MidWest Quarterly Article

Get Ready For Season While “Staying Safe!”

Fall 2009

By Jim Barta

            Like most avid deer hunters, bowhunting starts for me long before opening day. I’m going into “deer hunting rut” by the end of July and by the close of August, every broadhead I’ve got is already razor sharp. I enjoy every second I’m in the woods hanging treestands and preparing for my favorite sport to kick off almost as much as the hunt itself.

            While I enjoy placing my stands high in a tree, I also understand that in doing so, I can loose my ability to hunt, perhaps for the rest of my life, with just one slip while aloft.

            Imagine being told that you’ll never hunt again because of an unforeseen accident that occurred while doing something you love to do. The mere thought of such a possibility sends a chill down my spine and a sick feeling straight to the gut.

            Yet, as much as I hate to admit it, there was a time when I was a whole lot closer to this scenario than I ever imagined. You see, at one time I gave a lot more thought to my hunting gear than my own safety while hunting from treestands. As long as my broadheads were sharp, my camo was scent free, and my arrows perfectly balanced, what more could I possibly need, right?

            Sound like anyone you know?

            Maybe it’s just because I was at an age when I considered myself bulletproof and near invincible.  Or, in my attempt at a feeble excuse, maybe it was because of the fact that back then, no one really gave much thought to just how easily a hunter could fall from his/her favorite ambush point high in the trees.

            Whatever the reason, reality sets in when we hear about a close friend or hunting companion who became crippled or died from a treestand fall. In fact, it’s likely that if you haven’t yourself fallen at one time or another, you know someone who has.

            A bit of research shows us that more hunters are injured from treestand-related falls than any other type of hunting accident! Digging even deeper into the facts also reveals that many more hunters die from treestand falls than hunting-related gun shots!

            As we get ready for the fall hunting season, safety, especially when hunting aloft, should be at the forefront of our thoughts. We owe it to our families as well as ourselves. Let’s face it; if you have loved ones who really care about you, then you need to be wearing a full-body safety system.

            Wearing a TMA Certified safety system such as the ones made by Hunter Safety System is a “no-brainer”. HSS took what has previously been a tangled bunch of straps and incorporated them into a comfortable, easy to wear vest. Now, hunting while attached to the tree is possible without the feeling of restrictive and dangling straps. This piece of equipment should be used during the preseason when hanging treestands as often as it is during the season while hunting.

            Where once we risked life and limb hanging treestands by holding onto a tree with one arm and having both legs wrapped around it, today’s lineman’s belts make the job as safe as it is easy. Every harness certified to TMA (Treestand Manufacturer’s Association) standards comes with the ability to hook a lineman’s belt to it. This strap or rope allows hunters the ability to have their hands free while hanging a treestand. No more gripping the tree dangerously while working 20+ feet above the ground.

            With ladder stands becoming as popular as hang-on style treestands among hunters, the possibility of slipping off a ladder rung while climbing or falling face forward while dozing (and who hasn’t done that from time to time) increases. Today, companies such as Hunter Safety System Inc. offers a “Life Line” that keeps hunters safe from the moment he/she leaves the ground until they return. The hunter merely connects his/her harness to the Life Line before beginning to climb and stays connected to it throughout the hunt. Should a fall occur, the specialty knot on the line stops the decent immediately?   

            It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the preseason preparing for season to begin or in the thick of the hunt, ANYTIME you’re above ground level you need to be attached to the tree with a full-body, TMA certified harness. Other accessories such as the lineman’s belt and life line add to lessen the risk of falling and should always be considered. We have wives, children, mothers and other loved ones that need us to come home so stay safe whenever you’re above ground level. Don’t let your next hunt be your last hunt!

            For more information on Hunter Safety System, go to www.hssvest.com or call 877-296-3528.