I'm aligned with Vulture 6. The only reason one would not wear a fall arrest system would be brain cell deficiency.

I guess I must be stupid and have a brain cell deficiency. Because I'm not wearing one. But thanks anyway, for the compliments.

If trees are being blown over then it's not a good idea to be in them. Deer don't move much so your better off on the ground to increase your odds of being successful and decreasing your odds of injury. Not wearing your harness because your afraid you will go over with the tree is not logical. Please re- think this through. I am not being snide here just trying to ensure your safety. Safety is #1. No one should go up a tree without a harness regardless of how high, soft soil or whatever. You don't have to spend $120 on a vest. Try the Gorilla harness for $50 at Walmart. It takes all of 45 seconds to put it on. I would rather spend 45 seconds vs a lifetime of parylisis.

Thanks for the replies. I was trying to get an understanding from those who don't wear them why they would make such a decision. Since i hunt from the ground only, I've never had to decide. I just can't imagine not using one

I think I just have a different outlook than most, but I view my odds of getting injured falling down my stairs or getting in a car wreck to be better than falling out of my stand. I am as careful as humanly possible and I never get complacent in a tree.

I think that exact line has been uttered by just about all the people I've heard of who have fallen and lived to tell about it. Some of those are now permantly in wheel chairs. Some were lucky enough to just break a few bones and are able to walk again after lengthly recuperations.

Ghost
I'm not going to judge you or anyone else on this. I am however trying to understand what makes us decide to wear one or not.
You used the car wreck analogy. If you had the choice of 2 cars that were the same (including price)except that one had safety features such as seat belts, side and front airbags, Anit lock breaks, and so on... you would choose the one that didn't?

What color are the cars? Just kidding. I do feel that being safe is one of the most important things in life however accidents do happen. I feel that if it is my time to go, then its my time. If i am going to get hurt its is going to be one way or another. I try hard not to live in fear or paranoia.

Ghost,
Personally, I like Black or Midnight Blue. Thanks for your replies

I seldom take a strong judgmental stand on "personal choice" issues, but on this one I will. Any one not using a full body fall restraint system while hunting from a tree stand of any sort is evidence that Forrest Gump's mom was on target when she said "Stupid is as stupid does." I cannot recall were, but there is a web site presentation by a former "professional hunter" who was not using a restraint. He fell. He is now wheel chair bound for life. This is an excellent presentation in support of using these devices.

As far as being in the way ... that is bull sh*& of the highest order. I am an avid bow hunter. I have used some sort of restraint since day one, starting with a "lineman's" system I bought at work. That was something like 1975 +/-. I have never had to pass or adjust a shot because of the restraint system.

As far as being "uncomfortable? More BS. Yes, the cheapo-s that come with stands now are not simple to put on and most are one size fits most. So what if it does not fit perfectly ???

As far as using the excuse that the "vest types" are too expensive ... whining now !! HSs and Seat-of-the-Pants brands are $100 or more. However, the "Tree Stalker" brand, which is similar to the Hunter Safety System can be had for about $70. Ameristep makes a similar product that is available for about $50. Is $50 too much !

You need a reason to wear one ? ... try looking across the table at you wife or kids or girlfriend, etc. Take a ride to a local spinal or severe head injury rehab center. That not enough, then nothing I or anyone else can say here will make one iota of a difference.