Seems like the majority of deer hunters hunt from above these days. Hunting from above gives us several advantages, such as remaining above a deer's normal field of view, raising our scent above our prey's nose, and increasing our range of vision. Unfortunately, as the use of tree stands increases, so does the frequency of hunters falling from their perches. I find this disturbing, especially since hunting has long been one of the safest pastimes there is, so here are some thoughts on the subject, with the goal of making the woods a safer place for us all.
It Can be Done
Tree stands can be used safely. I've been using them regularly for just about three decades, and I've never fallen from one. I use both ladder-type stands and self-climbing stands, during two to three months of hunting each year. I suppose this track record may be impressive (and I hope I keep it up indefinitely), but I certainly hope it's not unusual.
Be Selective
I won't use a stand if it seems unsafe to me, because I know I won't enjoy my time in it, even if the stand is, in reality, sturdy. I'm a very cautious guy, especially when I'm putting myself at risk. Risk is not a factor to be ignored - like it or not, every time a hunter climbs a stand, he or she is at risk. It only takes a short fall to break a neck, or to puncture something and bleed to death.
Survey Says
In an informal survey on a hunting forum, a high percentage of those hunters responding who had fallen from trees were using hang-on type stands (small platforms that strap or chain to the tree) and tree steps. One hunter had a strap-on tree step come loose as he climbed. Another had a screw-in tree step (illegal on many public lands; check your regulations!) pull out of the tree as he climbed. Another used an old dead branch as a step, and it broke under his weight. Still another hunter, while using a hang-on platform chained to a tree, suddenly found himself on the ground; an S-hook had straightened out, and down he went.
Tree Steps and Hang-on Stands
Tree steps, which many hunters use to get up and down trees, are something I've always disliked. I much prefer to be surrounded by something solid as I climb, and I can achieve this by using my climbing stand. A climbing harness can be used as one climbs the steps, but the thought of a step ripping into me during even a short fall is not appealing.
I have never used any kind of hang-on stand; they just never looked safe to me, and I know I would feel very nervous getting in and out of one. I imagine that there are safe ways of using tree steps and hang-on stands, but a large part of hunting is enjoying our time afield, so I'll only use what I'm comfortable with.
What I Like: Climbers
I prefer a climber that allows you to sit down when you're pulling up the bottom section. The bottom section needs to be as large as the top, so I can stand and move around when I get up there, and the top section must surround me, while not interfering with my ability to shoot my rifle or bow. My old homemade steel and aluminum climbing stand is fairly heavy, but it's safe and I'm used to it.
Borrowed Stands
I have spent many years hunting deer in the Ocala National Forest in north central Florida. In those woods, ladder stands abound. Many folks set up wood or metal ladder stands, leave them in the woods all year, and seldom use them. I've hunted out of many such stands, which most hunters don't mind.
I have also seen as many ladder stands that I wouldn't dare climb. They may be old and starting to rot, poorly anchored to the tree, or just poorly designed. Whether I'm using a stand of my own or someone else's, I always examine it closely before trusting myself to it. Look for metal fatigue, basic design flaws like steps nailed to the wrong side of the uprights (if they're nailed to the back, then isn't my weight acting to pull the nails out?), splitting wood, rotted wood, rust, etc. Also, take a look at how it's fastened to the tree; the rope or strap may be chafed or rotten, or the bolts holding the chain to the stand may be ready to pull out or break.
Harnesses
When using a safety harness while in the stand, slide the tether up the tree until it's almost tight when you sit down. That will help shorten a fall to avoid bruises and reduce trauma if you do fall.
For many years, I didn't use any kind of safety strap or harness, and I'm actually glad of that, because the single-strap ones available for most of my hunting career are likely to cause more harm than good. A full body harness is what you need, and they're readily available these days.
Some Basic Pointers
Finally, here are some of my basic safety pointers: Be more careful than you think you should be. Don't forget where you are, and how far you are from the ground. Don't use a stand that makes you uncomfortable or nervous in the least. Don't lean much when you're in the stand. Don't trust your life to fabric straps; rely on something solid - steel jaws are wonderful, and I have also used BarkBiter belts and some steel cables with success.
Even when using steel, make sure to eliminate weak links such as S-hooks or worn bolts. Don't climb higher than you're comfortable being, even if you think you're too low; hunting is about enjoyment, so why force it? And here's my final safety tip: Never, ever, ever, fall out of a tree! ;-)
-Russ Chastain
