Tree stand safety belt and lanyard?

[S.B.]

What brand and kind do you use?

[Empty Quiver]

I use one that I got from Screaming Eagle years ago. It is much like what you see construction crews wearing. The rope has two large snaps and a prussic knot to adjust length while using it as a linemans rig going up tree installing steps.

    Like I said it's old, and I'm really looking at the vest style. Myself I want nothing to do with the soft fall ripping tethers though. I do not want to end up a couple feet below my stand hanging like spiderman. Better to tether up short so you only drop a couple inches lower than the seat on your stand. Think about a 3" freefall or a 3' slowed fall, I don't want to scrape all the hide offa me on the edge of a treestand.

    The leg straps are very important to me. I put a lot of trust in my harness while putting a stand up, and those straps sure distribute the pressure better than a waist belt. I just won't put up a stand without it anymore it makes it so much easier with both hands available.

[Glanceblamm]

This is a very good topic as we had a GBO member badly hurt in a fall recently (details NEF/H&R forum-post is a friend in need)

My own belt came with a ladder stand that I had purchased. I keep it short enough to stay within the confines of the stand should a fall happen. From an Industrial standpoint, they say that if one was to hang suspended for 20 sec or so from a standard fall prevention waist belt, they would probably go into shock and be unable to help theirselves. A five point harness is what is recommended if you need more slack but they can be expensive.

[GRIMJIM]

I hunt from the ground almost exclusively. I have been in tree stands before and used a five point harness but they are difficult to untangle. I usually put mine on at the car and wear it to the stand. I do like the vest version better.

[S.B.]

Grimjim, I just bought a vest type and so far, it's the best I've seen, including anything I've seen on construction sites. Haven't used it yet but, you can bet with deer season coming on, it will be used a lot this year.
Bought it off fleabay and payed less than the manufacturer wants direct? Some outfit in Wi. called Hunt-N-Shop? Delivery was the next day!

[Glanceblamm]

I hunt from the ground almost exclusively.

I have done this for the last four years now. My doghouse type of blind is quite comforatable and I take my duffel bag with lunch, coffee, and extras. I place my stool on the diagonal with my back at the rear/left corner and my front facing the front/right hand corner. I do the same thing Coyote hunting (being canted to the right) because it is easy for a right handed person to swing to the left but darn near impossible to swing to the right. Anyway...this position allows me to view all four windows but sometimes the rear has to be discounted because of a head wind. I have shot out of three of the four windows to date and it is great fun with a S/A revolver

I did go ahead and set up the ladder stand this year to cover another corridor and safety will again become a concern. The tree stands are great for more visibilty and also cuts down on the chance for the bullet to encounter an unseen twig or sapling that can blend in well when viewed from the ground position. That tree stand is for some serious hunting for sure, sometimes I will freeze to death but snacks every couple hours (especially a Snickers bar or energy bar) can really help out with this. I will stay on stand all day long and that is what is really needed as you have to be there to get a shot.