RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

Nroth Carolina has had 10 hunting deaths since 2001, and 9 of them countem 9 of them were from falling out of a tree stand, no joke.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

Body Harness.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

If you stand on the small platforms on your porch to get used to the small area, you should also try to shoot alot from that platform, and also put up a stand in your yard where youshoot , and shoot from your stand, start low and get higher as you progress, that should give you a little height before season, but if your not comfortable at a certain height dont go there, stay comfortable, yes the higher you are the better, to an extent, but if your too scaredto shoot when a deer shows up, you may as well be on the couch, so just spend the off season getting yourself acclimated to the height you are comfortable hunting.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

Buy yourself a good harness and, with somebody there with you, intentionally fall out of the tree. That way you know that if you do fall you know that you won't get hurt. Only attempt this with people there with you to help you. Either that or buy a treestand with an oversized platform.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

do your stands have front bars on them?, i feel safer with the bar rather than the open front treestands.some fears never go away,good luck

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

I feel better. I absolutely hate heights. BUt theres no way around it sometimes. I hunted a 15' ladder stand last year at the top of a ravine. Looking forward was bad enough just being 15' up, but one look back and it was 40-50 down. I didnt look back there near as much as I should have. [:-]

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

Buy yourself a good harness that makes you feel safe from falling. Also, in your ladder stand is it totally sealed off on the sides. I ask this because it can give you the feeling like walls do and make you think it is safer. Everything is mind over matter.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

A good stand with all sides and a large platform will greatly increase your confidence when you're up in a tree stand. I'm not to fond of heights either. Take your time, regardless how slow it takes you. I recommend that when you climb, stop every 5-7 feet and sit for a few minutes just to get your confidence. Being afraid sometimes IMO makes you be more aware which in turns makes you safer.

RE: I guess I'm not alone
 

First off a top quality harness should be used whenever you climd a tree for hunting. It should be a 5 point system that distributes your weight to you legs(thighs really) and holds you upright. Once you buy this find a strudy branch and hang their just off the ground. All this will do is give you confidence if you ever fell you would be ok..basically puts you mind at ease. When in a tree tighten the sash to your comfort level, most have it so when they lean you feel tension, but take in account mobility for actually shooting at game! Then buy a sturdy large platform stand, rails if need be and just practice getting higher until you reach your hunting height. There really is no need to go over 20 feet in most cases.

If still scared then stay on the ground and learn how to hunt this method. If you are scared stiff in a treestand no way will it be a positive experience nor successful. I have no fear of hieghts but rarely employ treestands for hunting purposes any longer and it has not effected my success rate in the least (bow, ml or rifle).