Some people....

[Vermin93]

BTW, check out rock climbing harnesses. Those things only run $30 bucks and they go up in price for comfort. A NICE harness will run you $50 because it has padding, gear loops, etc. The only thing critical to preventing hitting the ground is the waist loop. Everything else is for aid in recovery. It also make sense to use full harness hunting so you can tether higher up on the body and so the rope doesn't get in the way, but expensive harnesses are not necessary... just an luxury.

Ding, ding, ding!

I started with a HSS Vest. Hated the vest and all of it's unnecessary fabric. Bought a Muddy harness (the one so many "pros" wear on TV). Loved it because there's so little to it. It's light and doesn't get in the way. The straps are only 1" wide, so really I wouldn't want to fall in it.

Then I saw the light and bought this: http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3659000

and this: http://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Safety-.../dp/B002L9GAS4

and I will never go back to a traditional treestand harness. The rock climbing harness setup is far superior. I have no idea why people still buy treestand harnesses other than the harness companies have brainwashed hunters into thinking they need a special harness to sit in a tree. Totally not true. If I fall in my rock climbing harness I will be hanging from a rope that's attached in front of my waist and I will simply grab that rope and pull myself back onto my stand or over to my tree steps. If I fall in a traditional treestand harness I will be dangling from a rope behind my head and worrying about getting my suspension strap out to keep from dying from suspension trauma. No thanks.

[TX_Hoghunter]

Not that anyone cares but I have gotten tired of some of the hypocrites in this thread. So how many of you judgemental people smoke? have ever driven drunk? Have an swimming pool? Are over weight? I could go on and on about all of the things that people do on a daily basis are are more likely to kill you than falling out of a stand. I know it is easy to throw rocks so no need to let facts get in ya'lls way. Once again if you want to wear one great. Its your choice. My choice happens to be to not wear one.

-john

[dadogg]

I felt that the ones that come with the stands when you buy them were uncomfortable to me so I got a HSS that is comfortable to wear. We are taught safety everyday at the plant so wearing fall protection to me is just common sense and I never really gave it a second thought.

I have a couple of the free harnesses in my garage that I don't need so if any one needs one send me a pm with an addy and I'll mail it to you

[BirdRanger]

We will read about him soon unfortunately in a bad way. Man has 20ft fall out of tree while hunting, family notified.

[Vermin93]

I personally think you are at greater risk climbing up the tree and into the stand. Do any of you own a device that is fall protection used to protect you the entire climb up

Yes, of course. A lineman's belt or treestand lifeline is used when climbing up and down from hang on and ladder stands. With a climber you use the treestand harness and tree belt as you are climbing up and down. There are many videos on YouTube showing these products in use.

Here's a treestand safety video made by a bowhunting trauma doctor who fixes hunters who didn't think they needed to use a safety harness.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhg58pMNxLM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhg58pMNxLM[/ame]

[southsider]

Ive hunted lock-ons for over 40 years, usually 20+ ft up. Never thought about what if...falling,dying, etc. Started wearing a harness maybe 8 years ago. Went to a hospital to visit a friend and all he could move was his eyeballs...never again...

[EastTx]

Harness Police #1- I wear my harness while driving and attach to my steering wheel just in case I fall while getting out of my truck.
Harness Police #2- Well I wear mine before getting into the truck. I attach a safety line to the cab before ascending into the truck just in case I take a wrong step.

[five-08808]

I do when hunting from my climber or lock ons, however, I can't when hunting from one of my sets with a quad pod or tri pod. Nowhere to tether as most of mine are shoved up in youpon bushes. What do y'all do when in a tri-pod?