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MESSAGE BOARD

TREE STAND SAFETY- DON’T HIT THE GROUND
“WARNING – NO PUNCHES PULLED”

By Allen “horntagger” Morris

Well most of us deer hunters are hunting from the trees now days. All of us know that hunting from trees give us huge advantages over Whitetail Deer and the Wild Turkey.

Any one that knows pulling back on a wild turkey is almost impossible and even a huge buck can be overwhelming challenge. Having the advantage above the deer and turkey’s line of site can be all it takes. Plus we have the upper hand by watching the deer come in so we can get ready at a deer stands height.

But everyone knows the eyesight of a deer is not it’s best weapon. The nose knows all. By being in the tree we get our scent above the deer and in the trees.

But the use of deer stands has started making hunters roll the dice. That is what we do every time we head up a tree we take a great heritage and turn it into a risk.

Well I hope to make an overcast subject into a enlighten subject. Maybe I will remind you of something you already know but have forgotten or maybe you will learn something new but we all need a refresher course.

Here are some things that have caused life-ending results

1.Lock on Stands - Anchor points, chains and hooks fail or are not hooked on correctly.

2.Ladder stands – Again poor anchor points to the tree, or starting to rust or rot.

3.Climbing Stands – Rotten straps and ropes, broken bolts and snaps.

4.Homemade Stands – Splitting wood, rotted wood, nails, bolts or other anchor pulled out.

Remember it takes few seconds to check the stand once and only takes few more to double check your stand.

If you use a stand and it is to high or old and that makes you nervous. What in the WORLD are you doing in it anyway? Get out or move the stand to a lower position or get the stand fixed. You can always hunt on the ground for a day.

Here are some things that may take you home that night

Make sure all that all stands before you buy them have the Tree Stand Manufacturers Association Sticker.

1.Lock on Stands - Why not consider adding a second chain for back up.

2.Ladder Stands - Again a second strap and a new coat of paint each year could make the difference.

3.Climbing Stands – Check for cut straps and all nuts and latches make sure they fit tight.

4.Homemade Stands – Don’t climb into a homemade the first day of deer season check them out month or so ahead of time and replace anything that needs to be replaced.

FEW MORE TIPS

Few more tips for the season. Everyone reading this has been this way at least once. Sleepy. One thing about it if you are sleepy just pass on the stand that day or get down. Or wait till you get your second wind. Remember you won’t wake up if your dead.
Never climbs with rings on your fingers. They can get caught if you slip. Your wife or husband might have a problem with that. I now have a reason for you to give them. You just tell them horntagger said, “If you don’t have finger to put it on what does it matter.”
Be sure to use a GOOD rope to pull up or lower down your bow, gun or other items. DON’T CLIMB WITH THEM. MAKE SURE IT IS UNLOADED WHEN PULLING IT UP OR DOWN THE TREE.
Practice using them each year before the season starts. Remember practice makes perfect and you just might find something wrong. You don’t go to the woods without shooting you bow before the season. This is no different.
No matter what stand, be sure you are using a harness. If not you are wasting your time reading any of this. This is your only back up that matters the most. If you decide to use a harness great if you decide to use a safety belt then consider putting around your upper chest and under your arms.
Take extra care in ice, snow, or rain.

JUST IN CASE

Consider carrying a two-way radio, whistle, or even cell phone in your fanny pack. Might be the only lifeline you have left to use.
Tell a relative or friend what your plans are for the day and when you should be back. Maybe even consider if you change your plans to leave a note in the truck of your plan of attack.
If you trim trees below the stand be sure they are cut off even with the ground. If the sudden stop does not kill you the pungey sticks just might.

FINAL THOUGHTS – I HOPE NOT

Three most important things to remember if you have forgot everything else. Please remember these.
1.DON’T HIT THE GROUND. IT WILL RUIN YOUR DAY.
2.THE BIGGEST REASON HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HUNTING. THAT IS YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER AND YOUR FAMILY OF COURSE.YOU CAN’T PASS THE HERITAGE OF HUNTING ON IF YOUR DEAD.
3.TREAT TREE STAND AS YOU WOULD A LOADED GUN. THE MINUTE YOU STOP RESPECTING THEM. THEY WILL KILL YOU.

TESTIMONIALS FROM FELLOW HUNTERS.

If you don’t believe me or you think I am preaching.These thought come from the message boards of United Sportsmen of America, National Wild Turkey Federation, Bill Jordan’s Realtree, and the Missouri Department of Conservation


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