Just a reminder guys & gals

[reeltime]

I know we all hear about treestand safety but over time sometimes we cut

corners, don't take that extra few seconds do something else before we hook

up ( I certainly HOPE everyone is strapped in if your off the ground)

Its been a terrible week for tree stand accidents! my condolences to all the

families living through the tragedies as of late. I know several people that have

fallen from stands in the past, all of them have survived luckily.

Yesterday morning a tree stand accident hit way too close to home! My stepson

attached his climber to a tree, got all his gear hooked up. He stepped up on the

platform hooked in his feet and moved the climber up and when he put pressure

on the climber the pin broke that goes through the chain.

He fell backwards and LUCKILY the platform was only a couple feet off the

ground! Lucky in the standpoint that wasn't up 4+ feet hanging by his feet!

His season is done for this year!! broke his fibula on his left leg above the

ankle, tore tendons and ligaments from the side of his ankle.

Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, dr. said a plate, rod, screws, 2 straps and

reattaching the tendons and ligaments will be done. He will probably be out

of work till at least Feb.

Guys, please take an extra minute to check your stands over good for any

cracks, rusty bolts, frayed cables, etc. replace parts as needed.

please remember to wear a safety harness, take it from someone that has

fallen and those I have talked to that fell.... I hear it all the time, I will just

grab the tree, or a limb or the stand.... BS!!! you will be on the ground a

split second after you realize you are falling! I fell 12 feet off a roof, believe

me there is NO time to do anything!! I was on the ground as soon as I

realized my feet were off the roof! luckily it was really muddy and I landed

flat footed but I was sunk over my ankles in the mud! had it been hard

ground or pavement I would of likely broke both ankles, IF I were lucky!

When I started bowhunting 35 years ago there were no safety harnesses

for hunters. I used to climb trees and stand on limbs, wedge a 2x6 in the

crotch of a tree etc. will never happen to me was my thought. looking back

on it now I know it was foolish. The cost of a safety harness is miniscule

compared to being out of work for months, orthopedic surgery costs, etc.

good luck to all and please be careful out there.

[RUNNIN REBEL]

Lee,

Very sorry to hear that story & i hope and PRAY he will make out all right.

THANK YOU for that very important message.

The tree stand accident in Bristol was near our land there. The Mercy flight copter landed behind the Bristol fire house field/picked up hunter and was headed to Hospital in Rochester, when on the way medics lost the hunters pulse and they immediately turned and headed to F.F. Thompson hospital in near by Canadaigua. He was pronounced dead there. THIS TREE STAND was ONLY 10 feet up.

PLEASE -THINK-BECAREFUL

Jerry

[Capt Vince Pierleoni]

Very sorry to hear about your stepson. Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. We were talking about this very topic on the boat today. I have gone home this year after realizing I had forgot my harness, years ago, no way that would have been the case. Thanks for the reminders, never too many. What make and age was the climber?

[reeltime]

API climbing stand, not sure of what model.

age is about 6 years old. he hasn't ever used it much.

thanks for the well wishes guys, I am hoping that there are no long term

effects of this other than his likely fear of heights now.

[muskybob]

I had a friend fall out of his stand about 3 yrs. ago. Busted his spleen open. He managed to crawl about 100 yards before he finally passed away. Wasn't found till the next morning. I can't stress enough about being safe and wearing a safety strap AND using a rope to raise & lower unloaded firearms & bows. Be safe and be thankful for each & every day.

[rabhunt]

I am the VP of a group that helps disabled men and women get back into the outdoors - New York Outdoors Unlimited (nyoutdoorsunlimited.com). Every year we hear about people who get seriously injured from falls, not only while hunting from tree stands but from installing as well. NEVER hang stands alone, NEVER do so without a saftey harness, NEVER think that it won't happen to you. Always let someone know, not only the area you are going to hunt but tell them the actual tree stand you will be sitting in. I tell all of our friends and family that I work with a great group of people, but we shouldn't even be in business. Every tree stand on the market comes with a saftey harness - PLEASE use it. I hope your stepson makes a full recovery. Happy Thanksgiving to all, shoot straight and be safe.

[Reel Doc]

A few years back a client clued me in to the Hunter Safety system vests. Unfortunately he started using one after breaking several vertebrae following a fall from a homemade tree stand.

Compared to the safety strap I had been using, these vests are far more secure. Definitely worth checking out, and if you do not get one, put it on your Xmas list so someone who loves you can make sure you have one.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Greg

[reeltime]

just to update.

surgery was done today, an hour and a half, the break was very bad but the

ankle held together pretty well and was not as bad once the dr. was in there

so his recovery should go well.

they told him the staples come out in 8 days, cast after that for 8 weeks and

then physical therapy for 4 weeks.

[FX]

Good news I hope he makes a full recovery. Thanks for sharing your story and hope it's an eye opener for those who think "it won't happen to me"

Shawn

[Mortigan]

Bump

Deer season's here again. Let's all come back in one piece.