New Jersey Hunters banner
1 - 17 of 17 Posts

m73396

· Registered
Joined
·
257 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Lessons Learned.

1. If your climber has an elastic heel bungee to keep your feet from coming out of the stirrups, use it.
2. Replace your existing tether line that comes with your stand if it comes with a plastic connector, make sure it is secure. Don't take it for granted
3. Always carry a knife where is is immediately accessible

I went out bow hunting Sunday morning Zone 6, I love the cold. I was about 13-15 feet up when I heard a SNAP and then a crash. I have a Summit viper and use the carry straps as a tether between the top and bottom sections. The plastic connector split, probably due to the cold, and the bottom of my stand went straight to the base of the tree. Ok nice, what the frig do I do next. The tree was small enough where I could squeeze my thighs againt the side and provide enough leverage so I could slide my linemans strap down. raise the top section and slide it down. The first moves went ok, then the strap got hung up on something behind the tree and try as I might I could not get it to slide down, too much weight and pressure on it. Now I have my arms on the arm rest of the top section and the strap is about 10 inches hihger than I am and my body hanging. Stuck, can't pull myself up due the to bulky clothing and boots, can't move down because now the strap has pulled the harness too tight. I look down, about 9 feet to go, and of course nothing but rocks and fallen branches below, not the safest place to land. I slowly begin to undo my harness, chest buckle, then each leg strap, I step my left leg out , then try to step my righ leg out. Can't get my right leg out, the linemans strap has pulled the harness too tight on the right side, so now I'm really stuck, left leg is free and right leg is bound up in the harness. Ok, I can cut away the linemans strap, where's my knife? Yep on my pants belt, under my overalls, covered by my jacket which is now bound up because the harness is pulled tight.....nice. I remembered I have another knife in my backpack so I begin to awkwardly pull up the haul line and eventually pull my other knife out. Making sure I have a grip on the upper portion of the stand I slice through the linemans strap, making sure that no other piece of the harness is caught anywhere I hang straight down as far as I can, staying as close to the tree as I can to slow myself and slide down to the bottom portion of my stand. If I was a smoker I would have had a cigarette, took me about 1/2 hour to get loose. I used a dead branch to free the upper section. I now have a fold out knife attached to my harness and a 5 foot length of rope attached to both sections of the climber with rubber coated caribiners and an "L" tatooed to my forehead to remind me to use the rubber heel bungee. I can't wait to see what lessons I learn next week;)
 
thankfully you didn't get hurt. the heel bungee on mine has been gone for a couple years, i never take my feet out of the sturrups. I think your story is a good reminder to make sure the top and bottom sections are connected. Yes, your buckle broke, but you would be surprised how many people dont lash the two together at all.
 
Glad you did not get hurt. You need a new harness, with clips for quick release. I use a section of lanyard to secure the top and bottom, approx a 1.5 ft section, makes the climb up slower but they are well connected with a bowling hitch. If the bottom falls away you will want a lanyard attached to the top rail, easy to reach and haul the bottom back up, assuming you can work it back up the trunk.
 
Once you are hanging from the tree by your harness, it might be a good idea to call a buddy to advise of your situation and location. A cell phone and knife should be accessable at all time when tree stand hunting. If you can self rescue then recall your emergency contact and advise. You can lose consciousness from suspension trauma if unable to free yourself in a timely fasion. Have a plan for self rescue before you get in trouble. A spare tree step in your pocket can buy you extra time to self rescue and free yourself from your harness.
 
1 - 17 of 17 Posts