In all the years I've participated in hunting excursions, there is one thing that always amazes me, and that's the lack of attention to safety an archer gives when hanging or using their treestand. If you're going to invest the money in a treestand to get you high off the ground, above your prey and give you that extra edge on your game, then why wouldn't you invest the proper time in getting that treestand set up right or better yet, invest further in protective equipment such as a fall restraint device? It was in the mid 1970's that hunters really started taking to treestands, but it wasn't until the mid 1990's that the market really exploded. And by the 2000's the cost of treestands had gone down, and now today it's not uncommon for a hunter to have more then one. Good statistics on treestand accidents are hard to find, but many state wildlife agencies claim there is one statistic for sure, and that's, one in three treestand hunters will fall at some point during their hunting careers. We all like to feel invincible, but we are not, your treestand should be treated with the same respect as your firearm, because in a sense they can both be dangerous and life threatening. Here are some tips you should seriously consider when you want to use a treestand for hunting. 1 Have an alternate Plan When you scout an area for placement of a treestand, plan for ground hunting as well,if the weather conditions are high winds, rain, snow or ice you probably don't want to be climbing a treestand. 2. Know your limits as a climber Hunters should know what they are capable of when it comes to maneuverability and try not to exceed that limit. If climbing a stick ladder to a hang-on stand or using a climbing stand is difficult, you probably shouldn't be using that type of stand 3. The bigger the platform the better You have to remember, you will be standing and possibly turning to shoot while in this treestand, you want the platform to be wide enough to accommodate these moves without stepping off the edge. There are plenty of stands on the market with platforms measuring 24 inches wide by 34 inches deep, would you rather stand on that, at 20 feet above the ground, or a platform measuring 14 inches wide and 17 inches deep? 4. Make sure your platform is level Never place a stand that is leaning forward or cocked to either side, this will set you off balance, especially after you've been sitting for a time and you go to stand up. 5. Use a lifeline and/or safety harness Your safety harness should be attached to the tree from the time you leave the ground until you come back down. For those hunters using stick ladders or scew in/strap on steps, you should include a lifeline as parts of you're set up. A lifeline is a safety rope strong enough to support the hunters weight that extends from the ground up above the treestand. One feature of a lifeline is a prussic knot attachment that allows the hunter to clip a safety harness in and slide the knot up and down the lifeline while climbing the tree. Don't become a statistic, take the proper time to install your treestand correctly, wear a full body harness and think about your safety and your family.
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Good statistics on treestand accidents are hard to find, but many state wildlife agencies claim there is one statistic for sure, and that's
With all that said, Id like to invite you to browse the selection of treestands and safety harnesses at http://www.TheBowBarn.com, we have many styles to choose from and some Im sure will be perfect just for you. For instructions on how to tie a prussic knot go to www.animatedknots.com
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