tomorrow morning (and use a different stand!)

MIKe

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Wow, that sounds pretty frightening! I hope you recover quickly. Tree stands are simply dangerous in my opinion. Too many people get hurt falling from them. I would never use one of those climbing types or screw in steps. I will only use stands that have aluminum or steel ladders or ladders made out of treated wood that is thoroughly inspected every so often. Ruining oneself for life is simply not worth any deer be it a trophy or the smallest of does.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

WOW, very scary. Glad you're o.k.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Wow...You are lucky that you are not in the hospital. I no longer use tree pegs other than to hang my backpack or bow off of. I had my feet slip off pegs several times but never fell. I only use ladder stands now. I just feel much safer ascending or descending and while I am in them.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Wow! Glad to hear that you are ok though. Man you should atleast get to a hospital and get checked out though.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

After falling that distance, I would notbe surprised if you have a compression fracture of a vertabrae. Been there, done that. No fun. Glad you made it out alive.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Thank goodness you seem to be OK. How come you weren't wearing a harness?!

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Did that a few years ago from over 20+feet. Still dealing with a problem in my back that the doctors do not know what it is.... At least I am alive.

Oh Had my harness on...just not correctly.

I recommend heading to the hospital for some X-rays.. just to be sure. Glad your able to write about it.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

my basement has SUMMIT/TREESUIT/LOGGY stands.

i dont use them.

i went to all LADDER STANDS and i go no higher than 15 ft,no need to go any higher.

those steps are very dangerous.

so are climbing stands.

its just matter of time before you get hurt with climbing stand.

also, if hunting alone, carry a cell phone if it works in your area,that a big help.

i just talked my brother who is 53 out of his summit stand, i bought him a ladder stand for 49 dollars.

climbing a tree in dark, wind blowing,ice on trees, cold out, feet cold, hands cold,in hurry,out of shape,YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT.

heck, he fell once and bro. his bow in half and had to have his shoulder operated on.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

you are right on.

at 18, no problem,over 50 ,big problem.

i see hunters 60 years old running down pipelines to get ahead of me with their summit treestands on their backs.in the dark too.

its just a matter of time before i hear in woods,ohhhhh,ahhhhhhhhhh,ughhhhhhhh.:(

over i will go and the there they will be laying.

safety is not issued when hunter has to get that meat,i see it every year.

greed will kill you.............

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

I love my summit climber and feel as safe as a babe in her mother's arms while in it. I also hut high. Twenty to twenty five feet is the norm....often higher in rifle season. Today I was approx twenty seven feet. I wear my harness religiously, as well. Only drawback with the summit is it's TOO cozy. I fall asleep in it all the time. Many guys don't bother to tether the top and bottom sections together, and that's when you get into trouble. A four foot length of parachute cord on each side solves the problem, and it only takes a few extra seconds to attach. If you are ever in a climber that starts to slip, Don't jump! Just like with a ladder or scaffolding tipping over you have to ride it down. Good chance it will only slip a few feet, not the whole height of the tree. A harness will help you regain your balance. Don't give the climbers a bad rap. I'll take it over my hang ons any day. If you are geting too old and prefer a ladder stand or ground hunting, that's all fine and good. Just remember that THOUSANDS of hunters use good climbers every year and only a small handful ever have an incident...and most are due to inexperience, negligence, or failure to use a harness.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

going up stand at 5.30 am in morning,you are asking for it.

coming down in dark at night,same thing.

if we all were in good shape and not in hurry, i agree, climbing stand is real nice.

my only question is, i have been hunting for 47 years here in pa.

I NEVER HAD TO GO ABOVE 15 FT.deer walk right by my stand.

why do you need to go so high:eek:

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

This is why we wear harnesses with a retractable lanyard.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Sproul, you want to sell any of those summit stands you don't use?

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

I agree, I have a Summit Goliath, absolutely LOVE that climber. Wouldn't buy anything but a summit climber- light, quiet, easy to use, and COMFORTABLE. I also hunt high, same range as you. My take on it is this... I spend alot of money on being scent free, spend alot of time scouting, spend alot of hours in the woods. If I can get 25 or 30 ft up and out of a deer's sense of sight and smell, I have him beat instead of him busting me. Nothing sucks more (except seeing no deer) than to sit all day waiting for the moment a good buck walks in front of you only to have him smell you or see something isn't right(6ft tall mass growing out the tree just a few feet of the ground), blow and run off just out of range.
I watched a young 4 pointer come from downwind of me. I was 28' up an oak tree. He noticed the shape of the tree wasn't right and kept looking. He would look away briefly only to make quick glances at me trying to catch me moving, he must have done this at least 30 times. If a young deer can pick me out from that height an older more wise deer will definitely bust you if you hunt only a few feet off the ground. Being high beats their two most acute senses (smell and sight). Overcome them and you increase your chances at success.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Lucky man!!!

I usually only wear my harness while in the stand... I will start wearing mine up and down now...

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Statistically one in 4 hunters will fall out of a tree sometime in their hunting life. Some of those falls are fatal and others are life changing. Bad odds and caution must be used as well as all appropriate safety devices. the older we get the more likely we will have a problem. I never use pegs anymore and all my loc ons are via climbing sticks. I do use one Summit and always use the harness.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Anyone that hunts in a treestand is foolish not to have a safety harness. I admit I've done it dozens of times. A good friend of mine fell about 8 feet and broke his wrist a few years ago. Had to have pins put in to let it heel properly.

I went out and bought a Loggy Bayou safety harness and a Fall Guy Retractor safety strap. I love it. The retractor (once strapped to the tree) allows you to be hooked while climbing in and out. The Fall Guy system works like a seat belt, one quick move and it locks in place. In my opinion worth every penny.

If anyone ou there isn't using a harness, please go get one and use it!!!

Mike

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

I would tend to think that most falls occurwhile climbing or descending. I fell once while climbing on 2 x 4 's nailed to a tree. They were in terrible shape and I was young and stupid. Got to the top step and it came loose. I hit the ground before I knew what was happening and landed very hard. I was shaken just like you.

You should follow the advice of going to get Xrays taken. Dont procrastinate.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

One fall out of a climber,one fall out of a ricketty old wooden stand and twomotor bike accidents by age 26= NO MORE CIMBERS FOR ME!I used a safety lanyard once and IT SAVED MY LIFE but ya knowI was so shaken as i tried to get back to the halfspun climber that my hunt was over and I went home. I now use a lader stand. I hear guys say that it isinexperience or a newbe using one that mythoughts on that is if I have to perfect a stand, hunt a certain way and just can't move freely worrying than its not worth it.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

i have 1 summit stand, my brother wants it for his son who is 13.

i cant see him using it,if he does not, yes, i will sell it to you.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

yes, getting high takes a lot of the wind game out.

i hunt where i know just about which way buck will come, not always.

if you are SKYLINED at 15 ft which i hunt,a buck could pick you out if you MOVE.

not moving, not likely.

i also pick a big fat tree, like hollow oak.PICKING A BIG FAT TREE WITH SUMMIT STAND IS NOT POSSIBLE:(

this way you can be at 10 ft and no SKYLINED or 15 ft

most hunters never think of being SKYLINED,dad taught us this at 12 yrs old.

problem with pa is the tree limbs are very low.

if you get above 15 ft, you cant see under the canopy.

in OPEN areas, yes, you can get high but i never hunt open areas.

in archery, getting high makes shot very hard.

most of time in RIFLE season your shots can be long, if you want to.

like 100 yds.

being low is no problem unless you want the buck to get close ,which most hunters dont.

very seldom, if any i get busted at 15 ft....

if i did, i would do as you said.

i smoke my clothes each day i hunt in my yard at home, i use pine needles and oak leaves in a pan,hold my clothes up over fire,then in my burlap bag to truck.;)
'

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

well said,

here is what i see.

if you pick a tree with less BARK,you are asking for trouble.

if you pick a day when ICE is on tree,watch out.

as it gets colder,trees get slippery.

yes, those peg steps or the tie on ones are death trap.


best advice i can give is,MAKE SURE TREE HAS BARK ON IT,NOT THE NICE SMOOTH ONES.;)

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

nice thing about ladder stand is, you come in the dark of morning and up steps you go,down at night, no problem.

i love mine,would not use anything else.

yes, its a pain to move buti put put 2 of them in different spots and that covers my whole season.


here is trick to, i bought those cheap ones at PICKS,p is really d.they are 49 dollars each.

i took a PLASTIC BOAT SEAT OR YOU CAN USE THOSE SEATS YOU USE FOR FOOTBALL GAMES TOO.

I STRAP THEM DOWN WITH MY RACHET STRAPS.

boy, i can sit all day in one of those,the boat seat is best, get one with high back.

i spray the seat camo, they are usually grey color.

drill holes in the seat so rain can run out..;)

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Hey sproul,
Once again, If you want to get rid of your summit climber, let me know, send me a PM letting me know what you would want for it. I am looking to get another climber for my fiance, There is an area on State Game Lands I'd like to take her but I need a light climbing stand for her. I also have a 2 person Ladder but that is on Private Property and I know someone will steal it if I take it on Game Lands. Let me know!

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

right now, those ladder stands no one wants.

they leave them alone,some what.

yes, 2 man stand is BEST,i wish i would have bought one instead of 1 man.

you canlay down on them and have more room to move, THATS SECRET TO HUNTING, TO BE ABLE TO GET COMFORTABLE.

i should know tonight if his son is going to want it,will pm you on tuesday after i get in from archery.

i just saw show in canada,guy was using same ladderstand as mine,COMFORT ZONE.he was up 15 ft and had 3 bucks walk near his stand and he was in the OPEN too, not like i hunt here in pa.

47 years at it and i very seldom EVER got busted at 12/15 ft high.

i see hunters down on ridge etc.they get up 25 ft,i can see why they are level with top of ridge at 25 ft.

if they would just POSTION their stand up higher on ridge,they could hunt at 12/15 ft.

i see it all time.remember, most i see doing this are rifle hunters too.

a rifle can shoot easy out to 200 yards or more.

by time a buck winds you, he is history at that distance .

i have had deer walk right by me at 8 ft in air, yes, 8 ft.for 25 years i never owned a treestand, i used a 1/2 plywood board with v- cuts in each end and put it in between 2 trees.

i would cut 2 trees,dead ones,small bag of nails and small boards i brought from home, nailed those boards on for steps on 2 dead trees, that was my ladder to get up 8 ft.

i had doe and buck run right under my feet while we were driving deer,so close, i could not even shoot:D

i just shake my head when i see hunters in their 20s up 20/25 ft in area

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

I'll be 30 in December. When I first started using a climber, I had a loggy bayou. I used a safety belt when I hunted from it. Thankfully, I never had a fall.

Now, I use a summit and full body harness. I'm attached from the ground up, and than back again. Never, will I climb without my harness.I love to hunt too much to make a bonehead mistake of not wearing my harness. Every season, you read about guys falling out and getting busted up pretty bad, or worse, dying. All because they think they're too tough or macho to wear a harness.

Does anyone realize that a fall of 20ft for a 180lb guy means hitting the ground at some 25mph? Not pretty.

I'm glad you're OK and made it out alive, but, I do not feel bad for you. Where the hell was your safety harness?

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Glad to hear you are ok. Make sure you always tell somebody where you are hunting. I never hunt alone anymore bevcause I had a similar accident.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Pretty scary ,
How soon we do forget .
Though you guys are right abought the age thing .
I had are very near fall with my lone wolf lock on .
I had it all set up so I thought .Went to dig it in for stability and all of the suddden the whole stand just fell .
Not sure how but I manage to grab a limb the instant it let go .
One other time years later same stand I lost my balance while standing and trying to get a shot at a deer .I smartly had my saftey harness on and just dangle off the side for a couple minutes until I climebed back in it ,
Realy gets you thinking .

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

i do same thing.

i tell everyone where i am going and what time i should be in.

like it gets dark at 6 pm say, i will tell everyone i will be in by 730pm at latest.

i only use a WAIST harness,i feel comfortable with it even tho its not as good as a body one.

i may get body one because i fall asleep on and off in tree.:eek:


thoseguys in their 60s running out ahead of me ,pushing trees over in my path to beat me to MY spot,with summit stands on their backs, trust me,ITS JUST MATTER OF TIME I WILL HEAR SOUND LIKE THIS,ohhhhhhhhhhhh,ahhhhhhhhhhh,ughhhhhhhhh,help ole sproul, help,helpppppppppp.:(

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

SMOOTH trees are biggest boo boo we can make with climbing stand.

always use tree that has lots of thick bark on it;)

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Sproul,

I like having you around here buddy. Go get yourself a SOP harness. I use one and you hardly know you have it on. Plus, the rope they use with the prusic knot is the cats meow IMO. Those dang belt styles will suffocate a guy.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Take care and plz be careful next time, though it can happen in an instant.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

Another good reason not to use screw in steps. You're lucky you didn't impale yourself on one of the pegs when you fell. Guys have literally gutted themselves by falling down trees into the "hooked" part of them. Use a climbing stick or a good ladder. Anything but those Dam* screw in steps. Not only can the kill a tree they can kill you!!

Glad you were OK. Everyone just be safe.

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

i agree and also like your points on hunting too.

there is big bear in hollow ,500 pds that PGC was checking friday with their electronics thing.HE MUST HAVE COLLAR ON.

also i know there is a 250 pd there also as he is in my yard every night.i dont hunt bear anymore,lost interest but i see them a lot and MOST are little bears under 100 pds.

pm me if you are interested.;)

it is in clinton county and not to far from where you said you saw deer but i dont see to many.

back to topic.

when i got my summit stand, they sent me a body harness,i used it then but now i have just ladder stand and waist one which i used for 25 years, is ok,but i agree,it could choke you.

i put it up high under my arms after i sit down.

you should see the seat i made for my ladder stand.

i took one of those high back plastic fish boat seats and strapped it down with those buckle tie -down straps.

I CAN SIT ALL DAY WITH THAT ONE, WELL, ALMOST ALL DAY :D

RE: Almost a Statistic This Morning
 

i saw guy who had a 20ft ladder stand,he then took a LOCK -ON STAND and put it about 4 ft above the top seat area of the ladder stand.

he loves it,no need for steps or climbing stand in morning.

but when he is not there for days,he takes the lock on stand down and hides it in laural with lock on it.
so, if you want to get HIGH,that may be a real safe way of doing it.

me, above 15 ft is waste in my opinion,if you smoke your clothes like i said, 15 ft is no problem, even 12 ft is fine.

smoke them everyday ,i do mine in evening,.then into my burlap bag and dress at truck in morning.

now, in gun season, i wear my clothes right from home as your shots are longer and you dont have to be as PROTECTED as you do in archery.

i swear there is some APACHE in me:D

after reading all this, man, i will never go in tree without harness on.

I personally feel safer in a climber than any other type of stand.Use a harness the whole time and you should be fine.Most accident happen when people are either stepping into or out of a hang on stand.

i believe you on that douge. i used to use strap on steps, boy were they a accident waiting to happen.many times i almost ruptured myself.
i cant believe i am buying a climber after all these years.ladderstands are not going to work on SFL as it has for me over years.too much pressure and less bucks ,i have to be able to move now.looking at SUMMIT 180 MAX as we talk here.