OT - Be carefull out there!

[cnjarvis]

I was hunting my tree stand next to the feeder Saturday morning and at 11:00 I started to get down. I had just picked up my waist pack and was shouldering it when the nylon ratchet strap holding the tree stand snapped. No safety harness + 15’ drop equals OUCH! The express elevator’s descent was slowed somewhat by a 2 to 2.5” branch which I snapped on my way through it. I hit my right side, hips first, then shoulder. I thought about laying there awhile to collect my wits but was afraid that if I didn’t get up and move, I might not move for quite awhile. Nothing broken or bruised but I’m pretty sore. Feeling much better today than I was then. Darned lucky I’m not dead or worse.

Why wasn’t I wearing a harness? The darned thing wouldn’t fit over my 4 layers of clothes. Guess I’ll be getting one that WILL fit now.

Did I mention OOOWWWWWWW!!!??

[86er]

I'm glad you are okay! I've seen worse. Many years ago I fell out of a tree twice in the same day! The next weekend I bought a full body 4 point harness and a HSS vest. When I am wearing a lot of clothes the 4 pt goes under my clothes with the strap sticking out the collar. When I can get it over clothes the HSS vest goes over everything. I will not hunt in a tree stand without one.

[Nath]

Glad you are ok! Would some rope in addition to the ratchet strap of helped?

Nath.

[Jason_W]

Glad you're ok.

Most of us tend to discount falling as a hazard while engaging in our outdoor activities, but it seems to take the greatest toll.

I'm an ice fisherman and the worst outdoor injury I've ever received was not falling through the ice, but on it.

[deerwhacker444]

Bet you didn't know you were being filmed did you...?



Hidden Video..!

[cnjarvis]

Funny Andrew, very funny.

Actually, I'm more of an Ogre than a bear.

[nemhed]

I had a similar fall several years ago, it's amazing how much can run through your head during that second and a half. That fall occurred while hanging a stand. I shudder to think about falling with a rifle or bow in my hands. I'm not scared of heights but after several years of using tree stands and thinking about the pros and cons of hanging out in trees, it seems to me the cons of tree stand use have outnumbered the pros. I haven't used a stand in about eight years. I'm going to get more serious about bowhunting during the next couple of years, so I may change my tune somewhat, we'll see.

[Blaine]

I'm glad you're ok, but you already know how close you came to screwing the pooch, don't ya?

[pokey]

i climb utility poles at work, burning [sliding down] a pole from 18' or so is
never a good experience. usually the ground arrives before i know anything
is wrong. i feel your aches and pains for sure. better clinging next time.

[cnjarvis]

I'm glad you're ok, but you already know how close you came to screwing the pooch, don't ya?

I believe I do. Don't think I haven't thanked God and my lucky stars that I'm on this side of the dirt and MOL in one piece.

[rjohns94]

I fell out of a tree climbing to put in a tree stand many years ago. Before they had commercial tree stands so affordable (to my income). I crushed three vertebrae. Spent a year on a board completing my senior year of college. I know you are sore. I feel it each and every day. Glad you came away walking and hope everyone here uses a harness while hunting. Blessings

[RIHMFIRE]

Glad your ok...
Please wear a safety harness....
I wear mine when ever I use my climber...
I go 25 feet or higher at times....
Most of our ladder stands have a rail so
i dont use them there...

[DBW]

Hunting should be done on the ground. Even a child knows that to 'hunt' Easter eggs requires boots on the ground.

Glad you're okay otherwise. Hate to lose a fellow Okie from this forum.

[FWiedner]

Fella I know had a similar incident occur a few years back. He was sitting in his stand about 15' up when it let go of the tree. No safety strap or harness. Straight down.

Impact broke his back. Couldn't stand up to walk out. He dragged himself a ways until it hurt too bad to move and then he made noise until his hunting buddies came looking for him. Doesn't hunt anymore.

Something to think about on a couple of points, one being of course the use of at least a safety strap, another being whether or not you hunt alone or with a buddy.

Gettin' yourself hurt out in the yonder has a potential to turn out bad.

[2571]

Came into the deer camp house cold & walked to the woodstove in the dark. Tripped & landed on both palms on top of the stove. OUCH!

Spent next 4 hours with cold soda pop cans in both hands. Blisters are impresive but pain gone now.

Saw no deer so that's my hunting story for this year.