Glad to hear you are okay! I just bought some lifelines this year and have installed one so far. The stand where I installed it is only hung in this particular spot temporarily but the lifeline will accompany the stand where ever it is placed. Be safe out there buddy! Also, if you go the climber route, make sure you wear your harness and are tied in as you ascend/descend.
Glad to hear you walked away. I had a friend slide off the hood of a car and hit her head from 3 ft. She died in a coma. Please take the safety advice these guys are giving you to heart.
Glad your ok. I bought about 750ft of heavy duty mountain climbing rope for really cheap, and made my own lifelines. WAY cheaper than buying the commercial setup's.
The main reason I went to sticks over screw in's was an article I read about someone falling, and having a safety belt on...and when they fell the strap broke their fall, then they swung back into the tree and were impaled on a screw in step. I know that is a fluke, but to me the sticks seemed safer. I also like the ease of putting them up over screwing in all the steps. Not sure which is actually safer/better, but that is my .02 on it.
This is exactly why I don't understand how guys are climbing trees without a lifeline. You see too many guys on TV climbing stands and then hooking up once they're in it. What good does that do when 90% of the falls happen while climbing into or out of the stand, not while hunting from it. Get the lifelines or make em yourself!
Obviously when you fall out of a treestand without using a safety line and live to tell the tale, what you should immediately do is throw out that treestand and buy a new one.
I am switching to LADDER stands. I did not fall out of the tree stand, the fall came while climbing down. At least with ladder stands there is the angle of the ladder to help decrease the chances of an accident.
I have been buying more and more ladder stands. I just bought two more and put them up with my son and have decided I will not let him use anything else. Not that accidents cant happen with them, but they are definitely much safer. Glad you did not get seriously hurt Mark.
Thanks all. Today I feel like a truck hit me, but as long as my hand feels ok, I'll be hunting again by this weekend.
You do know that a lifeline keeps you from hitting the ground while you climb up, right? Most falls happen getting in and out of the stand, not from the stand. That's why the lifeline is so important..... and yet hardly anyone uses them.
Glad you are ok. I agree with everyone about the lifelines, even on a ladder stand. The problem I have with the ladder stand is that I feel "safer" climbing up, so I end up trying to carry my bow up with me or something else stupid, putting myself at an even higher risk. Lifelines are the way to go.
Wow That was close then. Glad your here to tell the tell. That's why I all about "life lines" now. I have them on every stand and extra's made. I feel so much better being locked on from the moment I leave the ground till the moment I get back down. I really think companies should put them in with the hang-on and ladder stands. Change another $10-$15. IMO
and because it was you Iowa Veteran I think I start wearing my harness and hooking on on Ladder stands as well. I know it dumb but I just feel so safe in ladder stands but if it can happen to a veteran hunter like IV than it can happen to me. Things that make you go Hmmmmm
I have to agree with Fletch. When I can use them, I like ladder stands. In fact, my best location is a ladder stand. I've shot several deer out of it, and the thing just feels safe. With that being said, Marl, glad you are ok. Could have been much worse.
Thanks Matt, I am blessed to not be more seriously injured. Wife asked me last night if I was still going to hunt and even in the pain I was in, I replied "Did you give up driving after your car accident?" She mumbled "바보 또 같은 쌕이" which translates into something that the swear filter on here won't allow. Marl
Simple. Will climbing sticks swing on you if to much weight is used in a pulling angle....no Will climbing sticks impale you?..no Getting out of your stand with climbing sticks a little hairy? Not really. With pegs you have to keep weight vertical on the steps or they could or will swing on you. Found that the hard way 11 years ago. This is just my experiences,take it for what its worth
A) They can swing if you put too much lateral weight on one. Had a Muddy stick do that to me last week - I stepped a bit too much on the outside edge on my first step down. It shifted just a bit but it was definitely a pucker moment. B) Have you ever seen how pointy/sharp Muddy and especially LW steps are??? Even after a short drop, my 200lb butt hits one of those and I'm in trouble! Not discounting your overall point (I agree wholeheartedly sticks are more safe than screw ins) but don't want people to get the idea they are 100% safer alternative. One of the many great things about a lifeline is it will do double duty as a haul up rope.
I have much experience with both and feel more comfortable with pegs. I don't seem to experience the issues you mentioned. To each their own I guess
