Although we have covered tree stand safety in one of previous articles which you can find here in Tree Stand Buyer’s Guide, I would like to take the time to take a deeper look at it. it has been said only one and three hunters practice any form of safety. Whether it be using an approved FAS Fall Arrest System to replacing old and worn out parts to your tree stand. Compile that with the number one cause of hunting accidents is from the lack thereof of proper safety and we soon give our tradition a bad name.
Pretty ladies use safety harnesses why aren’t we? Maybe we should take a rock climbing course to learn proper safety and meet women looking like this.
Homemade tree stands is rated up at the top of the list when it comes to hunters falling. Often these type stands can only handle a few years out in the elements before the boards and steps start coming loose. A good practice is instead of using regular lumber is to build your stand with pressure treated lumber. The cost is at a higher price point but the benefits outweigh the cons. Pressure treated wood is made to withstand long exposure in the elements. I prefer to use pressure treated lumber in conjunction with using screws instead of nails. If you ever tried pulling apart a structure of a house you so find it an easy task. The nails if not bent usually will drive out of the lumber with ease. If you tried the same with a pressure treated deck that was put together with screws you will find out it is a chore taking out all of the screws. The screws will give the tree stand more stability than one that is built with nails. This will lead to less accidents.
I think one of the biggest factors for most hunters not practicing tree stand safety is one the macho attitude, it will never happen to me attitude and it is too much of a hassle excuse. If anything hits close to home it is, we can all relate to each other as hunters in that our families are sitting at home waiting to hear our stories we bring back with us after a hunt. If you are not going to practice tree stand safety for your own well being then at least do it for your family.
Here is an excellent video posted covering different aspects of tree stand safety. Things to bring along with on any hunting is a small first aid and survival kit, a cell phone with an extra battery and most importantly bring along common sense.
