After reading EricZ's post on how his harness saved his life it got me thinking. I use a climber and I tie the bottom to the top but I dont hook onto the tree until I have got to the height where I want to climb. Do any of you guys hook up while climbing and if so how?
I use a HSS vest. One of the accessories is called a "rope style tree strap" it uses a prussic knot so you can loosten and slide up the tree as you climb. When using my climber which is 90% of the time I stay attached from start to finish. They sell an accessory for ladder and hang-on stands called a lifeline. You simply slide the prussic knot up the rope that is attached at the top of your stand and tied off at the base of the tree. Dont have one of these yet but plan to get a couple. http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/store/rope-style-tree-strap.html
This is a great suggestion. I use a Tree Spider harness but still have the rope style tree strap from HSS. It'll work on any harness and is a great way to stay connected. It may take an extra minute or two to get up, but its well worth it. Just slide as you climb.
I've never used a harness but a couple of times, and really don't like the restricted feeling I have wearing one. That being said, I also inspect my stuff very closely before heading into the woods, and I've only ever had one "kick-out" where the bottom of the stand slipped, and I QUIT using that style of stand.... "Old Man Treestands" with the rubber hose around the cable, and the WHOLE thing slipped, and I just climbed back down left it at the base of the tree, and hunted from the ground...
Any treestand can fail. I don't use my harness on the way up the tree, or the way down, but I may make one of those ropes that DVF linked.
I hook in from the start till I get were I want to go. I owe it to my family and to myself to wear one.
Alot of good info guys. I appreciate the suggestions. I know I am going to start hooking up as I climb. There has been a couple of times that the pucker factor has gone up when climbing
Always hooked in. Had an issue while climbing this past weekend. First time its ever happened, but thanks to the harness, I only had some bruising from where my stomach hit the seat. It could have been a lot worse.
I too am always hooked up and won't ever climb not being so. Most of your accidents occur during the climb up or down, not while actually hunting. It's a very, very small inconvenience to use a harness to keep you safe and hunting for years to come.
I made a "lifeline" which is just a prussick on a rope and slide it up as i go up in my climber. Works great.
