Hunter found dead

[Multidigits]

The height of the guy is irrelevant. He didn't hit the ground, so it didn't matter that he was up a ways. With out leaves, it's common to get higher up. A fall from 15' can also be fatal. Let's wait for the autopsy before making a judgement?

 

[MrBowhunter]

Always remember in addition to wearing a harness that IF, once attached to the tree, you spin the section where the harness attachess to the tie off on the tree around the tree to where your climbing sticks are that if you fall, (regardless of the type of harness), you should swing around the tree directly under wear it is tied off at. If you place that next to your climbing sticks/steps, there's a good chance you can cling to the ladder and go up or down to help yerself out. This won't always work but will sometimes help if you fall off of the front or the side of the stand in which your tie off is located.

 

[oldforestor]

it's like everything else on here. height is personal preference. late in the season when the deer are wary and the leaves are off, I will go over 30 feet when conditions allow or sometimes require it.

Sometimes it's the arrow...
Sometimes it's the Indian...

 

[oldforestor]

Something else I do is to use a shortened strap. I cant really fall to where my waist would be below the base of my stand. once im up there i then attach to the tree as well, even further limiting the distance i could fall. I figure the worst outcome would be to be suspended somewhere below the stand.

Sometimes it's the arrow...
Sometimes it's the Indian...

 

[Strutter]

When I get set up, I adjust the length of my belt so I can sit and stand, no more. No more is needed. If I can't get the shot I want doing this, I will try again another day. By shortening your strap, there is really no way to fall unless you fall out the side and then you aren't going far. Just be careful whatever you do. Last year I was pulling steps from a tree and one pulled slick out and I went down fast. Luckily, I held on with my feet and forearms and hit on my feet but it still hurt like heck the next day.


Prayers to the family.

Strutter

 

[Hunting_Medic]

Well, I for one will NEVER fall out of a tree while hunting, because I keep my butt on the ground! I have been hunting since I was 16 and I have taken deer every year, and several were very nice. If GOD wanted me to hang out in a tree he would have gave me claws and a bushy tail.

 

[Big58cal]

A body belt (single strap around the tree, single strap around you), and a chest harness are what are called "fall restraint" systems. Their design is to keep you from getting into a position where you can fall. They do nothing for you if you do fall, except keep you from hitting the ground. A full body harness is what is known as a "fall arrest" system. They don't really do anything to keep you from falling, but will stop you from hitting the ground. They also allow you to remain concious long enough to recover from the fall and either cut yourself loose, or climb back into you stand on the steps.

Another thing to remember is to always have some type of 'quick release' system. The majority of the time, this is a knife to cut yourself loose. A controlled fall is a heck of a lot better than an uncontrolled fall! If you're in control and cut yourself loose and you hit the ground, you may sustain a broken leg, ankle, etc., but you controled it. In an uncontrolled fall, you don't know how you're going to land, or what you're going to hit on the way down.

Really good full body harnesses are about $100, but it's a small price to pay when you're considering something that will save your life. The one I've got is an A/D Pro. It's the only full body harness made for hunting that is OSHA approved (to my knowledge). I don't know if the company is still in business or not, but if they are, everyone should consider getting one. It may save your life.

 

[mike.one]

I don't know if I have ever been 40 feet up a tree, but there is one possible explanation for the height. I hunt extremely steep ridges. To get ten feet above a trail at the top of the ridge, and hunt the wind correctly, it is occasionally preferable to go downslope. If you go downslope 15 or 20 yards, THEN climb to the necessary height, it is easy to get 30 or more feet "off the ground" while hunting only 10 or 12 feet above the deer. I have been 30 feet high in a tree and less than ten feet above a trail before.

 

[Highbow]

Mike one, you have been in the same situation as myself as a treee stand hunter, GSP is correct on my climbing as we both work on poles each day, 40 foot is extremely high for hunting if you are shooting at a straight down target put it may but you at just above eye level with a bench or ridge top, I have on a few trips hunted near 40 foot but my average height is 23 feet for most common lock on stands, I have been over 80 feet in a tree while working but those safety belts are always used. I have fallen from the height of 30 feet on a pole, it isn't very nice and neither the pain of having splitters dug out or the burn spray applied.
HUNT SAFE NO MATTER WHAT STAND TYPE YOU USE

 

[Scrape_master]

I have been 30+ feet up and had deer walk up from the down wind side on numerous occasions. That's why I prefer to get up higher, but always have my safety belt.

 

[kybowhunter]

Hey mrbowhunter heck of a idea on the climbing sticks that really is a good idea.I also feel for the family........

Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in. --Andrew Jackson.

www.kyarchery.com
www.rogerraglin.com

 

[amstonedh7]

thats bad

 

[GSP]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I have fallen from the height of 30 feet on a pole, it isn't very nice and neither the pain of having splitters dug out or the burn spray applied.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
[V]Why I posted that Highbow, I know 25' hurts like Hell! Still wearing a splinter from 18 years ago!

Boys, next time you think you are up 40', drop a tape measure to the ground! It is a LONG way! I've been 65' on a pole. I just have not seen many trees you can get 40' up!

 

[gut shot]

i like to hunt high but that is real high my regrets to his family

 

[varmiterkid]

very sad story yet i would rather die in the woods then in some hospital or ne where at that