Ok, time to be a man (or a woman in some cases), how many of us are actually afraid of heights but still use a tree stand? Also, just curious, if you are afraid of heights, how do you get over it? I have known about my 'fear' for over 20 years now. While climbing a tree, I do everything but think of how high I am. I am very slow and very cautious. Yet every year, I climb several times and sit for several hours without any issues. Guess you can say that I have worked myself beyond my fear and am able to control it. Several times, I think of the what if's out there, but when actually climbing or sitting in a tree, I don't think about it. I stay focused on my hunting. The listening and viewing of game animals. I try to stay busy, if you know what I mean. So, come on everyone, fess up. Lol. Who here has the 'fear'?
Oh I never try to hide it, Im crazy scared of heights. Hate that I am, sure it hinders my hunting a good bit. I havent found a way to get over it really. I dont hunt high, normally use a 20' climbing stick and set it up so I can climb to the top and step right on my stand, so maybe 15', 16 tops, to the base of my stand. Also, I am super picky on my stands. The Millennium has helped a ton, feel so safe and comfortable in that stand. When it comes to climbers, I use Summit, again feel very safe and comfortable....if its not to high. And if everything isnt almost perfect level, I freak out. I hung a stand in a good spot last year, set higher since I was at the base of a hill. Was around 20' to the platform, and it was tilted left just a tiny bit. When I hunted the stand, I couldnt stand up I was so scared. Thought I wasnt going to be able to climb out haha.
Usually the first few times up a stand a year I'm wobbly, then I get used to it. I worked construction and preferred to be a cut man on the ground though. Lol
Only was to break the fear of heights is to spend more time up high. I work off the ground a lot and walk on two inch wide aluminum forms while doing so so sitting in a stand doesn't bother me at all.
Not really all that scared of height but sometimes does take a little to get my bearings. Spending the last five years having the job I do takes care of that though. Walking around on a 8" wall kicking forms is a good way to work on balance. Or walking around top with one foot on a 2x6 and other on 3/4 inch form helps too ha.
Could tell me theres $1 million up there I just gotta go get it, Ill watching someone else grab that lol. I couldnt do it!
Art is correct I have the first half of my working time off the ground 6 ft to 100 ft once you learn that you can trust the equipment the fear will be gone
You guys think that's crazy? Watch this. No this isn't edited. He was that fast.. The keyword there is WAS. Guess how this guy died. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z_mhRoqG2E
You guys would hate my stands. Treehopper knows exactly what I'm talking about too I have a home made stand built into a cedar tree, using 3 10' sections of 2x4 ladder to get to the bottom of the platform. Another stand, I have 12' worth of screw in steps, then a 20' climbing stick above those. The seat of that stand is about 33' off the ground.
I did HVAC work for 15 years and was terrified of heights but I'll sit dark to dark on an 18x20 platform 30' without thinking twice.
I tried the tree thing. I bought brand new Lone Wolf sticks and stand thinking about how I'd be the tree top terror on deer.......man I used them about three times and caught a windy day, I Craigslisted my stuff and bought a bowhunters gillie suit.......shots out to Marc Anthony
Every time I put up a stand I'm shaky for about 10 minutes but after that I'm fine. Just about anything else that's more than 5 foot off the ground I'm shaking. First time I went up in our 100' aerial platform at the FD I freaked smooth out. Now that I've done it a few times I'm ok....sort of. Just an FYI I you ever get a chance to target shoot out of one it is very different and interesting. Sent from my cellular device using the TapaTalk application.
I'm usually okay after my first sit. For some reason I hate everything about using a ladder stand. From setting one up, to sitting in it - something just freaks me out about it.
