If you are going to be in a tree stand the use of a safety harness is a must. Most tree stand manufactures place a safety harness in the box when you purchase the stand and there is a good reason for it. Don't leave the harness out in the elements all season. I like carrying a small backpack that holds all my calls and gear. My tendencies are unless I plan on hunting that stand the following day....the harness gets tossed into my pack at the end of the day. It's also a good idea to look over your safety harness each time for any wear & tear.

I own 4 grand daddy ladder stands, 9 single ladder stands and about a half dozen portables. Each of the guys that hunt with me get a safety harness to carry with them at all times to use at whatever stand location they end up going too. I do have a rope attached to each stand to haul up the bow, firearm and gear. These get checked and changed often. I buy the parachute cord in the 100 yard roles. This cord is handy for just about anything and can be purchased at your local sporting goods store or at The Sportsmen Guide.

So back to why it is a must to use the harness while in an elevated stand. Here are just a few examples: I had a friend that was up 18 feet in the air and fell asleep and you can guess what happened next, he actually rolled off the stand and was hanging by the harness.

Another example was of a friend that had just put up a portable stand and started jumping up and down in order to lock the stand tighter to the tree. He was in a hurry and didn’t feel a harness was necessary. About the third jump, the chain let loose that secured the stand. Down came the stand with him close behind. He ended up breaking his arm in two places.

Screw in style steps can also lead to problems. I have gravitated away from them because of two falls caused by the step actually breaking. My suggesting is if you plan on using this style step, stay away from any of the hinged steps, they tend to break where the step connects to the screw in part. My choice are the climbing sticks that that hook together and are firmly attached to the tree, they also cause no damage to the trees.

We have gone to the ladder style stand in easy to reach places because they provide the best stability of all the one used. If you keep watch of the Wal-Mart sales you can pick up one for around $80.00. We still have the portable ones to carry in to hard places to reach that are off the beaten path.

During archery season we climb into the stand, place your safety harness and bring up the bow by way of an attached rope to the stand. Never try to carry any equipment in your hands while climbing into the stand. When you are done hunting lower down your equipment first and then climb down.

Gun season follows the same principles. Make sure you gun is unloaded before attaching it to the rope. Climb in the stand place your safety harness on and haul up your gear with the rope. When finished unload your gun, have the action open and then lower it to the ground with the rope. I say with the action open because it just adds one more level of safety of the gun getting discharged. Every year we hear of people getting hurt and or killed with a firearm that was unloaded.....always treat that firearm as if it were loaded.

You don’t want to ruin the hunt and the best way to do this is to think safety first. Nobody wants to see a fellow hunter hurt or killed because of side stepping safety because of in a hurry. Good luck in the field and think safety.

The tree stand is one of the most popular pieces of deer hunting equipment. Tree stands can be dangerous if they are used incorrectly or carelessly. Nationally, one in three hunting injuries involves a tree stand.

Accidental falls from tree stands can have a variety of causes including failure of the stand itself and incorrect installation. Hunters may fall asleep while on their tree stands, or may be injured while handling a loaded firearm during the process of climbing in and out of their stands.

Safety Precautions

• · Never carry equipment with you while climbing. Use a rope to raise or lower your gear. Make sure guns are unloaded and broad heads are covered.
   

• · Always use a climbing belt when climbing up or down a tree. Use a safety harness when hunting from elevated tree stands. Study manufacturer’s recommendations before using any equipment. Never use a rope to replace a safety harness.
   

• · You need to check permanent tree stands every year before hunting from them. Replace any worn or weak lumber.
   

• · Read, understand and follow the factory recommended practices and procedures when installing commercial stands. Inspect portable stands for loose nuts and bolts before each use.
   

• · Place your last step higher than the stand and step down onto it. Climbing up onto it can dislocate it.
   

• · Wear boots with non-skid soles, because steps or platforms can be slippery in rain, sleet or snow.
   

• · Always tell a someone where you’re hunting and when you plan to return
   

• · Use updated equipment. Newer tree stand equipment is solid, safe and secure. Updated safety harnesses offer more protection than older ones.